Legacy Kitchen Gretna: A Steak and Chop Experience Falls Short
Legacy Kitchen Steak and Chop, located in the parking lot of Westside North Shopping Center near Academy Sporting Goods in Gretna, Louisiana, is part of the OnePack Hospitality Group, a company that has established several well-known restaurants across the New Orleans area. Their portfolio includes popular spots like the New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co., which has built a reputation for quality service and food. However, as with many chains, consistency across locations can vary. Unfortunately, my recent visit to the Gretna location left me questioning if Legacy Kitchen Steak and Chop could live up to its own standards.
The evening started on a positive note. Given the typically warm Louisiana weather, it was refreshing to experience a cooler night, complete with a light breeze. We elected to sit outside on the patio, where the ambiance felt relaxed and comfortable. It was easily the most enjoyable part of the evening—sitting outdoors, soaking in the fresh air. Unfortunately, that cool breeze turned out to be the highlight of what was otherwise a disappointing dining experience.
My Caesar Salad Disappointment
I’ve had Caesar salads in countless restaurants over the years, and it’s a dish I typically enjoy. A good Caesar salad should be crisp, flavorful, and refreshing, while the addition of grilled shrimp can really elevate the dish. This time, I was hopeful as I ordered it at Legacy Kitchen Steak and Chop, topping it with shrimp as I often do when I dine elsewhere. The presentation wasn’t bad—crisp romaine lettuce, a light dressing, a scattering of croutons. But the shrimp were a different story. They arrived cold—almost as if they had been pre-cooked and refrigerated rather than freshly grilled.
Now, I understand that some salads are meant to be served cold, but this wasn’t one of them. When seafood, especially shrimp, is served on a salad like this, there’s an expectation that it will be warm and succulent, adding an extra burst of flavor to the dish. The coolness of the shrimp raised questions in my mind about the freshness of the food. It made me wonder whether the kitchen was cutting corners by pre-preparing dishes instead of cooking them fresh, which is disheartening when you consider the premium prices.
As I pushed the plate aside, I couldn’t help but think back to my visit to Toast Restaurant in Gretna, where the food at least had some redeeming qualities despite its flaws. In contrast, this meal felt more like my experience at Savvy Sliders in Metairie—disappointing from the start and lacking in any standout moments. Sometimes, it’s these underwhelming meals that remind me how hit-or-miss dining can be, especially when the expectations fall short.
Legacy Kitchen’s Char-Grilled Oysters: Just OK
We also decided to order a half dozen char-grilled oysters, one of our favorite dishes when done right. Our server raved about them, mentioning that they had already served three dozen that evening, which naturally raised our expectations. Unfortunately, the oysters were just okay—not bad, but certainly not the exceptional experience we had hoped for. I’ve had much better char-grilled oysters at places like The Red Maple and even at Perrino’s Boiling Pot. These oysters lacked the robust flavor and freshness that I’ve come to expect from this dish when it’s prepared with care and attention. While they weren’t terrible, they certainly didn’t stand out.
The Baked Potato Disaster
My disappointment was nothing compared to my dining companion’s experience, however. She had been looking forward to a simple, classic meal: a filet steak cooked medium rare plus, alongside a baked potato. As someone who loves a well-cooked baked potato, she was excited to dig in. But as soon as the meal arrived, things went south quickly.
The filet steak was severely undercooked, even for a medium rare plus order. Instead of the warm red center she was expecting, the steak was almost cold and raw in the middle. Naturally, it had to be sent back to the kitchen, a delay that anyone who has dined out knows can put a damper on the entire meal.
But the real disaster was the baked potato. For a restaurant that promotes itself as a steakhouse, you would expect that they could deliver a proper baked potato. Instead, what she received looked like it had been sitting out for hours. The skin was wrinkled, and the potato itself was incredibly dry. Worse, there were barely any toppings—just a tiny sprinkle of cheese that appeared to have melted at some point but had since dried out completely. When you cut into a baked potato, you should be greeted by steam and softness, but this potato was a sad, crusty mess that seemed as though it had been forgotten in the back of the kitchen.
We expressed our displeasure to the server, who did her best to remedy the situation by bringing out the potato again, this time with a side of butter. Unfortunately, it looked like the exact same potato had been reheated and returned to us, now with a bit of butter as a poor attempt to save the dish. By this point, it was clear that this meal was a failure, and I asked for the potato to be removed from the bill.
I would typically include some pictures of my meal. However, trust me when I say “You don’t want to see that!”
Steak and Chops Service: Attentive but Detached
Our server, to her credit, was attentive throughout the night. She made sure our drinks were always filled and checked on us regularly. However, I wish she had taken a bit more interest in the quality of our meal itself. In the restaurant world, a server’s tips often depend not just on their attentiveness, but on how well the food is received. Unfortunately, when the kitchen fails to deliver, it can affect a server’s livelihood even if they’ve done everything within their control. Our server did her best, but a little more attention to how our meal was progressing might have helped avoid some of the issues we encountered, particularly with the undercooked steak and the disastrous baked potato.
Legacy’s History of Hit-or-Miss
This wasn’t my first time dining at Legacy Kitchen Steak and Chop, and I must say that the inconsistency in quality has been a recurring theme. I’ve had better experiences when sticking to appetizers and drinks—simple dishes like their fried oysters or spinach artichoke dip have been satisfying in the past. Their cocktail selection, though not overly expansive, has some well-crafted options. But when it comes to main courses, Legacy Kitchen often seems to fall short, especially when compared to other steakhouses that offer more consistent quality at similar price points.
One of the challenges I’ve observed with larger hospitality groups like OnePack is maintaining consistent quality across their various locations. While Legacy Kitchen has the potential to be a standout steakhouse, these inconsistencies detract from the overall experience. A restaurant’s brand should be more than just ambiance and location—it’s the food that ultimately brings people back. And after multiple visits to this location, I can’t say the food lives up to what the space promises.
At its best, Legacy Kitchen Steak and Chop can be a pleasant spot to grab a drink or enjoy some appetizers, especially if you’re looking for a casual night out in Gretna. But when it comes to entrées, the restaurant struggles to meet the standards set by its price point and branding. For the cost of a full meal, I expect more than reheated shrimp or an inedible baked potato.
Legacy Kitchen still draws people in with its polished atmosphere and the promise of polished casual dining, but it’s clear that there are some serious kinks to be worked out in the kitchen. If the restaurant wants to stand out as a true steakhouse, they need to ensure that every meal is fresh and cooked with care, rather than feeling like an afterthought. As of now, I’m not convinced that Legacy Kitchen Steak and Chop is worth the price of a full meal. I would recommend sticking to appetizers and drinks if you do decide to visit.
Legacy Kitchen Steak and Chop
91 Westbank Expressway, Gretna, LA 70053
Phone: 504-513-2606
Ralph