Illinois Diner with Kitchen Experience Claims Texas Roadhouse Repeatedly Served Sirloin Instead of Filet

A regular customer of the Texas Roadhouse in Forsyth, Illinois, is warning others to check their orders after alleging the restaurant served him a cheaper cut of meat three separate times while charging him for a premium steak. Kenneth Card, who recently went viral on social media for his claims, said he believes he was being “ripped off” by the substitution of sirloin for the more expensive filet mignon he had ordered.

Card is not a casual observer of meat quality. He spent years working in hotel and restaurant kitchens, where he was responsible for preparing and cutting steaks. He maintains that this professional background makes him uniquely qualified to identify the specific characteristics of various cuts of beef. “I know what types of meat I get whenever I receive it,” Card stated, emphasizing that he can easily distinguish between the textures and appearances of different steaks.

According to Card, he had been a loyal patron of the Forsyth location for more than a year, visiting roughly once a week and building a rapport with the staff. However, that relationship was strained by a recurring issue with his orders. The first time he noticed a discrepancy, he alerted the staff that he had likely received a sirloin instead of the filet mignon he requested. On that occasion, the restaurant acknowledged the error and provided him with the correct filet.

On a subsequent visit, Card said he again received what he identified as a sirloin. However, rather than making a scene, he chose to eat the meal without raising a complaint. The situation came to a head during a third visit when the same issue allegedly occurred. This time, Card requested to speak with a manager.

“I was like, ‘Look, this is the third time that y’all tried to sell me a sirloin or whatever else kind of steak it is besides a filet,'” Card recalled. The restaurant staff took the plate back to the kitchen for a “second opinion,” eventually returning to confirm that the steak was indeed not what he had ordered. Card waited for a replacement filet, which he took to go, and later posted a video of the incident to warn other consumers.

There is a significant price gap between the two cuts at the Forsyth location. According to the company’s website, an 8-ounce sirloin is priced at approximately $20, while a filet mignon costs roughly $30. Beyond the price, Card described the physical differences between the two. He noted that a filet mignon is known for being very tender and having a texture that “melts in your mouth,” whereas a sirloin tends to be “a little grittier, a little chewier.”

A spokesperson for Texas Roadhouse stated that the company was aware of the allegations but could only verify one of the three reported incidents. The spokesperson confirmed that management at the Forsyth location “quickly made it right” on that one occasion by providing the correct cut. The company further explained that team members are trained to double-check food for both quality and accuracy as it is expedited from the kitchen.

The chain advised any customer who believes they have received the wrong item or was charged incorrectly to immediately alert their server or a manager so the issue can be addressed on-site. Despite the company’s response and the resolution of his final order, Card said he has no plans to return to the establishment, stating that he intends to take his business elsewhere.