Texas Roadhouse — Restaurant in Missoula

My wife and I gave this place a shot yesterday and it was mediocre at best. I will say that the service was top notch 10/10. I showed up just before open to get in line for a table and they had a huge line down the side of the building already. When the doors opened they began seating the 60 or so folks ahead of me. From the time I got in line till the time I was at a table was only about 15 minuets and again I got in line before they were even open. Very fast and efficient seating.

We had one of the best waitresses I have had in a very long time. I think her name was Cortney or something like that I am terrible with names. The waitress was on her game she constantly checked on us and either knew the responses to our questions or was willing to admit she didn't know on a few random things we asked and went to ask.

Now on to the bad stuff. It was so LOUD. The music made it so we had to yell to hear one another and most other tables sounded like they were doing the same adding to the noise level in the place. They could have cut the music volume in half and not lost any of the "Roadhouse" aesthetic they go for. Guests wouldn't need to yell and it would be a overall better experience for all involved.

The last bad thing was the food. We did an appetizer and two salads to start. All of that as well as the bread were all great. My wife got a prime rib medium and it was a good looking cut prepared correctly. I got a 20 oz. bone in ribeye that was supposed to be medium with shrimp added on. The steak was raw. Cold and deep red throughout all but the very outer layer. I will eat damn near anything from rare to well done I order medium because I figure its the easiest mark to shoot for and have it still turn out good enough for me. It was flat out raw. The shrimp came out rubbery and cold with some sort of garlic butter lump on it. The shrimp also came with some toasted yet somehow also cold bread with the same garlic butter lump on it. I am unsure what happened with my meal but it was really bad when it came out. I ate the shrimp and loaded tater while the waitress had the kitchen put the steak back on some heat. When the steak came out the second time it was great. Good flavor and slightly more than medium on the temp but edible and good overall.

I don't know if the waitress was just not assertive with the kitchen or if she didn't let a manager know we had an issue or what but we didn't get any sort of offer for any sort of discount or comp of any kind after being served raw meat. Overall it was a mediocre...

Everything was fine, but a little slow at first. Then our server spilled a beer on me and my wife and when she left to get a towel she left me blocked in by the food tray so I could not leave so we just had to sit and keep getting beer spilled on us. Afterwards we didn't get a discount on anything. She did bring me a beer too replace the one she spilled, but normally someone would get you a free appetizer or something. I mean I left wet, but whatever.

I also tried one of their $16 margaritas thinking maybe that could drown the pain, but there was pretty much zero alcohol so nice to pay $16 for cool aid. After that the food was not good at all. Was pretty disappointed actually. I expected good steak and actually got cafeteria quality steak. I think it would be better at Golden Corral.

Next, I touched the machine on the table. It never asked me if I wanted to pay, but I saw something on the machine at the table that there was $1.99 charge and I decided not to use the tablet and put it back without doing anything, but it charged me anyways. I would not have accepted a charge to play games that are on my phone had I been given the option and I chose not to play them so not sure why I'm paying for that.

Honestly though I gave them another shot because they were so busy, but the food is just not good. Two times and I would rather eat at Outback or a cafeteria. Pretty much every restaurant in Missoula especially the non chain places are better. Not doing that to myself again. Money...

After checking the wait time online (1-1.15hrs) we joined the list at 5:55pm and arrived to the restaurant 30 minutes later. We followed the prompt to text our arrival at 6:29pm and joined the crowd. 20 minutes after arrival we checked in with the hostess to see where we were in line since we were coming up on the 1 hour wait time. Her response was "your quote was 1 hour to 1 hour & 15 minutes so it's going to be that long" Not helpful, but ok.

So we go to the bar order a couple drinks and an appetizer. Our 18 year old joined us a little bit after our food came and he was kicked out of the bar because he's not 21. So, we can't wait there even if we're actively spending money. Again, not helpful.

We finally get the message our table is ready at 7:36pm. We go up front and are put into a line with other diners and told to wait against a wall. After a minute or two we're taken to our table.

The server was nice but not knowledgeable. My steak was poorly cut and over cooked. My sons steak was under cooked. The consul on the table was bright and kept popping up ads for games you could play while you wait but you have to pay for them. The peanut bucket was on the table but we were never offered any.

This dinner was to celebrate a few milestones we hit this year within our family and unfortunately we left feeling underwhelmed with the experience and almost $200 poorer. This was a one and done visit for us. We'll stick to the locally owned restaurants...