My wife took me here for an early lunch on my birthday. First timer. It's a really nice place and the hosts are warm and cheerful. We both had the French dip which was excellent. But the potato salad really made it. So delicious. We had a good time, it was a nice lunch on a good day. Thanks. We'll be back. read more

Food was OK. Not too mind blowing. The onion soup was unfortunately not to my preference. It has the same taste as the au jus, as if the au jus was the main soup base of the onion soup- watery and had an off-putting after taste. Mine had a bay leaf and other various spices, which I think are unnecessary for an onion soup. I've tried and made many onion soups and this one definitely was my least favorite. Bread and cheese were good. Prime rib was good, all the sides were delicious as well. I had the prime rib french dip sandwich and um... it is literally just sliced prime rib on some bread server with au jus. Nothing too special. Service was excellent. Cashier was very friendly and chef came out to thank us for coming there. Hospitality is a 5/5 for me, and made our experience way better. Everything minus the onion soup and the above average service was just OK. This place is a one and done for me. read more

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I got there on a Saturday right before noon, the restaurant was empty, I told them it was the first time I visiting this place, they gave me some recommendations and I ordered the 10 oz. prime rib which I came here specifically for that. The lady was friendly, we chat about her business, she has been in this location for about 6 years. The restaurant is like a typical sit down place with just a few tables, nothing fancy. The dish comes with smashed potatoes, vegetables. The prime rib as OK, not a lot of strong flavor in the meat. I have to add some salt to it. Also there is a lot of fat in my prime ribs I guess that is how prime rib cut is, you going to have some fat. I came with high expectations and I was not blow away. The cook did come out twice to greet me and thanks me, that was really nice and shows they really care about their customers. May be one day I will bring my wife to go try his again. Support local, go give it a try when you are in downtown. read more

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I had their tender, juicy roast beef sandwich that came with a salad - so good and it hit the spot! Plus, they are so friendly and hospitable. They're in a great, accessible spot in town. I will stop by next time I'm in the area. What a treat and such a filling, satisfying meal. Mahalo! read more

Prime Roast Cafe - Prime roast French dip sandwich with tossed salad - Cafes Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Honestly one of the best meals I have had in a long time. I got emotional eating it. Warm and cozy and rich but not heavy. Everything here is made with pure love and devotion. I am tearing up as we speak! That French dip with the that bad to the bone au jus and horseradish was divine. The salad and that dressing!!!!! The helpings and portions are large. We enjoyed the French onion soup as well. Has a different flavor than I have had at other places. Still so good! I hate giving this place a review. I just want to keep this small slice of heaven to myself. Mrs. Celeste I believe who is the owner hand sliced so beautifully a thinly the prime rib for each order and it was perfect. She is warm and sweet. So also makes each dessert. Please don't come here to change things and substitute and leave items off your plate. So please come with an open heart and mind and let these great people feed you and the feel the love of this little quaint oasis in a bustling city. read more

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Well I hate to criticize a small business with very nice owners but I guess I should keep things real. I've had french dips all over Cali including Cole's in LA where they invented it. Anyway, the good is that the potato salad was tasty but I feel like an authentic french dip has to be served with fries. Sadly, the au jus lacked enough saltiness. I understand they are being health conscience but in light of eating fatty red meat I'm not sure it makes sense to sacrifice traditional au jus. Also, the sliced meat had big chunks of white fat I had to pick out. The roll was nicely toasted tho. Overall, for $26 it was dissapointing. read more

Prime Roast Cafe - French dip, just ok - Cafes Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

True story . Excellent prime rib . Make the effort to visit . Great owners and service . If you're in Hawaii visit this place . Alooooooha read more

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Great taste. Friendly service, small and quiet. Surf and turf with the salmon was an amazing taste read more

The most delicious meal we had in Oahu! The food made with love. We ordered the most amazing pear tart that we kept eating despite being full. The french onion soup was 10+, the sandwich to die for. Super recommended!! read more

