Ellen and boyfriend tackle the Longhorn Steakhouse

Last night my new boyfriend of 2 months, Robert, took me out to dinner. I suggested the LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE, right in Atlantic City. It just opened a year and a half ago. Been to that one about 5 times.
I'd first experienced the Longhorn down in south Florida.
He'd never been to a Longhorn.

Here's me and Robert about to dive into our PORTERHOUSE STEAKS ($24.99 for a 22 ounce steak... good deal, IMO)

You can see all the natural juices on our steaks. Plus, we both really enjoyed the rich, beefy taste...

Something about the way they season those steaks, plus all the juices that ooze out of that steak, makes for a yummy, cheap steak

Before that steak, I ordered us their "CHICKEN TRIO" appetizer..
HAND BREADED little chicken fingers, with 3 dipping sauces.
I asked for 2 more, (the chiptotle buffalo, and the blue cheese; they are on the right) as I'm a big DIPPER!

Very good, tasty chicken....not the processed/right out of the freezer breading . It's hard to find these hand breaded type around.
Such a difference this way, that I rarely order chicken fingers unless they're hand breaded.

And we enjoyed their salads, as well. Robert had their new "blue cheese" salad that used the big romaine lettuce leaves. He commented that he'd never seen lettuce that big before. Sounds like I've gotta get him away from those poker tables more. He does love playing that poker!

Handsome boyfriend & beautiful dinner Miss Ellen ! Did you need a " to-go " box for leftovers ? That was a huge steak !

quote:

Originally posted by iqdiva

Handsome boyfriend & beautiful dinner Miss Ellen ! Did you need a " to-go " box for leftovers ? That was a huge steak !

Funny you should ask! Actually, boyfriends DO come in handy, as I got pretty full about halfway thru. I asked him if he wanted the rest of my steak, and he jumped at it!!!
(he's still trying to follow that Atkins Diet, so what's better than a piece of MEAT ?? Followed by some MORE meat!!)

Looks great, Ellen. I hope your (new) boyfriend realizes how lucky he is to have you as his girlfriend.

I know what you mean darling ... My sweet hubby Paul always " helps " me out with my unfinished dinner leftovers too !

quote:

Originally posted by Twinwillow

Looks great, Ellen. I hope your (new) boyfriend realizes how lucky he is to have you as his girlfriend.

You are too sweet, Michael;thanks, and I hope so, TOO..! (LOL)(time will tell!)

It's so hard to top all the great schmoozing I have with all my Roadfood buddies!

Today I was driving by there again, so I took a few more pics..
LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE is wedged between RUBY TUESDAY'S and the MELTING POT (Fondue Restaurant)
There is also a RUTH CHRIS across the street from Ruby Tuesdays.

They all opened up about a year and a half ago. (part of the A.C Outlet Store area) It is right on the main drag, Atlantic Ave.
Note Caesar's Casino in the back left, and the Trump Plaza Casino in the back right.
So after dinner, one can go make a big score in the casinos. (yeah, right!) Good luck, anyway..

Yes, this is REALLY Atlantic City!

Many of those who have'nt visited in a number of years don't realize how much it has changed! (and mostly for the better)
Although, on the down side, many people that stay in the casinos like to eat in the casinos, (with their "free" meals), so I do mourn the loss of so many independant restaurants that used to be in A.C.

Here's a street view of the AC Outlet Stores

The Sheraton (and Tun Tavern restaurant) is in the back left.
In the middle (with blue lettering) is the new A.C Convention Center;
the train station(not visible) is next to it.. A.C. to Philly service

More of A.C.(Subway, Old Navy,Timberland and American Eagle Outfitters)

Who needs Subway, when there are so many great independant sub shops around?!? The White House Sub Shops is just around the corner!

However, THIS is also Atlantic City!

Much has already been done to "clean up" the inlet. (that's the section south of the Showboat Casino) .
Lots of rowhouses have been torn down, and garden style townhomes have been built in their places.

Looks like they just have'nt got to these ones yet!

We took my folks to a Longhorn last Sunday for lunch. I like their food. The steaks have a bit of a pepper bite. We had the shrimp and lobster dip appetizer and it was very good, too.

There are none around here and it's been years since I ate at a Texas Longhorn, but I used to travel a lot for business and always enjoyed them when available. They used to make a big deal about serving hand cut, dry aged steaks which I thought gave them a distinctive flavor, something different in a steakhouse chain. I just checked out their website and see no mention of dry aged steaks so I suspect thats a quality feature fallen to the corporate bean counters.

The one by us (Viera, FL) also makes a very good (if a bit pricey at $9)burger...cooked to whatever doneness you request.

I use to eat at Longhorn 5 nights a week. I tended bar for them in Atlanta for about a year and half. Never tired of the place. I was with them when they were Rare Hospitality Inc. I've been pleasantly surprised at the consistency in quality since they were purchased by Darden. I thought for sure it was all over for Longhorn. Still my favorite chain steakhouse. They've got a pretty darn good burger too!

