Monty's Steakhouse

A true gem! Solid drinks, great menu, outstanding food, and excellent caring service.  Price is up there, but solid value for dollar.  Only problem is portion control.  Too much food if you want a salad and main course.

The reviews I read about Monty's were overall positive--and compared this restaurant to steakhouses that fall within the caliber of Morton's or Ruth's Chris.  I learned quickly this restaurant had NOTHING in common with them. Upon arrival, I thought we were lost as we were in a dumpy STRIP MALL. Not one review mentioned the location. I hesitantly entered with my companion and wish I hadn't stayed.  

The decor was in-line with what is expected from a strip mall that shares a parking lot with a Mattress Warehouse.  In fact, when you walk into the restaurant, it is appropriately decorated with cow stuffed-animals. But anyhow...moving on to the service provided: Our teenager server was slow......very slow......It took about 10 minutes for her to come bring us our drink order.  Another 10 minutes to come back to take our order.  We still didn't have our bread.  After waiting for the girl to return to take our order, I was subject to listening to the drunks next to us (at the only other occupied table) tell wildly inappropriate stories.

Finally the girl came to take our order and proceed to say "Local-cows are the ones slaughtered for our restaurant." REALLY? I didn't need to hear the word "slaughter" when describing my meal. Ignorance is bliss. I decided not to eat at this point but enjoy a glass of wine while my companion had his meal.

And this is where it got pathetic. After another 20 minutes, our server returned to tell my dining partner that the side of mashed-potatoes he wanted was unavailable as the kitchen had ran out.  We proceeded to cancel his order which led to the manager coming over to inquire about why we were unhappy about our experience as it would only take two minutes to make more. WHAT!? Why didn't the teenager-server tell us that? Anyhow,  we ended up taking it in a to-go bag home (after we stopped at another restaurant and picked up dinner for myself).

Verdict on the food: Both my companion and myself thought it was AWFUL...definitely nowhere near a nice steakhouse....and definitely OVERPRICED.  I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. Looks like Mike's is still the only place in Springfield to get an okay meal.

Now don't get me wrong, Mike's is great. I also give Mike's five stars, especially for Springfield fare. Mike's, however, has a different feel. Mike's is where you go for laid back America cuisine. You will see the occasional group of high school girls or fat, loud Walmart shoppers who have saved up enough to eat a meal at a table. This is nothing against Mike's. All I am saying is that Monty's is the more off the beaten bath, upscale, sophisticated place you take your significant other when you want to make an impression, and not be surrounded by possible undesirables. (Yes, I am a snob). The food IS pricey, but worth it. Old reviews about the service are outdated, because when I went last night it was nothing but professional and timely. I recommend making a reservation through open table. I had the rib eye and it was awesome. The place is a little on the small side and easy to miss, but is definitely worth looking for. Again, I love Mike's as well....just not for a private, intimate setting.