Prime Roast Cafe - French onion soup - Cafes Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Made it for dinner finally! It's been a hot minute! They're open for dinner service Friday and Saturday 5-7, reservations only. Not much foot traffic in the evening being located in downtown understandably but don't miss out on this gem. The Merchant St entrance closes late afternoon but you can access it on King St. ( nearer to Alakea). We park at the USPS building lot. We came for the duck confit $40 (I know they specialize in prime rib which totally tender but we hooked on the duck. Chef is classically trained so the prep reflects that. But I was pleasantly surprised by the use of five spice which really added depth to the flavor. Came with saffron rice, roasted vegetables. Skin was light & crispy and the meat was so moist and flavorful. As an appetizer we had the braised Kurobuta pork belly with cardamom pineapple chutney ($18). It came served on toasted pieces of bread. Loved the crispy crust and the smoky flavor and the tart sweet chutney paired perfectly. Yum! For dessert we had the Grand Marnier chocolate soufflé. $14 Dang! It was the best chocolate soufflé ever!! Beneath the light crust was the most lightest mousse - like eating a cloud. Omg! Why didn't we have these before. It's going to be def a repeat dessert. Make sure you order it early because it takes about 20 minutes Chef Ernesto and Chef Celeste are wonderful warm people. We got to chat with them and they had very interesting stories. They treated us like VIPs but like family at the same time. Check it out for dinner and support a local family business! read more

Prime Roast Cafe - Kurobuta braised pork belly $18 - Cafes Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I came here for the salmon, which I absolutely love. But they didn't have it that day. I got the philly cheesesteak sandwich instead which was still pretty good. I like this place. It's nice and clean and orderly inside. The staff are always, always very kind and friendly. The chef always comes out to thank you personally before you leave. It's a little pricey, but the food is very good and worth it when I feel like treating myself. read more

Prime Roast Cafe - Nice, clean, and cozy inside - Cafes Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Prime Roast Cafe is a small family owned business and the owners are absolute sweethearts! I adore their kindness and love how passionate they are about their food. My boyfriend got the prime rib and the prime rib was seasoned well. The meat was juicy and was delicious with the au jus. The French onion soup was my favorite part of the meal. The soup was umami bursting with flavors. The toasty cheesy bread was divine and held up well even when I drenched it into the soup. Great spot for a relaxed breakfast/lunch meal. read more

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Prime Roast Cafe - A Hidden Gem in Downtown Honolulu Just when I thought I was running out of sit-down meal options in downtown Honolulu, Prime Roast Cafe came into my life--and what an introduction it was! Tucked away at 212 Merchant Street, this cafe may seem casual at first glance, but don't be fooled. The warmth and hospitality Celeste and her husband, Ernesto (the chef), extend make you feel as though you've stepped into their home. Their graciousness and pride in serving every dish truly stand out, making the experience more than just a meal--it's like having your own personal chef. One of the first things that struck me is how versatile their menu is. Serving all three meals daily, you can enjoy anything from a breakfast bento of the day, candied rosemary bacon with garlic fried rice and eggs, to a prime rib loco moco. For lunch, my friend opted for the Sterling Silver Prime Rib Panini--melt-in-your-mouth tender, with arugula and Swiss cheese. After trying a bite, I knew their prime rib was the star of the show. I, however, indulged in the fresh Atlantic salmon with a miso caper cream sauce, served with saffron lemon rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables. The salmon was perfection, with every bite melting in my mouth, and the vegetables were seasoned with such care that the flavor lingered long after I'd finished. Speaking of prime rib, they offer a dazzling array of options, from a 10 oz portion to a show-stopping 16 oz Sterling Silver Prime Rib of Beef, complete with port wine bone marrow au jus and creamy horseradish. With sides like garlic mashed potatoes and perfectly seasoned vegetables, you won't leave disappointed. And then there's dessert. Oh, the dessert! Their French-style Apple Tarte Tatin is something to be savored, caramelized in butter and sugar to perfection. I would happily return just for that sweet delight. Prime Roast Cafe feels like a well-kept secret. Though parking downtown is scarce (understandable for the Central Business District), it's a spot well worth the journey for workers, residents, and any lucky visitor. The impeccable service, food, and overall experience make it feel like you're enjoying five-star dining without the sky-high prices. Celeste even capped off our meal by treating us to some delicious crème brûlée tarts and sugared orange peel, a lovely touch of gratitude that made the meal feel even more personal. Prime Roast Cafe is now a must-visit spot for me, whether for breakfast, lunch, or their exclusive Friday-Saturday dinner service (which I plan on booking soon). Truly a gem in Honolulu's heart, I cannot wait to return! read more

