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| - UPDATE: I was very promptly contacted by a corporate representative of the Keg to try and make it up to me. I politely declined, but appreciated her offer. I also dined on 04/16 at the Oro Valley, AZ location with a group of clients and had a wonderful experience. Our experience in Desert Ridge seems to be isolated to this location and is not indicative of a corporate mindset.
I wanted to give this place the benefit of the doubt, I really did. I read the reviews that mentioned that this was not your normal chain restaurant...
Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed. From top to bottom this place is....confusing. It's like the restaurant doesn't know what it wants to be. Does it want to be a fine steakhouse ala Capital Grille or Donovans? Or does it want to be a mid-priced chain restaurant with amazing food ala Houstons?
We were first seated outside. Bad choice. Cheap patio furniture (truly, we patron sports bars that have a more welcoming patio) and not very enjoyable. Switched to a booth/chair combo in the bar. Better ambiance for sure. Started off great with my wife ordering a great Malbec and after tasting hers, I ordered the same. Ordered a Ceasar salad which I couldn't finish because it was so overseasoned. Then started with the Garlic Shrimp Appetizer which again, was overseasoned. This dish is served in escargot dish, with 6 baby shrimps in the holes, baked some in sort of oil, onion, parley, oregano, garlic, et al seasoning oil, and then smothered in cheddar cheese. It's one weird dish. After "enjoying" those two, I literally couldn't taste anything because of so many confusing flavors in my mouth.
She ordered the filet which was alright (but overpriced - close to $40 for what looked and tased no better than something you can pick up at the grocery) and I order the New York Strip. When ordering steaks, you can choose "Chicago style" which is more seared almost to a char on the outside and prepared to your liking on the inside. Being a Chicago native, my mind instantly sprang to the beauty that is a Gibson's Charred Steak. If you've ever been to Gibsons (arguably the best steakhouse in the entire country), you know what I am talking about. Boy was I wrong again. It tasted like someone took a sirloin, burnt it to a crisp with a car exhaust pipe and called it prepared to my liking. I would normally send it back, but since there was a theme developing, I decided to cut my losses and try to get out as quick as possible.
There are two redeeming factors. First, the Malbec is excellent and the twice-baked potatoes everyone references are what they're cracked up to be. The only two reasons I am not giving this a 1-star rating.
We opted out of dessert (went to get a Pizookie at BJ's Brewhouse instead) and paid the overpriced bill. I am not a cheapskate, and I enjoy very nice restaurants, but this was a bit rediculous for a chain. Over $100 for the two of us, for entrees and a glass of wine each.
I hate to say this, but save yourself the trouble. Go to a restaurant that knows who they are. If you're going to go to a chain steak place, just go to Outback. You'll save yourself an expensive learning experience and the steaks are better there...seriously.
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