The Big Steer Restaurant and Lounge

What a great place to enjoy a meal with family or friends! This was our first time here and we would deff go back! We started off with the crab cake appetizers and these were amazing! The crab to breading ratio was on point! We then got our salads and some bread. The salads were great, but the bread was a bit underwhelming for the looks of it! It was way more airy and light than we thought. You pretty much squish the entire loaf to nothing while cutting it. A bit more dense and it would have been perfect! My wife got the filet and I got the prime rib. Since it was a steak restaurant I wanted these to be the best things ever. They weren’t. The filet was cooked perfectly but lacked any sort of seasoning or flavor. The prime rib looked amazing, lots of fat but 0 flavor. I make a prime rib every Christmas and it was way better than this. No crust, no salt, no pepper just nothing. You did get an au jus and a creamy horseradish dipping sauce which gave it some flavor. For it to be their specialty dish it didn’t hit the mark. I would still recommend this place but just know if you like any sort of flavor be sure to add it! Be sure to call ahead and reserve a spot too! Place fills up fast!

Big Steer Restaurant and Lounge: An Unforgettable Dining Experience in Altoona, Iowa Our dinner at Big Steer Restaurant and Lounge was a truly exceptional experience. We were visiting our daughter, a freshman at Grand View University, from California. This trip was particularly challenging for my wife, as we had recently lost our son in late July. The appetizers were outstanding, showcasing freshness, flavor, and expert preparation. The prime rib and filet were fantastic and cooked to perfection demonstrating exceptional care and consistency in preparation. My wife's dinner special, featuring a beautifully prepared piece of meat with a bourbon bacon sauce with shrimp on top, was fantastic. We were treated to complimentary desserts, courtesy of the owners, who were dining nearby. We enjoyed conversing with them and learning about the restaurant's history only to find out he is alumni of GVU. The desserts were decadent and memorable, providing a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable meal. Throughout the evening, the service was attentive, and the ambiance was warm and inviting. Our waiter, I believe his name was Ted, was truly exceptional. He had a fun and humorous demeanor while providing excellent recommendations. He made you feel welcome as if the restaurant was his own. Big Steer is a top recommendation from me and my family in Altoona, Iowa, for exceptional dining. We left thoroughly satisfied and eager to return.

Hadn't been here in years so thought we would try it for daughter's birthday. First, I will say our waitress, London, was very helpful and polite. The bartender was also very courteous. But past that, not a place I would return to. Onion rings, although tasty, were very greasy. The chicken deburgo was lackluster at best. The au grautin potatoes were simply covered in American cheese, the French onion soup originally came out luke warm, after sending it back, I realized it was more cheese than tasty soup. The desserts are huge!! Again, not great taste, very dense and lackluster. It makes me wonder why there are so many high star reviews, have people lost their taste buds? The hostess was super nice and I would love to see a new head chef come in and update these recipes to keep it going but they probably feel if it ain't broke, don't fix it....but it is broken...you can do better with the food for sure.