Louisiana Bistreaux Seafood Kitchen Decatur — Restaurant in Scottdale

My first time here guys! I was greeted upon entering by who I believe is the owner. He was nice and sat me immediately. Since I am dining alone this afternoon, I was pleased that he sat me away from the other few guests already seated. You know how usually they like to group every one together, even when the restaurant is basically empty?

That's where all the niceties really end. I sat for about 5 minutes as I watched the bald, male server, whose section I was in, opt to wait on a Party of 3. I guess he thought I wasn't going to give him a tip or something. I actually voiced that concern to the woman server, who came to my table.

She actually looked a little disgusted because he took the larger party that must have been in her section. Or, I think they were taking turns with how the guests were being seated. Anyway, she let it be known that he was supposed to have served me.

So, I was ready to order. I asked her about what seafood was in the seafood & andouille sausage gumbo. You would have thought I had spoken another language, by the way she fumbled at telling me. I got the impression she really didn't know. She mumbled out shrimp. The reason I was asking was because when it says seafood, it could be several things, because the menu doesn't give a description. I ordered a cup. ($6.99)

Turns out it was crab meat and salad sized shrimp. It was really good and spicy, with lots of stuff in it. The sausage was good too. Very delicious!

I also ordered the crawfish etoufee. ($16.99) It was not as spicy as the gumbo. But, it was some of the best I have eaten in a long time. It tasted buttery. And, the crawfish were plump and tasted fresh. It comes served with basic steamed, white rice. I think I also tasted scallions and I don't like scallions.

The food was good, but the service sucked. My server tried to act like she wanted to be working a little bit, but she came off all cold and prickly and not warm and fuzzy. I got the impression that she was still pissed she got stuck with a single tipper. She offered bread that was warm and crusty. But, her personality was as dry as the desert. I would try to smile, but after a while, I just wanted to eat my food, type my review and leave.

Update: So, my Server came to the table and talked for a while. I learned she is from NY, so I think that explains her personality. (No offense New Yorkers) But, she still was not friendly and I felt she only talked because she knew it time for me to get out of there.

BTW- I am a tipper and left her a tip. They get a 3 star rating for service. I did not appreciate being kept waiting while the male server decided he wanted to wait on the party of 3. I also was not impressed by the struggle of a personality my female server showed in the end. I also did not like the servers' battle over who had to get the single customer.

At the very end, as I set at the table and continued to write this review, the restaurant manager, a lady came over and chatted. She asked about how I liked everything and told me about live music they have, and $5 Hurricanes. They have another location off Virginia Ave. by the Airport. They...

I've visited this Louisiana Bistreaux location episodically since it opened. Maybe 12-15 visits over the years but I'm guessing. I had visited previously about 6 months ago and it was fine (albeit I noted that prices had creeped up). But after my most recent visit last Saturday night, I would be unlikely to return.

There were several negatives that combined to make our visit a disappointment. First, we entered a few minutes before 9 pm on a Saturday night. The restaurant was largely empty (maybe 10% capacity) but since they're open until 11 pm, we thought this was a good thing. We figured we would get great service.

Nope. Although our waiter came to us promptly after we were seated, problems ensued after that point. The first issue is that after ordering a bowl of gumbo and requesting bread, we waited... And waited! 25 minutes from that point until being brought some bread and what was basically the appetizer! As we contemplated bolting, we could see irritated or unhappy looks on the faces of some other customers, along with what seemed like servers apologizing for this or that. We also observed our server waiting just inside the kitchen, along with other servers, and there was definitely some sort of kitchen management problem that night... Maybe a cook who couldn't keep up or didn't know what he or she was doing? I'm speculating.

Anyway, we finally got the bowl of gumbo ($14 by the way) and bread (extra charge). Here I'll mention that food quality was at best "adequate" but seemed off compared to prior experiences.

Ten minutes later, the main entrees arrive. Similar impression of the food. Prices have gone up substantially at this eatery ($28 and $30 each for our entrees) but I won't hold that against them, as it's the story all over. But for the price paid, one expects dishes prepared with care and attention to detail. This night it was sloppy, mediocre and even a bit sparse on portion sizes.

When the server returned to check on us, I asked for another serving of bread. He apparently forgot but then remembered later and brought bread with the check. Okay, now I no longer needed the bread; we were done. So he takes the bread away - but still charges us for extra bread. I'm not going to make a big deal over the minimal cost for an extra loaf but still... Poor execution.

We ordered no beverages except water. Yet we tallied a total bill a few cents under $92 for two in exchange for service issues, very mediocre food, and poor value. Never again, Louisiana Bistreaux. You've...

I dined in on Wednesday 1/22 for my bday. Since it was a snow day, me and my mom were pretty much the only ones in there besides one other family. Our waitress (can't remember her name) was very nice and accomodating. However, my issue is with the manager. The main reason I come here is for the oysters so that was the first thing I ordered when I came in. Our waitress came back and told me they didn't have any and was asking if I wanted something else. Even though I was disappointed about this, I also like the gumbo so I substituted it for that. About 30 minutes later, after I had already eaten the gumbo, a cook comes out with the oysters I thought they didn't have. I told him this when he sat it down but he didn't know what I was talking about. When the waitress comes back, she was also confused. So, I asked if I eat them would I get charged being that I only got the gumbo as a back up. She told me that I would unfortunately be charged per protocol. Since it was out of her hands at this point I asked for a manager. I really wish I would’ve gotten his name but he is a Black male , bald head with glasses. When he comes out, I explain to him the situation letting him know its my birthday and the only real reason I came was for the oysters. The first thing he tells me is that "the waitress didn't explain it correctly, we didn't have any prepped so I told her to ask the guest if they wanted something else" Um.... Why are you telling ME this ?? Ask the guest does she want something else ? Why is that the first thing you go to instead of just prepping whatever the guest wants !!!!!! Unprofessional. He also asks me "what would I like to be done". I told him I wanted the osyters but I didn't think it was fair to pay for them being that it was their mistake. He told me no, if I kept them I would be charged! So in other words, he wanted me to pay for two appeztizers when I truly feel I should've only paid for one. I asked if he took it back what would he do with it? He tells me he is going to trash it! You mean to tell me, you rather throw away 5 osyters, then give it away for free or half price when it was YOUR mistake ? I definietly should've been compenstated! Beware that this is the type of “Manager” you all have working for your company. He has ZERO empathy towards his customers! He put a bad taste in my mouth to the point I will...