I’ve been to Al’s Steak and Salad Bar in Preston Royal a couple of times. It’s not the best restaurant in the world or the worst—both times I’ve had a nice meal. However, a “woman in the restaurant business” with two small kids files this report.
I just had the worst experience ever at a restaurant, and I consider myself pretty tolerant after being in the restaurant business for many years. I arrived at Al’s Steak and Salad on Royal Lane, recently written up nicely in D Magazine, (with an 18-month-old and a 3- year-old) just me…for a nice 12-ounce steak at 5:30 before the “rush.” We were the ONLY people in the entire restaurant. They kept us waiting for 50 minutes to deliver me a well done steak (ordered medium). I sent it back. Redelivered a new one, after my little ones had already consumed all the French fries, and were on the verge of a melt down after now sitting for an hour. New one was delivered RAW. Kids are ready to go and I am frustrated and angry that no one has eaten anything other than French fries. I told them to wrap it up and that I would take it home and microwave it later. Waitress said she would take it off bill. I got the bill (10 minutes and an argument later with the owner) and it still had the steak on it. He said “well, you are taking the steak with you!” I said, then keep the steak. If I wanted my kids to only eat French fries, I would have taken them to McDonald’s. As a result, he took the steak off, but charged me a trip to the salad bar ($10.00) and the fries ($6.00). The salad bar is usually included with the meal at no additional charge. So I left a 10.00 tip and left after nearly 80 minutes in this small little neighborhood restaurant.
Single women and small kids? Hmm. Think this was the problem or just a case of wrong place wrong time? Anybody out there with similar or opposite experiences?
