Texas Roadhouse — Restaurant in Decatur

First I would like to say that I am a regular customer of Texas Roadhouse and I have always enjoyed my experience, both the food and the service have always been top notch! This evening I had a terrible experience and I do not ever plan on visiting this particular restaurant again! I visited this restaurant with my wife and my brother. The wait was 25 minutes to be seated and that was not a big deal and we didn't mind the wait. While waiting I went to wash my hands and on my way back from the washroom I counted 20 empty tables. When our pager went off and we went to the hostess station the hostess told us that someone would be just a minute to seat us because they were short staffed. I said that I noticed there were a lot of empty tables and she said the management didn't expect it to be so busy (thinking to myself...Really? It is new years eve I thought people went out on new years eve?). So far none of this bothered me, I just wanted to mention everything. The guy that seated us was carryng a basket of rolls, (they always seat the guests with a basket of warm rolls). When we arrived at our table one of the benches was wet like something was spilled on it. I mentioned to him that it was wet and asked if we could get something to wipe it dry? Without saying anything, he walked away warm rolls in hand, returned with a few napkins wiped the bench and walked away, rolls still in his hand. When our server arrived and we ordered our drinks we also asked if we could get some of the rolls when she has a chance? Over the next 20 minutes we watched several other guests be seated, get their drinks and a basket of warm rolls. The next time that our waiter came by we asked if my wife's drink was ready and if we could get some rolls? Several minutes later she brought her drink, but still no rolls! We asked once again nicely, could we possibly get some rolls when she had a chance? She said that it didn't matter if she brought them or not, someone would be bringing some because she wrote our table number down so they would know. The table right next to us where they were seated after us was on their second drinks and their second round of warm rolls. I finally got up and walked over where the rolls were and the guy that day us at the table was there. I told him that we were waiting about 30 minutes and still have not received any rolls, could we please get some? When I returned to the table I noticed that my wife's drink was gone. Our server never asked if she would like a refill or anything. Finally my brother stopped her as she was walking by and asked for a water. When we received our food, one steak was well done, one was rare and one was medium, all were ordered medium. Nobody ever asked us how were or steaks cooked? Any other time I have visited a Texas Roadhouse the server waits until each person cuts into their steak to make sure they are cooked properly. This was a terrible experience for all of us and if this was the first time I have ever been to a Texas Roadhouse I would...

The food was very good. The service was another story. All wait staff was friendly but when I asked where my parties table was they didn't know. I was told to walk around and look for them. I did and did not see anyone I knew. Briefly considered adopting an already seated and eating family there but talked myself down from that cliff. The door greeter knew they weren't inbthere though because she had just sent them back out to their cars to wait in the near unbearable heat advisory heat and horrid Alabama humidity stating there wasn't enough room in the front by the register for them to wait (there were 6 of my people there waiting). Now we have been under the heat advisory around here for weeks so it was hot out there even in the cars so all of them were kinda sweaty and ill when I ar Came on the scean. We were now a grand total of 7 and there was still only the 15 to 18 peeps there but they said there weren't any tables ready yet and for us to sit and wait there a few until one was. Now, there was no one else out there waiting to come in and there were at least 5 floor wait staff and two busers working when we were seated. I saw the table next to us get bread and cinnamon butter, we did not. I asked for some and waitress 1 said that they had ran out and it would be prob 5 to 7 minutes before it came out and we'd be first up. Ok, no prob. We put our drink orders in. The table directly beside us was full over with dirty, empty plates and I saw the busers acknowledge them and avoid them like a covid patient. They sat there, smelling not nice, at my back for around 23 minutes until someone thought it would be a good idea to get them. SO, still no bread but we see another big table get 2 plates. We waited almost 30 minutes for that bread and butter. Equal to 2 tall draft beers and 2 bottled beers until it arrived right as the food was arriving. Ok, whatever. I should also mention we had 3 waitresses after were were seated. Our original went off into the sunset after seating us and taking our drink order....so #2 showed up and tried to guess what we'd ordered. She did ok but the draft beers weren't the right kind (supposed to be tall, draft, blue moon. They were bottled, and not tall), but they were cold so we took them. Then waitress 3 came up and took our food order. She was great! After this point all was well for the rest of our visit. The food was hot and fresh, the steaks were as ordered, and the service from when she showed up till we left was spot on and she got a healthy 25 % tip. I'm sure she had to split it with the bartenders, the kitchen workers, and the other undeserving table bus staff and other wait staff as well but what can a girl do about all that? She should have got to keep it all for herself though as she was the only real working woman there to my eyes anyway. Would eat there again but prob not...

This place is so hit or miss. I tell people all the time that if you leave someone and go back you'll probably leave for the same reason.

I've been back a few times since my review below. All other visits have been pleasant overall.

With the holidays upon us two tired elves took a moment for a childless meal. It was less enjoyable than any previous visit.

There was cheese in my butter. Not an issue because I like savory cheesy rolls. This was my first warning sign.

My husband did not get his Cesar salad before being served our meal. He had to ask for it to receive it at all.

Warning number two.

As I'm happily enjoying my salad I notice an odd texture. I think maybe it's a tough bacon bit. Nothing too uncommon and easily set aside. What I found in my salad was rolled up straw paper.

I put what I could into an empty cup and let my waitress be aware of this.

All of our table trash was accounted for when this was discovered.

Dirty salad station. Big red flag.

We did not see a manager, even with the chewed up trash being shown to our waitress. No one came to clear this up.

I am still picking paper out of my teeth 40 minutes after we left.

I'm done. I can make my own rolls and grill a more consistent steak.

Old review below.--

Ordered my ribeye medium rare. The steak that came out was grey. Completely well done. My phone calls this "well don't". . I'm not sure it's wrong.

The waitress was kind enough to come check and immediately grab our plates to correct the issue.

The steaks that came back were closer to rare. I don't mind this because I like a good Pittsburg rare steak every now and then. What got me this time was how poorly seasoned it was.

This is probably my 4th trip to this location in the last 3 months. We went around Christmas and the steaks were incredible. The rolls were warm and fluffy and I was so excited to be able to eat at a steak place that felt like I had made them myself.

Whoever that wonderful grill cook was back in December is on to better things I guess.

I'll give it a while...