Tope La Restaurant — Restaurant in Hammond

Stopped in for lunch after church on Sunday. i ordered a salad, and my husband ordered a steak with a baked potato. About 20 minutes or so passed, and the waitress came to the table and told him that they had finished cooking 2 baked potatoes (they partially cook them and then keep them refrigerated until they get ordered) and that both of them were bad. She offered him another side, and regretably, He didn't take the offer. He maintained that he wanted a baked potato. Another 10 or 15 minutes passed, and the food came out, and there was no baked potato. He ate the steak, and had about 2 bites left when the waitress came back to the table and asked if he wanted something else. Again, he declined, and she said she would have the manager come and speak to him. We thought the manager might offer him a dessert (he would have refused) or at least take $2 off our bill, $28 for a 12 oz ribeye. Neither was even offered. Needless to say, it was disappointing the way their customer service handled the situation. They still charged us full price even though they offered no compensation. Yes he was disappointed in not getting the meal that he ordered off the menu, but we were more disappointed at how the customer service was handled. I went all through Yelp and see that this restaurant does not appear as one of the top restaurants in Hammond....

While I've dined here a many a time, and spent $150+ per meal, I didn't know who I was supporting. Can't say I've ever spoken to someone more rude over the phone. Jimmy was completely unprofessional and so hurtful that I was shocked. I could hardly respond as he told me he would never rent his catering room in December for someone with my particular budget per person because he has so many more opportunities to make much more money. He also scoffed and couldn't even begin to recommend anyone else who could help "with that kind of budget" ($800-$1200) for a rehearsal dinner. While making money is key to staying in business, so is customer service. Mind you, this "very small" event is on a Thursday night. I can't imagine many people are fighting over a room for that weeknight. While I did have an idea in mind for food, we were completely flexible on alcohol, room rental, etc. Jimmy wouldn't know that, because he was so incredibly cold and standoffish that it wasn't even worth mentioning. I am still appalled. I hope Jimmy enjoys all of his many, very expensive rehearsal dinners he hosts...

It genuinely baffles me that it has taken me this extended period to compose a critique for a gastronomic sanctuary that I find myself frequenting on a monthly basis. During our latest gastronomic escapade, my partner and I had the pleasure of partaking in their meticulously prepared steaks, a culinary triumph that was executed with impeccable precision, resulting in a dish that was nothing short of sublime. Permit me to extend an earnest recommendation for the Crispy Asian Duck appetizer – a gastronomic masterpiece that promises to tantalize your taste buds and leave an indelible imprint on your palate. As for Tope La itself, if you have yet to grace this establishment with your presence, you are indeed depriving yourself of a quintessential dining experience that is sure to satiate even the most discerning of epicurean desires. A word to the wise, however, let us endeavor to keep this gem of a restaurant our little secret, lest I find myself in the unenviable position of vying for a coveted table amidst a sea of fellow...