605948 Sun Mar 22 18:52:49 -0700 2009 0 13 New England 0 4528583 Wow!! I have been a fan of Chuck's Steakhouse for 40+ years, particularly the ones in West Haven, Ct., Rocky Hill, Ct., and Farmington, Ct. (now gone). We tried this place in Branford, Ct. called Chuck's and Margarita's thinking it would have some of the positive attributes of the others...boy, was I wrong. No salad bar, no steak menu except for three items on the Mexican menu and the absolute worst front desk personnel I have ever encountered. We had called ahead and were supposedly on the list but there was no wait according to the person on the phone. We arrived and there was no record of our call but there was a 10 minute wait for a table. OK, we also had a baby with us, so they said we could sit in the bar area where there was an open booth until our table was ready and there would be a baby chair brought over. Never happened. 25 minutes later I inquired at the hostess station when our table would be ready and was greeted with deer in the headlights looks and a quick confab between the two standing there (which were the same ones there when we checked in). Totally different answer.......we told you that you could sit there in the bar as it is open seating....if you want a table in the other part of the restaurant, we can put you at the top of the list but it will be a wait..this in front of a large group standing already irritated there already waiting. Obvious problem but not worth ruining the evening over. Wait staff in the bar area were excellent. ( think they know the front desk is manned by a less than stellar staff) The food served was less than great...steak fajitas were headed by the toughest hunks of steak I have ever had. I almost choked as you couldn't chew them. I assumed that being affiliated with Chuck's the meat would be at least good.. The rest of the food was about what I have always had at Mexican places...beans are beans..rice is rice, etc. Drinks, though not overly priced, were not deserving of much. Served in the cheap thick barware common in diners and lacking in much content. Overall, a place that doesn't deserve a return visit by us and I certainly would not endorse for an initial try by anyone else Sun Mar 22 18:52:49 -0700 2009 201689 Scargoe