by Andrea Gardner
Editor in Chief
Cowpokes from the Pinnacle Peak just will not allow patrons to wear a tie in the restaurant.
One waitress, who goes by the name Geronimo at the rustic haven, said it was because “the cowboys didn’t wear ties.”
The steak house, known for its “famous cowboy steak” stands by their dress code, and actually has a tie-cutting ceremony to prove it.
This little quirk adds to ambience, as thousands of ties line the ceiling. Visitors actually come wearing ties to have them cut off and added to the montage, making the Pinnacle Peak more than just a great steak house, but a memorable place for the traditional tie experience.
This is the second batch of ties on the Peak’s ceiling. Several years ago, the interior of the restaurant was so overpopulated with ties that they were taken off, so they could start a new tie collection.
The restaurant, located on West Foothill Boulevard in San Dimas, was built at the turn of the century as the San Dimas Hills Inn. It then closed during the Depression and reopened as a chuck wagon. Only after the 1960s, was it transformed into the Peak.
Today, hungry guests sit at picnic table-styled booths and tables covered with checkered cloths and listen to country music. With the tie collection, the decor sort of spells yard-sale-meets-dude-ranch, but it is fitting in its own way. Customers are served by waitresses that go by aliases from the Wild West. My waitress was named Dallas though she admitted later that her real name is Judy.
Ambience, is not the only memorable part of the Pinnacle Peak experience. The steaks are also just heavenly. What makes the beef at the Peak so incredible is the mesquite grill. Not only are steaks grilled over an open wood fire, but the fire remains lit for 24 hours. Geronimo claims this is the secret for the famous steaks.
Along with a cowboy steak (or a cowgirl steak for smaller appetites), customers are treated to salad, bread, and beans. Chicken and ribs are also available. Side orders include baked potatoes, corn of the cob and hot salsa.
Along with these specialities, of-age guests can enjoy drinks, inspired from the old days, including the “Rattle Snake” the “Gun Slinger” and the “Cactus Rose.”
If there is room after the gigantic meal, desserts include Mud Pie, ice cream, and deep dish apple cobbler, which is also available a la mode.
That dish, however is the only one bearing a fancy French title. Cooks at the Pinnacle Peak are not into frills in their presentation, but the food is tasty, portions are generous and the service is speedy.
The Pinnacle Peak is also catering to the sports crowd, showing Monday Night Football and other sporting events on the televisions. While the steak house may not be the perfect place for a quiet or romantic evening, it does flourish in its own league, offering good western cuisine and old fashioned charm.
For those with a big appetite and a taste for something out of Texas, the Pinnacle Peak may just hit the spot and leave you imagining that you just dined with Gene and Roy.
An average dinner for a couple costs about $25. For more information, call (909) 599-5312.
Andrea Gardner
