West Allen Grill — Restaurant in Wentzville

Been coming here for almost 20 years…you have so many amazing FOH employees that know my family and I by name, our order, and are like family. Until recently the food had also always been top notch.

While the new owner has done some nice/needed updates with the decor, and kept many of the awesome team she inherited, I am disappointedly starting to see a drop in food quality (specifically the quality of the ingredients) while raising prices. To be fair, I have no issues paying the price as inflation is crazy and you do what you have to do. That said, you REALLY screwed up what used to be the BEST HOUSE SALAD in town. Getting rid of the freshly shredded provel cheese and delicious croutons for the cheese blend (almost taste fake - not a high quality cheese)and current croutons….Big Mistake! Those croutons are the cheapest things out there and look like they came from a 1980’s buffet restaurant that went out of business (or from a package at a fast food restaurant.). Also I always get my chicken blackened and I swear you switched up the quality of the chicken and I absolutely know you changed the blackened seasoning. It is apparent the kitchen is struggling my last several visits (given how long it took to get my food) and what was once a place I would go to 2-3 times a week has now become a growing disappointment. While I know the menu/business has to evolve ( and as a former restaurant owner myself - someone who is in the business and has been in the business for 25+ years.) I sincerely hope what seems to be your cutting of cost and quality approach does not continue, and you listen to your customers, staff, and don’t further cheapen the quality of your customers experience (specifically around your food quality and ingredient choices.)

Please be better and don’t break what you bought….my family and I love this place and the staff.

You can make your profits two ways: By Growing Sales By Cutting Costs i get menu refinement/evolvement, and I am all about cutting un-needed expenses (that the customer doesn’t give you credit for) while gaining efficiencies, etc. but don’t cut the quality (while taking price increases) as you will quickly start the death spiral and break what you bought.

There is too much competition in Wentzville (and the surrounding area) and Dean worked really hard to develop a Great Reputation and following. Please remember that next time your US Foods, PFG, or Sisco Sales Rep tries to sell you a cheaper, lesser quality ingredient. Please remain focused on ingredient quality, taking care of your people (so they can take care of your customers) and the successful business you bought will continue to be a success...

We are DONE with this place. We have ordered takeout from there about two dozen times within the last 10 months, and the quality has always been inconsistent. You may wonder why we kept giving them chances, and, to be honest, the only reason is that we don't like fast food or chain restaurants. Anyway, we have tried the burgers, the fries, the fajitas, and the french dip. In the past, the burgers were usually good, but there were times where the meat was very chewy and underseasoned. The fries were usually "okay," but there was one time when they served us fries that were so undercooked, they were almost raw, and, therefore, completely inedible. The steak fajitas are so bland and the texture is so off, they taste like my Irish grandmother made them with stew meat. As for the french dip, the taste is usually good, but the meat can be very tough and, as for the bun, well, I would describe it as being as flat, flimsy, and tasteless as a piece of Wonder bread. Despite all those inconsistencies, we hoped that they could just make us 3 decent burgers and a couple orders of fries this past Wednesday night. My husband went to pick up our order, and there seemed to be a bunch of confusion over it when he arrived. Apparently, the person who took our order didn't write it was for takeout. Eventually, they straightened everything out and charged him $27.00, which is about the same price as we normally pay. Unfortunately, when we sat down to eat all three of us discovered that our burgers were completely burned on the bottom. I had to cut off about a third of my burger to remove the charred scab, so that I could eat it. Despite removing the huge chunk of CHARRED meat, my burger still tasted burned. There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for serving obviously scorched pieces of meat to a paying customer. If I had cooked that meat here at home, I would've apologized to my family, thrown away the patties I RUINED, and started over again. The fact that West Allen thought these burgers were appropriate to serve to us means that they have no quality standards and are more worried about their bottom line than their reputation. So, in response, that will be the last money they will ever get from me AND I am letting everyone in the area know how inconsistent, careless, and greedy this...

Very disappointed with such a prestigious restaurant. We’d heard nothing but great things about this restaurant until we visited tonight. First, we watched the hostess go into the dining room and tell us there’s a wait-no problem. 15 minutes pass as we watched two couples leave. Still no table. We waited alone in the waiting area beginning to think that they must be very busy or understaffed, which is understandable. In comes another couple after approximately a 25 minute wait. The husband (I assume) is standing at the hostess podium. I expect he’ll be told about the wait. He was not. Instead, the hostess says we’ll be ready to seat you ALL now. Upon entry into the dining room area, I notice two cleaned booths and two empty booths (remember only two couples left). As we wait to be greeted, the couple that came in behind us was seated, greeted and ordered drinks. No problem, maybe this was their server but not ours. Next, another couple enters, is seated directly behind us and the same warm reception follows....Now, I CANNOT dismiss or make excuses anymore. Did the waitress walk over to us next? No, she walked right past us to get drinks for the couple who just sat down behind us. I am beginning to think there is a problem with how we look-White wife, Black husband, small child. Finally, Jordan B, greets us with an apology and gets us started. Once our order was placed, the food came quickly, was very tasty and we were thoroughly impressed (with the food). Our meal took about 20 minutes to complete and was enjoyable. We watched more couples enter, receive a warm greeting and order within a few minutes of being seated. Wow, great service for EVERYONE ELSE! Now, you’d think I’d complain to a manager or stiff the waitress for a good tip. I did neither. I tipped 20% and walked out quietly after waiting another 20 minutes to pay receive the check. Total time spent without food was DOUBLE the time it took to consume it. MESSAGE RECEIVED. Of my 27 years of service to MY country, I surely didn’t expect the treatment we received here in the heartland(or didn’t receive). I will never return to the West...