The 5 star rating is strictly for the burgers.
One day my daughter & I were out & about the neighborhood and had a hankerin for burgers. I really didn't feel like hitting Stater Bros for meat & then taking it home & grinding it for burgers, + it was coming up a cloud & not looking too good for firing up the barbeque, so my daughter suggested we give our local watering hole a shot. I had been here more times than I care to admit for the sole purpose of quenching my thirst, but had never eaten here. Shame on me!
I ordered a burger with swiss and my daughter had one with cheddar, both medium rare. When our food arrived we cut our burgers in half so we could have a taste of each cheese. THESE BURGERS WERE DELICIOUS!!! It was as if they had just come off my grill at home. This here burned cow flesh tasted freshly ground & was grilled to perfection... brown crust with a juicy pink center. Most burger joints won't do this because they're afraid of the Health Dept Nazis or some other lame excuse. The buns were fresh, soft and lightly toasted. I had asked for my fries to be extra crispy, and these spuds would make a Frog cry in envy. Long, slender fries that were crispy on the outside & tastefully tender in the center.
I have one caveat for this bar... If you're one of those highfalutin pompous Orange County types, don't bother coming here. This place has done took a whuppin with an ugly stick and is entrenched in the 70's. But if you consider yourself a regular Joe/Josie who values substance over style, stop on by & I'll buy ya a drink if I'm there.
Small windowless bar and grill. They have live music which is good, but a little on the loud side. If you want to have a conversation without yelling don't come while there is music and that is pretty much every night. The music was good and fun, just he was playing for a much bigger house, perhaps Staples Center.
The menu is limited to hamburgers and some steaks and the specials. i ordered the southern pork chop. It was a fried breaded pork chop which was cooked well. The meat was juicy. The breading could have used some seasoning as it was bland. They gave me a generous mound of mashed potatoes, but unfortunately were covered with what tasted like canned gravy. Two pieces of Texas toast and a spoon of succotash. My wife ordered the hamburger that she described as ordinary. It was covered with sauté onions, good but a little on the greasy side.
The food was ordinary, but it seems like a place where friends come to have a drink, listen to country and 70s rock music and then maybe some food. Speaking of drinks, my martini was not served cold and had this little tiny dinky olive. I could look at it and know that it was not going to be great. Â I was in the mood for a good cold martini, but not tonight.
The service was cheerful and supportive.
Food =3
Service =4
Ambiance =2 (loud music)
Price =3
It does seem to have a loyal following.
I couldn't quite squeeze a four for the Brass Key but it was almost there.
When you drive up to The Brass Key you might hesitate to go in. Â Its a concrete block building with no windows. Â Looks like a gray bunker from the outside.
Stepping inside the door and the situation improves quickly. Â Its a small place and the first impression is 'local watering hole'. Â It's obvious from watching the patrons most of them are familiar with the Brass Key and the staff.
The place is small but the booths are nice sized though the decor is dated. Â There are specials on the boards and I suggest you pay attention to them. Â The regular menu is on a piece of legal size paper and there are no blockbusters on the regular menu. Â
There are drink specials and they featured a couple of craft beers I hadn't tasted and at a nice price.  I didn't try any of the cocktails but they featured some you don't often see any more  Who brags about their Manhattan any more?
We didn't get adventurous, ordering the top sirloin special and a chicken cordon bleu. Â While neither of these were knock your socks off, you can't blame the place for trying. Â Both dishes came with a veggie and instead of the usual peas and carrots from a can, they served a crookneck squash and onion. Â Flavorful but a bit overcooked. Â Baked potato with both dinners, in foil with the works. Â The chicken was well done but I suspect it was pre-made frozen. Â The top sirloin was cooked just as I ordered but it could have benefitted from a dry rub or some seasoning while cooking. Â there was also a planked salmon on the board that was tempting and I think priced at about $13.
The staff was friendly and attentive. Â I could see myself, if I lived in the neighborhood, going there fairly often. Â Its kind of a haul for me so The Brass Key is not someplace I would consider as a destination but, if I were in the area, I'd certainly stop in. Â I might tip an elbow at the bar next time.
Entertainment on Wed-Sat but I gather its solo or duo acts featuring jazz and staples music. Â Step back into 1975 and take a load off. Â You won't leave spellbound but you will be satisifed with the experience. Â And please don't be put off by the exterior.
My wife and I went for the prime rib special on Saturday night.
In keeping the narrative short, I'll just say not everything was perfect.
