Texas Roadhouse — Restaurant in St. Matthews

So I'm dieting, right? Not like any fad or anything. It's just good old fashioned, don't eat garbage and don't overeat. No fast food. No chips. No frozen garbage. No soda. I had just hit a milestone. Under 200 for the first time in a decade. We're walking out into the parking lot from the shoe store, and there it is. That unmistakable building design. The iconic signage. Good food lives here.

As we approach the building, the smell of meat being seared over flames is all-encompassing. Now, I'm still getting used to being hungry again. When you chronically overeat, not full is the equivalent. You're never really hungry. Let me tell you, the moment that scent entered my nostrils, I was starving. It ignites something primal. A feeling written across our genetic memory. This intrinsic knowledge that we are most definitely eating well tonight.

The entrance is comfortable and familiar. You are greeted with a symphony of smells that delicately balances on the line of almost too much, and I'll take one of everything. Riding over the top of that was the smell of those fresh baked rolls. Like a loving hug. The hostess was waiting with a smile and a wave. As we made our way across the resteraunt, there was nothing but a sea of smiling faces. People from all walks, enjoying the experience. Looks of satisfaction on the faces of those waiting for their check.

Our waitress showed up before the hostess had left. I got a Coke. First one in three months. My god. Ambrosia. I ordered a rare 8 oz. sirloin, baker, and green beans. My wife got the filet mid rare. It was off hours, so the wait was less than 10. We had barely gotten into those delectable rolls and cinnamon butter before our food arrived.

The presentation was fantastic. Potato pursed open and steaming with a melted pat of butter and a dallop of sour cream. Bits of ham glistening in the tender green beans. And the steak......lovely sear. Perfect temp. Seasoned to perfection. Now, it may be because I was genuinely famished. It may be because I love a sirloin, and it had been a while. I don't know. I don't care. That steak...that day...was one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth.

I ate like a man possessed. One fantastic bite after the next. I lacked the physical dexterity necessary to shovel all of this goodness into my body at a rate that could satiate my craving. As I finished the last scrap of potato skin and briefly considered drinking the brine from the green beans, I looked up to see the shocked expression of my wife. "Was it good?" Absolutely dripping with sarcasm. "I'm genuinely surprised you didn't lick the plate. Were you dying?" Wry chuckle. At that moment, I noticed that she had taken like... three bites. I must have made a face. "Well, I started eating." she began, "I thought about trying to keep up, trashed that idea, and just enjoyed the show. You were eating with clinical precision. No wasted motion. Like watching a surgeon take a kid's tonsils out for the thousandth time. It was robotic. I was entranced. Like watching ASMR."

We shared a laugh, and I caught up on seven different sports at the same time while she finished her meal. She left me with a few bites from that filet and a couple of sautéed mushrooms to boot. Chef's kiss. When our waitress checked in for the final time, we could not say enough. High praise for her and the kitchen. Then I thanked her with my wallet, and we left with the same satisfied look on our faces as those we saw walking in.

At this point, Texas Roadhouse is the most consistent casual dining chain I know of. I've been in at least a dozen locations. I've eaten there more times than I can count. It is a consistently good experience. I would love to say that this location is a standout, but that would be lying. For there to be a standout, there has to be an experience less than excellent. That kind of consistency comes from clear vision and fantastic trainers. It is a testament to the organization, top to bottom. Kudos, Texas Roadhouse. You served me the best meal I've had in recent...

