BOULDER CREEK STEAKHOUSE; I happen to like it, here's why.
Written: May 19 '04 (Updated Aug 02 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good food.
Cons: Noisy atmosphere
The Bottom Line: I have found the staff consistently friendly and knowledgeable and the food selection, preparation and value good.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Boulder Creek Steakhouse |
Generally I do not mention other reviews in my contribution but this particular restaurant chain has an unusual amount of one star ratings and then a couple of top ratings. That happens to be quite unusual. In any case, though I do not rate this one star or five star I do recommend it as above average.
Even before I ever entered an Outback Steakhouse I had already been to the Boulder Creek Steakhouse a few times. They both have similarities in there basic atmosphere, menu and service. In fact after just reading one of my reviews of the Outback, much of it is just like my Boulder Creek experiences. I still give the Outback a very, very slight edge.
ATMOSPHERE while you WAIT
We go to the Boulder Creek that is in Hicksville, Long Island, NY. I believe there are ten that are mostly on Long Island, a couple in the Bronx Westchester area and a couple more in New Jersey.
I have never been to the Boulder Creek without having to wait at least fifteen minutes. It's usually about a half hour. They give you those vibrating pagers with the lights. When we first arrive I drop off the family and then find parking. There happens to be plenty of it, but it can be a distance away.
The waiting area is a good size with a good amount of seating near the stone fireplace. This does give a warm feeling, especially when walking in on a cold winters day. The decor is that of a ski lodge. The rustic wood look is very in at the Boulder Creek. You will also note many items on the menu titled or referenced to Colorado and environs within that state.
The tables in the restaurant are all wood, rustic, large. They do try to get families seated from four to six at a table. It has always been roomy enough even for this big guy.
A DRINK at the BAR
Of course, while waiting, you are invited to get a drink at the bar. The bar is accessible from four sides, there is adequate staff and the drinks are decent. I generally have one of the draft beers. They are served in a chilled 25 oz mug. I like that. You can get a smaller 14oz if you prefer. The selection of drafts is good. They offer Samuel Adams, Foster's, Killian's, Guiness, Bass Ale, BUD, Michelob Light, and Coor's Light. The Boulder Creek has many 'rita specialties and these are what my wife enjoys. She doesn't get the frozen ones. These are too fruity, very icy and don't seem to have the same taste as one on light rocks. The BC also has about thirty wines offered on the menu.
SERVICE
So our pager lights up like a Broadway play marque in Times Square and we know it's time to be seated. The front staff is business like and not overly friendly. No big smiles or welcomes. We are seated and this is where I have consistently found good service. The waitstaff in our place is well trained and very friendly. When it's time to order they do that squatting down bit where they are at eye level with us. Personally I never cared for that but they do it uniformly and try to give a "good buddy" feeling while taking care of our needs.
I have found on a couple of occasions we had new staff workers being trained by an experienced crew member. I saw a real sense of care by both people, a sense that it was an important step and they both wanted to see the training through and our orders taken correctly.
The service has always been friendly and the dinners and all brought out in a timely fashion. I have also had managers walk to the tables asking if all is OK.
The MENU
The Boulder Creek advertises itself as a steakhouse and indeed has a varied menu featuring meats that are grain fed, USDA choice and aged a minimum of twenty-eight days and then seasoned with their special blend of spices. They also note that all side dishes are made on the premises daily. BC also has a good selection for those who do not care to eat meat.
Appetizers
It seems to me that so many of the chain restaurant offer the same starters. This one is no different. It has what they refer to as
BOULDER BEGINNINGS, offering
Wings
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Fried Mozzarella with a marinara sauce
Stuffed Potato Skins
Canyon City Chicken Tenders
Coconut Crusted Shrimp
These are priced at $6-$8
Two standouts from their appetizer menu are their
Boulder Blossom $5.95
Super Colossal Onion Specially Breaded and Fried, Served with Our Spicy Dipping Sauce
Castle Mountain Cheese Fries $6.45
Golden French Fries Topped with Melted Cheese, Crispy Bacon Pieces, Served with Homestead Dressing
The Boulder Creek was the first restaurant that I ever had these in. I happen to like it even better than the Outbacks Bloomin'Onion. It seems a bit larger, crisper, and I prefer the dipping sauce.
The Cheese Fries come on a huge plate maybe a platter and together with the onion, though not the healthiest of selections, make a good start for our table a usual six plus. Bread and butter is brought to the table after ordering.
I happen to like the oversized tableware they give.
Salads
For those who would like to be a bit more healthy dish Boulder Creak does have a very varied salad selection with the usual House, Cobb, Caesar, and Chef salads. They now offer a Fusion salad. I happen to like the variety of flavors, textures and temperatures these give. A couple of chicken and steak salads are also offered.
sandwiches, Wraps and burgers
This is a pretty good value. Most are priced at $7-$8. You get a good size portion and a fine selection of choices. Though I haven't had them the Quaesadilla's look awesome!