BUT...when I pointed out what I felt was lacking for me, our server Liz was going ALL OUT to fix things for us. The assistant manager Justin came by our booth and was terrific as well, offering to compensate us very generously for something that wasn't even a shortcoming on the part of the Brass Key. Without going to elongated detail, it's that kind of service that will keep me coming back again and again.
KUDOS to the Brass Key staff!
I live in LA but I had training near Redlands. I was going to go to the casino for drunks and food, but was recommended to The Brass Key. Glad I went there. Friday night prime rib was amazing. Drinks were great in price as well. Nice staff and fast service. I highly recommend this bar
Review Source:I was very surprise to stumble across this place on my way to San Manuel Casino. My wife and and I came in for a couple drinks and some dinner and we were very surprised that they had live music. Bar is kind of small, but intimate. Drinks were strong and great. We were feeling like something light and asked the bartender for his recommendation. Bartender recommended the sliders, which were awesome and enough for us to share. This place is great to stop on the way to the casino or on the way back down.
Review Source:OMFG! This place looks like an oldschool lounge from the 70's, but after u get settled into one of the plush half-circle booths and listen to the amazing talent that sings while you drink from a nicely priced awesome craft beer list....it makes one think, am I in the twilight zone or did I stumble on the most awesome place east of where I usually don't go? I'm going with the former! This place has totally awesome written all over! If you ever visit, be sure to ask for Ruth. She is a very creative bar tender who is never short of a fun time in a great place out in the IE.
Review Source:This place is a good place to relax and chill out. Sundays during football season is the best place around to go and have a beer/cocktail and steak and egg breakfast.
This place doesn't seem like it belongs in Highland when you walk inside. It reminds me of a night club in LA, but much smaller.
I recommend anyone that comes out this way to stop by and try it out.
The Prime Rib is old school...but it represents the very best of days gone by and it literally oozes class when you walk through the door. The wait staff is especially attentive and the food is outstanding.
The meat cuts are truly prime and of generous portion and aged to perfection. As well as the preparation of the seasonings  being superb. The side vegetable dishes need some adjusting, however!
Wonderful sophisticated atmosphere and unhurried, yet attentive service. Â
How nice to eat where you can hear your table mates. If you are not really hungry, every portion is enough for two! From salad to dessert, everything was exceptional - and the prime rib, of course, the best you'll ever get.
The waiter was especially thoughtful and fun----the latter is important. others of the wait staff were also very gracious. Much more than most restaurants----indeed, usually the "better" i.e. more expensive are less gracious.
When I left out. Â A group of people were admiring my new 7 series and thought that I was the owner of the Brass Key! Â That was very funny!
Stopped in one evening last week for a burger and a beer on the recommendation of a friend. Â Place is everything he billed it to be and more. Â Boisterous but contained group at the bar were celebrating several birthdays. Â Service was excellent. Â Three women running the bar and serving tables worked together like a well-oiled machine. Â Nice place where you can be known or unnoticed, your choice. Â A true hidden underrated gem of a spot to stop for a drink or meal. Â I'll be back.
Review Source:Upon arriving I was hesitant to eat here, its very old. After reading "positive comments" we decided to give it a chance. We took a seat in the dining area....waited for 10 min and no one attended us...the waitress n bartender saw us waiting but never came over.There was a couple and a party about 5 people......they were all getting attended too...except us...we decided to walk out....as we walked out the waitress commented "i thought they would sit at the bar eventually"....What?? So you ignored us....this place is garbage garbage garbage!!!
Review Source:What a great place to enjoy yourself! I came to this place after finding it on here. The reviews about this place are totally true. Can't wait to go back and visit. I was satisfied with the service we received and the meal we ate. If you visit often, the people that work there will recognize. I love going to places like that. :)
Review Source:The Brass Key is a small bar type restaurant. Â Extremely friendly where everyone will know you after just a few visits. Â The Bartenders, wait staff and cooks are freindly and very attentive to the needs of their clients. Â I have been going to the Brass Key over the years and the most recent owner has it right. Â
The food is excellent for this type of restaurant. Â The top sirlion for $6.95 is hands down the best value on the menu, however they do have daily specials and their Friday night Prime Rib is great. Â You will not go wrong with the clam chouder.
The atmosphere is pleasant with televisions, comfortable booths/tables and the patrons can be loud or quiet, it will just depend on the mood of the place. Â Mostly a +45 group, but not afraid to party. Â
If you are on your way to San Manuel for an evening of gambling, a show or bingo, you will drive right by The Brass Key, on the right side of Highland Ave just past the Cheveron Station.
My personal favorites are Sherri-bartender, Liz-server and Robert-cook. Â Ask for them and say Mark E. sent you.
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