Texas Roadhouse responds to customer’s viral claim he was given cheaper steak 3 times
A regular Texas Roadhouse customer in Illinois has sparked a lively online debate. Kenneth Card says he ordered filet mignon but was served a cheaper sirloin on three separate visits. Now, the restaurant chain has responded to his claims.
His TikTok video, posted in early October, has crossed 30,000 views. As a result, many diners are asking a simple question: are they really getting the steak they pay for?
Who Is Kenneth Card?
Card is no stranger to the Texas Roadhouse in Forsyth, Illinois. In fact, he says he has been eating there about once a week for more than a year. Over that time, he built a friendly rapport with the staff.
He also knows his way around a steak. Card previously worked in hotel and restaurant kitchens, where he prepared and cut meat. Because of that experience, he says he can easily tell one cut from another.
According to Card, the difference is clear the moment you take a bite. He describes filet mignon as very tender, the kind of steak that melts in your mouth. Sirloin, on the other hand, feels grittier and chewier to him.
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Credit: Texas Roadhouse said a complaint from Card was “made right by our team”.
George Rose/Getty
What Happened at the Forsyth Location
Card says the mix-up did not happen just once. Instead, he claims it happened three times at the same restaurant.
On the first occasion, he told the staff about the problem. They then replaced his plate with a proper filet. The second time, however, he simply ate the steak without complaining, even though he had ordered a filet.
The third visit was the breaking point. When the wrong steak arrived again, Card pointed it out to his server. The staff took the plate back to the kitchen for a second opinion. Afterward, they told him it was not what he had ordered.
Card waited for a new steak and asked for it to go. Once he got home, he recorded his now-viral TikTok video and shared it on his account, @kennethcard3.
The Price Gap Between Sirloin and Filet
The cost difference is a big part of why Card felt frustrated. At the Forsyth location, an 8-ounce Dallas Filet is listed at $29.99. Meanwhile, an 8-ounce sirloin costs $19.49.
That means a diner who receives sirloin instead of filet could be paying roughly $10 more than the steak is worth. Over three visits, that gap adds up quickly.
In his video, Card urged viewers to stay alert. He said he simply wants people to get what they pay for. He also admitted that he was surprised the clip gained so much attention.
How Texas Roadhouse Responded
A Texas Roadhouse spokesperson addressed the situation after the video spread online. The company said it had seen the clip and looked into Card’s allegations.
However, the spokesperson said the chain has not been able to confirm that the mistake happened on three occasions. Still, the company did confirm that the error occurred once and was fixed on-site. According to the spokesperson, management quickly made it right.
The company also explained its quality process. Employees reportedly double-check every plate for quality and accuracy before it leaves the kitchen.
Even so, Card’s trust appears to be broken. He says he no longer plans to return to the Forsyth restaurant.
Social Media Reactions Are Divided
As expected, the video drew a wide range of responses. Many viewers sided with Card and shared similar stories. One person claimed the same thing happened to them at Outback, where a filet order turned into a sirloin. Another commenter encouraged Card to report the location directly to the company’s home office.
On the other hand, not everyone was sympathetic. Some critics questioned why he would order filet mignon at a casual chain at all. They argued that a dedicated steakhouse might be a better choice for anyone spending $30 on a steak.
Why It Matters: Filet vs. Sirloin
For the average diner, telling these two cuts apart may not be easy. Still, they come from very different parts of the cow.
Filet mignon is cut from the tenderloin, a muscle that runs along the spine and does very little work. For this reason, the meat is lean, soft and usually smaller in size. Sirloin, by contrast, comes from farther back near the midsection. Since that muscle carries more weight, the meat is firmer, larger and bolder in flavor.
Both cuts are popular, and sirloin is actually one of the best-selling steaks at Texas Roadhouse. Nevertheless, customers who order and pay for filet naturally expect the more tender cut.
What Diners Can Do
Card’s story offers a useful reminder for anyone eating out. First, check your plate before digging in, especially if you ordered a premium item. Next, speak up right away if something looks or tastes wrong. Most restaurants will fix the issue on the spot.
Finally, if a problem keeps repeating, consider contacting the company’s customer service team. That way, the issue can be tracked and handled properly.
Kenneth Card’s experience has struck a chord with diners who worry about getting their money’s worth. Texas Roadhouse says it corrected one error and stands by its kitchen checks. Card, however, remains convinced the problem happened more than once.
Either way, the viral video has pushed a simple message into the spotlight. When you pay for a filet, you deserve a filet.
