Birk's Steak and Chop House

If I could give this place 0 stars on this review I WOULD. On Friday, February 27, 2009 my friend and I (both African American women) went to Birk's to celebrate an achievement my friend has been working towards for MONTHS. We had heard good things about the restaurant but neither of us are huge red meat eaters. Both of us ordered the Pan Roasted Rocky Junior Chicken entree. The meal consisted of baked chicken, broccoli, and macaroni and cheese. It was OK at best. On a scale from 1-10 I would have given it a 6.5. The food was a little bland but still well cooked and nicely presented.

After we finished our meal, the chef came over and began asking us about the food. He asked whether "the chicken was better than 'Big Mama's,'" whether "the macaroni and cheese was better than 'Big Mama's,'" and whether "the macaroni and cheese was at least better than 'that government cheese.'"

Now for those who may be unaware due to the minor subtlety of the comment, "government cheese" is what low income families on welfare are given when they redeem their food stamps. Although both my friend and I are African American, neither of us have EVER been on welfare or eaten government cheese, nor do we call anyone in our families "Big Mama." The audacity of this man to insinuate that ALL or even MOST African Americans are currently on, or have at one point been on welfare is inaccurate, offensive, and misplaced. Additionally, exploiting the poor thinking that their circumstance is something to make fun of is equally offensive, insensitive, and ignorant. Another notable point is that this chef did not address any of the other patrons (mostly White) who were dining there that night.

I WILL NOT return as long as this person is still employed at this establishment because I DO NOT intend to support such ignorance!!

Posted 03/02/09

Last Visit:November 2007I arived at Birks without a reservation, I was told that I will have to leave at 7:pm or I can go somewhere else, I have never been in a place where I have to timed to eat my meal or drink my wine, This restaurant only cares about the turn of business not about taken care of the customers. will not recomend to any of my friends. find a more friendly place to host your customers/friends/family.

Posted 11/30/07

We were pretty amazed the bartender was clueless on how to make various drinks. Some examples were Red-headed sluts, lemon drops, Tia Maria's and various martinis. If you just want to enjoy wine, champagne or on-the-rocks drinks, you should be fine, but do not order any mixed beverages; unless you are willing to provide the ingredients and measurements. By the way, the FOOD was great:)

Pros: Salmon and lamb chops shared delicious textures; the waiter was consistent.

Cons: knowledge of various beverages, having to wait after our reservation time

Posted 08/22/06

I had the fillet mignon this time and it was average. The outside was overchared and I ordered mine medium rare. The dish came with mashed potatoes and creamed spinich. The mashed potatoes was rather thin in the consistency. I guess I like mine a little bit thicker. The spinich was average. It wasn't excellent, but I don't really anything to complain abou it.

The highlight of this lunch was the the calamari. It was delicious.

Pros: prompt seating, lots of parking, great bar

Posted 05/23/06

friend of mine and I, we had a nice experience of trying this restaurant; food was excellent , we took waiter's recommendation and try few things in there; calamari were the best I have ever had ; peppered filet was nice as well, it was tender and I liked peppered flavor; friend of mine paella was fantastic and the portions were huge; we were stuffed but the waiter said that we had to try crème burlee and he was right since that was the best I have had so far; a bit pricy but not too bad;

Pros: tasty food, good recomendations, by waiter

Cons: a bit noisy, $$$

Posted 01/18/06

We went to Birk's of couple of months ago. The appetizers were very average. I ordered a cosmopolitan--disappointing. My friend had the KOBE steak, and had to send it back due to the fact is was literally inedible--too tough and overcooked. I had the filet, flavor was good and cooked perfect, but the sides were not very good. Dessert followed the same record-very mediocre. Overall, we were not pleased and will not be back...unfortunately, this was not our first experience with Birk's, we gave it three tries and it did not live up to our expectations.

Posted 02/17/05

If this is the Premier Steakhouse in this area, then they need to visit Texas. The service made me feel like they really didn't need to bother with my date and I. The food was average at best. Clam Chowder was bland. Presentation could have been done with picture cards above the grill. No flair whatsoever. I had to light my own table candle. Menus were never taken away. Dishes were washed but spotted. Small steak for the price.

