Tony's Spunky Steer
By: Ed Wright, The Wright Gourmet

Tony's Spunky Steer
(951) 681-6014
4957 Felspar Ave.
Riverside, Ca. 92509 

Tony's Spunky Steer
(909) 628-6763
11979 Central Ave.
Chino, Ca. 91710

Tony's Spunky Steer
(909) 792-6200
1350 Industrial Park Ave.
Redlands, Ca.

Tony’s Spunky Steer and “The Wright Gourmet,” for anyone familiar with Ed Wright’s reviews have had a colorful history. This said, of all of the restaurants in the Inland Empire we were unaware of any that had received a more mixed batch of reviews and laughably negative postings.

It does appear that the "Storm Clouds" of Negative reviews from customers bullied into paying artificially inflated bills with threats of calling the police has cleared up, with "Blue Sky" in view for the Spunky Steer. This was the type of problem "The Wright Gourmet" had personally encountered in the past and also read about in other reviews posted online (and I find inexcusable). From everything we can tell the issues, and my personal encounter centered more around past management's interpretation of customer service more than that of the actual food quality or restaurant staffing itself... and now seems to be semi-old history.

Note: Google Tony’s Spunky Steer if you want to read some interesting reviews that go in mixed directions.

Everything now becoming history, “The Wright Gourmet” was/is determined to give Tony’s Spunky Steer a second chance, which considering our history and no apologies coming from Tony’s Spunky Steer, we feel is generous. It is fair to note that we have received some positive reviews from friends and readers about The Steer, and will be posting these as soon as our online magazines extended review templates are finished (soon). We feel it is time to move on, and will allow history to be just that… so we re-visited The Spunky Steer for lunch. 

Not much has changed other than the menu with The Redlands Tony’s Spunky Steer (the ultra small print about extra charges for condiments has been removed); This is a huge improvement in customer service. The interior and seating areas remains comfortable but dated and showing signs of aging.

My only complaint would be the noise levels coming out of the kitchen area and some of the things being said. All combined the noise and laughter became a bit "over the top" considering the staff probably know customers can also hear what they are saying in the kitchen area. We would say you get what you pay for, but this would be a cheap shot (and value is not an issue here)... the problem seems to be one of overly busy and stressed out staffing saying things customers need not hear (in my opinion). 

Tony’s Spunky Steer caters to a very budget minded diner and their menu pricing is some of the lowest priced for a steakhouse you are likely to find anywhere. The waitress was friendly enough, and I ordered the Spunky Steer Signature Lunch; the (12 ounce) “Stock Yard” Top Sirloin Steak. I requested it cooked medium rare, baked potato and garden salad combination for about $10.60… which is a great price by any standard.

The waitress cautioned me that I might want to order my steak medium unless I really liked my steak more on the really rare side; so I did so. (and her advise proved correct). This advise is needed because Tony's Spunky Steer purposefully under cooks their steaks and serves them to customers on a sizzling hot metal plate. This "Sizzling Plate" thing is part of The Spunky Steer marketing concept that some will enjoy and others possibly fail to fully appreciate.

My salad came out right away, and with the extra dressing as requested… and consisted of a simple ice-berg lettuce "garden salad" of reasonable serving size, and pretty good. Tony’s Spunky Steer did not have any croûtons but I was provided several saltine crackers in their place. I was a little put off by the amount of water that was floating around in the bottom of my salad bowl; but I avoided commenting less I upset the management and hear about it from the kitchen prep area.

When my steak came it was on one of the Spunky Steers sizzling hot plates. The overall presentation was very good for the price, and the steak proved to be cooked just about as I had requested. For grins and giggles, and to see if I was going to be overcharged again without warning I requested a side of teriyaki sauce for my steak when my steak arrived at my table. The waitress said “No Problems,” and returned with 2 little plastic cups of warm teriyaki glaze without saying anything about “extra” charges for such. Interestingly enough, unlike in the past no charge was made for the extra condiments (This is good)!

The quality of the steak was above what I expected for 10 dollars, and although it was not BBQed or flame grilled  the steak was fairly good; similar to what you might expect from a "Sizzler" Restaurant, but not quite as tender. The baked potato was slightly overcooked and mushy, but par for any similar restaurant.

Past problems considered, things were going so good with my lunch that I was beginning to wonder if perhaps my past problems with The Spunky Steer might have been resultant of catching the management on a bad day; after all, everyone can have a bad day (even The Wright Gourmet). Considering such, and having heard some rumors about a change in management I asked the waitress if the Redlands Spunky Steer was possibly under "new management?" I was informed that the "family members" who had once owned and managed this Redlands Spunky Steer location were no longer involved with the Spunky Steer Company nor the restaurant in any way; and not much more was said. We honestly wish them the best! 

My Ratings: This rating is a hard one for me to be unbiased with, but I am going to try real hard. It is important to understand that in the lower priced steak houses (as with most restaurants) you get about what you pay for… it is a very competitive business. As such, I was impressed with the quality and trim of the steak I received. The meal was above average and the service was attentive and pleasant. The restaurant was fairly busy.

The interior of the restaurant could use some upgrades and possibly a remodel, but was clean and had received an "A Rating" from the health department… so clearly they are doing something right. On the Wright Gourmet 100 scale Tony’s Spunky Steer earns an 80 score. 

In Closing: Tony’s Spunky Steer is never going to be my personal favorite dining spot, but if you are on a budget their menu and what you receive for your money is going to be hard to beat… and provides good value for your hard earned dollar. In their price range the service was also above average.

I am happy to report there were no pricing games, hidden or undisclosed charges, no confrontations with "Management," nor threats to call the police if I refused to pay such undisclosed charges (there were none this time); I'm impressed! In general, a big improvement in customer service for the Spunky one. In closing, Tony’s Spunky Steer has improved dramatically… but still has some ways to go before it wins any awards.

This article was posted by: Ed Wright and Central City Mortgage’s “Wright Team,” specializing in Residential and Commercial Mortgage Lending… Purchase and Refinance. Serving all of California from offices in the Inland Empire. For all your mortgage lending questions please call Ed Wright “Your Personal Mortgage Consultant For Life” at (909) 938-3777 or E-Mail “The Wright Team:” Ed@ForHomeLoan.info

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