J. Alexander's an Experience to Forget

I arrived early for a five thirty dinner with a party of nine. The hosting staff of J. Alexander's in Overland Park was courteous and helpful though functionally inept. They attempted to seat our party at two tables for four. They refused to push two tables together. The next suggestion was an attempt to seat nine average sized midwestern Americans at a round, half booth table designed for six. We actually tried to make it work. I was reminded of riding a city bus in Hong Kong, shoulder to shoulder, elbow to elbow. A third request for a suitable table arrangement finally netted us a table for eight with an extra chair off one corner. Ultimately pushing together two tables after badgering the floor manager for a third time. Drinks were delivered to us belonging to another table, ours lost in the mix. There was not an ice cube to be seen anywhere in the house. Frustrations were high by the time we ordered. Twenty seven dollars for twelve ounces of prime rib and a one cup serving of mashed potatoes. Soup or salad was a separate entree. The house salad I had was filled with fresh surprises and the highlight of the meal.  Servers quickly brought us dinners that we did not order. When the proper dinners did arrive we had been there a hour, silverware for two of our guests had to be requested. One highlight of the evening was when larger than life steak knives were delivered in addition to the steak knives we already had and one of our guests inquired " Are the steaks that tough we need these huge knives?" 

The prime rib was mediocre at best. It was compaired with that of Longhorn Steakhouse and deemed inferior in taste and quality. The atmosphere reminded me of a dimely lit version of a famous pancake house chain. No reservations, uncomfortable bench seating for awaiting guests, high end pricing and inept staff make it a place of no return for my money.