Mike Shannon's Steaks and Seafood: User Reviews

The worst restaurant in St Louis
By TeriDN, March 23, 2011

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John and I had dinner at Mike Shannon's lauded restaurant last night and it wasn't just bad--it was the epitome of an over-hyped restaurant that is long on promises, short on delivery and needs a chef who isn't resting on the laurels of past glory. We were seated in some very uncomfortable chairs in front of a window with the hot sun pouring through it and the air-conditioning wasn't on--I was dripping sweat for the first 20 minutes! I expected an excellent meal as I bought into the reputation of the restaurant that I had been hearing about for years. The menu prices would leave one to believe it was a quality dining restaurant as it makes Ruth's Chris look like bargain dining! Tragically, the steaks aren't even close to the quality needed to justify the price. $38 buys you an 8 ounce filet mignon (a la carte--not even a breadstick or piece of parsley--meat and plate) that even cooked rare didn't have a drop of juice--not one drop. It made up for the lack of juiciness with a total lack of flavor but didn't lack for salt. I've had beef jerky that wasn't as salty as that steak--or as tough. My husband should have sent it back, but didn't as he doesn't like to send food back no matter how horrible the dish--but he never goes back after a bad first experience. Along with his $38 dollar hunk of Clydesdale he he ordered an $8 order of again horribly over-salted fries of which I tasted three. The outside was crisp and the inside fluffy but the amount of salt would have put McDonald's to shame. I've never had fries that were so over-salted, and sadly the chef's passionate love affair with the Morton Salt Girl was a theme that was repeated with every dish except the macaroni and cheese which mercifully had no salt. Sadly, it also had no cheese, no flavor and no exposure to a heat source as it arrived stone cold in a hot metal dish. Having eaten beef for my last 4 meals, I ordered the appetizer calamari ($8) and the mac-and-cheese side dish ($9) for my meal. The server didn't bother to bring me a plate for my meal which was stunning--even the cheapest Chinese joint brings a plate--apparently Mike Shannon's expects their customers to eat directly from the serving dish to save wear and tear on the dishwasher. I took a bite of the calamari and while it was tender, I couldn't taste ANYTHING but the exceptionally heavily oversalted coating. I took a second bite from another side of the plate hoping that the salt had been confined to one area but alas, this was not the case. The mac and cheese was without a doubt THE WORST MAC AND CHEESE I HAVE EVER TASTED IN MY LIFE. Morrison's cafeteria has better mac and cheese--as does Piccadilly, Bob Evans, Stouffer's frozen--even Kraft powdered from the box is better. It had no cheese; it was cold even though the serving dish was hot and the best thing I can say about it is that the bread crumbs on top were nicely buttered, crispy and not salty. Don't EAT HERE! SO NOT WORTH IT!!!!

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Marginal dining experience. Overpriced. Better steak & seafood at Kreis' or Dierdorfs
By joyjoytotheworld, December 12, 2010

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We spent over $1100.00 last night for 8 people at Mike Shannons. The food was average. My steak was so charred on the outside it tasted burnt. The Loster mac & cheese was bland (go to Bristols for great lobster mac!). We liked the Seafood Tower appetizer and the soups. The server was inattentive. One member of our party had to wait for salad while all others were served. Then another person's dinner was not served at the same time as the others, so everybody at the table is kept waiting & looking at their food. One person ordered his meat "medium" and there was NO pink to be seen -overdone! One pleasant surprise was receiving 4 free desserts becasue we knoew MIke Shannons jersey number. Restaurant was half empty yet we were seated right next to a loud abrasive guest which made for several awkward moments. Overall, I have had terrific steak & prime rib at Kreis' and at Citizen Kanes - both which have much better service. Won't repeat Shannons.

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Home Run!
By lesliegitz, February 22, 2010

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Shannon's is easily my favorite place in St. Louis. The atmosphere is fabulous, outmatched only by the food! The entire staff is eager to please. It's expensive, but they are now offering GREAT happy hour specials if you're watching your $$. For a special night on the town in St. Louis, NOTHING beats Mike Shannon's!

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