Chopping Block Steakhouse — Restaurant in Mena

This place was average at best. Our go to for dinner while in Mena has always been the Branding Iron. However they recently closed which is an absolute bummer. So we thought we would give this place a try. With its long history, western decor and log cabin look and feel it immediately reminded me of the The Big Texan in Amarillo, Texas. But hold your horses, because this place isn’t even close to that place. Service was average. The first tale tell sign that things were not going the right way was when they brought my wife’s hot sides out a good 15-20 min before we got the food. On the plus they kept my drink full. Once we did receive our food everything looked fairly appetizing. However they had to replace my wife’s sides. Instead of bringing her fresh ones they just heated it up in the microwave and it looked disgusting. She enjoyed her catfish and shrimp. I ordered the Filet and backed potato. The backed potato was good. A little on the small side but that was okay. The Bacon wrapped Filet was a complete disappointment. Zero seasoning on the steak. It was wrapped in at least 5 pieces of the thinnest bacon I have ever seen and because of that it was flabby and the steak didn’t even seem to infuse any of that delicious bacon flavor. I found myself melting some butter over the steak and and some SP (Salt & Pepper). That made it so much better. As for being cooked right it was spot on at a medium-rare.

So the big question is would I come back? Yes I would and I would get a burger. And hope that it’s seasoned correctly. Because they looked delicious. But I wouldn’t come back and get a steak, or...

First of all understand I am a former resident of the Mena area. I've known the original owners and operators of the Chopping Block when James personally hung and cut all my beef throughout the years I resided just outside of Mena. It was always the finest of quality and service.

I have frequented both the original and the present addition to the Chopping Block most know today. It has always been my favorite place to dine with friends when I visit the area. It has been top notch with both service and quality of product.

Unfortunately during my recent visit I was not served the quality of beef worthy of the Chopping Block name. My waiter offered a $16.00 special that sounded pretty good so I was anxious to delight in the consumption of a good steak I have known to be almost as good as their best in the past. I was so disappointed. It was difficult to cut through the grissel in the entire cut. Not only that but it was served to me rare rather than the ordered medium rare. Many in my party were not impressed as well. Perhaps they will come forward with a review of their own.

Our Waiter pretty much presented himself as a professional. His service was what one would expect from a fine restaurant. The staff was outstanding.

I will go back to the Chopping Block again regardless of our my last experience. I sincerely hope the quality of beef I was served this seating was not the norm and only a laps of their usual...

Spare yourself the time and money. They got one star because zero wasn’t an option! We visited on a Wednesday around 7:30, two other tables, were seated immediately, and greeted by our waiter. He was not confident and somewhat awkward, but tried. My husband ordered a top shelf margarita (which he enjoyed) and I ordered a Bloody Mary… there could not have even been a drop of vodka in it. I told the waiter, he took it back to the bartender, and returned with the same drink saying the bartender said there was alcohol in it and did nothing about it. I politely asked him to keep it and take it off my bill; the manager said they could add another shot to it, but if it was a “shot” like the first, it’s only a drop. My husband ordered the 16oz New York strip with sweet potato fries and a salad. I had the 12oz sirloin with broccoli and a salad. My steak was paper thin and basically flavored with ground pepper. The broccoli tasted funny. My husband said his was less than mediocre. However, the steaks were correctly cooked to order and the salads were fresh. Ranch was nice and thick, but wasn’t the taste I was expecting. On a side note, the place was clean. $85 (including a tip) was way overpriced for the poor quality. When we checked out, we chuckled at the paper on the wall… 2020 Best Steaks in Polk County! They must not have anything better to...