Longhorn Steakhouse: A 'Meat and Potatoes' Restaurant

Americans love Western-style steakhouse restaurants. What could be more American? Catering to this popularity are several national restaurant chains, including Longhorn Steakhouse. One of its locations is nearby, in Warrington.

Inside this Longhorn Steakhouse's familiar free-standing building, every Western cliché is present: from the huge longhorn steer head in the bar, to the cowboy roughrider statue, the tack, the bleached cow skull, and the 10-gallon cowboy hats and cowboy boots adorning the dining room.           

Longhorn offers no less than 13 different offerings of “legendary” (their adjective) grilled steaks, plus a ground steakburger. If you are not a “meat and potatoes” diner, you can find something on the menu from the choices of seafood, including shrimp, salmon, trout and lobster tail.

Four of us went on a Friday evening recently. Though it was busy, we were seated promptly in a comfortable booth, of which there are many, and found the noise level quite low for easy conversation.

I was pleased that the bar carries my current favorite beer, Stella Artois, though I missed it not being served in the classic Stella beer glass.           

The starters menu covers a full page. We shared grilled cheddar stuffed mushrooms ($7.29). I was not enthused by the description: “stuffed with cheddar and served over a creamy blend of four melted cheeses.” Today's chefs think that no amount of cheese is too much for American taste. But the mushrooms were delicious, and, happily, the five cheeses did not overwhelm their flavor.

I defensively had ordered a good old classic shrimp cocktail, newly added to the menu ($7.99). The eight or so “jumbo shrimp” were succulent, if not jumbo, with a decent cocktail sauce, but were like those you buy frozen from the supermarket and thaw at room temperature.

For our main course, we went with what Longhorn does best. A 7-ounce filet mignon at $18.79 ($20.79/9-ounce), the most expensive item on the menu - except for the huge 22 -ounce porterhouse steak ($25.99) - did not disappoint; nor did the half-rack of baby back ribs. These were served with a choice of side, salad, and honey wheat bread. No less than 10 different salad dressings can be chosen.

Two of us were in the mood for a burger, and were totally happy with the juicy, grilled half-pound “steakhouse” burgers ($9.79), which came with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles on a toasted brioche bun, along with seasoned fries. Lots of burger add-ons, such as mushrooms or fried onions, can be had for a nominal extra charge. Add cheese at no extra charge.           

Desserts like the “Chocolate Stampede,” the “Caramel Apple Goldrush,” and “Golden Nugget Fried Cheesecake,” keep up the unrelenting Western beat, but along with Key Lime Pie, and the “Ultimate Brownie Sundae” are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Overall Rating: mmm 1/4 (out of 5 m's) moderate-priced steakhouse, decent food, pleasant ambiance.

Location: 240 Easton Road (Route 611), Warrington

Phone:  215.918.2500

Website: www.longhornsteakhouse.com                           

Cuisine: American  steakhouse chain

Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Prices: Appetizers, soups, salads $5 - $14; burgers, sandwiches $9.79 - $10; large plates $13.50 - $26.79 

Ambiance: Kitshy western décor, but pleasant overall.

Reservations: No                                   

Credit Cards: Major accepted

Alcoholic Beverages: Attractive, full service bar

Wheelchair Access: Yes

Special Features: Ample parking.

To contact Mitch Davis, you can e-mail him.