Canyon Creek Square One - ugh, what happened to the quality/quantity?!?

[iridium001]

The decline of Canyon Creek.

I've been to Canyon Creek a few times for special occassions, or if visiting friends in the Square One area.

Recently I was there for a birthday party as it's a centralized location for everyone to meet.

I was apprehensive about this place as the stipulation that was circulated amongst our group of friends is that we would only have 2 hours of dining time, that everyone had to be there on time on the dot. That is not an issue with me but for some others it could have been.

Anyway, it was quite the night of disappointment as I soon discovered. Everything and I mean everything about the place was significantly reduced! They are no longer giving out free bread like they used to. The portions have been reduced to very very small for the price you are paying for. $22.95 gets you an 8oz steak, and mashed potatoes. Although, I suspect it might have been 6oz as I've had many, many 8oz steaks before so I have an eye for what should be the correct size steak.

Adding insult to injury, before they would add bits of vegetables and a whole bunch of friend onion strips to fill in the meal on the plate. What you receive now looks like it came out of a cafeteria for $10 and not the $22.95 that I was charged. Not to mention, the steak was dry and unflavorful even if you ordered rare or medium rare. (Friend had rare and even she found it dry!) The mashed potatoes seemed microwave as it was dry on the inside and moist on the outside. Being a part of a party of 12, I didn't want to express my disappointment of my steak as we had after dinner plans to stay on schedule to.

Even people who ordered prime ribs and what not that were more expensive were given a very plain, ordinary looking meal. What is with the cut backs?

Needless to say, I am never going back to Canyon Creek after this experience. Whereas before, it was a nice sub-alternative to a general steakhouse, one level below The Keg - they (Canyon Creek have left a very negative impression on me this time.

Stay away unless you're looking to get ripped off for sub-par portions and food. Their standards have dropped, very, very low!

[matdwyer]

I'd be going to Moxies or Earls (both in the mall) for a birthday type event in the area. Both are more "upscale" and a good atmosphere, fairly young, "trendy"

[duckdown]

I hate Moxies, that one is my pick for least favorite out of all those types of chain

My pops says to this day that Canyon Creek makes one of the best pork chops he's ever had, but who knows..

[sillysimms]

The decline of Canyon Creek.

I've been to Canyon Creek a few times for special occassions, or if visiting friends in the Square One area.

Recently I was there for a birthday party as it's a centralized location for everyone to meet.

I was apprehensive about this place as the stipulation that was circulated amongst our group of friends is that we would only have 2 hours of dining time, that everyone had to be there on time on the dot. That is not an issue with me but for some others it could have been.

Anyway, it was quite the night of disappointment as I soon discovered. Everything and I mean everything about the place was significantly reduced! They are no longer giving out free bread like they used to. The portions have been reduced to very very small for the price you are paying for. $22.95 gets you an 8oz steak, and mashed potatoes. Although, I suspect it might have been 6oz as I've had many, many 8oz steaks before so I have an eye for what should be the correct size steak.

Adding insult to injury, before they would add bits of vegetables and a whole bunch of friend onion strips to fill in the meal on the plate. What you receive now looks like it came out of a cafeteria for $10 and not the $22.95 that I was charged. Not to mention, the steak was dry and unflavorful even if you ordered rare or medium rare. (Friend had rare and even she found it dry!) The mashed potatoes seemed microwave as it was dry on the inside and moist on the outside. Being a part of a party of 12, I didn't want to express my disappointment of my steak as we had after dinner plans to stay on schedule to.

Even people who ordered prime ribs and what not that were more expensive were given a very plain, ordinary looking meal. What is with the cut backs?

Needless to say, I am never going back to Canyon Creek after this experience. Whereas before, it was a nice sub-alternative to a general steakhouse, one level below The Keg - they (Canyon Creek have left a very negative impression on me this time.

Stay away unless you're looking to get ripped off for sub-par portions and food. Their standards have dropped, very, very low!

I was at that location last Monday and they still had the free bread then with the honey butter that I like.

Like similar restaurants, they can be pricey, but we had the prix-fixe $29.99 3 course dinner and were happy. I picked the steak as my main course (medium rare) and mine wasn't dry.

[ippon]

I was at that location last Monday and they still had the free bread then with the honey butter that I like.

Like similar restaurants, they can be pricey, but we had the prix-fixe $29.99 3 course dinner and were happy. I picked the steak as my main course (medium rare) and mine wasn't dry.

that was probably my least favourite thing about the place. i think mixing in honey is fine, although it would never be my thing, but it's got too little salt. it really needs the salt to balance out the sweetness.

[gilboman]

I'd be going to Moxies or Earls (both in the mall) for a birthday type event in the area. Both are more "upscale" and a good atmosphere, fairly young, "trendy"

Moxies will have the worst food, followed by Earl's. Those aren't upscale..they're just more trendy. Unless you're there to eat the ambiance, the food will be a huge let down. Don't get me wrong, I goto Moxies quite a bit, but their food is quite horrible.

[iridium001]

I'd be going to Moxies or Earls (both in the mall) for a birthday type event in the area. Both are more "upscale" and a good atmosphere, fairly young, "trendy"

Er, they are not upscale at all.

Maybe when you're in high school or first year university/college but in your mid-twenties to late twenties, not upscale at all. Upscale restaurants rarely if ever are attached to a mall or some huge shopping plaza.

[ippon]

Moxies will have the worst food, followed by Earl's. Those aren't upscale..they're just more trendy. Unless you're there to eat the ambiance, the food will be a huge let down. Don't get me wrong, I goto Moxies quite a bit, but their food is quite horrible.


Er, they are not upscale at all.

Maybe when you're in high school or first year university/college but in your mid-twenties to late twenties, not upscale at all. Upscale restaurants rarely if ever are attached to a mall or some huge shopping plaza.

i think that's exactly why he used quotations.

[ShoNuff2]

that was probably my least favourite thing about the place. i think mixing in honey is fine, although it would never be my thing, but it's got too little salt. it really needs the salt to balance out the sweetness.

I'm not a big fan of the honey butter. I usually ask for just regular butter or olive oil and balsamic for dipping.

[ippon]

I'm not a big fan of the honey butter. I usually ask for just regular butter or olive oil and balsamic for dipping.

ya, i asked for oil & vin as well when i went.
sweet butter on bread just doesn't do it for me either.

[herekittykitty]

When I was there a few months ago, my baked potato was hard as a rock and cold and the service was horrible. Manager didn't even seem to care.

[matdwyer]

Moxies will have the worst food, followed by Earl's. Those aren't upscale..they're just more trendy. Unless you're there to eat the ambiance, the food will be a huge let down. Don't get me wrong, I goto Moxies quite a bit, but their food is quite horrible.


Er, they are not upscale at all.

Maybe when you're in high school or first year university/college but in your mid-twenties to late twenties, not upscale at all. Upscale restaurants rarely if ever are attached to a mall or some huge shopping plaza.

I should have specified my use of the word "upscale" to "relatively upscale"

I consider Boston Pizza, Kelseys, East Side Marios, Jack astors in one category as "regular restaurants", with Alice Fazoolis, Canyon Creek, Earls, Moxies as "upscale regular restaurants". I'm not saying its canoe North 44 or anything, just that it is positioned to be better then the "regular" dining. (an example - at jack astors, I get kraft paper on my table, haha)

Food quality I'm not the best to comment on as I'm a ridiculously simple food eater