The Onion Bar & Grill North Spokane — Restaurant in Spokane

Have to say I was very disappointed with my meal. I have always loved the Elkins Pepper Steak sandwich with a dreamy Elkins pepper gravy dip (now called New York Pepper Steak sandwich.) Honestly, my mouth watered while we waited on our orders to be served. When it came, very timely I might add, it was a sad little sandwich on a huge plate with a cup of the gravy. Our very nice server explained that there was still a bit of time on the fries, that actually came out soon after our meal. When I finally had a moment to take that first bite, my heart sank. The sandwich I loved so much is now a memory for me. The sandwich consists of a toasted hoagie bun or baguette with sliced New York Steak, cooked to your taste. Thinly slices mushroom pieces and onion sauteed in butter. Served with the gravy and a side of fries. Sounds pretty easy, but maybe not the case. My meal had all of the necessary items and was cooked as I requested but the downfall was the quality of the steak. The best way I can think to discribe it is, like it came from a freezer off a pickup truck sold buy a guy selling steak and seafood in a mall parking lot. Omaha Steaks may even be a better option than what I was served. The steak I had was mealy, yet tough containing gristle or what I can remember my grandfather calling silver skin. It's very possible that this is a one-off and that the sandwich I so longingly remember is still there and it's possible I just got an end cut of steak that was less than desirable to be served as an actual steak dinner. On the other hand, it might just be that in today's market restaurants choose to go with poor quality cuts of meat while raising their prices to pad their bottom line. I get it, it's business. But I will not order the sandwich at a price point of $39 ever again. I will not say that this sandwich will deter me from choosing the Onion again, as there are other items on the menu that I also enjoy. I can just say with certainty, this was one of the worst sandwiches I have ever had. Some reading this may ask if I brought this to the attention of our server or anyone at the restaurant. The answer is no, because at the end of the day I just didn't have the desire or wherewithal to have one of those conversations with a manager it never really does anything good for the restaurant or the patron not to mention I wasn't exactly interested in an offer for them to remake my sandwich because in my experience that opens things up to God knows what happens in kitchens. And the feeling I'm left with after this dinner is why the hell didn't I just agree to go to Noodle Express. Onion, you can do better! Please don't let a cook serve the kind of sandwich I had tonight an ever expect people to come back and pay $39 for it. I would gladly pay the price if the sandwich was worth it....should have had the...

Today was my son's birthday. We were going to go to Tomato Street but my son really wanted to come here for the big birthday sundae. The food was mediocre, just a couple of minor things, not a big deal. The server, Chloe, was less than desirable. My son's chicken strips didn't arrive with fries and so I asked the runner if we needed to order them or if they came with the meal. I also asked the runner if my daughter's pasta came with a side salad and she said she didn't know and would check. The server came back and asked if I had ordered a salad and she had just "gotten it wrong because to add a side salad would cost $7.00". I told her I wasn't sure if it came with one or not but since it didn't that's fine we didn't want to wait for it since the food was already there. At the end of our meal we let her know we were out celebrating my son's birthday and would like the big birthday sundae. She brought it out, didn't wish him a happy birthday at all (which to me is kind of weird for a sever not to wish a little kid a happy birthday) and then left. When she came back to give us our check and our boxes we asked if we could have another spoon so his sister could help him eat the sundae. She also charged us for the sundae, which I will gladly pay for my son's birthday sundae (and we did) but don't advertise a free birthday sundae if you're not going to give one out.

And maybe I just have high expectations and think that a server should be personable and when you bring out a birthday sundae to a little boy maybe wish him a happy birthday and knowing there is another kid there, bring them an additional spoon without them having to ask for it and make it awkward. It was a Thursday evening and they were not busy. I get food service is a hard industry to work in but we really came in with expectations that his birthday dinner would be special and it just left us with a not so great impression. Tomato Street goes out of their way to make birthdays special and bring out a candle and a treat and I just really regretted not going there. Also the last time we were there a couple of months ago, the waitress was awesome but the food was horrible, which we were hoping was just a one-off thing. There's just so many other good restaurants in Spokane that are consistently good it's not worth it...

Update May 2024: the new menu is very good! I highly recommend the Baja Cod Tacos (they're listed as a starter but are plenty for a main IMO). Our server (Jen) was lovely, and as always, all the staff were super friendly and welcoming.

Update Jan 2024: stopped in tonight for an early supper. Place was quiet and service was again excellent. Food experience was better, the Cobb salad is excellent, the fries were very good (although one member of our party had a cold batch that had to be replaced. Once again, a friend ordered the knife & fork Phillies, and he regretted it also. Kind of bland and soggy, was his review. Prices are fair, and coffee is good 👍 The service staff are all amazing. Even though we had a 25 minute wait to get seated, the hostesses and wait staff were organized, fast, and very friendly. The Onion's decor is comfortable and they have a nice kids play room and clean, well-decorated bathrooms. The food was above average overall, but I will say the knife-and-fork philly was under seasoned, as was the famous Big O burger. The fries served with the meals were yummy, but small portions for the price. Our biggest criticism for the evening was that with the kitchen being so busy, I guess they were overwhelmed, and their timing was way off. We had barely touched our starters when our main entrees arrived, which just makes for a cold entree. Not great. We had even asked specifically when ordering that our starters be served ahead for this reason, and we're assured they would be. No shade on our server however.. she was upbeat and helpful and very pleasant to be around.

The Caesar salad starter was fresh and light with just the right amount of dressing and the Beef Onion Bisque was actually pretty awesome!!. Like a French onion, but creamy and with tender shredded beef added! Highly...