NEW STEAKHOUSE
1844: Steakhouse opens in Marion's Miller Complex
1844: Steakhouse is housed where the Marion Wing Factory and Factory 29 used to operate within the Miller Complex.
A six-ounce sirloin at 1844: Steakhouse.
A ribeye at 1844: Steakhouse in Marion.
French onion soup is one of the soups on the menu.
The steakhouse has unlimited trips to the hot bar, which is included with every entrée.
A new steakhouse is open in Marion in the Larry D. Miller Business Complex.
The new restaurant, 1844: Steakhouse, is housed where the Marion Wing Factory used to operate.
The tagline for 1844: Steakhouse is "Hand cut steaks, strong drinks, great company."
Hope Cornett, the owner, also runs Factory 29. Factory 29 has moved to another part of the Miller Complex building.
Cornett said she and her staff want the steakhouse to be something in between a Western Steer or Western Sizzlin from the 1980s and today's Ruth's Chris Steak House. They have been working on this new restaurant for months now, Cornett said.
"We really wanted to provide a 'bridge' between a Western Sizzlin that people have fond memories of and a Michelin star steak house that is out of the reach of the average Joe's finances," Cornett said. "We wanted a place where a blue-collared worker could come in and have an incredible meal for under $20, or you can get dressed up and come on a date and pull out all the stops. I feel like we have succeeded so far."
The date 1844 refers to the year the city of Marion was founded. The new steakhouse has a different atmosphere than the Wing Factory or Factory 29. The large flat-screen TVs were removed for a more formal look.
For now, 1844: Steakhouse is operating on a soft-opening basis for dinner only from Thursdays through Sundays from 4-9 p.m. For the foreseeable future, customers will need to make reservations.
"The purpose of the reservation system is simple," Cornett said. "It keeps us from getting overrun by too many guests at once. And it reserves any customers wanting a place, without having to wonder if they will be able to get in."
Cornett said the reservation system also allows her staff to control the flow of the restaurant so that they can guarantee good food and service.
"We would rather have people upset that they can't get in on a Friday afternoon, than be upset that they had a bad experience," Cornett said.
She said 1844: Steakhouse may be able to free up some tables for walk-in service within the coming months.
"But right now, we're getting overloaded with messages," Cornett said.
The new steakhouse has received more than 3,000 messages since Thursday, she said.
The menu offers fried green tomatoes, an onion stack, deviled eggs and loaded potato skins as some of the appetizers. The salads include Caesar, wedge and house. French onion soup and broccoli cheddar soup are also on the menu.
As for the steaks, customers can choose among the different sizes of sirloin, New York strip, sixounce ribeye, 10-ounce ribeye and 16-ounce ribeye, 16-ounce tomahawk ribeye and eight-ounce bacon-wrapped filet. There are also baby rack ribs, grilled salmon and chicken breasts to choose from on the menu.
The steakhouse has unlimited trips to the hot bar, which is included with every entrée. The hot bar has macaroni and cheese, baked potatoes, corn, green beans, baked beans, mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli and sweet carrots. Customers can get unlimited side salads with every entrée purchase.
Desserts include bourbon pecan pie, banana pudding cheesecake, peach cobbler, crème brulee and skillet chocolate chip cookie.
The beverages consist of a selection of wines, beers, cocktails, tea and Pepsi products. There is also a children's menu.
Cornett said she and her staff are continuing to develop this new steakhouse and are using this period to make it as good as possible. Colby Carr is the kitchen manager.
"We're grateful for the opportunity to provide this service to Marion, and we look forward to continuing to get better over time," Cornett said.
For more information, visit the restaurant's Facebook page.
