Linda's La Cantina Steak House

05/14/07

DO NOT GO!!!!!!!!!!!

by keithemyers at Citysearch

My Brother and I took my Mother out to dinner at Linda?s La Cantina. The service was excruciatingly slow to begin with. Our steaks finally came out and my Mother cut into her?s eagerly only to find that her $26 fillet mignon was half gristle. My Mom spoke to the waitress about it and she offered to cook her another one. My Mom said that would be fine. A few minutes later, the waitress emerged from the kitchen and told my Mother that they wouldn?t cook her another one because ?All our meat is guaranteed to have no fat?. My Mother asked to speak to the manager. The manager came out and reiterated and REFUSED to cook another steak. She said ?I?ll take it off your bill, but I?m NOT cooking another one!?. We were dismayed! We got up and left. The manager followed me to my car with a clipboard and wrote down my tag number. Within a few minutes two police cars showed up. We wound up paying for our appetizers, drinks and salads. The restaurant then proceeded to fill out a trespass order on my entire family.

I would not have fed that steak to my dog. I wouldn?t recommend the crappy place to anyone! It was by far the WORST restaurant experience of my life!

• Pros: We were'nt thrown in jail
• Cons: We didn't eat dinner!

10/22/09

Don't go here!

by JosephPavloski at Citysearch

My wife's parents loved to eat here, and though I've never been overly impressed with the food for the the prices (steaks often over or undercooked), and a very hit and miss wait staff (often found waitresses to be somewhat rude and even once had a young lady who reiked of marijauna and was clearly under the influence of it to my wife and I), the amazing ambiance always kept me from objecting when it came time for one of our family meetups.

In the last year however I have met two separate individuals, with no link to one another, who have both been involved with the family for different reasons. For two people who don't know each other at all their stories of the family and what they know of the restaurant are apallingly similar, too much so to be coincidence.

The family is allegedly made up of pill popping coke users, the daughters work as waitresses and show up for work under the influence of drugs with the parents/owners knowledge (which goes along with our experience, though I must admit that was only one time of many and I don't know which waitresses are the daughters), a my one friend even made mention of one of the daughters throwing a plate at someone while under the influence. The worst is yet to come, both of my aquaintances (again not linked at all) both say they know of occasions where food was spit in or intentionally poorly or incorrectly cooked for unliked customers.

I've gotten similar enough stories to convince me to not go back. They paint the picture of a white trash family who would have amounted to nothing had they not lucked out in inheriting this business and I'd no longer like to support it.

• Pros: ambiance
• Cons: druge use among staff, poor integrity, spit in food?

10/16/09

Disappointed

by Booney at Citysearch

Looked forward to our visit with friends and the food that I remembered. Everything was mediocre for such high prices. The shirmp cocktail was small and unappealing. House salad was not much. My steak was gristle---of course---no one from the restaurant would admit that. And, my steak was cool---not temp. hot even though I ordered "medium".

Our waiter was unattentive and we had to track him down for everything---bread, tea, everything. He NEVER attended to our needs and he got the beverage orders wrong. 2 teas--2 waters---how hard was that?

I was SO disappointed as we spent $110 plus $20 tip for a party of 4. Again, the shrimp cocktail was small and not much and our steaks were OK--except for mine.

We won't go back at those prices and quality.

• Pros: Friendly atmosphere
• Cons: Poor wait staff-- my steak was gristle

10/07/08

Palates are enticed with steak and seafood at this old-school, dining destination in Orlando.

by Sandra Carr at Citysearch

In Short
Restaurants come and go but this steakhouse has been making its mark in Orlando since 1947. The attraction is surf and turf served amongst historic black-and-white photographs of Orlando during its heyday, including a gigantic framed image of the now defunct Orlando Naval Training Center. Before being seated meander into the Fire Fountain Lounge. The comfy bar features a fountain filled with flames and vintage, French-looking drink posters from the past hang on the walls.

11/06/07

All 'round great time

by biskit1 at Citysearch

My husband and I returned to Lindas after about a 10 year period and found nothing had changed! Great food, nice atmosphere and good prices. You do kinda step back in time, the sketches of the area from 50 years ago really take you back. We decided to become regulars!

09/01/07

Better the second time around

by jahber at Citysearch

Although I wasn't impressed with my first visit a few years ago, my dad convinced me to give Linda's another try--this time with two kids in tow. I was pleasantly surprised by the food and the ambience, as well as how accomodating they were with the 3 kids in our large-ish party. While I wouldn't recommend Linda's for families with restless kids (it's too crowded and busy for running around), ours managed to stay seated--and they liked the food. We'll definitely be going again.

07/21/07

Excellent every visit

by lmr75 at Citysearch

This place is great! My husband and I live for the food and have always had an excellent dining experience!! We would recommend to everyone and have taken visitors here as well and they adore the service, atmosphere and most of all the steaks. I must say that people who had a bad dining experience must always be very hard to please and rude at all restaurants. Most of the people I know and have sent here for dinner have always had such a wonderful time! :)

• Pros: Everything about the place
• Cons: Very busy and small wait without a reservation

06/09/07

All-Around Great

by danielle_leigh at Citysearch

I lived less than a mile away from Linda's La Cantina all my life, and had never even been inside. Finally, one day while I was job hunting I stopped in to check it out, see if it was something I'd like. Well, the dining room set up was adorable, and the people were all friendly. I decided to apply and got the job. After months, and months of working there I still had yet to come in and eat, so while my boyfriend was visiting from the Marine Corp we decided to have dinner there. Sitting at the adorable booth right about the fountain with the fire in the middle, we enjoyed a delicious and romatic meal. Some might assume that my opinion is biased, because at that time I worked there, however my boyfriend had traveled all over the world, trying all types of restaurants, it was one of his very favorites. I still enjoy eating at the charming little restaurant, and recommend to all.

• Pros: great food, great service, great atmosphere.
• Cons: Main dining room a bit crowded.

05/02/07

RUDE EMPLOYEES - RAW STEAKS

by willmert at Citysearch

BORN AND RAISED IN FLORIDA, AND WANTED TO TRY LINDA'S LA CANTINAS FOR MY

51ST BIRTHDAY. MANAGER RUDE WHEN WE WALKED UP TO THE HOSTESS STAND,

BAD SERVICE, EMPTY DRINK GLASSES THRU THE WHOLE DINNER, RAW STEAK THAT WAS SENT BACK , ONLY TO BE RETURNED BURNED SO BAD THAT YOU COULD NOT EVEN EAT IT. MANAGER NEVER CAME OVER TO OUR TABLE, WE HAD TO TRACK HER DOWN. I WILL NOT RECOMMEND

OR WILL I EVER GO BACK. EMPLOYEES AND MANAGEMENT COULD CARE LESS!! HOW THEY HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS SINCE 1947 IS MY QUESTION???

• Pros: NONE
• Cons: LOTS

04/30/07

ONE OF OUR FAVORITES!

by mstexy at Citysearch

Although I agree that the parking and atmosphere are too crowded, the steaks are the best, and at the best prices. My husband and I enjoy the table just above the fireplace, and have luckily managed to reserve it each time we've visited. The salads are fresh, the sides are DEEEE-LISH, and we've always had fun with our server. (Although our regular is gone now). We're going again tomorrow night, and taking my parents from Texas - which is a state known for their steaks. Should tell you something right there.

• Pros: great food, great prices
• Cons: parking, ambience