The Deck Steakhouse - Mackay

Which steakhouse restaurant serves a medium rare steak that is overcooked and tastes like rubber? The garlic topping was flavorless and only filled my mouth with garlic, while the bacon bits were difficult to chew. This was my first time at this place and will definitely be my last! The Kilpatrick oysters were a disappointment as well. This was supposed to be a romantic date night but turned into a terrible dining experience. My advice would be to get a good steak at the pub instead.

We decided to dine at The Deck in search of a good steak, but were extremely disappointed when our medium rare prime rib on the bone arrived overcooked and overly salty. At $64, the steak was deemed "ruined" by our party, with other family members experiencing similar disappointment with their steak orders. The only saving grace was the ribs, which were the only decent dish brought to our table.

My partner and I recently moved to Australia and were visiting family in Mackay. We dined at The Deck with our family and friends, sitting outside. My partner tried the chef's special Red Emperor with caper butter sauce, while I opted for the lamb rump with red wine jus. Both dishes were incredible, full of flavor and cooked to perfection. It was my partner's first time trying Red Emperor and he absolutely loved it. The lamb rump was tender and delicious, with no fatty bits, and the red wine jus was a perfect complement. The fresh salad topped with homemade dressing was also a hit. We had to wait about 20-25 minutes for our food, which was well worth it. If you're looking for great food, look no further than The Deck.

Arrived and delighted to see coffin bay oysters on the menu! Nothing short of horrified when they were served… couldn’t eat them, literally. When the wait staff came to clear the plates, didn’t ask if there was a problem (even though the dozen oysters were still on the plate). So I informed them the dish was terrible, and not how fresh shucked oyster’s should be served at all! I then asked if they’d been frozen? With a disappointing smile, she said, “yes, sorry.” And then simply went about their business clearing the plates and throwing the dozer uneaten coffin bay oysters in the bin, business as usual? Not the wait staffs fault at all, just the way things roll there it seemed. Then the coral trout fillet was served, cut in a thin cross section of the actual fillet (I suspect to make the piece appear bigger 1980s style? for clarity, the same weight of produce cut properly can be cooked it showcase the quality of the fish). So instead of a tender strip of awesome white fleshed coral trout you end up with a thin dry piece of white fish, that had slightest hint of what might have been… Some of the best ingredients you could imagine to work with as a chef, or to be served as a dining guest, served with disrespect of the produce and dining guests. You’re ruining something that’s almost impossible to ruin, just stick with deep fried pub food and pizza.

As I was staying nearby, I wandered into the Deck Steakhouse for dinner one night. After ordering my meal, I waited and waited and waited. It would have been at least 45 minutes before my meal arrived and there were only about 12 people in the place so I have no idea why it took so long. My steak was ok. Nothing great. Really just a pub meal at restaurant prices.