The ambiance here is quite nice, and the staff were friendly and quick. Sit outside on the terrace…read moreand enjoy the view, fresh air and people watching, or sit in the air conditioned interior and feel transported to the 'old west'. Heavy wooden tables and bench (booth) seating, wagon wheel lighting and distressed brick walls along with wall decor all lend to setting the mood.
A waiter came by to take our order shortly after being seated. We needed a little more time to review the menu but did place our drink order. While that waiter was placing the drink order, another waiter came over and took our dinner order. It was not too busy the afternoon we dined, so there were plenty of waitstaff on hand. All of the staff spoke a little English.
We started with the onion ring appetizer, which according to the menu is a guest favorite. For €5, you get 8 rings and barbecue sauce. I have found during my brief stay in Italy that Italian barbecue sauce often does not equate to American barbecue sauce. This you will be happy to know, is the 'real McCoy'. The rings are like you would expect from any chain restaurant; wide slices of onion, battered and deep fried to greasy, crunchiness.
I ordered the baked potato, wondering if they have Russet potatoes in Italy and it seems they do not. This is a 'boiling' potato, not a baking potato, that is cooked, cut in half and served covered in a vegetable ragu and smothered in cheese. I was a bit surprised by the veg ragu on a 'baked' potato, but this would make a great veg dish. The potato was served 'stone cold' as if it had just come out of the fridge. I imagine the cheese is melted in a microwave which does not give enough time to heat the potato through.
Next up was the Veggie burger at €8, which is not a burger at all. This is a hamburger bun, some basil leaves, a slice of roasted eggplant smothered in pitted olives, sun dried tomato and cheese, also melted in the microwave, and also served cold. The waiter kindly reheated the plate for me and it came back piping hot. The side dish of vegetable ragu includes zucchini and peppers in a tomato sauce. The rice is instant.
The Dakota burger, at €8,20, is a wide, thin patty, served on a bun with pancette and cheese and was served hot. The beef is 'local' which has a different taste than the burgers you get in the U.S. (aka: not Angus). The fries are 'shoe string' cut and were good when hot, but lost their appeal as they cooled.
We wanted to try this place out, just to try it out, and we didn't have preconceived expectation. The atmosphere is nice and reminds us of our time spent in Tucson, AZ. The waitstaff were personable and helpful during our visit. Beer was €5,50, a small water is €1,40 and the cover charge is €1,50 per person for a total bill of just under €40.
