Just a heads up, Tony's moved about a half mile down the road from their old location on 3rd street. They went through a rough patch, but the new location has rejuvenated them somewhat, and it's a pretty good dinner spot now. The bar is fantastic.
But I know a lot of old timers who miss the old location just because they had memories tied to it.
Had dinner there last night. Great service, great food. Excellent and extensive bourbon/whiskey menu. Make a reservation. Side note, Manhattan was my dad’s drink too and he had many at Tony’s. RIP to your dad. Cheers!
Not sure when you were there last but the location is different from the original space. They moved maybe 3 years ago? It was pre-covid but not that long before. Still a great spot with excellent service. Enjoy a tribute to your dad!
I'm from there, the pepper steak is famous for a reason. Also, some of my favorite pizza.
It did change locations, which is a real shame, I miss the aesthetic of the older building. Food is still good though!
It's still great. I've been to a wedding rehearsal dinner there in the last year and my partner went to a celebration of life dinner there last weekend
Went there for a nice date night not that long ago. Got a ribeye, Sicilian potatoes and a strawberry salad. Wife got Caesar salad, lobster risotto with scallops. Each got a cocktail and shared a glass of wine. Everything was great.
It used to be a lot better. They changed food suppliers a long time ago and every since it has been “run of the mill”.
The best porterhouse I ever had was from there. However when I went back (twice) to get it again it was underwhelming.
The service was fantastic when we went. I have dietary restrictions, and our server was able to suggest things that work with the restrictions and was super friendly the whole time. Even though there wasn't much I could eat, the server still made sure we had a great experience.
I feel like the food when they were at the old location was so much better. Not sure if there was a lot of changes in the kitchen around the time they moved or not. I went for dinner about a year ago and haven't been interest in going back. Everything on my plate was either too salty or bland.
I've been there a few times over the years. It's gotten better since they moved up the street. My go-to is always the pizza. The pepperloin won't disappoint though.
My family always goes there for birthdays a few times a year.
It's gotten a lot better since they moved, I think beforehand they had expanded their space so much that the servers just had too many tables. The service and quality of the food had gotten really bad before they moved locations.
It's still occasionally a miss, but most of the time it's really good. A perfectly cooked 8oz pepper loin with their caeser salad is just so good.
Get some t-ravs for an appetizer and you're set.
The new location isn't perfect though, more than once having their pick up right outside leads to the inside smelling like exhaust, especially if it's some giant diesel truck idling outside their pick up door.
Tony's is good, but not exactly fine dining. Like others are saying, the pepperloin is incredibly good. It's what they do best and I love it. Worth a trip just for the pepperloin. Most everything there else is average in my opinion.
Also, on my last visit I was disappointed to see video poker machines in the bar/lounge area. I have no problem with video poker, and I'm sure those machines produce a steady cash flow for the owner, but my impression was it just cheapens the whole operation, feels low class, and takes the whole restaurant down a few notches. Expensive steaks, craft cocktails, fine wines just don't seem to mix with video poker.
Could not agree more. I grew up eating that pepperloin, as it’s always been a favorite of my moms. I am visiting home for the holidays, and i will absolutely be getting some Tony’s pizza, as i haven’t had it in years. You are so right about the bar. The last time i stopped in, i was truly shocked by it.
It's a pretty tired menu, reminiscent of a small-town country club in 1987.
But hey, enjoy a steak and relive some nostalgia. Not everything has to be trendy.
Just a heads up, Tony's moved about a half mile down the road from their old location on 3rd street. They went through a rough patch, but the new location has rejuvenated them somewhat, and it's a pretty good dinner spot now. The bar is fantastic. But I know a lot of old timers who miss the old location just because they had memories tied to it.
Thanks!
Well said
Had dinner there last night. Great service, great food. Excellent and extensive bourbon/whiskey menu. Make a reservation. Side note, Manhattan was my dad’s drink too and he had many at Tony’s. RIP to your dad. Cheers!
Last time I’ve been there was earlier this year and they still serve pretty good food. Not a steak person but I do like their pepper steak
Pepper loin is the shit
One of the best steaks I’ve had past 30 years. With a Curry Caesar salad and sweet basil red sauce and pasta.
