The Blue Ox Steakhouse In Kalamunda

The Blue Ox Steakhouse In Kalamunda

Post
Subscribe

Posted 2013-03-17 by Douglas Sutherland-Brucefollow
In Bemidji, Minnesota, there stand two huge statues to Paul Bunyan, the American Folk Hero and his faithful companion, Babe, the Blue Ox.



They are the second most photographed statues in the whole USA (just behind Mt Rushmore). They were made in 1937 and have so entered our collective subconscious that when a steakhouse in far-flung Kalmunda on the other side of the world wanted a good name, they chose the Blue Ox Steakhouse.



And it is here that they get nearly as many visitors as do the statues, and for the same reason - the fame of the place has spread.

A large pre-theatre party of us dropped into the Blue Ox recently. Originally four, then six and then 'Oh you're going to the Blue Ox, we'll come, too', so finally a large and noisy party of nine settled in to the somewhat startled but very polite surprise of the server.

Mind you, they didn't turn a hair and pulled tables together and made us feel welcome.



I had not been here previously, although I had long wanted to try it. The menu is well above that of a simple steak-house, offering oysters and an excellent range of seafood, both standardly and as specials.

However, as it is advertised as a steakhouse, and I enjoy a good steak that's what I thought I'd order.

Or should I say, would have ordered until the server pointed me towards a 'Mixed Grill', which looked enticing, so I ordered that instead.



James was not to be deterred from a steak, so that was all right, I'd pinch some of his.

Around the table there was much discussion on the merits of all the dishes and a staggering range was ordered, from Garlic Bread to one of several cuts of steak, fish and purely vegetable options.

As time was an issue we decided to forgo dessert in favour of an entree - I ordered 'Welsh Rarebit' ($5) which is glorified cheese on toast.



A much misunderstood but delicious dish Welsh Rabbit (Rare-bit is a much later gentrification) is basically a slice or so of toast in a Cheddar cheese based savoury sauce, often with cayenne pepper, mustard and Worcestershire sauce.

The Blue Ox's was absolutely divine, rich and creamy and a perfect lead-in to the main.

Brendan, across from me, ordered Cauliflower cheese balls and they were delicious, too, subtly savoury while creamy. George was just a little too far away to reach, alas, so his food was safe - but he seemed able to enjoy it without my help.

My mixed grill was a vast dish piled high with meat, resting on some excellent chips.

There was a couple of sections from a rack of lamb - cooked to pink perfection - a steak of surpassing tenderness cooked exactly 'medium-rare' as requested.

There was a crispy chicken wing, a goodly portion of BBQ spare ribs that were meltingly tender and an obviously home-made sauce as well as a goodly portion of the mushroom sauce in a jug and a token salad.

If you have a small appetite I couldn't recommend it, but if, like me, you are a hearty eater (or even more like me - greedy) then it is the ideal meat-lover's meal.

Around the table there were muttered grunts of appreciation and a certain amount of licked fingers and food passing back and forth on forks to cries of 'you must try this, it's delicious'.

The restaurant is licensed, has a good wine list, is reasonably priced, has good, swift service and easy parking. This makes it easy to understand why the place is so popular with the locals.

We booked for four, arrived with nine, said we had to be out by a quarter to eight and left at exactly then, so the owners can be trusted not to panic and to do exactly what they said they'd do - that's pretty rare and should be encouraged.

I'm keen to go back without a time restriction and also to sample the sweet course so I'll be back there again soon, and I would urge you all to give your stomachs a treat and try the Blue Ox Steakhouse.

Just don't ask for Babe on a plate.

Very Highly Recommended.

#restaurants
#perth_hills
#kalamunda
#food_wine
#australian_restaurants
%wnperth
184818 - 2023-06-16 02:27:51

Tags

Free
Festivals
Music
Outdoor
Markets
Nightlife
Fundraisers
Family_friendly
Community
Arts_culture
Random
Educational
Food_drink
Holiday
Theatre_shows
Copyright 2024 OatLabs ABN 18113479226