Tonight was my second visit to Haywire, and unfortunately it confirmed the same issues I experienced the first time.
On my first visit, I ordered the Cowgirl Dinner, while my husband ordered the 8 oz filet with the Frozen Texas Tea. I noticed the table next to us ordered the exact same Cowgirl Dinner, yet it was served with different plateware and a different presentation. The inconsistency wasn't a huge deal, but what disappointed me was that the meal wasn't very satisfying. The steak was just okay, the salad had lettuce that was already turning red, and the Lemon Drop Martini was mediocre. I was still hungry afterward, so I ordered the sliders--and I'm glad I did. They were juicy, flavorful, and filling. I also really enjoyed the Bourbon Smash. I left thinking the Cowgirl Dinner could be worth ordering, but only if you planned on ordering more food.
Tonight, I decided to give Haywire another chance. I originally planned to order the sliders again because they ended up being one of my favorite things on the menu, only to find out they had been discontinued. That was another example of the inconsistency I'd already experienced. Instead, I ordered the pork bites, another Bourbon Smash, a margarita, and the Cowgirl Dinner.
Unfortunately, it was another disappointing experience.
Even though we ordered as soon as we were seated, our food took about 30 minutes to arrive. My steak was cooked medium-well to well-done even though I ordered it medium, and it was cold, almost as if it had been sitting out. My Bourbon Smash didn't taste like it did during my first visit, and the salad had the same issue as before--old, soggy lettuce. Even the croutons were soft from absorbing moisture.
The only thing I truly enjoyed this time was the pork bites.
I mentioned these concerns to our waiter because I genuinely hoped the restaurant would improve its consistency. He kindly offered us complimentary dessert, which we politely declined because we simply wanted to provide feedback.
A little later, the manager came to our table. We hadn't asked to speak with a manager, but she responded to each concern with an explanation rather than empathy.
Regarding my steak, she explained that the steaks rest after cooking, which can cause them to continue cooking and cool down. While some carryover cooking is expected, it generally shouldn't take a properly cooked medium steak all the way to medium-well or well-done. The bigger inconsistency is that if it rested long enough to become cold, it also rested longer than ideal.
Regarding the salad, she assured us their salads are made fresh. However, freshly assembling a salad doesn't necessarily mean the ingredients themselves are fresh. Old lettuce can still be used in a salad that was assembled just minutes earlier, and unfortunately that's exactly how mine appeared on both visits.
Regarding the Bourbon Smash, she and our waiter confirmed that they had switched to a premade mix to save time. That explanation actually validated my experience because it confirmed the recipe had changed, which is exactly what I noticed.
She also acknowledged that the restaurant intentionally changes its presentation and plateware, explaining why identical dishes can look different--even within the same day.
I wasn't looking for anything to be taken off our bill, and I wasn't expecting free food. I simply wanted to provide honest feedback after experiencing many of the same issues twice. I think people are generally much more receptive to explanations after they first feel heard. Instead, the conversation immediately felt like defending the restaurant rather than acknowledging why a returning customer would be disappointed.
If you decide to visit, I'd recommend skipping the Cowgirl Dinner and ordering the 6 oz filet instead. It's only slightly more expensive and seems to be the better value. The pork bites were excellent, and if the sliders ever make a comeback, I'd absolutely recommend those too. Unfortunately I don't think we'll be back. read more