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I often walk by this spot near my workplace and motice is has varying crowds throughout the daytoodecided to try them out on a whim. Thing to note, they have prime rib and almost every dish is prime rib. I went with the prime Rib French Dip. Prime Rib French Dip: 8/10. This is their prime rib sliced up on a nice bread, with their Au Jus, and a tossed salad with a vinegarette. The prime rib is great but isn't a grilled with cheese and onions type. The Au Jus soaks up nicely and definitely adds to the flavors. My picture doesn't capture how satisfied I was for lunch. This first visit was quite good and now I'm wondering what to try next (and when). Give them a try and support local! read more

Prime Roast Cafe - Prime Rib, ready to serve! - Cafes Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Who knew that a nice prime rib centric restaurant could be located downtown. From the outside you would think this is another plate lunch place but it's definitely not your average lunch joint. Stepping inside the cafe is an oasis away from the hubbub of the outside traffic. Cool, air conditioning and quiet with the main focus..prime rib. After a year of passing this nondescript restaurant there there is a pleasurable dining experience. The cashier was new however super nice trying to explain the menu. The owner came out from the back to greet me. Super nice lady. Her husband prepared the prime rib French dip sandwich. I also ordered an açaí bowl. I sat at a table and waited while they prepared the foods. It was a nice relaxing wait and i didn't mind sitting in cool muted silence. The French dip sandwich came out and it was hearty! Good too! So much meat! The bread nicely toasty and fresh. The açaí bowl was good! Fresh granolas and berries. Yummy! Everything was good. Food, service, ambiance - five stars! Nice lunch date place or place to meet a friend to chat. read more

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Prime Roast Cafe utilizes prime rib in their menu. From Prime rib loco moco to Prime rib Ruben sandwich, Chef Robert is creating delicious meals using top-quality ingredients. Celeste provided excellent service with a friendly and welcoming attitude throughout the interaction. The interior is a small seating area that's nicely organized and clean. #top-tier #primerib read more

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Best prime rib ever made by the nicest people ! Easy to do take out anytime or special occasions.

Nice family restaurant. Loved the husband and wife team. I had the French Dip sandwich which the prime rib had a smoked flavor. It was different, but not my favorite. Service was excellent! Location was in the middle of downtown, so parking was limited. We ended up parking at the post office lot. read more

This place is delicious for their prime rib and various sandwiches. Only been here for lunch time, however, the prices keep increasing. I understand since inflation and but it is on the pricey for a lunch. Quality over Quantity here though. Dine in --I would prefer to cut my prime rib with a real knife not the plastic kind. The takeout containers could be better especially for the price. I will still come back to support, but not as often due to price increases. Service has always been nice and friendly! I also do like that there's a slight discount if you pay with cash. read more

Prime Roast Cafe - 8 oz Prime Rib ($27) Lunch Menu - Cafes Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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We've been going there for a couple of years and are always treated well by the staff. And we love the food, especially the turkey panini sandwich and the breakfast meal. read more

The Rainbow Sprinkles cookies are a perfect blend of chewy and crunchy! It is not too sweet and tastes just right the sprinkles adding the right amount of sweetness! It's a must try cookie that will you keep you coming back for more!!! read more

