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Al Capone’s Hideaway

July 12, 2006

gray barn building known as Al Capone's hideaway
Al Capone's Hideaway in St Charles, IL - Photo by Lauren Pancetta

The bend in the river gave no indication whatsoever of there being anyone around. I could easily imagine the prohibition era when this little spot on the river north of St. Charles was occasionally home to some of the nation’s most wanted… After my last dinner at Al Capone’s Hideaway, I remember lamenting about not having tried their steaks – mostly due to the cost.

A Little Steak Binge

The Fox River
A bend in the Fox River near Al Capone’s Hideaway – Photo by Lauren Pancetta

In the interim, I decided to embark upon a little steak “binge” to make comparisons among the various venues serving steak dinners in the area. What I have found is that steak dinners – no matter where they are offered – are relatively pricey. Perhaps I have simply lost touch with what’s going on. Perhaps the price of meat has just gotten – not unlike the price of petrol – out of hand. It makes little difference. The most important thing a restaurant can do is ensure that a high-priced entrée (whether fish, chicken, pork or beef) is worthy of the price tag. I think that the Hideaway is aware of that and has provided proof.

Just before a recent business trip, I asked Lauren if she would like to join me for a nice dinner out. I didn’t want to cook my own of anything that evening. So, I said; “Let’s go to Capone’s for a steak.” She looked a bit surprised – especially since she knows how I feel about going out for a steak – but she caved and also mentioned that she was starving.

A Fine Evening at Hand

It was another mid-week dinner and I was hoping for some peace and quiet. The river was serenely passing by and the parking lot offered no competition for a parking space. We entered and were seated at a four-top that came complete with a great view of the Fox River. I had seen the interesting vodka bottles in the small gift shop as we entered the restaurant and my curiosity was piqued. The pale aqua-colored Tommy gun-shaped bottles added a bit of quirky class to the restaurant’s theme, but also seemed to speak volumes about the way things were at one point in time. I just had to try some. I ordered mine on the rocks, Lauren had hers straight up. It was as smooth as the silk in Al Capone’s tie, and a fine evening seemed to be at hand.

We decided to skip an appetizer that evening and go straight for dinner. Lauren wasn’t kidding about her appetite – she selected the Surf and Turf… (“The finest Filet Mignon matched with a six-ounce cold water lobster tail morsel”: $37.50). Not having had one in quite some time, I decided to get a New York Strip Steak (12-oz. of prime aged beef and referred to as the “Peep-Show” cut: $26.95). Keep in mind that our dinners included our soup (a marvelously tasty French Onion), salad, a sorbet palate refresher, potato – I chose the baked with all the trimmings and Lauren the garlic mashed – and hot rolls and butter. There would be no excuse to leave hungry!

Almost Perfect, but Consider This the Place to Go

With the single exception of the waitress coming to the table with the sorbet before we had barely touched our salads (we then mentioned that we were interested in a relaxed and slowly-paced evening), there was never another glitch in the service. The rest of the evening went off without a hitch. The steaks were done exactly as ordered and were very tender with excellent flavor and the service was professional and performed with a smile. Both Lauren and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

I have to say that at least to this point, Al Capone’s Hideaway stands alone in all categories when it comes to steak dinners (recall my previous dinners at FoxFire, and Jason’s Steak House). Also recall what I said earlier in this review: “The most important thing a restaurant can do is ensure that a high-priced entrée (whether fish, chicken, pork or beef) is worthy of the price tag. I think that Al Capone’s is aware of that and has provided proof.” Our meal, albeit more than I would normally like to spend, was certainly worthy of the price tag. Several e-mails to me have sent good reports about Al Capone’s Hideaway. I can now add my own kudos. I gladly give the Hideaway 4 Zins and recommend that if you are considering a steak dinner, consider this the place to go.

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Ralph Pancetta

Al Capone’s Hideaway was located at 35W387 Riverside Dr in St Charles, IL. The restaurant is now permanently closed.

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Ralph Pancetta

Food Critic

In my career are twenty-five-plus years learning the restaurant business – from top to bottom – and six years in a Midwest university learning and polishing my writing skills. I have spent a good number of those years (just how many yet to be determined) on the road and authored well over 150 reviews & articles – and still counting.

I’ve traveled from Maine to Florida, from Boston to San Francisco,  from Seattle to San Diego, and from Dallas to way north of Duluth, sampling and writing about food. And Yes, I love restaurants, I love preparing, writing about, and eating, food. I hope you enjoy reading what I have written!

Ralph Pancetta

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