My husband and I have been to The Pine Club for a total of 3 times: once each before we met almost 40 years ago and once since we were married 35 years ago. Frankly it was not high on our list of places to go and we would never had gone back but were given a gift certificate for a substantial amount so we went to use it. We seriously thought about getting carry out but just went on a Tuesday evening in June instead. We knew up front that if the $150 gift card didn't cover the meal, we would need cash and they did not take reservations. When we arrived around 7 PM, the place sounded like a noisy day care center - it was loud to say the least. We ordered a drink at the bar, and waited for 30 minutes for a table. It was a pleasant wait but having a conversation was hard due to the volume of the customers around us. We joked that the decor has not changed during their 75 years in business and our hearts went out to the waitresses who have been loyal to the restaurant for many years. These are good waitresses and a treasure for the restaurant. How wonderful not to be asked 'how are you guys?'. Sometimes change is not good and apparently lack of change works for The Pine Club. Once we were seated in a cozy booth, we ordered an appetizer and a bottle of inexpensive wine which was an excellent choice. The shrimp cocktail was heavenly. As anybody who has had shrimp recently knows, shrimp sizes have changed dramatically in the last 2 years. What used to be jumbo is non-existent, what used to be small is now large. It is crazy. These shrimp were truly jumbo sized - meaty and heavenly. A real treat for us as we never order an appetizer. We both ordered the strip steak. What was a surprise was we got a good sized salad with house made dressing, a potato AND a veggie AND onion strings as well as a good portion of bread. This is unheard of at other places. It was a lot of food, cooked to perfection. For the first time, we saw the value of The Pine Club. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? We are looking forward to out left overs for dinner at home in a couple of days. The Pine Club is not a place for an intimate, romantic dinner. Being a soft spoken person, I had to turn up my volume level to be heard. The decor is reminiscent of Grandma's basement, but the food is very good on par with the service - and isn't that what going out do dinner is all about?
The Pine Club is a cozy little place to have an intimate dining experience with a loved one or a small group of friends. I ordered a drink from the bar and it was tasty! They offer salad and bread before the meal which was ok. The meal wasn't as spectacular as I was hoping but it wasn't bad. It was lacking flavor for me. I was hoping for something special but it was just alright. The service was wonderful. Bartenders waitstaff and Hosts were absolutely great.
Party of 5 arrived at 530 on a weekday, had to wait about 30-40 mins, so not terrible. Place was really noisy which definitely was annoying. Once seated, service was very good and pretty quick, we all had steaks, and the steak flavor was excellent, although I am not sure it was worthy of all the praise I have read about it. I got the Porterhouse, and I cannot recommend that choice, as it was very gristly, albeit still very flavorful.. Others in our party had the strip steak and the fillet. Salad dressing appeared to be homemade and quite flavorful, bread was plentiful and delicious. Drinks were not the skimpy pours you often get elsewhere. I will go back to try some of the other menu items, probably the fillet and the lamb chops. I might take ear plugs...BRING CASH OR YOUR CHECKBOOK!! NO CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED...
Great steak house. I am so fortunate to be able to dine in at this fantastic steakhouse. Truly the best steak in Mid-USA. I had a 20oz bone-in ribeye. Normally 20oz is way more than I can eat BUT the crunchy caramelized outer layer with moist and juicy, tender inner layer of medium rare broiled ribeye disappeared from the plate into my stomach so fast that I wanted more.I hope I will have another chance to dine in at The Pine Club again, when in Dayton, Ohio.
Upon arrival the wait staff said it would be about 30min wait, eased up to the bar very well stocked of all brands 4 bartenders to meet the demand, fast courteous. Once seated in a booth quick service. All the food was fresh well prepared and presented. Our waitress was very attentive. This is a place that when in town you must visit. They only accept cash check the menu before going to make sure you take enough with you.
The customer service was fast and friendly and the restaurant boasts the title of “1 of 2 of the best steak houses in the US”. I had the fillet mignonette-cooked perfectly but the meal was by no means among the best I’ve ever had. No big deal, it was still good. However out comes the check and I ask about a dessert menu and they don’t serve dessert. Ok, fine, but then they don’t take credit cards at all! No where could I find that posted, it would have been good to know as we are traveling! My husband to go across the street to a gas station ATM I’m a down pour to get cash out so we could pay our bill! Seriously, let people know that up front!!
not what is once was. Server was Pushy and not attentive. She essentially told us the only thing worth ordering is the steak. I asked about a seafood dish and a sandwich, her reply was, 'you're at a steakhouse'.
Great food, reasonable pricing but cash only and usually a wait on the weekends
Some tips for visiting if it’s your first time. Get there at 4pm! When it opens or you will be waiting an hour an half to 2 hours before they even think about seating you. THEY ONLY TAKE CASH. It’s loud. It’s crowded. Not for kids. Eating your dinner is also crowded if you get sat along the wall. Server was good and very attentive. Our orders (beef tips w mushrooms & filet mignon) came out as we ordered. Bread was delicious along w the salad. Small menu but that was ok as everything on the menu looks great. Parking out back is tight but doable. We had an 8p performance at Schuster and got to Pine Club at 5p and was rushing through dinner to make it on time. I would not risk that again or just get there at 4p and be seated first.
You come to the Pine Club for the steaks, everyone knows that, they're some of the best in the country. But what has improved lately is the service. They've gotten some new blood in there and it's a pleasant surprise. Most of the wait staff has been there 30 years so they don't have to be polite, because they're getting your money. but the last few times I've been the staff had been exceptional, and they're all fresh faced that haven't been jaded into mediocrity yet.