Ernie's Steakhouse — Restaurant in Lewiston

We used to, years ago, frequent this place and it was good until the owners put it on the market, which promptly showed in the service and quality. They may have had certain circumstances or maybe their hearts were no longer in it. Either way they planned and made their exit and gave someone else a chance to fill the venues potential. I get staff shortages and all and am always respectful, but customer service goes a long way and anyone in the restaurant industry should grasp this concept. Short of it is we stopped going. We just gave them one last chance hoping new owners injected new life. Not the case. At least the cuts of meat used to be good. "Steakhouse" is definitely a overreach. One in our party got the surf and turf ordered well done. (His preference and I understand any judgments). The thing was still bleeding! Which is my preference so he traded me for my burger and we made it work. No harm, no foul, but a steakhouse should know how to cook... steak. Got there about at 5:30ish and asked for the happy hour and daily specials and waited 20 minutes for the server to come back around. When the check came it was full price on the 2 appetizers and drinks. Inquired and the server left for another five minutes and said her boss took a literal couple bucks off what should have been much more but couldn't do anything else because the order was entered in right after 6. At this point it isn't even about the money it's about the fact that we specifically asked for the happy hour specials and we were penalized for their inability to promptly take and enter orders and then they are not even willing to make it right? The amount was not only an advertised special but less than 10% of our check and the gratuity almost doubled that. I won't be stingy as the server was nice enough and came around several times to refill waters and ask how things were and everything was there just the steak wasn't cooked right, not her fault. We certainly are not going to waste God's creation over it. This place definitely is tripping over dollars to save dimes and they won't get another one of...

You know, before visiting Ernie's I've never had an experience at a restaurant where I left feeling like I was an inconvenience to the establishment. I'll preface my review by stating that my family just recently moved to Lewiston, so the majority of the date nights my wife and I get to have are done at home after the kids have been put to bed. That being said, we've ordered Ernie's to-go twice, and both times have been negative experiences, but I'll focus on the most recent visit, which was two nights ago. I called the restaurant at around 6:00pm and placed our order with the young woman who answered the phone. I asked if I could please place an order to go, and she responded with a loud sigh, "okay, what do you want?" I was surprised by her response, but began placing my order. About halfway through she cut me off saying, "wait, I'll be back in a minute," and immediately put me on hold. My wife and I just looked at each other, just surprised by what just happened. She came back on, laughing into the phone and said, "okay, what else did you want?" At that point, it was obvious that she wasn't interested in taking my order, so I just ended the call with what had already been ordered. Fast forward, I picked up the food about half an hour later or so. There were both a young woman and young man at the front desk, and neither of them greeted me upon entering the restaurant. I walked up to the counter and stated that I just needed to pick up my order. I gave the young man my card, and he said, "okay, I'll be back in a minute." A few minutes later he returned with my card and receipt. I asked, "do I need to sign this receipt," and he responded, "well the printer didn't print off one with a signature line, so I guess not." At that point I said thank you, and left the building. I left feeling bad about myself, and wondering how I could possibly be an inconvenience to a restaurant when I just spent over $70 on two plates of food. The food was good, but the service was... as much as I don't want to say it, it was awful. I don't think I'll...

We moved to Lewiston idaho 4 years ago.. due to the fact i cook a majority of our food its taken us that long to finally try this place... our goal (because i dont cook prime rib) was to give it a try...we are going backwards: "atmosphere"..good except the benches..i like sitting upright to eat (less spills) we had to move to another spot server should have asked if we wanted booth or table (for 2 ppl) .. was not a option (not bizzy more than plenty of parking 8 cars in parking lot)... however now we know we can ask for table for 2.. with that said it was nice candle dinner.. Next "service " mind you not bizzy at all... after ordering.. relaxed for 10 minutes (waiting for salad) she bring our salad and bread we asked if the prime rib can be seared on both sides (medium rare) she said sure..within 2 minutes our dinner prime rib came ..unseared we where so overwhelmed by all the food in our face so fast we had a hard time to speak up about the searing... couldnt even enjoy my salad ..had to start eating the meat before it got cold... she never came back to fill our glass of water (couldn't even see her to flag down)... so in a nut shell service was by far the lowest on the point lvl (tipping is to show server's the quality they give).. now "pricing" it said on the slip 15% of our bill tip recommended 20$.. there is no way i would tip that with the low quality service!.. she got 10$ and i choked on the extra 5$... btw to prime ribs 49$ each loaded potatoe 2x3$ and 2 glasses of water ..bill was 140$ now add tip 150$... good thing i can turn the 2 big leftover pieces into another 2 meals...We will say on a good note we would give you all another try..next time ask for table (by window) for 2 .. and order one meal to share. P.s. that raspberry butter could use a bit more raspberry preserves hardly can tell it was different... o and you waiter(s) please let us enjoy our salad for atleast 10 minutes before cramming our face with another plate!.. couldnt even enjoy my salad...