PRIME TIME! ALPINE INN STEAKHOUSE REOPENS
By Miriam Raftery
Photos by Ariele Brooke and Miriam Raftery
October 7, 2017 (Alpine)—One of Alpine’s most iconic restaurants, the Alpine Inn Steakhouse, has reopened after being closed for five years. The reopening is welcome news to the community, which has reacted with praise and delight.
At a ribbon cutting held by the Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber’s Chairman Joseph Perricone stated, “Alpine Inn is an icon in our town and we’re all proud as punch that you’re back.”
Built around the 1960s in the style of a Swiss chalet, the steakhouse exudes mountain warmth and charm. Its interior includes rich wood paneling, a stone fireplace,rustic beamed ceilings and large leather dining booths.
There's also a "Robin’s Nest” back room for private parties, decorated in a nautical theme complete with model ship, tap barrels and door with porthole window.
The new owner is Antonio “Tony” Lopez (photo, with daughter Andrea). He previously owned Marrietta’s, a Mexican food restaurant forced to shut down when Sunrise Powerlink was built through Alpine.
“We believe this belongs to the community,” he told East County Magazine. He’s keeping the ambience and menu largely as it was—though he’s adding margaritas, and may bring in some seasonal specialties.
“We cut all of our meats here,” he said, adding that steaks are all prime cuts. They also serve up seafood, burgers, chops, Italian foods, a lunch menu and more.
Our table ordered up lunch and savored hearty prime rib and steak sandwiches, as well as mushrooms stuffed with crab, shrimp and more. I look forward to returning for dinner.
State Senator Joel Anderson’s aide, Matthew Bagdasar, stated, “This is the nicest and most unusual restaurant I’ve ever been in.” Representatives from Congressman Duncan Hunter and Supervisor Dianne Jacob were also on hand.
The steakhouse also has a large yet cozy sports bar, where patrons ordered up local craft brews on tap including, of course, Alpine Beer.
“I am sure that everyone in Alpine is so EXCITED to have OUR ICONIC RESTAURANT BACK!! Alpine just wasn’t the same without it!” exclaimed Angela Brookshire, editor of the Alpine Community Network, in a post on her site.
The Alpine Inn Steakhouse is located at 2225 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine.
You can call them at (619) 722-4345 or visit their Facebook page at : https://www.facebook.com/Alpine-Inn-Steakhouse-Sports-Bar-192490054587074/?rf=182296831812397