Al Biernat's Oak Lawn — Restaurant in Dallas

My recent visit to Al Biernat's was, regrettably, an exercise in disappointment. Despite its reputation, the evening was marred by several critical issues that are simply unacceptable for an establishment of its purported caliber.

Firstly, the insistence on ordering a side dish was both unnecessary and misleading. When dining out, especially at a higher-end restaurant, one expects transparency in the menu and pricing. To discover that the side dish, which we were essentially compelled to order, came with an additional charge was both surprising and disappointing. Clear communication about such costs is fundamental to a positive dining experience.

The quality of the food, unfortunately, did not redeem this initial misstep. The escargot, a dish that should have been a highlight of the evening, arrived cold. This is a basic error that suggests a lack of attention to detail in the kitchen. Properly cooked and served escargot should be hot and fragrant, not tepid and lackluster.

The prime rib, which I had requested to be cooked to a medium temperature, was another significant disappointment. Not only was it tough to cut through with the provided knife, but it was also undercooked to the point of being raw in the center. A medium steak should be warm and pink throughout, not raw and unappetizing. This suggests either a lack of skill or care in the preparation of the dish, both of which are concerning in a restaurant of this standing.

When I requested that the undercooked steak be reheated, it appeared that a smaller piece of steak was returned to me. This felt like an attempt to mask the original error rather than addressing it properly, adding to my dissatisfaction.

Additionally, the handling of the takeout order was subpar. The prime rib was packed without the accompanying Au Jus, an oversight that further detracted from the overall experience. Such attention to detail is crucial, especially when it comes to ensuring that takeout food meets the same standard as in-house service.

Overall, the dining experience was far below expectations. The combination of hidden charges, poor food quality, improper cooking, and mishandled takeout led to a profoundly unsatisfactory evening. It is disheartening to invest in what should be a pleasurable experience, only to leave feeling disappointed and dissatisfied.

As it stands, I cannot recommend this restaurant based on my...

I'm not typically a reviewer. But I noticed the owner Al responds to most of the reviews, so I just wanted to share some feedback.

First impression, it's in a great area, the establishment is gorgeous, and the vibe in the restaurant was a pleasant surprise. Not overly dark, but just enough to set the mood.

I apologize for not remembering our server's name, but he was attentive and gave suggestions on dishes when asked.

Next I figured, beautiful well known steakhouse, let's grab a classic, so I ordered an old fashion. Right off the bat, the colour threw me off, the drink was pink and had hint of tartness that I'm not used to. I dug around and found on the bottom were 2 marachino cherries and a wedge of orange. Both were pretty beat up so I'm pretty sure it was muddled. I noticed shortly after my friend sitting next to me ordered the same drink but his was done correctly.

In terms of the food. My caprese was pretty good, but was not seasoned. Presentation was sloppy, sauce was all over the rim. Same goes for the braised short ribs. Presentation was sloppy. Flavour wise having the whole bowl brushed with balsamic reduction, when there is already a naturally sweet parsnip purée on the bottom, made the whole dish overly sweet. The short rib itself was over raised and couldn't hold it's shape. Being wagyu, with the added fat, the meat just collapsed and appeared like a pile of pulled beef. The sauce it came with tasted good though.

Your grill cook deserves some recognition, our table ordered 7 steaks, and all were seasoned and cooked perfectly. However, with the premium price, I was expecting the striploins to be cleaned a little better. The silver skin was completely intact and inedible.

Overall, next time I'm Dallas, I would definitely visit your restaurant again. None of what I have mentioned left me unhappy. But being in the same industry as you are, I just wanted to share this information with you. Your establishment is amazing, but I think you could take it even higher with a stronger presence in the kitchen. If you want to chat, hit me up :p Cheers and keep up the...

My boyfriend and I were visiting Dallas for the first time to celebrate his 35th birthday—an occasion that was meaningful for the both of us. While we originally had reservations at another steakhouse, a scheduling conflict earlier in the day forced us to make a last-minute change. After reading the restaurant’s strong reviews, we decided to give it a try, hoping it would still make the night feel special. To be fair, the food was excellent. Our appetizers, entrées, and side dishes were all flavorful and well-executed. The kitchen clearly takes pride in its craft, and we appreciated the care that went into each dish. Unfortunately, the customer service did not meet the same standard—and that left a lasting impact on what should have been a joyful evening. From the beginning, our server didn’t greet us warmly or ask if we were celebrating anything. We were simply asked if we’d like ice water or iced tea—an unusual start for a steakhouse of this caliber, where guests are typically offered sparkling, bottled, or tap water as part of a more refined welcome. We had to request a drink menu, which took longer than expected to arrive. When we asked for a linen napkin, we were offered paper instead, which came across as dismissive and surprisingly unprofessional. What concerned me most was the lack of attention to detail. Our server provided no guidance through the menu and didn’t ask about dietary restrictions or allergies —something I always appreciate, as I have several. Thankfully, I reviewed the menu closely myself, but it left me uneasy knowing that another guest with allergies might not be as cautious or lucky. We did our best to stay positive, reminding ourselves that the night was about celebrating together. We still tipped 20% out of respect for the kitchen, which truly delivered. But overall, the experience lacked the warmth and attentiveness that elevate a meal beyond just good food. Dining out , especially for a special occasion is about more than what’s on the plate. It’s about hospitality and feeling cared for. Unfortunately, that element was missing...