Texas Roadhouse — Restaurant in Modesto

I sent the following to Cooperate on March 27th and never had a response from them, so here is my review: We have eaten at many locations, and we typically eat at this location on average two to three times a month.  I rather reach out to you in this format verses a google review. Hoping that this will create change.  We went to dinner last night and when I say everything changed, I mean everything with this location.  We checked in ahead of time like we always do online.  When we got there the front doors were blocked off by a table with a sweet employee sitting there not allowing anyone inside the restaurant (seemed her role was to play bouncer of a restaurant) and check reservations. Felt like COVID days.  Mind you we are in CA so when its 52 degrees outside for this state that's cold, in my opinion that's not how restaurants treat guests.  It's one thing if the waiting area is full, but to not allow anyone inside the warmer area including elderly, and children is ridiculous. The reservation was somewhat close to being accurate. No complaints there.  We ordered, mind you we typically order the same meals often. We ordered 2 steaks medium rare, they both came with different pieces (yes not one steak) of meat all cooked differently. Like they were left over pieces put on the plate? Most of the meat was well done. We waited for the waiter, he never asked us about the meat if it was cooked correctly (usually they do) and he didn't come back, so we just ate. I ordered the steak kabob medium. It came well done; however, it was just meat and rice, I asked where the veggies were, after a while some were brought to me.  I'm not sure what was going on in the kitchen, but the meat was tiny yes very tiny like the size of a dime and some a nickel (making it impossible to cook it to what I ordered based on the size), they weren't the typical kabob meat sizes for any Texas Roadhouse. It by far was one of the worst experiences we have had at any restaurant in a long time. We don't expect amazing service, as I haven't mentioned the waiter(s) they were ok, and standard. But to have to wait outside now (can't use the restroom until your seated either), or then to have such poor quality of food, this definitely doesn't make me want to go back anytime soon. This is a great family place for you have many options that fit well for my family. But to be treated in this manner really doesn't give me the let's go out to dinner and have a nice evening feeling. The only plus side to this evening was that we only had one child with us this visit typically it's a total of 5 in my family.  And my picky eater wasn't there. Finding...

Me and my wife got here to the host stand with our reservation ready and they sent us to on-boarding 1, the people waiting before us got sat. Then another couple came from outside to on-boarding 2, another host walks up to them calls out my wifes name for the reservation, they say yes and rush off to a table before I could say anything. That host comes back and after a few minutes of not getting talked to I asked if we're going to get sat, she asked the name on the reservation, then tells us that we're going to have to go check in at the very front host stand, we get there and the host says that we're checked in. We go back to on-boarding 1, I watch the host that I was asking for my table and that was seating tables, frantically reprint out paper that had our name on for the reservation(the one the server takes when they greet you at the table) and not try to apologizeor even look in my direction, fine it must be a busy day, another server walks up to us after she reprinted our note. We get sat in a dim lit area,my wife sits down, I sit down.... onto the most wet seat I've ever sat on,( my whole cheek was wet) And there was BBQ sauce on the seat and my pants got dirty. I try to shake it off because its my birthday this week and im trying to enjoy myself and relax. I order a steak, pretty good , my wife got a burger also good. Then our server approached us and told us that she was going to leave early, we said ok we'll pay right now (our food had like 5 minutes since it had come out) we pay her, she come back and we had asked for boxes,she never came back( I guess she left), ok we can ask anyone else, we ask another waiter that was walking back from a table for boxes, she says she'll be right back. Around 9 minutes go by and nothing, Then I spot another employee with glasses and I ask for boxes, she says she'll be right back, a few mins pass when I start thinking about going to the front for boxes and a bag ,when the waiter that was walking near us come and asks us if we wanted to order anything else, I told her we had asked for boxes and in that time the employee with glasses shows up with the boxes. Overall I dont think I had a great time here. No refills no waiter, no boxs, no bags and a very tiny table for 2 people ,a steak ,a hamburger, an appetizer, the bread, the machine to pay, the peanuts in the can, and the cups, I found it very hard to not knock something over, I had to put a few thing up...

I had a wonderful time here tonight, the wait staff were all incredibly friendly and the food was very good, although that is biased as my job was paying for the meal so I got the rather expensive bone in ribeye meal.

The steak was cooked wonderfully and as I wanted it. At our table 4 people ordered a medium rare ribeye and 3 of these came back with a slightly thinner cut that favored closer to medium while one person had a thicker cut, despite being the same item ordered, that was a good deal more "bloody" looking. (By the way, this isn't actually blood that you see on more rare cooked steaks, but a common misconception). This is not a complaint, as the waitress asked us upon receiving our food to cut into it to make sure it's cooked in a manner we're satisfied with, and we were all happy with our steaks, I'm just commenting that there may be variation in the "same" item based on a bit of luck.

The free rolls are good, but everyone hypes them up so it's no surprise.

The fried battered onion appetizer is solid, but I personally wouldn't wish to spend the amount they're asking for an appetizer

For sides I got the loaded baked potato and the house salad with Italian dressing. I think it's worth it to upgrade for the loaded potato. Baked potatoes are often hit or miss for me and can be rather dry, but this one was super delicious and I would absolutely get it again. The house salad is very good with a bunch of little add ons of egg and cheese and baby tomatoes and whatnot but what surprised me more was the Italian dressing which was surprisingly good and on the sweet side which I enjoyed. I don't know where they get it but I really enjoyed it haha.

The atmosphere is very fun, laid back, and friendly and just in the hour and a half I was in there, there were two birthday announcements where the whole crew go and make a big deal out of announcing it and wishing you a happy birthday. I guess if you're sensitive to loud sounds that could be bothersome as honestly there's a steady stream of chatter and noise that can make it a bit hard to hear someone at your own table

All in all, very enjoyable and I would definitely come back again, but for something a big cheaper. I would probably go for the early bird special and get the country fried steak which I hear...