 The
West is Here
You can't miss Mill Creek Cattle Co. on
the south side of Mentone Blvd., it's the only set of buildings
that appear to have come straight out of the Wild West.
But don't let the fake cowboy town façade fool you
into thinking the food here isn't real. Mill Creek Cattle
Co. specializes in good, hearty, western steak dishes that
will fill up anyone west of the Mississippi. After 2 years
of remodeling, the restaurant re-opened on Mother's Day
of 2000. I visited them for the first time immediately after
their reopening and was really impressed with the dining
patio - open and airy, yet protected from the street and
much of nature's elements. I also appreciated that the inside
dining room's north wall was a series of glass doors opening
entirely onto the patio. While we ate inside that night
with the doors open, we enjoyed the openness and freshness
of outdoor dining but with all the amenities of being inside.
And on another occasion when I was there for breakfast,
the glass doors were closed and I enjoyed the ambiance of
the crackling fireplace (a real wood fireplace, not the
gas-stoked imitation) - warm, cozy and very aromatic. This
is a casual, friendly and family-orientated place to enjoy
a hearty meal.
Breakfasts are served only on Saturday and
Sunday until noon, and typify the traditional hearty country
breakfasts. While the selection is thin, quantity isn't.
Their offerings include the traditional eggs and meat combinations,
Huevos Rancheros, Eggs Foristier (grilled sourdough topped
with scrambled eggs, creamed mushrooms and Swiss cheese),
and a variety of Omelets (3 cheese, Machaca, Western, Southwest,
Chili). These are served with choice of O'Brien potatoes
or cowboy beans, and a choice of biscuit and gravy or apple
coffee cake. You won't leave hungry after these meals!
The lunch and dinner menus are the same.
To start there are 9 appetizers to choose from and include:
Buffalo Wings, Chicken Fingers, Stuffed jalapenos, their
original baby back ribs, and a few chicken options. These
range in price from $4.95 - $13.95. For those who prefer
a salad option to a hearty meat meal there is a selection
of 6 salads (from $3.75 - $8.95): lettuce with an assortment
of vegetables, smoked chicken salad, Greek salad, Cobb salad,
Chinese chicken and an Oak Glenn Salad with chicken, chopped
Walnuts, crisp noodles, tomatoes, cucumbers, bleu cheese
crumbles with Poppy Seed dressing. All of the salads are
served with cornbread and honeybutter. They offer 12 different
sandwiches ranging in price from $5.95 - $7.95. Again as
a meatless option there is the garden burger and the veggie
sandwich, but the meat lovers have quite a selection to
choose from: hamburger with their own special sauce, pulled
pork, smoked tri-tip, hickory smoked ham, gilled chicken
breast, brisket of beef, and Philly steak. These are served
with options of side dishes. If you want another meatless
option, you may want to try their Pasta of the Day for $7.25.
Smoked meat is the true specialty of the
house. Mill Creek Cattle Co. smokes their meats on-site,
guaranteeing variety and freshness. These entrees range
in price from $8.95 - $18.95. For their beef selections
they have: Brisket of Beef, Tri-tip, Beef ribs, 16 oz. or
12 oz.Top Sirloin, 14 oz. New York, 18 oz. Porter House
or 18 oz. Ribeye. Plus they offer 5 pork selections: Baby
Back BBQ ribs, Pork Chops, Pulled Pork, Spicy Smoked Sausage
Links, and slowly smoked Ham Steak. To complement these
dishes they offer Fillet of Halibut, Boneless Trout and
Jumbo Gulf Shrimp. These specialties come with a variety
of side dishes. Again cooked to your order and huge portions
- warning when you order extra side dishes they are big
enough for two.
As you enter Mill Creek Cattle Co. and notice
the saddles, bridals, branding irons and other western paraphernalia
hanging from the walls and ceilings, you realize that you
are in for a serious western meal. Since they smoke their
meats on-site everything is fresh. In addition to the restaurant,
they will gladly cater events or host large parties. Thursday
nights are all-you-can-eat BBQ rib night for $10.95. And
while you are there, consider exploring their western-style
gift shop specializing in western motif gift baskets.
Address: 1874 Mentone Blvd., Mentone 92359
Phone Number: 389-0706
Operation Hours: Monday - Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 10;00 p.m.
Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Reservation: Not required
Price Range: Breakfast (Weekends Only) $3.95 - $6.25
Lunch - Dinner $4.95 - $18.95
Take Out: Yes, fax number 389-7167
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