The Mycenaean

If you have lived in Raleigh for more than 20 minutes, someone has likely told you “you HAVE to eat at the Angus Barn.” Maybe it was your neighbor. Maybe it was your coworker that still thinks Outback Steakhouse is exotic. 

Either way, you ended up going. You ate. You paid. 

And if you’re like me, you left the restaurant wondering, was that it?

Let’s be real here for a minute — the Angus Barn experience is mediocre. Not terrible. Not great. Just about average served with a side of cheese spread and a gallon of picnic vibes. 

First thing you notice is the outside of the building. Yes, it’s a literal barn. Walking inside feels like walking into a Bass Pro Shops, complete with wooden beams, dim light, and picnic table cloths. 

Now, the main event, the food. The Angus Barn is a steakhouse, so you’d expect the steak to be mind blowing considering all the hype. What you get is a steak that tastes like it was cooked more with hopes and dreams than with seasoning. 

The sides are actually pretty good. Want a really good sweet potato and steamed vegetables? This is where to get them: cooked to perfection and seasoned well. 

You’ll be full by the end of the meal, but full in the sense you would be if you were to eat four slices of Domino’s pizza. Satisfied? Not exactly. Regretful. Possibly 

And let’s not forget the cheese and crackers they bring out before your meal, the iconic Angus Barn starter and brought to you on a silver platter… oh wait. More like a Costco vegetable bowl with a $100 a meal price tag. 

Service? It’s nice. It seems as if your server is one bad performance review away from spontaneously combusting though. Everything feels rehearsed, like they’re interviewing for a job at Hell’s Kitchen or something of that nature. 

Of course, the Angus Barn isn’t really about the food. It’s about the experience. It’s the kind of place people go when they want to feel fancy without being challenged by jargon and French words on the menu. 

You won’t find any unfamiliar ingredients or edgy techniques, just a safe, sturdy slab of beef, cooked like its 2002, and served like its the last supper. 

And that’s the thing: Raleigh has evolved into a modern place. This city now has countless restaurants and steakhouses, and the Angus Barn has just turned into a mediocre option amongst them all. Nothing special about it. 

In all seriousness, the Angus Barn is a nice restaurant with many good food options. It is definitely a safe choice for people looking for a big steak. 

Although the Angus Barn is hyped up, it simply does not live up to it anymore. Good steak, good service, and good atmosphere. If you are looking for a fine dining establishment that will leave you speechless though, this is not the place. 

Overall, I give it a 7.5 out of 10. It’s okay, but it’s not the greatest.