Dale's Steakhouse

Yes, you could bring in wine and they would provide the glasses.  Never brought in liquor.  The waiters were very professional until they closed.  Hope they hire them back -- always tipped 20%.  Food went down for a while, but the steaks made a comeback. 

I was not a resident here when and as Dales opened or in those years when alcohol was illegal however when I did come to the area naturally I had to try Dales account of the great food that it was said that Dales had.  As for the dark dining atmosphere I was told, by other longtime residents, that it was a very nice, high-end restaurant that many gentlemen would like to take their mistresses or girlfriends when they didn't necessarily want to be recognized or seen by other patrons.  Who really knows what reason the lighting was so low, maybe they just thought it would be romantic touch to have lighting that low, that it would emphasize the candle light or atmosphere for all diners.

Hmmmmmmm, not want to be seen? Since it wasn't pitch black in there, and it seems everyone and his brother loved to eat there, I'd say the chances of them not being seen or recognized would have been slim indeed. Unless of course they weren't from the area, but if that was so, what would it matter if they were seen?

I admit to dining there with a woman, who was not my wife.  However, as I was not married, and neither was she, I don't see the problem.    It was dark, however, in this small community, hiding a relationship isn't easy.  Now, in Atlanta, it was rather easy. 

I never had anything to hide either when we went there. And it would have had to have been pitch dark for anyone to avoid being seen. Too, I'm not going to eat in a place where it's so dark you can barely see the food and your surroundings.

the night I went I really almost fell down the step to my table because I really couldn't see.  I could hardly see my food, too, and I remember laughing with my ex that I wasn't sure what we were really served and how I thought we might be the only ones there in the darkness.  Maybe the lighting levels depended on who was there that night or who was working to set the switch.  We never went back because it was like eating in a very dimly lit closet, and with those prices I wanted to see who I ate with and what I was eating

I just wonder when Dales and its sister restauant, Sams' Sports Bar, will be up and running?  They appear to have been doing some training at Sams last week, with food cooking and closed doors.

 

With Sams' being the #1 most popular sports bar in Nashville year after year, I would think the level of service will be better than anything around here--including the amateurish 360 Grille.

 

And Dales will be a cross of Sperry's and Dales.  Sperry's is where all the Belle Meade power brokers eat at night.  It's one of those places where the customers use the same waiters night after night, and those waiters bring their favorite drinks automatically.

 

I just hope the local restaurant market can support two more restaurants.

It was dark in there, I heard that a homeless man lived in there unnoticed for two years.

I like all of the responses about the lighting at Dales, including the theories as to why it was so dimly lit. I think it boiled down to faulty installation of the lights. There were a few Tiffany lamps scattered about and some flood lights along the walls, but no direct lights over the tables. I am currently installing a direct light over every table, utilizing specialty museum lights for the spots where the ceiling is too high to accomodate a standard track head. I have also ordered 85 picture lights to go on all of the art that is being placed throughout. The lights will still be low, however you will be able to see your food. Look for Dales to reopen mid-June.

 

As for Sam's, we opened today at 11:00!!  It's a lot of work to get a restaurant up and running, and it's not over yet. In this case, as soon as I get a chance to step away from Sam's, I get to do it all over again. It is exciting, but tiring at the same time.

I attended the trial run at Sam's and was extremely impressed. I will definitely continue to patronize the restaurant.

I was thinking about going by tonight.   What did you have?   Did you notice beer selection?  Primarily what is on tap?   Their Nashville selection is great.

I had the wings for an appetizer and the monster burger. Wings are great. Burger was really good. They only had bottles at the time. The tap wasn't set up yet. They thought this week or next but could not give me an list of what they would serve. It was still undecided. I recall 12 or 16 beers.

i'd LOVE to hear some great news about dales.

several ppl i know attended the "sam's" pre-opening. they all said it was wonderful.

I posted a review under another topic heading in this food forum and won't repeat it here but suffice it to say the food was excellent, including one of the best baked potatoes that I've had in the area.  Chicken tenders and ribs are just like Princetons used to serve, potentially better.  We did have one problem with the order arriving as ordered but that was quickly handled to our total satisfaction.  It's a very quality organization and I can only imagine Dale's will be just as quality and customer oriented.  Thanks for binging another great restaurant to the area.

gbrk, thank you for your post and your patronage. Please don't hesitate to let me or Sam's managers know if things aren't up to snuff. It will take a while to get our execution down to a science.

 

Thank you,

 

Al

What, exactly, does a "pre-opening" consist of & how do you get an invite to one? I want one to Dale's.

I see the new sign is up at Dale's.  Hope to see it opening soon.

