Description: If you go out Music Valley Drive from the front entrance to Gaylord's Opryland Hotel, you will drive past several motels and chain restaurants. Avoid the urge to stop, and push on about a mile to the Santa Fe Cattle Company.
We arrived at round 5:00pm so pretty much ahead of the local dinner crowd. Our server was immediately at our table offering beverages to go along with the obligatory bucket of peanuts in the shell. Yes, this is one of those places where you can take your kids and be sorry they learn it's OK to throw the hulls on the floor!
There is no way to go to a place with "cattle" in their name and not eat beef, although you can opt for chicken, fish, shrimp or pork if you prefer meat of a different variety. Mom and I had the sirloin steaks (six and nine ounce cuts respectfully), while David chose the beef fajitas. The steaks came with two sides, which were plentiful. I enjoyed my dinner salad and baker while Mom did the Santa Fe Taters which were essentially sliced whole skin-on potato wedges with onions, mushrooms and cheese on top of them. A bit too busy for my tastes, but she loved them.
David said the fajitas were outstanding, with the perfect blend of seasoning. When he ran out of the flat breads, our server brought him another set of three. The sirloin steaks were equally well prepared . . . absolutely no complaints. They also offered filet mignon, rib-eyes and t-bones for those who want a larger, heartier cut.
Add to the meal endless fresh yeast rolls and bottomless soft drinks, and our meal was complete. They did have an interesting dessert menu including apple clobbler and a chocolate brownie sundae, but we we out of luck on this night as the only cobbler they had on this visit was the blackberry so we took a pass. (Our track record with desserts here in Tennessee has not been good - see the BB King review.)
Our meal was very reasonably priced at $50 total including tax and gratuity . . . no discounts applied. I should also highlight that our server Cindy Lou was wonderful. She was friendly and most helpful as we navigated the menu choices. She was also most accommodating with Mom asked if she could take the remaining peanuts "home" in a doggie bag for a late night snack.
We would not hesitate to stop in again for dinner, if our time in Nashville would allow it. Unfortunately, with just two night dinner nights out remaining, it doesn't seem we'll make it back on this trip.
Close