Bennett's Chop & Railhouse — Restaurant in Saint Paul

The only reason there is one star filled in is because Google wouldn't let me post without at least 1. Serving staff was terrible, food was atrocious and extremely overpriced, and atmosphere was almost unbearable. We recently dined here for a birthday party. Our group was large and we took up a fair majority of the dining room. Because of the restaurant layout, the bar faced our table and everyone left over from an afternoon of watching football and guzzling whatever the afternoon special was let their half-open eyes gaze at us without wander. With this came obnoxious comments laced with profanities that were audible across the restaurant. To clarify the comments were not directed at us but because we had children with our group they were unwelcome. The second issue we encountered was a waitress that apparently had one too many bad days in a row. The way she treated us left us looking in the corners and behind the plants for cameras. I swear we thought John Quinones was going to approach our table at one point. Not only was she rude, she made us feel like asking questions was not something guests should do. If you have an allergy, I'd steer clear completely. In her eyes, something 'made from scratch' meant someone combined pre-made ingredients in the kitchen not actually taken the time to combine raw ingredients which, can cause problems if your are allergic to something. The third issue was the food itself. This place boats itself as a steak house and based on the prices I was expecting something good. I ordered a New York Strip. What I received was at most a flank steak but probably something less desirable than that. The meat itself tasted like I was eating a salt lick and I couldn't even finish my steak. Which, by the way, never happens. If I go to an expensive steak house I finish EVERYTHING. I actually thought the top might have come off the salt shaker when my steak was being seasoned but when I bit into my wife's steak my assumption was put to rest. Salt lick. So, in summary, my recommendation would be to skip this place, take yourself a little further up the street and try something else. I will not return and would not...

EDIT: This was at the Saint Paul location.

The meal itself was wonderful, but the overall ambiance left MUCH to be desired. My family and I made a reservation for 7 people for 6:30. When we got there, the hostess almost had a meltdown, trying to tell us the reservation was actually for 5:30 and then said that it was for 6 people. I do feel for our poor waitress; it was clear that she was doing her absolute best, but she was very behind. Drinks and food took quite some time and everything arrived at different times, with different warmth levels. My partner's steak was cold, while his mother's was a more appropriate temperature. My prime rib was extremely flavorful, but more on the lukewarm side.

The absolute worst part, however, was the table seated next to us. Don't get me wrong, I too have been drunk, but I have NEVER seen someone be so outright rude and inconsiderate. A young woman at the neighboring table was so loud and extremely crass, almost the entire time we were there. She was constantly yelling about everything. The waitstaff was notified and NOTHING was said or done about her behavior. I'm sure because the almighty dollar rules. I finally had had enough when she had very obviously upset my 90 year old grandmother AND my father with her language, let alone the volume. I very calmly told her that we had been trying to celebrate an important occasion and she began to yell into my face that I needed to leave. Again, no one intervened to maybe escort her out for her display.

While the food itself is very good, I do not find myself itching to go back, when this is the kind of clientele that Bennetts not only allows, but encourages with...

This has to be one of the worst restaurants I have ever been to. It took a long time just for someone to acknowledge us when we walked in the door. When we were seated we were greeted fairly quickly and had our drink orders taken right away. We were told the Old Fashions were amazing, three people couldn't even drink them even though we were told they were popular. At 6:30 on a Friday night they were already out of walleye and ranch dressing. The house chopped salad was absolute joke of a salad. it was like over-sauced small bits of lettuce that was the smallest portion I have ever received for a side salad. Our tabled ordered onion rings as an appetizer, they were okay. The real problems were the the main entrees, they were awful. I had the meatloaf, which was supposed to be creole flavored, but it was a dry overcooked meat the crumbled with marinara sauce on top. It came with four sad looking green beans and a side of mashed potatoes and packaged brown gravy. The steak that my father ordered medium rare came out well done. I suggested he send it back because it so overcooked and he said it didn't want to wait for them to cook another one. Service was slow. The fries with a burger order were half raw and undercooked. DO NOT eat here. We each had one drink, an entree and one appetizer and the bill came to $180 for one of the worst meals I have had. This place needs to be on one of Gordon Ramsey's show where he exposes how bad the place is. Go somewhere else. You are better off at...