Stoney River

Stoney River is a steakhouse that also serves seafood, salads, and other specialties. It is located in Saddle Creek, and it is a good place to have a more formal meal that isn’t super pricey. During the day, it is relatively quiet, but it can get pretty noisy at night. The seating is very accommodating, and there is even a private room for events and special occasions. The lighting is always pretty dull for a more relaxed feel.

Appetizer

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

I love coming here just for the spinach dip because it remind me of the spinach and artichoke dip from Houston’s. If you haven’t had this dish from either of the restaurants, I highly recommend that you try at least one of the locations. This dip is creamy with a smooth texture, which contrasts nicely with the salty crunch of the tortilla chips.

Salads

Classic Caesar Salad

Caesar salads vary from kitchen to kitchen. There are so many different aspects of the salad that can differ in preparation (cut of the lettuce, consistency and flavor of dressing, amount of cheese, etc.) At Stoney River, you definitely need a fair warning. This salad is EXTREMELY garlic-y. The structure of the salad is really like caesar dressing with a little bit of lettuce. The parmesan cheese is finely grated, and they put a heaping amount on top of the salad. Sometimes the salad has a bit of a salty taste, as well. The croutons seem to be homemade, and they are crunchy but not in a hard-to-bite type of way. On the menu, they are classified as rustic — whatever that means. In conclusion, if you like very dense, garlic-based caesar dressing with grated parmesan, this salad is for you. I recommend adding a protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon, too.

Entrées

Jumbo Fried Shrimp

The fried shrimp are definitely jumbo. There are about six shrimp plated with a side of fries. The breading on this shrimp is very tasty, but this dish is also very heavy. I haven’t ever been able to eat all of the shrimp because there are honestly too many served, so if someone is willing to split the dish with you, you should take them up on the offer.

Center Cut Filet Mignon

My favorite cut of steak is a filet. I don’t get this steak here often despite it being a steakhouse. This is because I honestly think there are a lot of other places in Memphis with better filets. I always order the petite cut, and it is the perfect size if you order a salad or side to accompany your entrée. There was nothing wrong with the steak, but I think that their other dishes are more worth it.

Sides

One Pound Baked Potato

I actually really like the baked potatoes from Stoney River. They prepare them like my mom does—olive oil and salt on the outside—which really helps to give it flavor. The baked potato comes loaded with butter, sour cream, cheese, and chives. I, personally, am not a sour cream fan, but I really like all of the other toppings. The bacon is actually real, too, which is a bonus. I normally order the spinach dip for an appetizer, and for my meal, I will order a caesar salad and baked potato. Although these seem like they wouldn’t be sufficient for a meal alone, together, they are more than enough.

Fries

The fries are shoestring, and they are pretty good. I am not too picky when it comes to fries as long as they are not rock-hard. So, I think these are good. I’m pretty sure they come topped with parmesan cheese, which can never be bad.

Broccoli

In recent years, I have become a big fan of broccoli. I decided to give it a try, but this was definitely not it. The broccoli, first off, was cold. Also it was devoured in olive oil. When I tried it, all I could taste was the oil, which was unappetizing.