Raging Bull Steakhouse — Restaurant in Warrensburg

What can I say except totally underwhelmed. From the moment we walked in with our 15 person business lunch in tow, we were met with frustration from the inexperienced hostess/waitress who was not dressed in a professional uniform or anything resembling appropriate attire but Instead, she wore a black Victoria Secret PINK hooded sweatshirt and jeans. She commented that they were expecting us and casually rolled her eyes. From just a quick glance around the building and decor, It was immediately clear that the owners had sunk a large chunk of change into creating the right atmosphere for a steakhouse but missed the mark when hiring the right waitstaff.

It was noon on a Wednesday and the place was dead. Maybe that was a hint of what was to come. We were seated and began ordering the drinks and appetizers. The waitress was unclear of how to efficiently take down the orders for such a large group so she had coaching from the owner standing off to the side. During a few of the orders she was noticeably frustrated with some of the requests and even made snarky comments to a few of the customers.

Soon after receiving our drinks and appetizers we ordered our mains. 4 of 15 people settled on an item dubbed the “Ultimate Steak Sandwich” (see attached pics). From the description and the $14.29 price tag, it sounded spectacular but as I’ll later describe, it was anything but.

After waiting nearly 45 mins for the food, a few of us asked what was taking so long. I got up and went in search of our waitress. I found her behind the bar with the owner making small talk. They noticed me, made eye contact, and quickly hurried off to the kitchen to check on the food. 5 mins later she emerged with other waitstaff members carrying our lunch plates.

When they handed me my order it was actually someone else's. I took a quick glance and realized my order was missing the $2 up charged fried jalapeño sticks. After switching plates with the rightful owner I surveyed my correct order. Between two halves of hollowed our bread were 5, yes 5, total cubes of steak and a mixture of veggies. Although tasty, it was underwhelming considering how much it cost and the flowery menu description talking it up as the owner’s “signature sandwhich”. Not being one to cause a fuss, I chocked it up to a learning experience.

Warrensburg, MO is not a big town and word travels fast. I probably don’t even need to write this review but I feel like it’s important for consumers to know what they are spending their hard earned cash on.

After we settled up our bills, I waited until everyone filed out of the resteraunt. I found one of the owners and the cook and offered some constructive feedback on the service and food. I explained how disappointed I was with the product I received. The owner and her son both explained that they normally use an 8 oz. sirloin for their “Ultimate Steak Sandwich” I commented that there was no way my sandwich or my co-workers sandwiches had 8 oz. of steak on them and maybe had only 2. They replied that when they cut it up, sometimes the steak doesn’t get evenly distributed amongst the sandwiches or it falls into the waste trap on the grill. I replied that there were 4 of us who ordered the same sandwich and I think they used an 8 oz. steak divided four ways which would explain why we each only had about 2 oz of steak in our sandwiches. They offered no apologies or to credit my meal. Not even a discount card on a return visit.

Bottom line here is that the owners of Raging Bull Steakhouse sunk all their money into the resteraunt renovation and equipment. In order to recoup the enormous upfront overhead costs they incurred, they decided to hike up prices on menu items, cut portions where they could, and use inexperienced waitstaff (cheap labor). A wise man once said, a fool and his money will soon be parted....

I did not really want to write this review, but I feel it necessary. I will preface this by listing the things this restaurant got very right!

The host that seated us was very friendly, very knowledgeable, and explained how accommodating the restaurant was willing to be concerning special orders. After our first server was replaced (more on this later), the second server did well. All but one (the most expensive) of the items of food we ordered were delicious!

However, now we must approach the reasoning why I'll likely not return. After being seated by the host, we had our first server assigned to us. Unfortunately, this server was rather neglectful. The restaurant was not slammed, otherwise I'd happily be more understanding. We waited 10 minutes for a refill on our drinks. After the appetizers were served, I requested one for myself, as I really enjoyed the potato soup my girlfriend ordered. Despite this, my extra soup order was either not placed or not communicated to the kitchen properly. The host came back over after another 10 minute wait; I had to remind him of the soup I ordered with my server. Between talking to the host and my dinner being served, I was informed by the host my server was going to be replaced with someone else, which turned out fine.

The soup finally came out with the dinner, which isn't quite the point of an appetizer, but I figured it'd be fine considering how good my girlfriend's appetizers were. Unfortunately, the service staff forgot to bring my salad out with my order, so that was another issue that was quickly ironed out.

Then I began eating my $50 Porterhouse steak. I ordered the steak medium rare, which is widely regarded as the most preferred temperature. However, despite this being a steak house, the steak came out barely rare. I began by eating the strip cut of the steak first, which was at least edible. I tried to tough it out and not bother service over something I could still technically eat. After eating about half of the strip side, I wanted to try the fillet cut. The first 2 bites deceived me. I then cut a good sized bite for myself only to discover the steak inside was raw. Not undercooked, but simply raw and mushy. I told my server about it who then went back to the kitchen to return with the following options: (1) They refire the inedible steak and cut half of the price of the steak off, or (2) they simply cut half the price of the steak off. Seeing as these options were a bit ridiculous for a steak I paid $50 for, I simply asked if they could make me a 10oz NY Strip steak. They agreed to this, but only if I agreed to pay full price for the steak. When the new steak arrived, it was still undercooked. However, seeing as we had to leave to pick up our sick child, I told them it was fine, and that I would refire it myself at home.

For a restaurant claiming to be a steakhouse, it was incredibly disappointing to have my (what I wanted to be premium) steak experience completely botched. Because of this, I would not recommend this restaurant until they...

Ok first of all waitress was great, let's get that out of the way. Hostess was pleasant when was dealing with customers, but was or showing vary unhappy when she was not dealing with customers. Could tell she was vary stressed with the night. Food was way overpriced although was creative is presentation. I ordered a ribeye culinary blue or in other words as rare as they can cook the steak and it came out medium slightly pink and warm in the center. When I gave my order I explained to the waitress that this was the second time I've visited this establishment and that last time the steak was way overcooked and yet again the steak was way overcooked. Waitress stated that she would have them cook me another one I did tell her that it was all right not to worry about it I ate the rest of my food I did not eat the steak. After fully paying for it because I did not want the bill to be reduced I asked to speak with the manager the waitress stated not a problem she would let them know about 5 minutes later she came back and said that the owner was too busy but here's a $25 gift card. Told her again not to worry about it and I refuse to take the gift card. She did go back to the manager and or owner and he instructed her to ask me to reconsider. the fact is that I understand if they were extremely busy he didn't feel the need to speak with a customer who has verbally and obviously was unhappy with the food as I did not eat the steak and then for the second time refused to take a $25 gift card at which time the manager and or owner should stop whatever they were doing and realize that there was something else other than just the quality of their food but once again he chose not to come out I will not ever revisit this restaurant and I did not take the $25 gift card if I was interested in receiving a discount or reduction on my check I would have not paid first prior to complaining to the manager, or try to complain to the manager they were too busy to care. and as I stated earlier the waitress she went above and beyond on an $80 bill I gave her and above average tip. I would suggest if you are going to run a steakhouse restaurant and charge the rates that you do $49 for a porterhouse steak as an example that only comes with a potato and a salad you might want to care more about your customers that's just a suggestion.

Addition to after reading other complaints one star or two star reviews The owner and or manager does respond it looks like to every review and every time someone has only given one or two stars a common theme appears telling the customer all they had to do was ask for a manager and her owner well sir I did not once not twice but three times and you...