Texas Roadhouse Slammed After Kenneth Card’s Viral Steak Complaint—What Really Happened?

Texas Roadhouse is facing online scrutiny after loyal patron Kenneth Card claimed on TikTok that a Forsyth, Illinois, location repeatedly swapped his $30–$35 filet mignon for a roughly $20 sirloin, charging the higher price each time. Card, a former cook who says he can “spot a steak at first glance,” alleges the mix-up happened on three separate visits during his weekly dinners, prompting him to warn fellow diners to “be careful” before digging in. The eight-ounce filet mignon is the most expensive cut on the Texas Roadhouse menu, prized for its buttery tenderness, while the sirloin comes from a leaner section of the cow and costs far less. Card told local media he immediately noticed the firmer texture and distinct fat cap of a sirloin—the telltale signs that convinced him to send the steak back twice before recording his now-viral TikTok, which has surpassed 30,000 views. A Texas Roadhouse spokesperson acknowledged one confirmed instance of a steak being plated incorrectly, adding that managers “quickly made it right” and reminding guests to alert staff immediately if they suspect an error. The company says its expediter station double-checks every order, yet Card insists the repeated overcharge shows a quality-control gap that could cost unsuspecting guests up to $15 per plate. How to protect your plate—and your wallet • Learn the look: A filet mignon is round, thick and almost fat-free, while a sirloin appears flatter with visible grain. • Use the fork test: Filet should cut almost effortlessly; sirloin offers noticeably more resistance. • Check the bill: Compare the menu price to your receipt before you pay. • Speak up early: Politely flag any concern as soon as the food arrives; managers can verify the cut in seconds. Viral restaurant complaints often fade, but Card’s story taps into broader diner anxiety over menu inflation and hidden “shrink-flation.” With steak prices still elevated nationwide, the controversy has sparked fresh debate over whether casual chains have the training—and incentive—to police plate integrity. Card says he’s done visiting the Forsyth franchise, yet his TikTok continues to rack up views, keywords like “Texas Roadhouse steak complaint” and “sirloin vs filet” dominating comment threads. For now, the viral spotlight is a reminder that in the age of smartphones, every sizzling plate can become breaking news—and every misplaced steak can cost a brand far more than a refund.