Great American Steakhouse debuts revamped Northeast location
The Great American Steakhouse in the Northeast has re-opened after being demolished and rebuilt with a modern, hardwood look but with the same welcoming vibe for families, couples and friends.
Owner Andres Orozco, 29, said the restaurant is the fifth in the local franchise that the family corporation, Great American Hospitality Group, has bought and updated. The company, which already had Wendy's restaurants in Juárez, took over the Vinton location first in 2005.
"The original creator of the Great American Land & Cattle (the late Jack Nunn) sold us the Vinton location, and from there, we expanded and changed the name to Great American Steakhouse," Orozco said. "We wanted to take it to a national brand and take it to Mexico. We opened one in Juárez and it was successful."
Since then, the company opened locations at George Dieter Drive, Airway Boulevard in 2019, the Sunland Park Drive location a year ago and now in the Northeast. Great American Steakburger restaurants on Mesa Hills and North Yarbrough are not affiliated with the company.
Orozco said the company was started in 1994 by his father, Eduardo Orozco, in Mexico and now has 75 restaurants in Mexico and the United States. Their businesses include Applebee's, Little Caesars, Ardeo and Muzza in Mexico.
He is in charge of the Great American restaurants in El Paso. He has two older brothers who also work in the company.
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The company partnered with the owners of Sunny's Sushi, Steak and Seafood to build the Mountain View Plaza that contains the steakhouse, the sushi restaurant, a Grove and Lapa Lapa Seafood & Drinks.
"We needed something on this side of town and it's a great location. It's still rustic, but you don't see tablecloths and the servers wear jeans, so you can come in have a beer and a burger for $13 or order a $50 steak and a $50 bottle of wine - we want to have something for everybody," he said.
Orozco said they don't want to compete with El Corralito or Salt Grass type of restaurants but put it on the playing field with a Whataburger or Taco Tote, remaining approachable. The restaurant also has a legacy of 47 years under Nunn.
In response to the higher cost of living, the owner has added a $9.99 special Monday through Friday that includes burgers, tacos and salads, as well as a sirloin steak, fish and chips and country fried steak. The sirloin steak tacos come unassembled with a small cast-iron pan with the grilled steak and onions, a warmer with about six corn or flour tortillas and a serving of great toppings, including pico de gallo, salsa, cilantro, onion and lime.
Of course, the rib-eye steak and the steakburgers are among the most popular items coming out of the open kitchen at the heart of the restaurant.
And it's great to see that some things don't change. The steak orders still come with a side of crunchy but creamy cole slaw with bits of pineapple and a hot bowl of ranch beans. Stacked baked potatoes are a popular side but the three-cheese macaroni dish is also a winner.
Complimentary water in a glass carafe, and freshly made, warm rolls are perfect with flavored butter and brought to the table along with the menus.
Orozco said the second story is still in the works but, when completed at the end of January, will offer an even better view of the Franklin Mountains. The area will have more of an entertainment feel with a bar. The second story also will increase the restaurant's capacity to 192.
The restaurant is well staffed in a climate when many restaurants face staffing challenges. Take out and online ordering have been about 15% of business since the pandemic.
"As corporate, we don't look at it as a business that sells food, we're not entertainment. We're a business of people - that's the number one thing. The important thing is to keep our customers and employees happy. If they have all the tools to succeed in their job, and then our customers be happy. Because if our employees are happy, then our customers will be."
He added, "I think now, because of the pandemic, people appreciate good service."
More: El Paso’s top steakhouses: Where to get your meat fix
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; [email protected], @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on TikTok.
Make plans
What: Great American Steakhouse
Where: 9800 Gateway Blvd. N.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Cost: $-$$
Information: greatamericansteakhouse.com?
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Rebuilt Great American Steakhouse re-opens in Northeast El Paso
