5/5 Stars
This was my first visit to a California Texas Roadhouse, as all of my previous visits have been in Tennessee and North Carolina. I've eaten at the Tennessee locations several times, and they've always had outstanding ribeyes, so I was excited to see how Cali did it. Because this review is epic (IMO) is wanna give a shoutout to Jacob one of the managers ,Daniel our server, Siera the Bartender and Danette also a Manager.
When we walked in, one of the managers, Jacob, greeted and seated us, and he happened to be carrying a basket of those buttered rolls with that honey butter, to our table. My lady was definitely hangry, and I think he sensed it because he ensured we didn't have to wait to start eating. Jacob, thank you--I appreciated that more than you probably realized..
THE GRUB:
Our first appetizer was the Rattlesnake Bites. They're fried balls filled with cheese and jalapeños. Flavor-wise, they were very tasty, but the texture just wasn't for me. I'd give them 2 out of 5 stars. The best way I can describe them is a ball of crispy crust filled with very soft, almost soupy cheese. Again, the flavor was great--I just expected a different texture.
For our Mains my wife ordered the catfish with a loaded baked potato and a side salad. She loved it. She said the catfish was thick, meaty, and seasoned perfectly. The baked potato was cooked just right and topped with ,sour cream,bacon and cheddar, the salad was fresh, and she even commented on how the ranch dressing tasted homemade. Easy 5 out of 5 stars for the catfish plate.
I ordered the full rack of ribs with loaded mashed potatoes, and we also got the loaded macaroni and cheese. Apparently, Texas Roadhouse really loves bacon and cheese... and so do I, so we were a perfect match! Everything was flavorful, comforting, and exactly what I was hoping for. 5/5 stars
Our server, Daniel, was fantastic. He offered great suggestions, kept my drink filled without me ever having to ask, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. He played a big part in making our first California visit a great one.
I also want to recognize Danette, who I believe was the general manager--or at least she carried herself like the person who keeps everything running. She was warm, funny, and genuinely cared about our experience. When she learned we weren't crazy about the Rattlesnake Bites, she immediately removed them from our bill and even gave us a complimentary appetizer for our next visit. That level of customer service says a lot about how they value their guests, and how she wanted our experience to be just right.
Finally, a shout-out to Siera the bartender. She was incredibly sweet, and we really enjoyed chatting with her. Honestly, we almost wished we'd sat at the bar, she had been by her lonesome the hour and ten minutes we were there. As we were leaving, she reminded us that we could take some of those delicious rolls home. Since we had ordered a meal for our youngest--who isn't a fan of ribs or catfish--we were excited for her to try the rolls too. It was such a thoughtful ending to an already wonderful interaction.
Texas Roadhouse atmosphere and food absolutely delivered. Great food, outstanding service, and a team that genuinely cares about its guests. This California location definitely lived up to the reputation I'd come to expect from Texas Roadhouse right here in Cali..
Texas Roadhouse for the win--5 out of 5 stars! read more