Houlihan's - Springfield

20 minutes to get drinks. another 30 for appetizers. another 30+ for food. Waiter came back to take our order 3 times. Manager was rude. Table next to us had the same problems and found metal shavings in their food. Abysmal experience.

I went to this place for my sisters R.N Graduation dinner, I came here with my whole family, when we got sat down I thought the atmosphere was nice, but the table was dirty and at two different heights. Appetizers took forever, when we got our food the lady gave one of the people at our table Kraft Mac and cheese and another homemade. She said and I quote, here is your Mac and cheese, we didn’t have enough time to make the other one so I hope this is okay. It was not, we did not get a discount and she took the old Mac and cheese, service was bad, bathroom practically gave me a seizure.

The server got all of our drinks wrong, the kitchen said we could not order an extra cheese sauce for our appetizer because they were low. Two people at the table ordered a side of Mac and cheese and one looked regular and the other was a box of Kraft Mac and cheese. Would not go back.

The flavor was good. Our waiter was good; however, the kitchen prep was way off timing. We had taken 2 bites out of our appetizers when they added all the main course dishes to our table. Something was going to be eaten cold. When I mentioned to the staff serving the food that we had literally just been brought our appetizers, I got a pathetic oh they must be behind. The food was dropped and the staff very quickly left our table.To add to our enjoyment, a 4-top of obviously loud patrons were seated two tables behind us (when there were plenty of tables, and they could have been placed further apart). The entire portion of our meal was spent with that table being loud enough that we had a hard time hearing our own conversation while the other table spent their conversation consisting of multiple uses of foul language including the f-bomb. So overall, not impressed. We had not eaten here for several years due to the same issues. It will be a very long time before it ever happens again. Dietary restrictions: They could use more options of gluten free and not use wine in multiple dishes. Wine, especially red is very allergic to some people.

My only issue was the booth wasn't lit very well. Management said they're trying to get better lighting, throughout the restaurant.I have an extensive background in foodservice so I'm a bit critical. Our server(Patty,I believe) was very friendly and knowledgeable about the food. Our experience with her was well above the average. She perfectly explained the stuffed chicken entrée and was she ever spot on. That's why I ordered it. My wife ordered the fish and chips and said it was amazing. I've never had a horseradish sauce so good. Even a bit better than mom's. I'm the guy that says something when we're satisfied and nobody in this restaurant failed to deliver. Our meals were hot,fresh and flavorful. Our server went out of her way to make us feel welcome and I had a great talk with the front of house manager. She as well was polite and knowledgeable. Don't let the tattoos and piercings fool you, folks. This girl touched all the tables and was on her game. We will definitely be back.