The 1/2 pound burger comes with fries, they cooked it perfectly and the meat was excellent. They also offer a turkey Burger and a "Low Carb" burger. No bun or fries. some cottage cheese lettuce and tomato instead.
Main Dishes
Steaks and beef are the big show at Boulder Creek. At the same time other entrees are available and varied.
They have a boneless breast of grilled chicken in Barbecue sauce. In fact there are three or four different chicken offerings and a turkey one too. The garlic crusted Salmon looked good as did shrimp scampi. I try my best to look at all the dishes being served to other tables. I get an idea as to portion and presentation. The overall verdict is that the portions are generous and the presentation mediocre.
Ribs, pork chops, beer battered fried shrimps and fish and chips round out the non-beef items available. All these dishes as with most the beef selections come with a choice of one side dish or a salad. Some come with both. Each is clearly marked on the menu. Additional side dishes can be added on for a small fee. Here's a list from their menu.
SIDE DISHES
Parka Potato 2.25
Sweet Sues Sweet Potato 1.95
Garlic Roasted Mashed Potato 1.95
Boulder Fries 1.95
Creamed Spinach 1.95
Steamed Vegetables 1.95
Baked Beans 1.75
I can tell you the garlic mashed and sweet sue sweet potatoes are very good! The steamed veggies come hot, crisp (not overcooked) and flavorful too. A select few entrees offer additional side dishes for just $.99
STEAKS and MORE
This is usually the part of the menu that satisfies me and why we go to the Boulder Creek Steakhouse.
Here's the menu from the web site. It is pretty much the same at our location. Prices too.
COLORADO BUTCHER BLOCK
*Telluride Tenderloin $18.95
10 Oz. Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
*Breckenridge Ribeye $17.45
14 Oz. Ribeye
*The Flat-Iron Steak $13.95
11 Oz. Blade Steak
*Denver Strip $17.95
14 Oz. New York Strip
*The Mountaineer $22.95
20 Oz. Porterhouse
*Kit Carson Sirloin $13.50
12 Oz. Center Cut Top Sirloin Steak
*Buffalo Bill's Prime Rib of Beef
Slow Roasted 16 Oz. Grizzly Cut $18.45
Served Au Jus 12 Oz. Cub Cut $16.45
8 Oz. Jr. Cub Cut $14.45
*Rack of Lamb $18.50
Grilled Rack of New Zealand Baby Lamb Served with Burgundy Wine Sauce
*The Outlaw $29.95
32 Oz. Porterhouse Steak, Served on a 450° Sizzling Platter with Stout Butter, Fresh Garlic and Rosemary
All Our Butcher Block Selections Are Served With a Choice of House or Caesar Salad, Six Border Bread and Choice of Side Dish
Enjoy a Second Side Dish for only .99 with Any Butcher Block Entrée
I happen to enjoy the Slow Roasted 16 Oz. Grizzly Cut $18.45. Ha, though this is the big brother to the 12 oz Cub cut I do question the name of the item. Thinking grizzle and meat does not give a good imagined presentation of what it may be. The meat however, is tender and flavorful, though it sometimes does have a bit too much fat.
My wife happens to like the Kit Carson. That's her usual order and for the price with salad and a side dish is a good value. The meat is lean and has good flavor.
Kids menu
Hot dogs, burgers, chicken pieces, grilled cheese sandwiches are available for the kids at $3.25-$5 with a soda for those kids who are ten and under. A Jr. Kit Carson is $7.00.
Desserts
Desserts are available and at times we share one. They have cheese cake, apple pie, chocolate cake and a fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream chocolate fudge sauce and whipped cream that is worth a try, I would share it. it is good!
THE END
Boulder Creek can be noisy and have a long wait to get in. Aside from that I believe they do a good job. The drinks are good, the service very good and the food, though not gourmet in its presentation, still looks good and is abundant and at a fair price. If you are extremely budget conscious skip drinks and appetizer. You will certainly get an excellent value with some of the items on the menu.
This is more a family restaurant in my eyes, though they do try to cater to a younger drinking crowd with their fruity and slush bar selections of 'rita's.
So you have to decide who's correct. We may all be. Many rate this place one star while a handful of others like it. You are going to have to give it a try. Be sure to add a review of it here at Epinions.
More chain eateries by popsrocks
Applebee's / Romano's MACARONI GRILL / KFC / OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE / Wendy's
OUTBACK Restaurant / Cozymel's / Cheesecake Factory / McDonald's / Taco Bell
/ Checkers Burgers / Red Lobster / The White Castle / TGI Friday's / Charlie Browns / Burger King / Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips / Dunkin' Donuts / / Ralph's Famous Ices / Cold Stone Creamery / Boulder Creek Steakhouse / Waffle House / Krispy Kreme / Friendlies / Nathan's / Jillian's
Recommended:
Yes
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