I also enjoy Longhorn, and I consider it to be a relatively good value. Since I rarely eat beef, I can't comment on their steaks.
However, I can strongly recommend their Longhorn Salmon, which is really good. Now if they would only start offering a whole grain bread instead of white bread with the meal, I would be a really satisfied customer.

Thanks Ellen.
Not that I'll plot it as a waypoint on my next road trip, it is good to know there is a good option next time my room at the airport hotel looks out at a shopping mall.

quote:

Originally posted by PopsDogHouse

I've been pleasantly surprised at the consistency in quality since they were purchased by Darden.

It's all "thumbs up" so far for the Longhorn !
no "nays" YET !
Those corporate bean counters in the Longhorn division of Darden can be proud!

You've enlightened me regarding Darden now adding the Longhorn to their Olive Garden, Red Lobster, (etc) empire.
I definitely think the Longhorn is a "cut above"

ellen I see you had steak fries as a side, whats on Roberts plate? Steaks do look yummy.

quote:

Originally posted by DoubleChubbyChuck

ellen I see you had steak fries as a side, whats on Roberts plate? Steaks do look yummy.

She mentioned he doing the Atkins diet, so I would say steamed vegetables. Including that great looking plate of asparagus.

I took a look at[url='http://www.longhornsteakhouse.com/menu/default.asp']the Longhorn menu[/url], and it looks like you got the biggest steak in the house. Attagirl, Ellen!

I also noted that they really do proclaim that the crispy chicken appetizer is made from fresh, hand-battered breasts. I like the way that you got them to give you FIVE sauces!

Ellen, is that a new hairstyle? Looks good!

The dinners don't look too shabby, either.

Brad

Ellen,best of luck with your new boyfriend....have great times...you both have good taste in steak places...we love Longhorn even better than Outback, Charlie Brown's or Lonestar!!!!

The steaks look great! Did you two go to the Melting Pot as well? We have one in town now and I'm looking forward to giving it a try, if I can convince the hubby. Good luck with the boyfriend --- you two look great together.

Andrea

quote:

Originally posted by MiamiDon

I took a look at[url='http://www.longhornsteakhouse.com/menu/default.asp']the Longhorn menu[/url], and it looks like you got the biggest steak in the house. Attagirl, Ellen!

I also noted that they really do proclaim that the crispy chicken appetizer is made from fresh, hand-battered breasts. I like the way that you got them to give you FIVE sauces!

They probably wore it off playing poker all night!

Looks like a shorter 'do. Cute.

quote:

Originally posted by Brad_Olson

Ellen, is that a new hairstyle? Looks good
Brad

Yes, it's my new "do"! Thanks for noticing, BRAD!
And SUSAN, thanks for the kind words also.
I got the "bob" thing going on now, and from the back, I look like a young Asian girl ..

quote:

Originally posted by DoubleChubbyChuck

ellen I see you had steak fries as a side, whats on Roberts plate?

Susanll called it right! It's steamed vegetables; (broccoli, and asparagus)
And with that Atkins diet, he tries to avoid the potatoes, and the bread... he says he lost 50 pounds already, only 5 more to go..

Welcome to Roadfood, DoubleChubbyChuck (cute screen name!)

Thanks Ellen.

Now for the $64,000 question. What is my name associated with?

Hi Ellen. Good for you

The Atkins diet works well from my experience. The thing is, like all diets it gets old after awhile. You have to really start getting creative with recipes. But really, you get to basically eat all the beef, chicken, seafood, cheese, nuts, eggs, bacon, most veggies, etc. so it is workable. But yah, you do have to avoid the bread, sugar, pasta, etc.


Andrea

quote:

Originally posted by AndreaB

The steaks look great! Did you two go to the Melting Pot as well?

HAVE'NT been to the MELTING POT, Andrea, but we have another new fondue place near me as well, called SIMPLY FONDUE in Mays Landing.
(also part of a chain) I've been to Simply Fondue, and although I really like the fondue idea in THEORY, I did'nt care for the implementation.. did'nt like the way the beef and chicken tasted..I found it plain and a little watery.
I prefer a good charbroiled steak, with lots of crust.

However, the melted s'mores desserts were fun to make, and I LOVED the "Almond Joy" martini I had!

quote:

Originally posted by DoubleChubbyChuck

Thanks Ellen.

Now for the $64,000 question. What is my name associated with?

Let's see; your name is Chuck and you're chubby?!??!

All I know is that when I hear your name, I think of a double burger (a chuck burger?!), and I start getting very hungry!

quote:

Originally posted by ellen4641

quote:

Originally posted by DoubleChubbyChuck

ellen I see you had steak fries as a side, whats on Roberts plate?

Susanll called it right! It's steamed vegetables; (broccoli, and asparagus)
And with that Atkins diet, he tries to avoid the potatoes, and the bread... he says he lost 50 pounds already, only 5 more to go..

Welcome to Roadfood, DoubleChubbyChuck (cute screen name!)

You may be a bad influence unless you swipe his buns when you take him to a burger or dawg place. (read into that what you will)