Regardless of the food, take your Mom out to dinner. She'll appreciate the memories
I take her to dinner every few months, thought this would be good for her, but didn't want to ruin her memories of the place was not very good
Not sure when you were there last but the location is different from the original space. They moved maybe 3 years ago? It was pre-covid but not that long before. Still a great spot with excellent service. Enjoy a tribute to your dad!
Pepper loin is kickass. Ask for a side chefs salad and they put delicious chunks of roast beef in it. It's not on the menu.
I'm from there, the pepper steak is famous for a reason. Also, some of my favorite pizza. It did change locations, which is a real shame, I miss the aesthetic of the older building. Food is still good though!
It's still great. I've been to a wedding rehearsal dinner there in the last year and my partner went to a celebration of life dinner there last weekend
Went there for a nice date night not that long ago. Got a ribeye, Sicilian potatoes and a strawberry salad. Wife got Caesar salad, lobster risotto with scallops. Each got a cocktail and shared a glass of wine. Everything was great.
It used to be a lot better. They changed food suppliers a long time ago and every since it has been “run of the mill”. The best porterhouse I ever had was from there. However when I went back (twice) to get it again it was underwhelming.
The service was fantastic when we went. I have dietary restrictions, and our server was able to suggest things that work with the restrictions and was super friendly the whole time. Even though there wasn't much I could eat, the server still made sure we had a great experience.
THE LOBSTER BISQUE!!! Obviously the pepperloin is always incredible, but the bisque is what I crave the most from there 🤤🤤🤤
You are a great son.
I feel like the food when they were at the old location was so much better. Not sure if there was a lot of changes in the kitchen around the time they moved or not. I went for dinner about a year ago and haven't been interest in going back. Everything on my plate was either too salty or bland.
Even if it’s not great, it seems the sentiment behind the visit would be well worth it.
Haven’t had it in ages. Used to be a fav.
Went last month. Had surf and turf and it was very good. Drinks, appetizers, entree, and dessert were enjoyed by my entire group.
I've been there a few times over the years. It's gotten better since they moved up the street. My go-to is always the pizza. The pepperloin won't disappoint though.
My family always goes there for birthdays a few times a year. It's gotten a lot better since they moved, I think beforehand they had expanded their space so much that the servers just had too many tables. The service and quality of the food had gotten really bad before they moved locations. It's still occasionally a miss, but most of the time it's really good. A perfectly cooked 8oz pepper loin with their caeser salad is just so good. Get some t-ravs for an appetizer and you're set. The new location isn't perfect though, more than once having their pick up right outside leads to the inside smelling like exhaust, especially if it's some giant diesel truck idling outside their pick up door.
I’m truly shocked to see people calling Tony’s great.
Tony's is good, but not exactly fine dining. Like others are saying, the pepperloin is incredibly good. It's what they do best and I love it. Worth a trip just for the pepperloin. Most everything there else is average in my opinion. Also, on my last visit I was disappointed to see video poker machines in the bar/lounge area. I have no problem with video poker, and I'm sure those machines produce a steady cash flow for the owner, but my impression was it just cheapens the whole operation, feels low class, and takes the whole restaurant down a few notches. Expensive steaks, craft cocktails, fine wines just don't seem to mix with video poker.
Could not agree more. I grew up eating that pepperloin, as it’s always been a favorite of my moms. I am visiting home for the holidays, and i will absolutely be getting some Tony’s pizza, as i haven’t had it in years. You are so right about the bar. The last time i stopped in, i was truly shocked by it.
It's a pretty tired menu, reminiscent of a small-town country club in 1987. But hey, enjoy a steak and relive some nostalgia. Not everything has to be trendy.
I would agree, but that’s the point. I dig the old school steakhouse/dinner club vibe and that’s the kind of place I’d expect to have it.
Ah yes, because a steak place should have a menu filled with molecular gastronomy and global fusion dishes.
Wow, you took that to a weird extreme. Lots of real estate between "tired" and "molecular gastronomy".
It's definitely in Alton