Goodnight Steakhouse & Saloon in Albany, TX, is well worth the drive from Abilene--so go!

Menu 1

For my birthday dinner this year, I wanted to go to Albany to try the Goodnight Steakhouse. I had heard some positive buzz about it. It is the restaurant that is now located where the original long established Beehive steakhouse was before the owner retired last year. The building has had some additions and done a bit of remodeling which really refreshed the space. Also, a new party area was added with a stage along with an outdoor seating area.

Of course the real test was how was the food, especially in light of the fact that the Albany Beehive once served me a steak that was in my top five steaks EVER? I can report that the food was very good indeed and without question I'll be driving to Albany to eat at the Goodnight Steakhouse again. My date had made an early reservation, so when we arrived at 4:30pm we were the first customers for the night. They had set up a table in the middle dining from with a balloon on the tabletop since it was my birthday celebration. The server was quickly there to give us menus and ask what we might like to drink. She told us the complimentary bread was still in the oven but would be out shortly.

Menu 2

We gave her our drink orders and started perusing the menu. In addition to the regular listed items, they also had some weekly specials that they were serving. The bread soon arrived hot and fresh with a side of real butter. Other appetizers included jalapeno poppers, pickle chips, queso, bacon wrapped shrimp, a grazing (charcuterie) board, loaded potato wedges, or truffle fries.

Since my companion is an onion ring connoisseur, we requested the onion ring tower ($11) for an appetizer. The rings came stacked on a branding iron with two dipping sauces, ranch dressing and a chipotle aioli. The onions were thick cut and cooked to just the right consistency. The breading was a bit heavy, similar to the breading on a chicken fried steak, but we consumed the entire stack so they agreed with us without question.

Fresh bread and butter

For our entrees, I ordered the 7oz sirloin strip steak topped with truffle butter cooked medium ($29) along with a side of the Goodnight mac & cheese ($11). The side was easily large enough to have been an entree all on its own! Ordering my side was a difficult decision because there were several yummy choices. All were tempting. Prices on sides ranged from $6 to $11.

Onion rings

The mac & cheese was scrumptious. No Kraft mac & cheese here. The sauce definitely had a lot of butter in it, very tasty.

My date ordered the 8oz filet cooked medium rare  ($42). He did not get a side since he ate the lion's share of the onion rings. The steaks came from 1855 Black Angus suppliers and were cooked over mesquite. I asked the server if the same grill was being used in the kitchen as was used when the building was the Beehive and she said that it was. My taste buds remembered that taste, or at least I felt like they did so that pleased me.

There were five steak options ranging in price from $29-$52; a 16oz ribeye, a 12oz filet, a 14oz strip, an 8oz filet, and a 7oz strip. For an additional charge you can get your steak topped with a peppercorn sauce but I would not want to overwhelm the taste of the beef. Both of our steaks were cooked exactly as we ordered them. They were tender and had delicious flavor. 

Strip steak with mac & cheese

There were other entree options on the menu such as chicken fried steak, grilled chicken, a cheeseburger, chicken fried chicken, salmon, pasta, and salads so you do not need to break the bank by ordering a steak. The 8 oz burger served with fries is $16.

There is also a kid's menu with mini corn dogs, chicken tenders, or steak fingers. Prices were $7, $9, or $16 depending on what you order and whether you wanted the small or large version kid's meal.

Desserts were cobbler (two types), cheesecake, ice cream, or a skillet cookie ranging in cost from $5-$12. We shared a peach cobbler topped with ice cream. It was spiced just right and was a good way to top off the meal with something sweet.

Service was friendly and efficient. Our server had worked there when the place was still the Beehive. She knew her business and an answered questions with confidence. 

Filet-med rare

The Goodnight Steakhouse & Saloon is a more elevated version of a small town steakhouse. The surroundings were comfortably rustic and the food was homey but made special by all the extra touches and quality ingredients that were used in the preparation. The menu options are accessible to the average palate without being too gourmet. My meal there was one of the better birthday dinners I have had in recent memory. It is certainly obvious that they are going to be real competition for some Abilene steakhouses. 

On certain nights, there is live music on the saloon side of the restaurant. Since we went on a Friday evening, the saloon was starting to get some steady business as well. 

Happy birthday!

You can make reservations via their website. 

One note: the lights went out mysteriously in the room we were seated before our food arrived, only in that one area of the restaurant and no one was around. The mirrored bar that is in that room was once out at Fort Griffin in wild west days. Haunted, maybe?

Goodnight Steakhouse & Saloon 

517 US 180, Albany, TX 76430

(325) 721-5838

https://goodnightsteakhouse.com/

Facebook page-- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093403927968

Hours:

Monday    Closed

Tuesday    Closed

Wednesday    4–9 PM

Thursday    4–10 PM

Friday  & Saturday  4–11 PM

Sunday    11 AM–10 PM