February 10, 1996: Alpenhof Steak Haus (Closed)

16018 Hamilton Pool Rd.
263-9875
Pepper grinder rating: 0.

Dwight’s comments:
This isn’t a bad steak place, and the prices are reasonable. I like the atmosphere much better than the Outback’s: it feels very…European hunting lodge. (Whatever you do, don’t talk about the war.)
The service was okay as well. On the other hand, this is pretty far out to drive from where we live, and I can’t justify doing it on a regular basis for the quality of food they serve.
Alpinhof is a good mid-range dining choice, and someplace I’d take family members (or other people) that I wanted to impress with a scenic drive. It’d also make a nice couples spot.
As far as the food goes, however, I didn’t feel it had much to recommend it over Outback: and for high-end steak, Ruth’s Chris remains our gold standard.

Additional comments from Ann Anonymous Diner:
I liked the food, and most of the decor was fine, but the concrete walls made me feel like I was eating in Hitler’s bunker. (“No shortage of cream in the bunker!”)

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February 3, 1996: Mesa Hills Cafe (Closed)

435 Greystone
345-7423
Pepper grinder rating: 1.

Dwight’s comments:
As Lawrence put it, “Now I know why we go there every couple of years: so we can remind ourselves why we don’t go there more often.”
The Mesa Hills Cafe is within walking distance of my apartment, and has a 1/2 price burger special on Saturday nights: that’s about all that can be said for it.
Even though it wasn’t crowded that night (I guess the weather kept everyone in.) the service was indifferent (I got the feeling they were short of wait staff because of the weather; but they sure seemed to have enough staff to give the few other customers much more attention than they gave us.) and the food was…mediocre. They have some unusual menu items, but they couldn’t even seem to get a simple burger right: I wouldn’t trust them with anything more complicated.
Frankly, it seems to be a “bar food” sort of place; but even in that category, Waterloo does a better burger.

Additional comments from Ann Anonymous Diner:
A stripmall burger place for housewifes who don’t know any better. Yuk.

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