Roadhouse Grille: the
72-ounce challenge
By Brad
Horn, Outpost
staff
Roadhouse Grille tempts the
diner from the beginning. On the face of the menu, the
restaurant challenges the diner to eat a 72-ounce sirloin
with all the trimmings. This is a huge portion of meat, but
if you can get it down, the meal is on the house. If not,
you pay $65. The catch is that you have to clean your plate
within one hour.
Vitamin C: A Roadhouse Grille
bartender squeezes fresh juice for a customer's
screwdriver.
Photo byBrad
Horn
On May 3, Roadhouse Grille celebrates its third
anniversary, and to this date only 15 people have attempted
this feat. Seven men and one woman (the bartender said she
was petite and finished with 14 minutes remaining) have
successfully devoured the meal.
When I entered the restaurant with Adrienne and Gabe, the discussion immediately centered on Adrienne and her desire to take the challenge. She confidently said that she could do this.
But after contemplation and realizing the consequences for not living up to the challenge &emdash; a $65 bill &emdash; she declined. I was hoping she would take the bait &emdash; wouldn't that make for a great review?
After ordering Newcastle Brown Ales we decided to try some of their appetizers. Their list of starters is filled with a variety of items. Escargot ($5.95) and pizzas ($7.50-$9.95), along with Cajun battered shrimp ($7.95) and golden fried artichoke hearts ($4.95) are some of the appetizers offered for the light eater or as a prelude to a full-course meal.
We selected the
sautéed button mushrooms ($4.95) and the Diablos on
Horseback
($8.95). Hail Ceasar: One of Roadhouse
Grille's shrimp caesar salads awaits a server's
tray and a customer's appetite.
Photo byBrad
Horn
Since we smoke, we were sat at a low table in the bar area. A playoff hockey game along with the final game of the season for the Sacramento Kings were on the TVs placed in four locations in the bar. Since I'm a Kings fan, I couldn't have been more pleased.
The only bad thing about being seated in the bar area when you are planning on more than snacks is the distanced service you usually receive. And the Roadhouse was no exception.
When our waitress first approached us she asked us if we wanted anything to drink. When we looked up she was gone. At least she planted the idea in our heads. After she returned, we were even more thirsty than before for the beer we eventually ordered.
I like the menu Roadhouse offers. There is a lot to choose from. Scampi ($17.95), pasta pomodoro ($8.95), and a shrimp fettucine alfredo ($14.95) are listed under their Seafood and Pasta Specialties. All-American Favorites boast baby back ribs ($14.95), beef kabob ($10.95) and a roadhouse cheeseburger ($7.50). Plenty of beef selections fill their grille specialties, like steak and lobster ($19.95) and a filet mignon ($16.95).
For entrees, I chose the smoked salmon fettuccine ($13.95), Adrienne the beef fajitas ($9.95) and Gabe the grilled chicken pesto linguini ($12.95). Soup, a garden salad or a caesar salad are offered for $1.95. Our waitress never told us the soup of the day.
The appetizer arrived not
too long after we ordered them. Both were good. The Diablos
on Horseback consists of fresh scallops wrapped in bacon,
set on toasted sliced sourdough covered in a hollandaise
sauce. This was good, although I think they used too much
hollandaise. Adrienne said she enjoyed this
appeitzer. Good Times: Sharon and Tom
Martinelli (center and right) enjoy pizza,
appetizers and drinks with friend Tom Kelley at the
Roadhouse Grille.
Photo byBrad
Horn
The button mushrooms were also good. A nice blend of garlic and herbs complemented the mushrooms nicely.
Salads at the Roadhouse are nothing special. A mixture of baby greens with a tomato, cucumber and a couple olives comprise their salad. Their house balsamic vinaigrette is tasty, though.
Our entrees arrived in a timely fashion. Adrienne's fajitas attracted the attention of everyone in the bar &emdash; the meat sizzled for a couple minutes after the waitress set them in front of her. The table next to us wondered if the smoke alarm was going to go off.
My smoked salmon pasta was good. A bit too much sauce but very filling. After all the appetizers, I couldn't finish my pasta and took the rest with me. Gabe's pasta was also big. He couldn't finish his dish either.
Although Adrienne finished all her fajitas, she said they were nothing special. She said the meat was bland, unlike the Hacienda where the fajitas spices exploded in your mouth. She mentioned a couple times that she should have tried to eat the 72-ounce piece of meat. I think she may have had a chance.
One thing that the Roadhouse does that is a nice addition is list all their varieties of alcohol on the back of the menu. They probably sell more of their higher-end liqueurs because of this.
The service at the Roadhouse Grille was adequate. The appetizers and entrees were good, except for the fajitas. The only problem is that, at 1250 Disc Drive in Sparks, the place very far from the center of town. You can't just stop by for a bite or a quick cocktail because the drive is almost 20 minutes.
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Roadhouse Grille 1250 Disc Drive 626-7066 |
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High point: Good food, big selection |
Posted
April 29, 2000
Copyright 2000
Nevada Outpost
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