Emil-Lene's Sirloin House

I couldn't agree more with the horrible reviews above. When I was a young pup, I always grew up believing that very old ""hole in the wall"" restaurants off the beaten path could be extra special. I stand corrected. I guess some people feel that there is some kind of charm being waited on by a server who has the menu ""in their head"", and sitting at formica tables whose faux wood finish has been worn off. Enough with the decor. Let's get down to the most important reason someone would ignor this dump because of the fabulous food..........NOT!!!! We all ordered what we were certain would be fabulous steaks. Our server told us that although they used to raise their own beef, they now buy from a very reliable broker who gives them the best quality beef in Colorado.........NOT!!!!! I ordered the strip steak based upon the server's recommendation that it was the most flavorful, and so did my son-in-law. My wife and daughter had the fillets and my two year old grandson had a grilled cheese sandwich. Three of us ordered ice tea, which was served in tiny goblets with no lemons available nor offered. Then comes some fresh vegetables (carrots, celery, radishes, olives, and green onions, in a bowl with ice at the bottom). 15 minutes later the salad came which hardly covered the bottom of the bowl, along with a dressing lazy susan that I would have preferred to have with the vegetables. A cheese dip would have been nice for the celery, but dream on. The poor excuse for french bread was thrown at us in a plastic bag. I got a tiny cup, and I do mean tiny, of clam watery clam chowder in lieu of the salad. Then came luke warm spagetti with a tiny bit of ordinary meat sauce, not large enough to call it a side dish. But what about the entrees that we had to wait another 45 minutes for!!! They just had to be the best steaks in Colorado, right? NOT!!!!! Think Denny's Coffee shop quality, or less. My son-in-law ordered his steak medium. It came well done. Not even a hit of pink. My daughter ordered her steak medium. It also came well done. My wife, medium, came well done. I ordered my steak medium, and it came medium, HOORAY!!!! But what about the incredible taste, you ask? Don't ask, because none of our steaks had any taste at all!!! Maybe there is some charm to having your meat just thrown on a grill without any seasoning or marinate, but there is no charm in eating a tasteless piece of meat. But what about my grandson's grilled cheese sandwich. There is no way you can screw up a grilled cheese sandwich, right? Well, they found a way. They overtoasted it. They bread was grilled black, no joke. The tiny excuse for a baked potato came with only sour cream with chives; no cheese or even bacon bits available. When we complained about all of this, they comped the enitre meal. I left them a $25 Restaurant food certificate from the Restaurant website, and my wife out of pity, left a $17 tip on the table. We couldn't get out of there fast enough. If you patronize this place, you were just let out of a maximum security prison having eaten bread and water for the past 20 years, are ignorant, or a moron. By the way, there is no way to give zero stars, for this place is less than zero in my book. more

It was our third anniversary and were were looking forward to a marvelous dining experience. Instead, we experienced a bizarre, awful meal...and all the attachments to that meal. These people have no idea how to treat guests. We were given a limp, tasteless salad. We were also treated to horrid, ill-prepared steaks. And moronic attachments which included cool, if not cold spaghetti with rancid sauce, which I was told was prepared from leftover steak. The waitress took great pride in telling me it was ""free"". In other words, I didn't have to pay for this special treat. The steaks were apparently prepared in a microwave, since they did not have the slightest touch of reality. My wife and I were celebrating our anniversary. This meal could not even compare to a quarter-pounder at McDonald's. Beware, anyone who tries to find this place....you would be better of going north to Limon. And eating at the Southside Cafe. more

Went there with my girlfriend for a girls eveing out. Spent $116 on 2 entree's and 1 glass of wine each. For this we got bread in a bag, no vegetables, an extremely dissappointing small plate of spaghetti as a side(who considers this a side dish is beyond me) and 1 of the toughest steaks I have ever had. It seemed like it was re-heated from the night before. The potato was tiny and tasted like it was last year with no choice how it was served.The service left alot to be desired as well. My girlfriend and I agreed that this was the worst meal we have ever had. Pros: can't think of any Cons: the food more

I used to eat lunch at this establishment years ago and quiet frankly never had a bad meal. When deciding where to go eat recently, I decided to take my spouce to an old favorite. The place has not changed for years. Relish tray was great, bread good. Salad acceptable. When we ordered our filets, we ordered them medium. As other tables around us got their meals, many were sending them back because they were extremely undercooked. Unfortunately, when we got ours, they were cooked past well done. No waite staff ever stopped to ask how our meal was, nor could we get their attention. Based on this experience, they have unfortunately lost my business. Hate to say it, but the chains do it better. Cons: Price and value more

After going to Emil-lene's when I was young with my parents (early 90s), I took my husband there. My parents had always loved this restaurant. We were SO disappointed! The meat was gamey and tough. There was nothing good to say about the seasoning of the steaks. The filet mignon was so tough, I couldn't eat it. more

