Dales

Old Faithful: 

The owners of Dales/Sperry's should have performed their due diligence when they purchased Dales, as the building was in complete shambles.  Simply put, they had to completely rebuild the building, including electrical and HVAC systems, on top of rebuilding the kitchen completely.  And the expense of rebuilding and refurbishing the old Dales far exceeded their budgets (and dreams.)  Rebuilding also took a long, long time--which means a big negative cash flow.

 

Had they known what they were getting into, I'm sure they wouldn't have bought the business and building.  But it's too late now.

 

Then the business had to be re-established--keeping Dales old customers as well as bringing in new customers.  And the retail market has been difficult, with more steak restaurants coming into the market and old competitors' weekly specials keeping down profit margins.

 

Their Sperry's restaurants in Belle Meade is one of those places with the same faces every Friday night--the ultra rich power brokers in the region.  When they come in the door, the bartender automatically makes their favorite drink on the spot.  Many ultra high income customers live in Williamson County, and they asked for their own Sperry's to be built in Cool Springs.  The new Cool Springs Sperry's is a carbon copy design of the Belle Meade location.  That speaks of owners that are willing to listen to their customers and give them what they want.

 

Be glad that the Old Dales is gone.  Welcome the New Sperry's.  And quit comparing their restaurant to George's.  The owners of George's should be ashamed of the quality of their beef and their operations.  They're an embarrassment to the great steak houses like Ruth's Chris, Bones and Chops in Buckhead.  We need Sperry's to be a success in this otherwise franchise type of restaurant market.

 

I like the new Dale's / Sperry's.  It is a welcome change to the previous dark drab interior and menu.  The sald bar is good.  The place is clean, and you can actually see who is sitting across the table from you.  The food is good and their is good selection.  I was never crazy about the single dessert offering at Dale's, and the new menu has some options including their Toffee Cake/Pudding, which is really good.  I can leave there and no be dying of thirst due to the overly heavy salt content of the old Dale's menu.  I hate to see the name chane since it was a Florence tradition, but sometimes change can be a welcome thing.

On my most recent trip to Sperry's I wanted to try their Ribeye as I had usually had the Prime Rib when  I'd go.  I have to say that my first trip to Sperry's I wasn't impressed but I'm more than glad I decide to go back and give it a second and third try.  My last trip I wanted to compare their Ribeye to the best Ribeye that I had found, previously, in the Florence area which was the "Outlaw Ribeye" at Longhorn Steakhouse.  It's always good and one of my favorite and most always consistently good so I wanted to make sure to compare Sperry's Ribeye with Longhorns.  

 

For me I was actually surprised because at least for this trip Sperry's Ribeye was superior to that I received at Longhorn and was actually one of the best Ribeye's I've had in the Florence area.  I don't know about consistency but I will surely be going back to try it again and I have to also say that they have a great "French" salad dressing.  I used to be one of those that loved Dales and hated to see when the name went and felt that far too much had changed but now that I've been a few more times I can't wait to get back for the next meal.  

 

As for comparisons to Georges I, sadly, have to say that with regards to meat, steak, and Prime Rib there aren't any comparisons for hands down Sperry's has the best dining experiences in the area.  I was one who was initially critical of Sperry's and the new Dales but count me in as a convert for when you serve as good of a meal as I've had the last two times then they justly deserve to be commented on and bragged on.

Dined at Sperry's, the 6 oz filet was excellent.  Stuffed mushrooms were OK, I'll probably go back to escargot, next time.French onion soup, good as always. 

Where is Sperry's?

 

 

Doh! It's Dales.

DALE's old building is where Sperry's is located, in Florence.  It started out as Dale's reopening but for whatever reasons, and not long ago, the owner decided to change the name and exterior signage to Sperry's which is the same name as a two other high caliber (aka Fine Dining type) restaurants that the same owner owns up in Tennessee.

________

Thank you. I didn't know they had changed the name.

For those who feel Sperry's is too high or haven' tried it due to the price there is an opportunity coming up for you to sample what I believe is one of, if not the best, Prime Rib in the Shoals.  I've heard that Sperry's is going to have 1/2 Price entrees (with some exclusions) on Labor Day this year which will put the price of their entrees less than most of their competition Steak houses and give those who haven't tried it a chance and opportunity to do so without breaking the bank.

 

As for me I highly recommend the Prime Rib as being some of the best I've had anywhere, especially the Shoals area but their Ribeyes are also a great piece of meat.  I also have you tout (my favorite that is) the Creamed Spinach.   I love that stuff and up until I tried Sperry's the best I had (and most likely still is the best) is the Chop House but the Chop House is in the Knoxville area with the closest restaurant of that group being Chattanooga.  Sperry's Creamed Spinach is very close to the Chop house and very tasty.  

 

So for those who haven't tried it here's your chance but I anticipate with this special it's going to be quite busy so as for my part I plan to make reservations ahead of time.  I also like their salad bar and their unique offerings in their dressings that they make in house and, again, my opinion regarding the bread is that the new bread that they make (also in house) is superior in taste to the bread sticks that you used to get at Dales.   For those who might be tempted to try Sperry's to see if it still taste like Dales well you'll be greatly disappointed (in some ways) but encouraged in others (I believe).

 

For one nothing that Sperry's does or serves is anywhere like Dales in any way any more.  They have changed everything and no longer do they even use Dales Sauce as a marinade, at least to my knowledge, so there is no carryovers from Dales so anyone going there to revisit Dales will not find anything like Dales.  That said I do believe and feel that the Steaks are just as good and the Prime Rib is much better than Dales had.  I can't speak about the french onion soup for I always choose the Salad Bar, something Dales never had.  I enjoyed and liked Dales very well but did feel that Dales had a drop off in quality and taste, right before they sold it out.   Sperry's I believe has steaks that compete very well with any other in the area and now Sperry's is one place that I try to always add to my dining choices especially when I can find their meals on sale.   1/2 price entrees comes along very seldom so for anyone thinking about trying it ... Labor Day will be your best opportunity for a while.

Well guys the old Dales is gone....went there after they had been opened a while ... Hoping they had the kinks worked out by this time with food prep, waiting times, etc .....I was NOT impressed. Prices way out of range for the taste. Will not go back. I saw a few former waiters.....they were the best. They were the only familiar friendly faces I saw that was left of the former Dales. The food ....overpriced.......the taste.....maybe a D- on the high school grade scale.  Definitely not ever gonna be even an A. I'll never pay those prices again for the taste of what we ordered.  We will grill at home....our family grills the best "everything" plus family time and we know where the beef comes from.... Our own Homegrown .....so that's my opinion.

I never cared for Dales, everything had a ton of salt on it. So we weren't regulars in love with the place. Florence foodies had a meal at Sperry's a couple of months ago and I loved it. We will go back, want to try their Sunday brunch. I don't mind spending money for good food.

Different strokes for different folks.