We have always had mixed experiences at Texas Roadhouse. Some great, some absolutely terrible. Over the last couple years, most have been generally bad. We haven't eaten here in a while and my Wife decided she wanted to give it another try. We were seated quickly, the atmosphere was lively with a pretty full restaurant but the music, tv's stationed around and plenty of staff kept things enjoyable and flowing smoothly. Our server Taylor was friendly, attentive, and provided great service. We were immediately served with hot fresh rolls and cinnamon butter and our drinks immediately after. We ordered some cheese fries which also came out hot and fresh. Off to a great start. We ordered a couple steaks with sides which all came out cooked as requested, well seasoned, good sear, and very tasty. We were very pleasantly pleased up to this point. Every good restaurant manager/owner knows that dessert can make or break you. It's the top off to the meal and the last thing the customer is going to be left with remembering. In the past, we have never once gotten a good dessert from here so we normally just don't order them. I've been on the carnivore and keto diets for quite some time and splurging for the holidays so even bad desserts are pretty decent to me at this point. I pulled up their menu on my phone to look at the photos and the apple pie looked pretty dang good. See photo attached. We ordered that and what we were served with was a travesty that looked nothing like it. I would describe what we received as a bread pudding soup concoction with half melted ice cream and way too much sauce that looked like black tar. I took a bite and it tasted about like it looked. Took a second bite to give it a chance and it was just bad. Tasted like it had been frozen and everything was just a wet mushy mess and was weirdly over hot in some places like it had been microwaved. I was hoping that Taylor would ask if there was a problem or if we liked it, but she never did. So, we used the kiosk and paid the check. If a restaurant is willing to serve slop like this, I'll pay for it and move on. Not gonna make a stink about it. BUT, People should know what they are getting into before they order it so here you go. See photo. She just now came by as I was writing this review and asked if we were finished with it even though it still looks exactly like it did in the photo attached and again never asked if anything was wrong or if we liked it. I get it, it's awkward, I never brought it to her attention forcing the issue, and she otherwise did a fantastic job but there's definitely room for improvement here. A couple small improvements in dessert quality and server awareness of issues like this would go a LONG way Texas...

Welp LAST NIGHT! Wasn't impressive! I walked in. They asked me if I be getting steak, and I replied yes.

As she grabbed the rolls, She told me to pick a steak out of the glass case, and she'll put a number on it.. She did, put the number 45 on my steak.. it was the LAST bone-in Ribeye (it was after 8 pm). Beautiful steak, trimmed nicely.

Then we walked to my table. My sever came, I placed my order with my ticket that tells her my steak of of choice. (#45 The last Bone'in Ribeye). To go and a catfish dinner to eat in. (And I verbalize it)

The meal was fine. After the meal, My to go dinner wasn't ready. So I waited 10 more minutes. The server said it will be out soon.. I ordered a cheesecake. Ate it ... Now still Waiting for my #45 Bone-in steak...

7 minutes later, here come my #45 Bone in steak to go. As requested.. I didn't check my order, I trusted my order was correct..

I was extremely full and HAPPY! I tipped her and thanked her.

Headed to the door... Looked over at the meat case.... My #45 BONE-IN RIBEYE STEAK was still sitting there..

WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

I went to the lady (greeter) and explained (what u just read).. She called the manager.. He walked up (very jolly)..

I explained to him, "I ordered that last BONE'IN steak, I watched her put the #45 on it.. I waited an extra 27 minutes for that steak to be cooked and delivered to me..

He said, "We are very busy, and mistakes happen."

Me: Took a deep breath.. I'm aware that you're busy.. I'm also a manager at 2 companies and that answer isn't acceptable!! First of all, I didn't ask the lady to call a manager. She felt it was necessary. Second of all, I waited for this steak.. THIS IS THE STEAK I WANTED!!

Him; I will cook you this steak, If you wait!

Me: I already waited an extra 27 minutes for a steak I picked. I didn't receive it.

The lady: I'm sorry, we have a new system and are still working out the bumps.

Me; I understand, but don't ask anyone to pick out their steak and not cook it.

Him: I'm sorry, here's a coupon for dinner,

Me: Thank you, and I told you I'm a manager at 2 companies (Limo and a car lot), and then we started laughing and talking about his experience on a fun party bus..

I will be returning to this location. I don't ever go to this location because I live close to another location.. However, I was leaving the mall.

I do recommend this...