Prime Roast Cafe - Rainbow Sprinkles cookies - Cafes Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Cute little place tucked into the corner. Service was very prompt, and attentive. Meals were all delicious, I had the prime rib french dip, full on slices of real prime cooked perfectly. Combo came with a nice little salad and the desert was the matcha with strawberry, very tasty. Would 100% come back. read more

Prime Roast Cafe - Prime rib station - Cafes Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I need to try this place again because my first time was disappointing. I got takeout at around 2pm, and perhaps that's a bad time. The prime rib was overcooked, and the salmon was quite small. The French Onion soup was inedible. I'm not that picky either. read more

Found this place by lucky accident. It's run by a husband & wife team who are both classically-trained French chefs, so the menu definitely has a French slant, although there are other items to choose from, including a prime rib sandwich, a Reuben sandwich, and a guava smoked panini on the menu. We opted to share the prime rib dip and it was quite good: the meat ranged from crusty and flavorful to downright super-rare. The au jus could've used more flavor but the horseradish helped it along. It was served with fresh cantaloupe, a nice romaine salad garnished with grapes and a tasty vinaigrette, and a handful of roasted miniature potatoes, quite generous (and for the price a good idea, too). It was just right for a couple of folks in their 60s to share, and also came with chips, a soda, and dessert. We opted for the mini creme brulee, which was torched to order and tasted like the French classic. You also get candied orange peel that's made in house and it's quite good. This place has a very cool vibe and if you come for dinner you can BYOB for $10/person, which isn't too bad. Chefs Ernesto and Celeste are super-nice and the food is top-notch; with a few flavor tweaks it'd earn 5 stars for sure. They've been there for three years and I hope they'll be around next time I visit Oahu. Recommended. read more

Sure, why not? Why not have a slab of prime rib for breakfast? Jamie W. and I were certainly not planning for it before heading for our morning audio tour of Iolani Palace nearby. We didn't know the downtown area at all but saw several options for what we thought could make for a light meal before getting immersed in Royal Hawaiian history. It's a compact spot housed in the vintage Arcade Building and run by a friendly woman who we found out came from Tahiti. Sure enough they were carving up huge beef roasts at 10AM, so we both ordered the $29.99 Sterling Silver Herb Crusted Prime Rib of Beef with port wine bone marrow au jus, creamy horseradish, mashed potatoes, and sautéed vegetables (photo: https://bit.ly/3F3TOBt). What a thoroughly indulgent treat for 10 in the morning. They had other options like smoked pork and even French desserts, but the prime rib certainly satisfied us until our next inevitable shave ice craving. The owner chatted with us throughout and shared her recent vacation photos back at home in Tahiti because I told her that was our dream vacation destination. Nice. FOOD - 5 stars...prime rib for breakfast AMBIANCE - 4 stars...pretty cozy...and I read they now offer fine dining in the evening in the hallway of the Arcade SERVICE - 5 stars...certainly made us feel right at home TOTAL - 5 stars...better go vegan for a while RELATED - Exploring Hawaii? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3Kz5ksc read more

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Delicious Prime Rib at Prime Roast Cafe Duck Confit also a must try Chef Ernesto and Celeste Rock!!! Park at the Metered Parking at the Post Office and walk over Smoked Pork Belly was the highlight of the evening It's BYOB with Corkage Fee for Wine Escargot was a Go Go Pair your Wine with some Cheese and Terrine French Onion Soup to warm the soul Atlantic Salmon with Miso Butter Sauce..Nomz Love the Atmosphere here at PRC Save room for dessert Apple Tart Tartine and Souffles are the way to go The smell of this place will captivate you Open for Lunch and Dinner What an Amazing Dining Experience at PRC read more

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The restaurant was quaint and the service was good, I was the only one there on weekday during lunchtime. I ordered the 8 oz. Prime Rib with roasted veggies and mashed potatoes; the Prime Rib & mashed potatoes were cold, but the roasted veggies were hot. Hadn't I been on my lunch break, I would've asked for the prime rib to be put on the pan for a couple minutes, but I was on a time limit. The food was bland and I had to add a good amount of salt for the food to be eaten. It's sad, the staff are real nice, but I don't recommend eating here. read more

