Undercover Diner Visits the new LongHorn Steakhouse

Curiosity and a lot of local buzz led me, my mom and my sister to dinner this week at the new LongHorn Steakhouse that recently opened in the former O’Charley’s space. The chain restaurant opened in December and judging by the crowds, word has traveled fast. I had heard people were regularly landing on waitlists, and that proved true when we arrived around 4:45 p.m. and were quoted a 50-minute wait.

Interestingly, despite the long waitlist, there were quite a few open tables throughout the restaurant. It felt less like a lack of interest and more like a staffing issue — something common for newly opened restaurants. Even so, the place was undeniably busy and energetic.

Rather than waiting for a table, we opted to sit at the bar — my personal preference. I find that dining at the bar often means quicker service and a more relaxed experience, and this visit was no exception. In fact, we were never even called for our table. The bar area was cozy, and our bartenders, Kevin and Austin, were attentive, friendly, and efficient throughout the evening.

To start, I ordered a pinot noir. Not all the wines listed on the menu were available, which I’m guessing is due to the restaurant still settling in after opening. Happy hour options were also a bit limited — just Bud Light and Miller Lite, with no wine specials — which felt like a missed opportunity. Still, the wine itself was solid, and my mom and sister enjoyed seasonal Sam Adams beers.

For dinner, my mom and I split the 12-ounce New York Strip, ordered medium rare. We paired it with a loaded baked potato, which was a pleasant surprise — often that is an upcharge elsewhere. The steak arrived cooked perfectly, tender, and flavorful, and easily lived up to LongHorn’s reputation.

It also came with a generously sized side salad, which felt like excellent value for the price.

My sister ordered the ribeye, cooked medium, along with a loaded baked potato and side salad. She was just as pleased with her meal, praising both the seasoning and the doneness of the steak.

Warm bread and butter rounded out the table, always a welcome addition and perfect for sharing.

Overall, we had an enjoyable experience. While we are not typically big chain-restaurant diners, we wanted to see what all the fuss was about — and now we understand it. The food was consistently good, the service at the bar was excellent, and the atmosphere was lively without feeling overwhelming.

That said, while I liked LongHorn Steakhouse, it won’t become a regular stop for me. I tend to avoid chain restaurants when I can, and Wards Road traffic alone is often enough to send me elsewhere. Still, for a well-cooked steak and a dependable dining experience, LongHorn delivers exactly what it promises — and for many diners, that’s more than enough reason to keep coming back.