Recently, while wandering around Forest Hills after a movie (Tower Heist, which was fun for all its NYC scenes, and included this awesome line: “And girls from Forest Hills don’t usually become FBI agents!”), I realized I was hungry and needed something to eat. I noticed Santa Fe Steakhouse, where I ate once probably 10 years ago, and we decided to give it a try.
Caesar salad that came with our entrees, which was underdressed and had croutons way too hard for me to comfortably eat. But I dutifully ate my vegetables…
It is a source of endless amusement to me that… well, when I ate here over 10 years ago, I used to also eat at Outback and Boulder Creek with some frequency (more than 1x a year). Outback serves bread like the above except only white, while Boulder Creek serves (or used to serve) the above except pumpernickel, and Santa Fe… has both. I am easily amused. The bread arrived warm, but super soft and a bit hard to cut, easier to just rip hunks of it off and spread with butter.
Our drinks were served in these ridiculous pitchers. Huge. Neither of us even finished half of the drink; on the bright side, those who are very thirsty don’t need to constantly request refills at least.
I ordered the sirloin since I wanted something small and this was the smallest size they offered. With vegetables that were okay, clearly frozen and then boiled/steamed quickly.
The steak itself…
Cooked properly to medium rare, needed a touch of salt, but still very juicy and honestly, it was OK. I wasn’t blown away but I wasn’t expecting to be wowed by the steak here. I got what I paid for, and that was a decent meal with an OK piece of meat, cooked properly.
Yvo says: I probably wouldn’t return here – I make fantastic steak at home, and I occasionally find myself at the awesome places around NYC for steak, so no need to go to a chain steakhouse – but I wouldn’t have a problem if someone else really wanted to come here, because I know I’d be eating OK food. So… it was OK.
middle of the road
Santa Fe Steakhouse
107-18 70th Road
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Phone: (718) 459-4040
TT says
looks very similar to JR’s. can’t believe that is coming up on a year since we went. time flies!!!
Feisty Foodie says
Crazy, right?
kim says
I pass by this place all the time. I think they offer a lunch prix-fixe? Have you tried the Chinese restaurnt right next door? I’ve been meaning to go ever since a change-over.
Hungry says
You get a pitcher each of your drinks? So wasteful.
Feisty Foodie says
It’s not a full 32 oz. pitcher… I am not good with measurements but it’s larger than a regular glass they give you, but not quite 2x I think…? Still kind of wasteful, neither of us finished our drinks though my date got really sick during dinner (unrelated to the food) and didn’t touch anything actually.
T.C. says
As long as you don’t bring a loaf of bread to HHs, we are on good terms. 😛
I been to this steak place before. It was just okay. Plenty of places around 71st/Austin so not returned either when in FH.
Feisty Foodie says
Good bread is allowed! I’ve brought bread before! I just also bring stuff to go with it. And yeah, definitely better places in the area for food, though maybe not steak.
T.C. says
I do like a good baguette with meats & cheeses. 😛