Prime Roast Cafe - 8 oz. prime rib with roasted veggies and mashed potatoes - Cafes Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Best food! The warmest and most inspirational people work here! They hire high school kids to expose them to a business and learn culinary skills. A must try!! read more

I couldn't decide whether to give 4 or 5 stars. My prime rib panini was pretty good, but a few pieces had a lot of gristle. Overall though everything we had was excellent. I really like what they're doing here, their dinner menus really looked fantastic as well. I really want to try them out for dinner! I think next time I'd be better off getting a prime rib plate rather than a sandwich. read more

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Delicious! I recommend their: Grand Marnier Valrhona Chocolate Souffle, Charcuterie Board, and Surf n Turf! Great dinner options! Perfect date night ideas! BYOB just have to make reservations. Coming for breakfast or lunch? Cant beat the Bacon, Garlic Fried Rice, and Scrambled Eggs or Prime Rib Topped Wagyu Burger! Catering available. Open 7 days a week! read more

The food is pretty good here, but a little pricy for what you get. I spent $22 for a prime rib panini and salad. Didn't feel like there was a lot of meat on it for that price, either. Quality over quantity here. Option for sit down dining available as well as take out. Service is good and friendly. If you don't mind spending over $20 for a quality lunch, then this is the place for you. read more

Very delighted that the chef came out to greet us and thank us for coming in. The food was great and we really enjoyed our lunch. Looking forward to going back to try the duck confit!! read more

The world food tour stopped by Prime Roast Café in The Arcade Building before heading to Hawaii Theater to experience Jefferson Starship. The restaurant is on King Street and at night they use the hallway for additional seating. It's an intimate space ... there are just two tables for two inside with the remainder of the seating "outside". The dinner menu is limited to three appetizers and three entrees. Dessert varies; they have seven listed on their menu but on the night we were there, they had two to choose from. One thing I failed to realize ... BYOB! We usually enjoy a nice bottle of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot or blend during our dinners but had to make do with water that evening. We ordered the foie gras appetizer and each of us chose the 10oz prime rib. Our server brought a plate of pickled onion, carrots and grapes with some thin bread for the plate of olive oil / balsamic vinegar. I forgot to take a picture of that beforehand so don't think they serve it as seen. The foie gras Peach Melba style came as two pieces of toast topped by nice slices of foie gras with what I sensed was a strawberry-based compote and slices of fruit and some greens. It was delicious! The prime rib is served with vegetables and starch of the day; for us it was grilled veggies and cottage potatoes. There were two small containers of creamy horseradish and au jus. It was well presented and the prime rib was to our liking; on the rare side. Everything on the plate was well cooked and delicious though my tablemate sensed rosemary and she's not a fan of that herb. I tasted something that I could not place; was it rosemary? The owner's spouse (I think) brought over cups of her spicy au jus; was it chimichurri-based? I tend to not over season my food so a touch of horseradish sauce was enough for me. We didn't have room for dessert so our bill came to less than $100, a real deal. I laud them for opening for dinner; It's not the most convenient location and you'll have to find parking on the street or, like us, park in our office lot. However, the food is very good and it's a viable alternative for a pre-concert dinner as they open at 5pm. Recommended. read more

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Located downtown in the same building as podmore, this small cafe specializes in paninis and plates featuring prime roast. Parking is best found on the street or at the post office! Their sandwiches and plates are elevated and a complete meal with side salad and pickled carrots and onions. The carved turkey panini has golden brown sliced bread sandwiching chunks of moist turkey, caramelized onions, cranberry aioli. I loved the pickled veggies because it added a nice acidic crunch. Their prime roast panini was juicy and came with side jus for dipping. My only criticism is I wish there was slightly more meat filling for the paninis but both sandwiches were delicious. They have rotating specials like salmon with garlic rice and desserts like their apple tartin, which takes days to prepare! I'll have to try those out next time. read more

