and Tom Sacco, CEO and President, Homestyle Dining LLC.
More than 50 years ago, the first of the iconic Bonanza Steakhouses opened its doors in Westport, Conn., and soon became a favorite family dining destination for a generation raised on the mystique of the Wild West and “cowboy westerns” on the big and small screens. On Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, a new era began with the debut of Bonanza Steak & BBQ in Eureka, Missouri, with plans for more than 100 franchise locations within the next five years.
Bonanza Steak & BBQ is a modern, full-service dining concept that celebrates Bonanza’s American steakhouse heritage and updates it with an elevated menu featuring steaks, pork, chicken and seafood that are grilled to perfection, a new selection of authentic, slow-smoked BBQ entrees, and a fresh, farm-to-table salad bar, at prices the American family can afford. To reflect the restaurant’s focus on fresh and flavorful ingredients and 50-plus years of culinary expertise, the interiors have been designed around a contemporary butcher shop theme, and as was found in the original Bonanza Steakhouses, a welcoming, friendly and relaxing service environment to enjoy America’s favorite foods.
“The opening of Bonanza Steak & BBQ marks a welcomed return to the St. Louis market for the Bonanza brand,” said Tom Sacco, CEO, Homestyle Dining LLC. “In the 1980s, we had more than 25, very popular Bonanza Steakhouse restaurants in the St. Louis metro area. Now, that American tradition returns with our new, more relevant Bonanza Steak & BBQ, where our guests will enjoy American classics that are reinvented for today, offered in a contemporary take on a retro butcher shop theme. We’ve basically elevated and delivered on a new breed of casual steakhouse that offers quality, flavor and ambiance at a value not found elsewhere, and look forward to bringing our new concept to cities across America in coming years.”
Bonanza Steak & BBQ is located at 80 Hilltop Village Center Drive in Eureka. It is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
During the grand opening celebration, held on Thurs., Nov. 12, a Ribbon Cutting ceremony was attended by several local dignitaries, Homestyle Dining CEO Tom Sacco, and Stu Subotnick, CEO and president of Metromedia Company, Inc. The restaurant also held a fundraiser on grand opening day benefiting the Eureka Food Pantry.
An Updated American Menu
Many of the dishes on the menu at Bonanza Steak & BBQ are traditional in nature, but have been updated with modern, culinary flavor twists. BBQ returns to its roots here too with authentic on-site smokers that add smoky rich flavor to steaks, ribs, brisket, chicken and cheddar cheese.
Steak selections include 6-ounce or 10-ounce Center Cut Sirloins, a 10-ounce Bone-in NY Strip, a 1-pound Porterhouse, a 12-ounce Ribeye, a 12-ounce Black Angus Chopped Steak, and an 8-ounce Country Fried Steak rounding out the options. “Butcher Shop” offerings also include a 12-ounce Pork T-Bone, a 16-ounce Smokehouse Sirloin for Two, and a Fajita Sirloin Steak. The “Big Country,” the house signature family offering, is an indulgent option for three or more served on a large butcher block cutting board topped with a selection of the restaurant’s signature entrees including smoked ribs, brisket, Ribeye, Beer Can Chicken, and fried catfish plus an assortment of signature sides and accompaniments.
Bonanza Steak & BBQ takes its BBQ seriously, with an in-house smoker that saturates entrees and sides with a true authentic smoked BBQ flavor. Slowed cooked on-site for at least eight hours, offerings include Baby Back and St. Louis Style Ribs, a Smokehouse Brisket Platter, and Smokehouse Chicken.
The concept also has evolved its legendary salad bar to include fresh and modern options. Guests instruct salad bar attendants to create their salads choosing from among a variety of ingredients, including a variety of greens, fresh vegetables, super foods such as Quinoa, Edamame and Kale, along with traditional and unique toppings, cheeses and signature housemade salad dressings, such as Siracha Lime Ranch Dressing and Smokehouse Ranch Dressing just to name two.
The American culinary tradition continues with premium Angus burgers and handcrafted sandwiches updated to please modern diners, and include a tangy Smokehouse Burger, Smoked Cheddar Burger, Smoked Brisket Cheesesteak Sandwich and a Crispy Pimento Chicken Sandwich.
Chicken and seafood offerings feature juicy Schlafly Beer Can Chicken, marinated Chicken Monterey, Citrus Lime Salmon, Southern Fried Catfish, Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp and Wild-Caught North Atlantic Lobster Tails.
Guests will also enjoy appetizers including sweet and spicy Brown Sugar Candied Bacon, the Tower of O’s, hand-breaded thick-cut onion rings served with a smoky ranch sauce, BBQ Brisket Nachos, Crispy Pork Riblets and Smoked Chicken Wings. Sides also showcase the best of American fare with Mustard Potato Salad, Rock Candy Crusted Sweet Potato, Sea Salt Crusted Baked Potato, Cheesy Corn Bake, Smoked Cheddar Mac ‘n’ Cheese, and housemade Russet Potato Chips to name a few.
Desserts at Bonanza Steak & BBQ include American favorites such as Crispy Bread Pudding Bites, Chocolate Overload Brownie, and a new take on a St. Louis dessert — Lemon Blueberry Gooey Butter Cake — all available with hand dipped ice cream. The new Bonanza will also serve a selection of domestic and local craft beers as well as premium wines by the glass and bottle.
Plano, Texas-based Homestyle Dining LLC owns, operates and franchises family-focused restaurants throughout the United States and internationally under the Ponderosa Steakhouse and Bonanza Steakhouse brands, where guests enjoy flame-grilled steaks and entrees along with a high-quality buffet featuring an endless selection of salads, soups, appetizers, vegetables, and desserts at affordable prices. Homestyle Dining recently introduced Cole’s Backyard Grill, a truly unique experience around a rich, flavorful and creative American menu at fast casual pricing in an eclectic and comfortable environment. The first Cole’s Backyard Grill opened in Lindale, Tex., in 2014, with plans to open up to 250 restaurants in the next five years. The new Bonanza Steak & BBQ, launched in Eureka, Mo. in late 2015, is modern casual dining concept that celebrates Bonanza’s American steakhouse heritage and modernizes it with an updated menu including new authentic, Southern-style BBQ offerings, an interior redesign around a butcher house theme, and full-service dining. Plans call for 100 franchised locations in the next five years.
