When you ask people what the best steakhouse in Northern Nevada is, most of them—including our readers collectively—have the same answer: Western Village Steakhouse.
With its low ceilings, leather booths and slight neon tint, it feels like a slice of the old-casino charm that’s been scrubbed from most of the region. I once heard it described as an aged diva dressed for a night out on the town. The vibes at Western Village Steakhouse are impeccably Nevadan, in the best possible way. No wonder its name appears five times in the Best of Northern Nevada readers’ poll results: It took first place for Best Fine Dining, Best Steak, and Best Casino Restaurant, and is a runner-up for Best Sparks Restaurant and Best Restaurant Worth the Long Wait.
The restaurant, which opened in 1983 along with the rest of the Western Village Casino, is often the first place people think of when it’s time to celebrate.
“We like the steakhouse, because we consider it ours,” said Rick Gray, a retired marketing and PR consultant, who visits Western Village for birthdays and anniversaries, and when friends are in town. Rick and his wife, Teri, have been going there since the ’80s and have seen it change over the years, but one thing has remained: “The service and attention to detail are great without it feeling stuffy like some other high-end places,” he said.
As more celebrity and chain steakhouses replace the flagship casino steakhouse, we are losing what was once a competition to have the best in-house food and beverage programs, and are instead witnessing a race to see which national concept will bring the most visitors.
“Western Village Steakhouse just seems more authentically Northern Nevada,” said Josh Berreman, a local chef and culinary arts teacher at Debbie Smith CTE Academy. “The room is elegant, but it’s dated, and I think that only adds to the charm.”
Added Berreman: “I love to get a martini the size of my head.”\
“Western Village Steakhouse just seems more authentically Northern Nevada. The room is elegant, but it’s dated, and I think that only adds to the charm.”
Josh Berreman, local chef and culinary arts teacher
Vibe aside, the food at Western Village Steakhouse is worth the trip. Not many places are left in Reno/Sparks where you can get a 16-ounce Niman Ranch, 35-day-aged New York striploin for less than $75. The menu also offers all the steakhouse hits: giant wedge salads; creamy, dreamy French onion soup; and, of course, because it’s a culinary time capsule, escargot bourguignonne.
Do not forget a $16 Grey Goose dirty martini with blue cheese olives, which is a fabulous price, considering some steakhouse happy-hour pricing at another casino starts at $18 a cocktail. Throw in classic tableside preparations of salads (Caesar and spinach) and “flaming” desserts like cherries jubilee and bananas foster, and you’ll leave fatter and happier.
History, quality and value are all on display at this cathedral to the Northern Nevada ideal: You should be able to go to a steakhouse in your best dress jeans, get a great meal with great service, and pay a reasonable price. It’s not too much to ask—and I am grateful that Western Village Steakhouse is still up to the task.
Learn more at www.westernvillagesparks.com/dining/the-steak-house.
