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On
entry to El Dorado’s we were greeted by Johnny, the very
friendly and courteous co-owner. El Dorado’s been a Canberra
dining institution for more than two decades and so we knew
we were in the good hands of steak professionals. After the
pleasantries were exchanged, Johnny casually took one look at
us, sized up the hunger that must have been showing on our faces,
and offhandedly offered us “The Big Eldo”.
“The
Big Eldo?” we said in unison.
“Yeah
it’s our biggest steak weighing in at one kilo,” he
replied. We didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. We must
have had shock written across our faces but before the thought
of a one-kilo steak could sink in, Johnny had us over near the
counter showing off the “Big Eldo Hall of Fame” –
the place where the names of the big steak eaters are listed
in all their glory. Finish the one-kilo monster and you earn
your place in history on the wall. Looking through the names
I noticed a fair representation from the Canberra Raiders and
thought to myself now here’s a challenge!
After
taking a good look at the menu, Clyde ordered a 350gm fillet
(medium) with a dianne sauce and vegetables. I was humiliated.
We’d just been offered Canberra’s biggest steak and
he was embarrassing himself by ordering this children’s
cut of meat. And veggies? Please! I would have bought my six-year-old
niece along if I wanted to order veggies!
While
I also conceded and shied away from the ‘Big Eldo’,
I did order its little brother: a 550gm rump (medium) with onion
and bacon sauce and chips! Not quite the ‘big one’
but still an impressive chunk of cow.
Often
when you order a half-kilo medium rump, like the one I ordered,
you’ll end up with the edges burnt and middle under cooked.
In this case the steak was cooked to a juicy, tender medium
state through out. However, the clincher was the onion and bacon
sauce. What a treat! It perfectly complements any cut of steak
and certainly added a new flavour to mine.
Clyde
agreed that his fillet was perfectly cooked and the diane sauce
a must. He even mentioned how good the vegies were. Does he
really think I want to hear about vegies? Props don’t eat
vegies!
Needless
to say there wasn’t a skerrick left when the meal was over
and had there not been other patrons in the restaurant I would
have had no hesitation in licking the plate clean – it
was an outstanding onion and bacon sauce.
It’s
not hard to see why El Dorado’s continues to be regarded
as one of Canberra’s premier steak houses. In Dickson,
amongst the very best Asian cuisine, you have a place like El
Dorado’s, standing out like a prop at the salad bar, where
it has been for a number of successful years. It’s earned
the right to mingle with the heavy weights of Canberra’s
Chinatown by consistently providing great, tasting meals at
affordable prices.
El
Dorado's is not at all pretentious and it doesn’t try to
be anything it’s not. What it does do it great food, the
friendly and efficient service and a great cold beer (I’m
sure they do other drinks very well too). This is a great place
for anyone looking for a dinner for two, a family-friendly venue
or great place for that buck’s or hen’s night.
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