I'm a fan of steaks and whenever I have a craving, I head down to the Keg or the Coliseum Pizza & Steakhouse. If you are unfamiliar with the latter, thats because its not the type of place you'd expect to have good steaks. The building is nondescript and located in a shadier area of town, caters towards the average Joe. The interior is minimalistic and the one colored theme gives a very monotone mood. But don't let all that fool you because they know how to make a mean steak and given their price point, it is my steakhouse of choice. Granted, I haven't been to too many steakhouses but I haven't found a better one thus far and Ric's Grill is no different.
Sharon and I visited Ric's Grill during Edmonton's Dining Week where as a participating restaurant, they featured several of their existing menu items at a discounted price. However, it would seem that their participation was nothing more than a gesture. When we arrived at the restaurant, there was no indication of their participation nor were we handed the dining week menu. We politely asked for the menu but was told we had to indicate our interest during the reservation which makes absolutely no sense! Given that the items on the dining week menu are what they normally serve, their statement gives me the impression that they need to know ahead of time to segregate us from their normal patrons. Are they planning to serve us the bad cuts? Seat us by the bathrooms? Under staff our section? There was no mention anywhere that notice had to be given when making reservations and based on the conversations of our neighboring patron, it seems like we weren't the only ones scammed. Such act reminds me of the de facto customer service promising your satisfaction or your money back. It's found on literally almost every product from electronics to instant noodles because yes, it makes perfect sense for me to mail you back a half-eaten bowl of instant noodles so I can get my 50 cents back. I hate companies who make gestures knowing that there are enough barriers in place to prevent people from taking advantage of it. I'm sure my initial impression of Ric's Grill didn't help the rest of my experience.
Sharon ordered the 6oz Filet Mignon and I ordered the 12oz Top Sirloin, both medium rare.
My steak was flavourful in its initial bites but it seems someone forgot to drain the juices. By the time I was done, my plate looked like it would fit nicely in a horror movie. Its worth noting the steak was exceptionally thick which makes it harder to grill and what surely contributed to the unappetizing aftermath.
The food was good but definitely nothing special and given my dislike of their policies, I don't have any intention to return in the near future. You can read Sharon's take on the restaurant here.