Pros: Bar, Close to Hotel

Cons: , Value, Attitude

Posted 06/27/04

I HAVE TO AGREE WITH THE CRITIC. THIS PLACE IS EXTREMELY OVERRATED. EXTREMELY PRICEY FOR AVERAGE TASTE. I DONT MIND PAYING TOP DOLLAR FOR A GOOD MEAL, BUT I WAS LEFT EITH AN EMPTY WALLET AND DISSATISFIED CLIENTS. NOW I HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEM POKE JABS AT FOR MY CHOICE OF STEAKHOUSES. WILL NEVER GO AGAIN. SIDES WERE SO GREASY, STEAKS WERE A LITTLE DRY. HOPEFULLY THEIR FOOD QUALITY CHANGES

Pros: NICE SET UP, GREAT BAR

Cons: , LETTUCE WAS WILTED

Posted 06/07/04

My wallet is still hurting. I completely agree with cplvic's review. The filet mignon was flavorless and overcooked and all of us who orded it were unhappy. The menu is vague in what sides are included so when the waiter asked me for my soup or salad preference I assumed that it was included with the entree. The Caesar salad had brown leaves, there was too much butter in the sides, and the meat was overcooked. All for $55. Never again.

Pros: Spacious

Cons: Overpriced, Poor food, Service

Posted 10/28/03

I travel to Santa Clara on business and I always make time for a stop at Birks. The double cut filet mignon is like a softball. I have eaten at every high end steak place and this beats them hands down. I especially like the single diners area. You get to sit 8 feet away from the grill and watch the whole process through 1 inch thick glass. The price is moderate to high, but perfect for using up my per diem.

Pros: food, atmosphere

Cons: only one location

Posted 07/31/03

During the boom, this was one of those hip places that was always active in the always-dead area in the middle of Santa Clara.

People talking about stock options, phones ringing, large parties being obnoxiously yuppie. Things have toned down since then but it's still quite an active spot.

I always seem to run into someone from a nearby company, a recruiter I've worked with, or just some other techno geek from a conference. Very obvious that this place is right in the middle of what seems to be the highest concentration of employment in all of Silicon Valley.

Food is great. I crave the creamed spinach side at dinner. Can't remember ever having a bad time here.

Pros: Food

Cons: Loud

Posted 04/02/03

This is a wonderful place to have steaks in the South Bay. Well-seasoned, flavorful steaks that were done just right. Excellent service.

Posted 02/12/03

The Filet Mignon was mediocre at best.
It was flavorless and was not cooked right. My rare steak was a graditon to rare in the center.
Tjhe waiter didn't listen to what I wanted.
I ordered steamed asparagus and got it grilled.
My friend ordered a beer and got a glass of wine??
The spinach and mashed potatoes was better than the steak.
I wouldn't waste my money on this place.

Posted 01/20/03

Excellent food! Wonderful steaks! The only issue with Birk's is it's sometimes "OK" service. Never bad, but I expect better when I am paying for a pricey meal.

Pros: Great Food

Cons: Expensive, Service

Posted 01/13/03

Birk's food is on a par with many of the best restraunts I have eaten at around the country. They offer a varied menu icluding appetizers, salads and entree's.

It can be a wait during the busiest of times, but well worth it. Reservations do help. The service is excellent. The grilled meats devine and some very nice (notice I didn't say excellent) desserts.

The down side is the noise. The open beam ceilings may be most attractive, but the decibel level may have you grabbing for your ear protecctors.

Pros: Phenomenal Food, Excellent bar, Attentive service

Cons: Noisy, Crowded, Possible long waits

Posted 12/19/02

We've been to nearly every decent steakhouse on the west coast and have to say that the Birk's bone in chop is, as our waiter said, the biggest and the best! If you're a non-red meat eater, the shrimp cocktail are huge and very tasty and the shrimp salad is always spectacular. Definitely make reservations because Birk's isn't a very well kept secret so it's usually packed!

Posted 12/08/02

Best smoked prime rib in the valley. Very friendly. Birk comes around to the tables to check on the quality of the food and service.

Posted 12/05/02

The food is good and reliable - but the place is always extremely noisy - don't go if you want to actually talk to more than 1 person - this makes it no good for business meetings or for groups

Pros: Good Fish, Good Meat

Cons: Too Noisy to talk

Posted 10/19/02

Birk's is a must all around. With a lively atmosphere, fun happy hour and perfectly cooked steak, how could you pass it up?

Posted 07/25/02

I ate Birk's with some friends from work one day and we had a wonderful meal. We made sure that we went in the late afternoon also because we heard it was a nice place for after dinner drinks. Everything was great. Try this place ASAP.

Posted 06/27/02