Lucky's Steakhouse — Restaurant in Imlay City

This steakhouse came highly recommended, so we chose it to celebrate my son’s birthday. Unfortunately, it ended up being one of the most disappointing dining experiences we’ve had in quite some time.

We were seated promptly and served loaves of bread, but no utensils or napkins were provided. Without any way to cut or butter the bread — or even to clean our hands afterward — it made for a messy and uncomfortable start to the meal.

When we asked whether the iced tea was sweetened, our server responded with an exaggerated explanation — including a Southern accent — about how northern states don’t typically sweeten their tea. It felt more theatrical than informative, and honestly a bit unnecessary. For reference, we’ve had sweet tea at many restaurants in Michigan.

Trying to move on, my son ordered hot tea but was still served the plain iced tea. My 10-year-old daughter ordered a Sprite, but I didn’t realize she had been served water until the server came by and refilled her glass. When I asked her about it, she said she drinks water often and didn’t mind — which is why she hadn’t mentioned it. Once we pointed it out, the server did bring her the correct drink.

After drinks were served, we were asked to order. Since it was our first time there, I told the server we needed a little more time. She left briefly but returned just two minutes later. When I said we still weren’t quite ready, she moved to the other end of the table and began taking orders. The teens in our group weren’t quite ready either but felt pressured and just picked something quickly. My husband also said he wasn’t ready, so she skipped him. After taking the rest of our orders, our server returned to him, he ended up picking a plain burger just to be done with it.

When our soups and salads arrived, we still had no utensils. We had to point this out to the server, as we had no way to eat what had been brought to the table.

The food itself was okay. My daughter enjoyed her salmon, the steaks were tender and cooked properly, but there were still some issues: my asparagus was tough and woody, my husband’s burger bun was torn into 3 pieces underneath, and my daughter-in-law’s chicken was dry.

Toward the end of the meal, while some of us were still eating, the busser began clearing the table and asked those who had finished to pass their plates across the table — over the heads and meals of those still eating. It felt rushed and disruptive.

We left feeling disappointed. What should have been a special birthday dinner ended up feeling disorganized and impersonal. We were seated and left in under an hours time, feeling rushed is an understatement. Unfortunately, we won’t...

Let me start this by saying that before today, I loved Lucky's. My grandma used to take me for years. I love the french onion soup, the prime rib and the stuffed mushrooms to name a few. However, after tonight, I will not be returning to Lucky's Steakhouse in Imlay City.

I called up to Lucky's to place a take out order at 8:09pm and was told it would be a minute. Fifteen minutes on hold later and I gave up and called back. Five minutes of being on hold again and I hung up. Up to this point I have been very patient and polite and decided to continue to do so since I try not to upset people who handle my food. So I call back one last time. At this point it is a little after 8:30pm. Someone was dialing out and I was dialing in so I happened to get their attention. When I asked to place my order, I was told that they don't place take out orders after 8:30. I respectfully said that I understood but I had been trying to place my order since 8:09. The hostess was nice enough to take my order and I was grateful. Now, it was a large order because it was father's day and we were feeding seven people so I would understand if not EVERYTHING was exactly how I ordered it. But, because my order was repeated to me, I was fairly confident that the general idea was there. Upon arriving at Lucky's, I was presented with my bill and receipt. It was in the neighborhood of $150+ and I felt bad for making them stay longer for me so I tipped 10%. When I looked at my receipt a few things were questionable so I brought it up with the hostess and she assured me that she placed my order herself and that my worries were unfounded. She even showed me the hand written order she took over the phone. Fears assuaged, I headed out the door. I noticed first that half of one of the soups was in the bottom of the bag but I wasn't that worried because that one could be for me and it was a small thing to get upset about. When I got home and unloaded the bag I was extremely disappointed. Most of what I actually ordered was missing and I received things I hadn't ordered at all. The food on my table was appalling. Charred steaks that were supposed to be medium, french onion soup that was only broth, no provolone or croutons, and the platter I ordered for myself was nowhere to be found to name a few. It was too late to call back and address my concerns, however, I will be going in for a full refund.

In conclusion, I spent an excessive amount of money on lousy and/or wrong food and worse service.

I will update this review pending the outcome of my visit there tomorrow.

Update: Went in the next day and the manager refunded the...

My daughter was here for her wedding anniversary and enjoyed it so much that she made Reservations for her birthday. We get there & they moved our reservation time 15-30 minutes later. So we had to wait. They weren't busy, lots of available tables. Our waitress, Sherri, was very friendly & helpful on first contact. But then, she didn't like that the table next to us had an extra person so they needed to add a table to their party of five & it showed. She took our order including appetizers (water & sodas) and that took a while to receive those drinks. Then she took the order of the table next to us. They got all their stuff before any of our party of 7, even though we ordered first. No salad, no appetizers. Nothing. Then, after we were finally served our meals, (well after the party of five next to us) if anyone needed anything at our table, she definitely let her irritation show. My daughter is a server so we are very respectful to not "run" the waitress but when we didn't get the vegetables on the side as requested and needed mayo, she was very irritated. And now, as for me personally, I ordered the 9 oz filet. I'm eating 4 oz of protein a meal so I figured I'd just cut it in half (knowing the weight would decrease after cooking to medium) and save it for another meal. My steak was so small but I was sure to cut it evenly in half knowing this was suppose to be 9oz. As soon as I got home, I weighed the half I brought home and it was only 2oz. Yes, they gave me the WRONG size filet and I paid for the 9 oz filet. I realize, mistakes are made and we all can have bad days but my experience here was not good. I'm not sure I'll...