Holstein Grill Steak House — Restaurant in Town of Brookhaven

I made a reservation online for brunch for today for my family of 7 plus our 4 month old granddaughter. It was the end of a wonderful celebration weekend for my husband’s 60th birthday. I looked at their brunch menu online and it looked great! I called on Friday to confirm we were all set and were told they had no record of my online reservation. I offered to share the online confirmation number I received and they said “no problem…let’s just make the reservation over the phone now”. That should have been the first sign! Then this morning, the restaurant called 1/2 hour before our reservation time to be sure we were coming and asked which menu we wanted. I replied brunch but said they could put the regular menu out too just in case anyone wanted to order from it. We arrive and the place was completely empty (maybe should have been the second sign), we sit down and ask for the brunch menu. Waitress informs us that they no longer offer brunch because no one was asking for it. I explain that it says brunch on their sign on their building, on their website with the brunch menu posted AND brunch is even advertised on their regular menu that they gave all of us!! All the server said was “yes, I know, we should change that”! Since both our adult sons had 4 hour drives ahead of them to go home after we ate, I decided to just switch gears and go with it and not leave (YET) The server said we do have some lunch specials. We said “great” please bring the specials menu over. She walks away and then says “sorry—specials are only for Monday- Friday”! Again, for convenience sake, we decided to still stay. My mother in law orders a coffee and then I ask for a decaf coffee (not an unusual request for a restaurant) and I was told “we don’t have decaf”!! That’s when my family was done trying to make this work and we left and went to the Holbrook Diner (it was super close by—-we’ve never been to this diner—- and it was wonderful!!) They even had an extensive brunch menu!! As far as Holstein Grill Steak House, I can’t comment on the food, as we decided not to stay, but based on our experience, we would never, ever go back!! With so many restaurant options, I suggest not giving a place that falsely advertises something they don’t even offer (ie brunch) and aren’t even honest about it when I called to inquire! Never choose this place!!

UPDATE: This was frustrating to read the restaurant’s response below which is a complete lie. I spoke with the owner, Israel, just a couple of days after our visit there in response to his voicemail. I also continued to receive several missed calls from the restaurant even after I spoke with the owner and called the restaurant back to ask why they keep calling and they denied that someone from the restaurant ever called me. However, my phone missed calls said the name of the restaurant! My review is 100% true based on...

The prospect of a decent restaurant in Ronkonkoma (outside of the two bars which have fantastic kitchens) that isn't fast food garbage, or pizza (Ronkonkoma has some of the best pizza on Long Island IMO) was too alluring to pass up! Place is brand new, nice atmosphere, very attentive service. Where I believe they are currently falling short is in being more "grill" than steakhouse. I mean this purely in regard to the steak itself. I do not believe they should be trying to emulate Insignia or any other overly bougie establishment (not in Ronkonkoma, that would just price them out of the market). I ordered the porterhouse, medium rare, which is their highest priced steak on then menu. The steak itself was seasoned well, but extremely thin and came out far more medium than rare. I would estimate this steak was around 1" to 3/4" thick raw, and I would estimate it probably hit the plate at around 139-145° F internal temp, definitely more in the "medium" range than medium rare. It's difficult to achieve the most commonly desired temp for beef (medium rare) on such a thin steak. The price on this steak (highest on the menu) was extremely reasonable, and perhaps therein lies the problem. I don't want to tell anyone how to run their business, but I believe some more premium steaks, at a slightly higher pricepoint, cooked more precisely, would be a welcome addition to their menu. Perhaps having both grass and grain fed as an option, serving 2" thick steaks vs thin ones? Also some toppings, like grilled onions or gorganzola cheese? Additional sauce options like a brown sauce, or a bearnaise? (The chimchuri sauce and salsa verde they currently have on the table are both fantastic!). I see a lot of potential in this restaurant. I will definitely return to eat at Holstein and wish them all the success...

This place was delicious...worth every single penny ..the quality of the meat was amazing.. we were looking for a steakhouse when we were going to the movies at regal down the road..an we found this place. It is a little confusing because the front of the store is Ralph's Italian ice...but if you look on the side of Ralph's that's where they're located.. I think they should have a better sign. Something more eye-catching towards the road so that you know where it is. if you use GPS you get put next door where there is a bunch of medical offices. We got the meat platter thing for two... You got two sides, two salads and six pieces of steak. Maybe a little more then 6 but wow so much food and it was absolutely delicious. They give you these dressing type of things for the steak / bread the one w the olive oil was delicious. A little hole in the wall with amazing food !! It was a little fancy. They asked if we had reservations and we didn't but we got seated still an it was no problem.. I didn't realize that. Maybe we should not have worn a summer casual wear we should have had some jeans and nice shirts on but it was no problem nobody said anything. The service was very good as well. Our waiter was very attentive and seeing it was our first time there and suggested we use the two sauces on the steaks .which was very good .. but my favorite was the olive oil one not sure the name of it sorry! Looking forward for our next visit definitely going to get the...