Firebirds Wood Fired Grill — Restaurant in Montgomery

I want to start out by saying our server Keith was absolutely AMAZING; took care of every need and truly met the fine dining service one would expect. That man should be running the place. However, it was unfortunately run by much less professional individuals (I believe their names were Rachel and George, just based off of hearing servers address them, again because we were directly next to the line and subjected to every loud conversation they wanted to have.) It seems the kitchen was lacking heavily. Our medium steaks were medium-medium well in the direct middle, but completely well done all around it and I was left using steak sauce to add some sort of moisture to most of my steak in order to enjoy my meal. On top of that, our steaks were Luke-warm when we received them, and cold by the time we’d gotten halfway through DESPITE watching our server bring them out almost immediately after they were placed on the line. I want to emphasize that none of this was in any way our servers fault; he was incredible. This is all on the kitchen. The au-gratin potatoes were sliced so thick that they hadn’t cooked all the way through and I was incredibly disappointed and ended up not eating them at all. We were placed in a table near the back and our conversation was constantly interrupted by the managers who were standing on the line yelling “HANDS! I NEED HANDS!” It came off as incredibly unprofessional and made me feel like I was in a fast food restaurant despite the fine dining service I was being provided. After their previous recent health code scare and being featured on the local news for performing so poorly in their health code inspection, I was excited to give them another chance once they had returned up to code but am honestly disappointed I did. Despite the amazing service provided by our server, I quite frankly wish my husband and I would have gone elsewhere for the quality of food we received versus the price paid. I can’t express how unprofessional it is of the managers to be yelling constantly for “hands” to get plates out when they’re standing less than 5 feet away from families who came to enjoy their meal and have a peaceful and pleasant dining experience. At some point you begin to question why they aren’t attempting to deliver food themselves rather than letting the meal get cold and ruining diners experience with their constant yelling. From a previous restaurant GM, this just seemed like poor management and I hope the current management is replaced for the sake of the longevity of the restaurant. I spoke with a couple patrons outside as well who felt the exact same way as they had faced many of the same issues; great service paired with mediocre food and management who made the entire stay unpleasant with their lack of volume control. Firebirds in Montgomery is not what it used to be. I hope they figure out...

GREETINGS! I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU!

First review of food, then we shall discuss the DETAILS of the visit...

Server: Carmilia Manager: Nick

CAPRESE PASTA PROS: Lots of Noodles Chicken fully cooked Drizzled in Basmic Vinaigrette (not too much)

Cons More overall flavor (such as basic seasoning)

rating 8/10

CILANTRO CHICKEN PROS 2 breast Great taste (crispy around the edges) Soft texture like being marinated for 2-3 days

Cons Forgot Jack Cheese Sauce 1st breast skim line of fully cooked 2nd breast UNCOOKED had to return -texture was different (perhaps from being uncooked... )

*3rd breast came out smoking like Joe Frazier -- it was top notch

SMOKED WINGS APPETIZIER PROS Smoked flavor crispy for those who like the crunch

Cons Overly cooked Dry

rating 7.9/10

Buy again: yes, if I was really hungry

*I think the cook was having a bad day...

PHILLY CHEESESTEAK EGG ROLLS PROS BURSTING FLAVOR CRISPY CRUST OVERALL GREAT CHOICE

CONS n/a

rating 9.8/10

BROWNIE DESERT pros Good brownie w/ ice-cream

rating 8.6/10

Overall Statements and Judgements

Firstly, I would like to thank my server Carmilia. She was very professional and helpful in this experience. As we were being seated, I asked to be seated in the booth and was guided by my waiter Shay to sit across from the booth because the ceiling was leaking. It had rain earlier that day. After getting and conquering the overly cooked wings and the cheesesteak egg rolls (9.8/10) part of the ceiling fell and crashed unto the table I requested to sit at... Yes, that happened. It gets more interesting. I get my main the Cilantro Chicken and start to eat. I was hungry I admit but I knew I should have stopped. I ate the first breast which was very loose like being marinated but it wasn't right.... I still ate it (SMH). The second breast was super soft inside and had a gristle in it which was confusing to me. I then just gave up eating and informed Carmilia. She took care of us. While waiting on the chicken, a big piece of the ceiling fell unto the table behind us. The manager had been notified and was getting people on the way from my understanding because the leak turned into a major hazard and could have resulted in a major insurance claim. I was granted and new piece of chicken which came out with REDEMPTION (9.2/10) and came with the sauce which didn't come in the first meal. The sauce was needed to compliment the dish. Overall, the manager Nick was incredible with voiding the meal and the desert for the experience we received. Nick is awesome. Would I go back....

Most definitely! Food is good and the cook...

We have been to this location probably 8 or so times over the 12 years we've lived in the area. I keep going back because I WANT to love it. Sometimes its good. Sometimes its not. It's very hit or miss. We've had past visits where an entire steak entree was missing from the to go order. We've also had in person visits that were great, and others that were just OK.

Yesterday we visited for a family birthday. The birthday person ordered prime rib and felt it had an odd taste almost bordering on spoiled. I have had prime rib here before and didn't enjoy it either. I had the 3 course meal with sirloin with bacon butter. They were out of the asparagus that was supposed to come with it so I chose au gratin potatoes and street corn for my sides. I'm a big fan of street corn usually. The street corn was inedible. It was basically canned corn (which is fine) but covered up in oregano. I mean covered. Swimming in it. It was so heavily spiced with oregano that I couldn't eat it. They replaced it with steamed veggies which were blah. Nothing special. The au gratin potatoes clearly looked like they had been made with leftover baked potatoes from the day before. You could tell by the coloring of the potatoes and the texture and taste. For what you're paying here, this is not OK. I have had them before like this here. I won't ever order them again. The steak did not have "bacon butter." It had some sort of weird sundried tomato herb butter that again had wayyyy too much spice. And I am not a spice averse person. It was nothing like described on the menu. This overpowered the steak and kind of ruined it.

Server was super sweet, but would forget things throughout the meal. We had to request bread, refills, sweetener packets, and other basic needs that should have been brought automatically. Though she tried, service was lacking.

The positive: the appetizers were great and the kids meals were all great. There were 2 or 3 adults in the party that enjoyed their meals. The appetizers are the only thing I would ever order again.

I will think hard before I visit this location again. I've tried really hard to like it and given plenty of chances. Consistency, quality control and service training are needed. Its...