The DeLand Stockyard — Restaurant in Florida

Tried the Stockyard last night for the very first time. Upon being seated, I informed my server that we were first time diners and to please show us her best. She seemed pleasant enough. There were three people in my party - my wife, my 18 year old son and myself. The server offered us tea and soda which led me to believe that DeLand is a dry city on Sunday. Not so. No big deal there. We ordered three appetizers - a shrimp cocktail for me, calamari for my wife and chicken livers for my son. My shrimp was served almost immediately however I was completely finished with my shrimp before the other two appetizers arrived. As I watched my family eat their appetizers, a couple of minutes later, our ENTREES arrived!! My family had eaten less than a third of their apps and we were expecting our salad course to be served next. I pointed out to the food runner that we were not done with the appetizers and would like our salads to be served before dinner. She seemed a bit confused by that, and actually asked me if I wanted her to send the food back to the kitchen. Ummmm, yes, please? Our salads arrived seconds later... still trying to eat the appetizers. Our server asked if she could bring the food back in two minutes. At this point we could tell that there seemed to be some kind of rush here so we pushed the apps aside, ate the salad and accepted the Entrees. The food was OUTSTANDING!! The apps were very good, the salad was a bit sparse, but the entrees were a home run! My son had had the crab cake sandwich, my wife the liver and onions and I had the Prime Rib. (Note: I ordered a 24 oz. Prime Rib, the server came back to say it is only served 8, 12 or 16 ounce. I pointed out that the menu stated larger cuts were available, just ask. Server wasn't aware of that option.) We did not have dessert. Again, the food was terrific but we felt very rushed throughout the meal. We were seated at about 6:15 and the restaurant was not very busy. Employees loitering at the bar was indicative of free time, the restaurant closes at 8:00 on Sunday, so we really did not understand the obvious push to get us finished quickly. We took the majority of our appetizer home as we were not given the time to enjoy them on site. As a final note, I am a retired Executive Chef so when I tell you the food was extremely good, believe that. The service (or server) needs to greatly improve to complement the cuisine. I left a 23% gratuity on a $110.00 bill and that was a gift to what I believe was a college student server. A meal like that, served properly, would have easily resulted in 35% or more. My son is a Freshman at nearby Stetson University so we will probably try this place again. Hopefully we are not rushed out the door by the...

My husband and I have ordered 2x from stockyard for TO-GO, both times it was amazing, and for sure did not disappoint. Jessica who bartends/serves is the reason we tried stockyard- and love the service she provides. Sadly she was not working tonight But, Tonight, we decided to sit down and eat as a family, we do have a One and Half year old son; with that being said we finally got drinks after waiting awhile and our waitress never introduced herself as well. After ordering, it took a little while to receive our food, upon receiving our food, the ONLY thing that was decent was our sons chicken tenders and fries. My husband and I both ordered Steak Mac'N'Cheese; My husbands steak was cooked medium (we asked for medium rare) and it was extremely tough. My food was tough, cooked well, and it was almost all full of fat. So after we finally got our servers attention, she told me she would have them re-cook another steak for me. I get this "new" steak, and its cold, yes it is cooked medium rare, but its COLD....So we then ask for a manager, (apparently her name is "Mary" which I found out later), and the manager for one never introduced herself, and was EXTREMELY nasty to us. She argued and said the medium rare steak is cold and is not served hot, now I cook steak all the time at home and have never cooked a medium rare steak, and its been cold after cooked! The other issue at hand was that it seemed like neither the manager or server liked children, and decided to treat us horribly over our son making a little noise, and saying "HI" to everyone that walked past him....and with that being said the last issue was that it appeared to me that unless you were dressed up nicely, and looked like you had money, you wouldn't be treated very well. At this point, if we ever choose to go to stockyard again, ill be ordering TO-GO because I won't feel so unwelcome...

I had heard mixed reviews about the Stockyard but decided to give it a try. We went Saturday evening and the place was packed. We waited 30 minutes for a table, which was fine. We were seated and the waiter came over and took our order. We ordered calamari appetizer and we both ordered the 7oz filet mignon, medium. 25 minutes later, the waiter came over and asked us if we would like some bread while we waited. Bread should have been brought to the table as soon as we were seated. He went back to get the bread and came out with our appetizer, but no bread. Bread never came out. 2 minutes later, our steaks were brought out. The waiter acted like he did us a favor by bringing everything at once because otherwise we would have “waited another 25 minutes for our steaks”. That is the way an appetizer is supposed to be served. You eat it for 10 minutes and then 15 minutes later, you get your meal. I hate when they bring everything at one time. So, after they rushed my steak to the table, I started to eat from one side and after the second bite, I cut into the steak, and it was completely raw. My twice baked potato was cold inside. He took my steak back and I was expecting a new steak. They took my steak that was cut in half and put it back on the grill, which I found most disgusting. They should never put partially eaten food back on the grill at a restaurant. He brought the 2 pieces back to me and it was still raw and now chewy. I don’t understand a steak restaurant that cannot cook a steak. We never saw a manager. There was nobody checking on the customers. They didn’t charge me for MY meal, but I didn’t eat. I wasn’t looking for a free meal. I was looking for good food, good service and a nice experience. I didn’t get any of that. I will not be...