Mill Creek Cattle Company Review
March 8th, 2007 by kenaroneR&I Solutions the creator of Cost Genie the premier Menu Costing Program is featuring Mill Creek Cattle Company who has been a customer for over three years.
Mentone restaurant a diamond in the rough
By Michael Sorba, Community News Staff Writer
Behold, the Triple Threat Feast, complete with beans and BBQ sauce, one of the many dishes at Mill Creek Cattle Company in Mentone.
Mill Creek Cattle Company on 1874 Mentone Blvd. in Mentone is truly a sight to behold. I dare you to take a drive down Mentone Boulevard and see if you can miss it. All it takes is a glance and one word pops into your head, “wow.” In fact the restaurant’s facade is so loud and eyecatching it’s amazing a place like it can even exist in a quiet, sleepy town like Mentone.
The outside is complete with old western Saloon, jail, and ready-to-be-robbed bank motifs, along with a faux western style wooden water tower branded; Mentone, USA.
Once inside the eyes, ears, and nose are overcome with sensory stimuli. First is the unmistakable smell of smoked meat, something that fired up my salivary glands. Next was the sound of running water, which led me to a nice waterfall trickling in the corner of the outside patio area. Finally, I tried to focus my eyes on the bevy of western artifacts and antiques strewn everywhere.
Mill Creek is the real deal. It is what Claim Jumper Restaurants is trying to be; an authentic frontier style restaurant and saloon.
Parts of the ceiling are made with wood from old wooden packing crates. The bar in Diamond Jim’s Opera house (adjacent to the restaurant) is a 150-year-old, 30 foot piece of mahogany purchased from an old restaurant in Denver, Colorado. Everywhere on the property, old west nostalgia screams, “yee haw!”
Of course, all of this atmosphere would be for naught if the food was not up to par. However, this is where Mill Creek truly shines.
I had my meal at the bar inside the Mill Creek Restaurant. I ordered up the “Triple Threat Feast,” consisting of beef brisket, pulled pork, and tri tip. The bartender was courteous and quick to service. When the plate arrived, I was surprised at the heaping portions of meat, more than enough for one person. The Mill Creek staff was also nice enough to offer me a sample of the BBQ ribs, which I gladly accepted.
Cornbread (made with fresh kernels of corn), beans, BBQ sauce, and a side were included with the feast; though I decided to forgo the side. After all, I wasn’t starving. All three of the meats were delicious, especially the brisket and tri tip. The brisket is cooked in Mill Creek’s giant smoker for nine hours. When served, the pieces are so tender they fall apart when handled. The tri tip, also smoked, is the perfect companion for Mill Creek’s delicious BBQ sauce.
This sauce was without question the best I have ever experienced and good with all three meats. It was spicy, but not so spicy as to overcome the palate, and balanced perfectly with molasses sweetness. The world would be a better place if Mill Creek owner Jim Lotito could manage ito bottle this stuff and get it onto store shelves.
“It’s great food,” said Mentone’s Frank Lachman. “I come here all the time and I’ve never had anything bad. I can promise you one thing, you’ll never leave here hungry.”
Lotito designed Mill Creek as a family gathering place, run by family. His wife, Maribeth, is co-owner, and his three daughters all work at the restaurant. He also employees two cooks he has known and worked with for two decades.
“I want to make sure people get good quality, enjoyable food,” said Lotito, “with more than generous amounts and good fresh flavor.”
At Mill Creek, nothing is pre made. All bread is baked daily, the beans are made fresh, the veggies are the colors they’re supposed to be, and the meat is always cut fresh.
For a complete menu or more information on Mill Creek Cattle Company, visit their Web site; www.millcreekcattlecompany.com, or call them at (909) 389-0706.