I was extremely disappointed. For the prices they charge, I expected an exceptional filet. The filet was tender, but flavorless, the fries tasted old, the salad was edible at best. The relish tray was the best thing. Save your time and money. The place smelled old and musty. I will not go back nor will I ever recommend this place to anyone. Pros: the relish tray Cons: everything else more

I went to Emil-Lene's after hearing about it on the radio and purchased a discounted gift certificate through the station. I went with my boyfriend expecting a unique experience. We arrived to the restaurant located in the middle of nowhere. The building was very run down. Walking in, we were not greeted but rather stared at by the staff who were sitting at the entrance eating, chatting, and talking on the phone. The menu was verbal, no prices. We ordered a prime rib and a filet mignon. They waitress brought out bread still in the plastic wrap from the grocery store in a dirty plastic container. The water smelled of sulfur, so we ordered drinks, nothing was on draught... The food was less than bad, the salads were old, the steaks had no flavor... No need to waste your time. Cons: Way too much for what felt and tasted like a truck stop more

I have been going to Emil-Lenes for many years. As some other reviewers have reported, everyone has a bad night now and then! Jay and Karen (the owners) cannot make things right, unless they are informed of a problem, and trust me they bend over backwords to please! The veggies are cold and fresh, the salad dressings are killer, the steaks are expertly prepared, and the desserts all homemade. If anyone leaves this place dissatistied, it is their own fault, for not making their issue known. As for the waitstaff...I find them very friendly, attentive and eager to please. The atmosphere is like eating in your Grandmother's living room!! Very relaxing!!! When really busy, it gets entertaining...Can't wait to get back there! Pros: plenty of parking, deer in the area all the time. fantastic regular clientel Cons: reservations suggested, leave your attitude at the door and have fun! more

I had an experience so bad at Emil-lene's that I am not being allowed to post what actually happened. Forgive the spelling, but it's the only way to get around the censor. I've revised my review repeatedly in hopes of getting something- anything- on this business. Pros: I never have to eat there again Cons: decor, service, food more

Was with small group, bout 7 pm, waited 30 minutes, cramped space, very loud due to large party in small space, good relish tray and bread, salad only lettuce and onion-no tomato or crouton, spagetti just alright, beef barley soup ok, steak fries overcooked, steak was awful...thin without flavor...both the sirloin and the filet. AND THE PRICE FOR TWO DINNERS? $52!!!! No folks. This is a NO GO. Disappointed at best. Back to the Texas Roadhouse for us. Pros: Western Decor, GIANT PEPPER MILL Cons: HIGH PRICE, POOR FOOD, NOISE more

If you are looking for a unique place off the beaten path to entertain clients then visit Emil-lene's. The food is outstanding, atmosphere is down home and service is genuine. From the relish tray to home-made salad dressing you can't go wrong. Pros: Inclusive Menu, Unique, Great Service Cons: Hard to find more

I had been 15 years since we had been there and it will be another 15 before I think about it again. The relish tray was the best part of the experience, tough to screw up when it is fresh vegtables. We ordered martini's, they came in small champagne glasses. The steaks were average at best and the service was aweful. We asked time and time again for rolls. butter, and water. The spaghetti appetizer, the only one on the menu, was runny and tasteless. It is a dark and outdated place, that need alot of work. Pros: Relish tray Cons: service, steaks, cocktails more

First off let me say the relish tray is fantastic! The freshly made blue cheese dressing is as good as youll ever eat. I often go to get 2 trays with 2 pints of dressing to go. The rest however is lacking. Its cramped and slightly dingy which wouldnt be too bad if the food made up for it. The pasta served with each entree is dry, the sauce bland, slightly off tasting, and runny. Salads are ok. The steaks have been a BIG disappointment. Think connective tissue - and too much at that - coupled with steak knives that would be challenged to cut hard butter. It shouldn't be difficult for a restaurant to get decent beef. Ive had better steaks from grocery stores seriously. I want to like this place but would not recommend when there are so many better places. Ive dined there 3 times, thats enough. Pros: Out of the way, Blue Cheese, Rustic Cons: , Pricey for product, Out of the Way more

This place is certainly quirky. You have to take a dirt road to get there. They have a giant pepper grinder that requires two people to operate. The decore is 50's western. They don't really have a menu, they just tell you what they have that night. But the steak is good. If you want a different experience, try it at least once. Pros: Unique, Good meats Cons: Limited menu, Limited wine list more

I visited the Emil-lene's last Jan, and I felt the food we received was was a portion of the price we paid. Most ordered steak and some chicken, all received spagetti as a side dish (very small) and maybe a baked potato. I can order the same thing at Outback Steak house and receive the same amount and pay half the price that I did at Emil-lene's. The food was just alright, but when we left we visited the local McDonald's (that should tell you something). Pros: Very Western, Good Parking Cons: Tight Fit for All, Expensive, Small Portions more