Stella's Restaurant & Catering — Restaurant in Lubbock

My best friend and I enjoyed lunch here, today, for the first time. It’s been on my list of places to go, and it was recently recommended to us by a friend, who is a former restaurateur. Approaching the restaurant, coming inside, there were some women in the parking lot, who greeted us with a stare down. It definitely felt like THEY felt we didn’t belong there. I don’t know why. But, that was the vibe. And, it was felt by us both.

Upon entering the eatery, we were “greeted” by the hostess, who asked if we wanted to be seated in the main dining room or the Lounge. Our initial preference was the main dining room. But, that choice was apparently the wrong one. Or, one she didn’t like. And, she picked up the phone to try and “find” someone to accommodate us. There was a server standing right next to her, and he advised us to eat in the Lounge. As he escorted us, he told us that he said that because he’s a “people person,” and in the Lounge, HE would be our server, and HE would take care of us. SCORE ONE FOR THE SERVER!!! On THAT alone, I would come again… but ONLY if I could be seated in HIS section.

As we’d not been there before, he explained the menu to us, the drink specials to us (It was “Texas Thursday,” today.), and answered ANY questions we had, then went to go and get our beverages. After a few minutes, he took our order, and advised us that he would be bringing us some complementary bread and butter, but to not fill up on it, because we were in for a good meal - we ordered the fried chicken sandwich meal with fries on a split plate. (There was a $2.00 plating fee, but here, it was worth it. We were also advised of that BEFORE, given several options for sharing the meal.)

Now, the lunch seemed to have gotten lost in the kitchen. We came at the tail end of lunch, but certainly still at a time that should have been considered “lunch” time. It was the LONGEST prep time we have experienced in quite a long time. Our wherever was attentive to us, which made the time pass. And, eventually, he went back to the kitchen and FOUND our meal. It was WORTH the wait. The fried chicken is THE BEST fried chicken I have EVER had. I think the secret ingredient I liked the best was the malt vinegar. Yum! The sandwich was HUGE! And I had only half. I cleaned my plate. I ate every last bite of that sandwich. I would’ve licked my plate… but… hahaha. The fries were fresh cut. That means NOT crispy. Not everyone digs that. But, I loved everything. Note, we did swap the aoli sauce with mayo. It was perfect!

Would I go back to Stella’s? Maybe. Which is too bad. On a couple of reasons… one… my best friend and I eat out somewhere nearly EVERY SINGLE DAY. And, my little sister, who is now a Director of Oncology Nursing, started out in food service and hospitality. Through her, I learned how to treat restaurant staff. And, my best friend and I treat the people, who serve us at restaurants quite well. By nature, I am a networker. And, people, who started out as servers at a restaurant are now actual friends in my life… family… like I’ve gone to their weddings, babysat their children, attended church with them, cried with them over loss, helped them find jobs, when one was lost… at other restaurants, where my best friend and I eat. Because those people are our friends. We love them. We appreciate them. I felt that from our SERVER in spades, today. I DID NOT feel that from the restaurant. Maybe today was an “off” day. And, perhaps we will give it another chance. But, management should pay close attention to this. I’m an “early adopter” with business trends and networking experience and such. And, I talk… about great experiences and not so great ones… as I am, here. People like me will go and spend their money there once, but you NEED the repeat clientele to survive and GROW. If a restaurant isn’t constantly getting NEW blood in through its doors, and KEEPING that new blood, then it will die.

Excellent food. Our SERVER was excellent. The restaurant leaves something...

We were a party of 8 with a reservation to celebrate my daughter graduating Texas Tech. They did not have a table ready. ok. They sat the first group at a six top.The first 3 that arrived ordered two martinis and an old fashioned. When the rest of us arrived, two people had to stand for a while until we flagged someone down to get us a couple more chairs.The waitress was friendly and took the rest of the group (5) drink order. Ten minutes pass, no drinks.Thats 20 minutes for the first groups drinks. It took over 25 minutes to get a drink. Waitress was apologetic. We finally order. The menu was fine. My son ordered salmon, there was another pasta dish, a chicken parmesan, a margarita pizza, calzone, and soup and salad. After waiting over an hour for our food, it arrives staggered. I told them to please eat while it was hot. Well, the margarita pizza was ice cold. The one pasta dish was seriously bland so she asked for salt and pepper which was never brought to the table. The calzone looked like a deflated tire and cold. We managed to eat some of it as we were starving after waiting so long.We were just about done eating and still no salmon to be found. I occasionally cook salmon and it doesn't take more than 5-10 minutes to cook. As she is bringing boxes for the rest of the table, she asks if he still wants the salmon. Of course not. We are ready to leave. I had given him some of my frozen pizza so he wouldn't starve. Around that time, a male manager I believe, was clearing the table next to us. I literally never complain at restaurants but felt it was needed. I told him wee were celebrating my daughter graduating and this was probably the worst experience I have ever had at a restaurant. He just looked at me and off he went. Not a word.Yes, they were busy and probably should have prepared a little better. The food was nothing special being bland and cold. Not room temp but cold.The only thing good were the drinks that we waited 20 minutes for. You would think the manager might have apologized or said something. Needless to say, I won't be a regular there. They are unprepared, mediocre, not hospitable and highly over-rated. I hate to even leave this review as I don't normally but I urge you not to waste your...

HORRIBLE EVERYTHING!!!!!!!! Was a reserved dinner for my nieces graduation and WOW, what an absolute disaster.... Reservations made for 24 2 days prior. On arrival waited over an hour to be seated. After being seated it only took them Another hour to take our order. Then another hour and 1/2 to bring out the food!!! It does t end here. The food they brought out to the half of our party that stayed got the wrong orders and or COLD food. The “Manager” Brittany claimed at this time that she wasn’t the manager and clearly she was correct. She instead sent out another woman to try and rectify the situation. This person offered to box up my cold, wrong food and send it home with me.... What a brilliant thought “ sit in a restaurant for over three hours to get sent home with cold food” really put her problem solving skills in full effect on this one. After Zack pointed out Brittany as the Manager she was VERY SMUG and gave me the managing partners names and emails almost Taunting the situation. I understand that perhaps LOW level service is what she is used too, but when charging these prices and servicing others, leave the attitude at home and try to have some sort of professionalism and remember you are in the service industry. Lastly my bill was wrong three different times as they charged me for a wrong and cold meal I sent back. I just wanted to pay my bill and get out. If I could score this place a negative I would and Brittany would get the finger and a pink slip on Christmas Day!!!!!!

I’m sorry that you left crying at your graduation dinner little niece. It was our fault for recommending this SORRY excuse of a restaurant. On the bright side your education can perhaps help these people one day on how to run a restaurant because the 2 so called managers on duty DONT have a clue and the sad part is the thought of WHO put these people in charge and what are the standards of service??????

Jesus couldn’t get me to come back to this horrible place...Save your response owners I’ve wasted enough time on this and...