William Destro
Google
After 30 years in customer service, I understand the great impact of reviews and it does take a lot to make me write a negative review. Regretfully, I would say the Valet Parking was truly the highlight of my experience at Drover's 97 West.
We decided to take my wife out for her birthday and enjoy a nice and reasonably pricey dinner at the Beautiful Drover. We arrived early to enjoy a cocktail. The Lobby Bar was small and we were faced with a large traffic flow, or sit outside in the August Texas heat. We accepted the congestion of the lobby and ordered a martini and a 4 Roses Old Fashioned. $65 later (2 drinks and customary tip), we headed to check in on our reservation a couple minutes early. We were told we could wander around or have a seat in the hallway.
After another visit to the Hostess, we were taken to a 4 or 5 person table. Bless my sweet wife who had to climb into the both (we are both able to take SS and retire). We noticed many open tables, but it was Sunday evening and maybe they were understaffed? We are talking about the Famous Fort Worth Stockyards, so I must have missed something.
The waitress came and discussed the menu. This was challenging due to the noise level of the open floorplan and occupancy. We ordered and had a wine and a beer. The salad and beverages arrived about 25 minutes after we first were seated. At that point, they removed the bread plates from our setting (faked me out-I thought we were getting something). I should have seen this 3rd or 4th sign, but even my Draft beer was not cold.
The salad was good, and was removed pretty promptly, with only 1 issue. I ate most of my salad, but wanted not to fill up too soon. My wife ordered Bison and was feeling the NY Strip! I put my fork and the dressing container in the salad bowl. The waitress, as she was removing the salad bowls asked me if I wanted any more of my salad. Warning #5-used dishwasher and containers on the food is definitely done and bordered on a very poor server.
About 10 minutes later (65 minutes after our reservation time), We are brought 2 steak knives. Excited, forgiving, and expecting decent protein for the prices you see in the menu...we wait another 15 minutes (may have been 20), our main courses arrive.
I do not want to be salty, or be sour like vinegar, pepper you with more information, or have you try and digest any of the aforementioned descriptors, but, I do understand how bad reviews can hurt.
The waitress removed my wife's undercooked Bison, overcooked sweet potatoes, and pickled carrots and asked if she could bring something else. She refused and I commented that we could not possibly wait again for some attempt from the kitchen. I tried to eat my NY Strip and cold, mushy vegetable mash. I could not and after my server observed my frustration, the dinner was as done.
The Manager came to discuss our meal. I advised her that it was worst experience and this level and price point that I ever had. I commented to the manager that for the 1st time, my wife wanted to just leave. She then had the gall to ask again if she could get any sauce to make it better. As I stared at her in utter confusion, I laughed.
I responded that I was ready to walk out myself, but as a former restaurant manager, I wanted her to have the chance to coach the needed parties. I covered all items and my lovely wife was kind enough to ask, "Do we have to pay for this or can we leave?" The manager said there is no bill and we left hungry and it was too late to eat elsewhere. The bill would have been another $150 minimum.
The White Settlement Waffle House is how we ended my wife's birthday.
William Destro