Prime Roast Cafe - Turkey panini - Cafes Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This restaurant was recommended by YouTubers "Amanda & Felix". We took a 25 minute bus ride from Waikiki to this restaurant. We ordered a 10oz prime rib and they split the order for us - it was onolicious! The owners were super friendly and we also spoke at length with a regular customer, Gerri K. Aloha vibes were apparent at the Cafe. We will be back for sure and want to try one of their sandwiches before we fly home. read more

Prime Roast Cafe - Prime rib - Cafes Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Excellent food and service. Kudos to Chefs Ernesto and Celeste for creating memorable entrees, salads and desserts. The staff provide great service and their warm personalities create an inviting ambience in the hustle & bustle of Downtown Honolulu. Definitely a place where I like to bring family and friends from the neighbor islands and from Honolulu for a special treat. read more

Prime Roast Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Kinda excited for this place. Didn't go with extremely high expectations, other than it not being dry. I was quite happy. Ordered the Prime Plate for my gf and a Special - Salmon w/ miso cream caper sauce for myself. Yah I'm that person who orders fish at a meat place...but I had steak last night. The guy said it was really good and said he preferred it with the fried rice instead of saffron. Done. I'm all about that. Walked back to the office about 5 long blocks away so I was worried everything would be dry by then. Nope, still good. The Prime was a nice medium-rare plus and super soft and tasty. Gf said the mashed was nice and buttery. Salmon was cooked perfectly. Parts were very salty, but I like very salty. The fried rice was a little oily for me, but otherwise okay. Veggies are veggies. They were okay. $60 (with tip) is a little high for an everyday downtown lunch for 2, but okay once in a while. I do wish they would post the specials somewhere (or do they and I just don't know?). I also had a kinda long wait, so I was watching the guy in front do his thing. The set up is so inefficient. So much wasted movement. I wanted to go back there and rearrange it and show him how to do it...but that's just me being a Type A control freak. I'll still go back...gotta try the paninis... read more

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I'm obsessed with prime rib so I have no idea how I haven't found this place earlier. Majority of their items include prime rib but the also have a variety of other items and desserts. They serve both lunch and dinner. Im not sure about the parking because I walked over on my lunch break. I tried the feature of the day: Kiawe Smoked Prime. The roasted banana bbq & coleslaw was a welcomed added touch and complimented the hoagie bun. I can't wait to come back and try other menu items. read more

Prime Roast Cafe - Kiawe Smoked Prime - Cafes Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Prime rib lovers gather here. It was prime rib love at first sight. Saw this new establishment when I met a friend for lunch at the Arcade (a retail and food alley of establishments) on makai side of South King Street between Alakea and Richards Streets. Stopped in to take a peek. It was difficult to stop myself from drooling. My inner carnivore was calling. Knew I would be back real soon. Gathered office mates to get in on the prime rib roll. Everyone enjoyed their pick. I even went back later to get a prime rib panini to go, for my better half so he could get a taste of prime rib goodness. He approved (and he's a tough judge). Went back again for lunch on National Prime Rib Day and got other office mates to try their menu. Thumbs up again! Thinking of trying their dinner menu available Thursday to Saturday 5-8 pm. read more

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If you are in downtown, ready to splurge a little and can appreciate a delicious prime rib, Prime Rib Cafe is where you need to visit! Thank goodness they have finally found their "stride" and it wasn't a crazy unorganized mess as previous reviews mentioned. The signature prime rib plate for $24 was a generous portion of perfectly cooked prime rib served with steamed vegetables and potatoes and aus ju and horseradish on the side. Caesar salad was 10$ delicious and Also a very generous portion taking up the whole container. Dressing was a little heavy side so I would ask for that on the side next time. French onion soup was delicious and did come with the floating croute and cheese on top. This was a perfect meal for 2, we split it and ate inside. A few notches above the typical plate lunch downtown fare BUT totally worth it! Prime rib was perfectly cooked and everything was delicious. They also had desserts! But..I was trying to be good so definitely next time I'll try something! Delicious! read more

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