Inside the Cowford Chophouse

[Captain Zissou]

I know this is starting to hijack the thread, but I got some food from Clines on Friday and it was fantastic.  I'm not a grill pro, so I just got 2 ribeyes, but they were fantastic.  It's a little pricey, but the staff is great and I will definitely stop by a couple times a month for some quality meats.

[Jagsdrew]

Good to know, I was going to check out Cline's to see their selection of meats. Would like to try one of their cuts and see how it is.

[Kiva]

Ambience--This is close as Cowford interior crushes the dated Ruth's but while I like Cowford second floor views, the river/city views at Ruth's never gets old for me.

Ruth's just applied for a permit to renovate their dated look. They must read your posts! https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/the-mathis-report-ruths-chris-steak-house-remodeling-restaurants-downtown-in-st-johns

[MusicMan]

Hijack away!!  Cline's is the real deal, but I will be requesting some grass fed beef as well.  Loved the steaks we got there two weeks ago.

[Jagsdrew]

Ambience--This is close as Cowford interior crushes the dated Ruth's but while I like Cowford second floor views, the river/city views at Ruth's never gets old for me.

Ruth's just applied for a permit to renovate their dated look. They must read your posts! https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/the-mathis-report-ruths-chris-steak-house-remodeling-restaurants-downtown-in-st-johns

The Ruth's renovation is complete. Interior is a billion times better.
One other change in the last couple of months is no more lobsters! The good news is that this development lowers our bill as that was the anti-carnivore Mrs Smm frequent order. The bad news is no more surf and turf for me.(the "cold water" tail add-on does not cut it)

Once again...I will just have to pick myself up and try to carry on. Sigh.

I perfected cooking steaks in a cast iron skillet with some of my favorite seasonings.  Don't need steakhouses anymore!

[Ken_FSU]

I perfected cooking steaks in a cast iron skillet with some of my favorite seasonings.  Don't need steakhouses anymore!

This might be my favorite YouTube video ever.

From boiling it in olive oil, to repeatedly spearing it with a metal fork, to nearly cross-contaminating his entire kitchen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrS-5_bgHmk

The smugness really puts it over the top too.

[itsfantastic1]

Can't spell boil without oil...

I perfected cooking steaks in a cast iron skillet with some of my favorite seasonings.  Don't need steakhouses anymore!

This might be my favorite YouTube video ever.

From boiling it in olive oil, to repeatedly spearing it with a metal fork, to nearly cross-contaminating his entire kitchen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrS-5_bgHmk

The smugness really puts it over the top too.

[MusicMan]

Really disappointed that Cowford CH got rid of the bar menu. Went to the top for drinks and munchies and were informed that there was no more bar menu. The staff had found out that afternoon. Not sure how they manage that, you would think they could keep those items on board without incurring a loss or whatever...

[fieldafm]

Really disappointed that Cowford CH got rid of the bar menu. Went to the top for drinks and munchies and were informed that there was no more bar menu. The staff had found out that afternoon. Not sure how they manage that, you would think they could keep those items on board without incurring a loss or whatever...

Not true, whatsoever.
I was just there last night.

The bar menu will continue, but they are also doing a full dinner menu on the roof starting this week.

[MusicMan]

Bar Bites are Happy Hour only.

If you go on a Saturday and want to sit on the roof deck you get the main menu, nothing else. No burger, steak tacos, sliders,
not even sure if you can get steak frites.  Just appetizers or side dishes if you don't want a 'spensive steak.

[fieldafm]

My apologies for not being more specific, as I read MusicMan's comments to infer that the bar menu was gone all together. It is not.

The bar menu is still there, as a happy hour menu, which is what the original intention of a bar menu is. Just like the availability of the bar bites menu at Ruth's Chris, Morton's, Chart House, etc. 

At dinner, you will only be able to order from a dinner menu.

[MusicMan]

So my question is, why not offer Bar Bites on the rooftop after 9 pm?  They were being offered up until a few weeks ago. Just do not understand that. I am pretty certain lots of customers only want small plates after 9 pm, not full dinner service.

[fieldafm]

The bar menu is still there, as a happy hour menu, which is what the original intention of a bar menu is.

I think you need to get out more.

I can't speak to what their "original intention"was, but we go to plenty of restaurants (Cowfordish price range) where the bar menu is.....a menu designed for the bar. (Even at "dinner" time). I would say this has become more common in recent years.

I am surprised the bar menu didn't do better (outside of happy hour) for Cowford considering their size and layout. Not to mention the Jax demos. Shows you how much I know. Although, part of me wonders if this is just to simplify things during dinner service due to some of their kitchen challenges.

You clearly don't know me, so will take your suggestion to 'get out more' in stride 

I'm fully aware what a bar menu is, however my comment was directed as an apples to apples comparison of steakhouses in the immediate area, similar menu, similar reliance on corporate accounts, similar price points, etc as Cowford. Although you are correct in that getting away from happy hour-specific bar menus has been the trend of late. Roy's is a good example of this. Btw, more to come on the Roy's front...

I don't work for, nor own any part of Cowford, but the last few times I've been up on the roof... the only way I could tell I was at Cowford and not the rooftop at Hoptingers Five Points was the view of the Main Street Bridge.  I don't fault a steakhouse for wanting to be more like a steakhouse, and catering less to the Bud Light and flip flops crowd.

[Tacachale]

I don't work for, nor own any part of Cowford, but the last few times I've been up on the roof... the only way I could tell I was at Cowford and not the rooftop at Hoptingers Five Points was the view of the Main Street Bridge.  I don't fault a steakhouse for wanting to be more like a steakhouse, and catering less to the Bud Light and flip flops crowd.

Harsh, broseph.

[Snaketoz]

  I don't fault a steakhouse for wanting to be more like a steakhouse, and catering less to the Bud Light and flip flops crowd.

I agree.  Please don't let them become what the typical airline passenger is now.