It's a very nice looking sign to.

 

Where's the badly drawn cow that was on the old sign?

Steak

Anyone know when the opening date is?

Dales is scheduled to reopen mid-July. Wallpaper and paint are almost done. Kitchen walls are covered with stainless and the equipment comes in Monday. Fireplace is being installed in the Side Door Lounge. We are moving ahead slowly but surely.

As for the question about the metro-sexual bull on the sign and elsewhere, it was terminated. We changed our logo and removed all memories of the old Dales Restaurant and separated ourselves from the Dales Seasoning guys. Our new motto is "Great Beef, No Bull"!! Thanks to everyone for keeping tabs on the Dales progress and for patronizing Sam's.

You previously posted ... "Yes the window remains and we will still use the Dales Seasoning. Trying to stay true to the Dales look and feel as best as we can."

 

I take it that has changed? Or will you purchase the Dales Seasoning? It's not a deal breaker for me, but I'm sure some would like an answer to that question.

It's a fact tht Dale's had gotten to a point where some major updating was needed but I hope that in removing "all memories of the old Dale's restaurant" that you are not including the removal of awesome service and a good steak.

Will you be open on Sundays?  What hours you will be open?

Dales will maintina it's regular hours and will be closed Sundays. Once we get a better feel for our operations we will visit opening Sundays, and maybe even Sunday brunch. As for erasing old memories of Dales, we are only removing any logo references to Dales Seasonings, meaning no more "badly drawn cow". The stained glass in the lobby will remain.

Beef can you clarify the removing yourself from the Dales Seasonings guys? Will you use their marinade or implement a fresher tactic of preparation?

I'm gonna guess that the logo on the seasoning is owned by whoever owns the license to produce and distribute it; and that Dale's the restaurant lost rights to the logo when it changed hands. 

You know the difference between Sperry's in Belle Meade and the new Dales in Florence?

We won't have any billionaires hanging around at Happy Hours.  Heck, there's not a billionaire in all of North Alabama.

 

We'll welcome the new Dales.  It appears that the building was in shambles when they bought it, and the new lighting and HVAC systems will be very much appreciated.  Downtown needs a bar that goes after a wide range of customers.

I can't wait for it to open!!! I have been to Sperry's and love it. If the new Dale's is anything like it then it will be great.

 

Me and wife are big foodies and new restaurants are as exciting to us as Disneyland is to children.

 

Sperry's in Bell Meade is, indeed, a classy joint -- my kind of place.  However, as Tennessee has only 4 billionaires, (Alabama has one) I doubt there are that many at Sperry's.  Multi-millionaires, perhaps.

I very much believe. and have faith, that the New Dales Restaurant will exceed people's expectations and desires.  I fully believe that they will not change that which made Dales great in the first place or brought their reputation to be what it was.  It's too bad that Dales was allowed to go down to the point that it needed to be brought up as it's being brought up but I think it's going to be for the good of the Florence Consumer that these folks are taking their time and efforts in making it a very desirable and quality place to dine.  I also fully expect many of the changes, bar, salad bar etc to enhance the dining experience for all and I hope to be one of the first in line when the doors do open again.  As for the elimination of the cow/sign I fully understand that and am glad that they aren't going overboard and removing Dales Seasoning from the steaks that are going to be offered at the Restaurant.  I also hope that they keep the great Hot Apple Pie that came with that heavenly sweet sauce that was unique to Dales. 

 

It will also be interesting to see if they alter the French Onion soup from the former recipe, which was heavy on the use of Dales Sauce, to one more familiar with what you find with French Onion soups at other Steakhouses.  I think already, with the new sign and exterior lighting folks can see profound changes that the new owners are implementing.

Won't be long now before the new Dales opens it doors.  I can't wait and you can tell they have taken pains to improve the building's exterior lighting which, like the interior, was way too dark for comfort.

 

I went by the other night and shot a few shots so thought I would post some here in case the readers haven't had the opportunity to drive by at night and notice the difference.  Note that in the upper (top) photo the white balance was off and the actual appearance (color/hue) is more the shade that is portrayed in the lower (bottom) photo.  The top was taken with a cell phone and the bottom photo was taken with a better camera.

 

You couldn't pay me to go the first month after it opens. 

The pictures look great. Shows what 500 pounds of "lipstick" can do.

 

Thank you for giving us a chance to get up and running. You are smart.

Beef master, are you the owner of Dale's?

Yes I am.

______

I wasn't trying to be negative or rude. I meant because it would probably be so crowded.

Actually the "Badly drawn cow" is on their sauce bottles - and the sauce is sold EVERYWHERE.  I have seen it all over the southeast.