Lunch vs Dinner at a Redlands Steakhouse: Which Experience Reigns Supreme?
When you’re craving a perfectly seared steak in Redlands, California, timing might matter more than you think. The same steakhouse can offer two remarkably different experiences depending on whether you walk through those doors at noon or after sunset. Let’s dive into what makes each meal distinct and help you decide which suits your occasion best.
The Lunch Experience: Steakhouse Sophistication on Your Schedule
Lunch at a Redlands steakhouse brings a certain energy that dinner simply can’t replicate. The midday sun streams through windows, creating a brighter, more casual atmosphere that feels less formal but no less special.
What makes lunch unique:
The pace moves quicker during lunch hours. Diners often have afternoon commitments, so service tends to be more efficient without feeling rushed. You’ll notice a different crowd too—business professionals sealing deals over ribeyes, friends catching up during their lunch break, and locals treating themselves to a midweek indulgence.
Menu-wise, many Redlands steakhouses offer lunch-specific options that lean toward lighter fare alongside their signature cuts. Think steak salads, prime rib sandwiches, and smaller portion sizes that won’t leave you drowsy for the rest of your workday. The pricing typically runs 20-30% lower than dinner, making that filet mignon suddenly more budget-friendly.
The drink selection shifts too. While you’ll still find an impressive wine list, lunch patrons often opt for iced tea, craft sodas, or perhaps a single glass of wine rather than committing to a full bottle. The bar scene is quieter, focused more on efficient service than lingering conversation.
The Dinner Experience: Classic Steakhouse Theater
Step into that same steakhouse after 5 PM, and you’ve entered an entirely different world. Lighting dims to a warm, intimate glow. Conversations drop to hushed tones punctuated by laughter. The energy transforms from productive to celebratory.
What makes dinner special:
Dinner service at a steakhouse is theater. Your server becomes your guide through a culinary journey, with more time dedicated to explaining preparations, wine pairings, and tableside presentations. That tomahawk steak arrives with flourish. The Caesar salad gets tossed beside your table. Dessert carts wheel past, tempting you even when you swear you’re too full.
The full menu comes alive at dinner. Every cut of meat is available, from the petite filet to the massive porterhouse meant for sharing. Side dishes become events themselves—truffle mac and cheese, lobster-loaded baked potatoes, creamed spinach rich enough to be dessert. This is when steakhouses pull out all the stops.
Expect a different clientele: anniversary couples dressed to impress, extended families celebrating milestones, groups of friends making memories over shared plates. The bar buzzes with energy as craft cocktails flow and wine bottles uncork throughout the evening.
The Price Point Reality
Let’s talk numbers, because they matter. Lunch at a quality Redlands steakhouse might run you $25-40 per person for a satisfying meal. Dinner at that same establishment easily climbs to $60-100 per person before drinks, appetizers, or desserts enter the equation.
But here’s what you’re paying for at dinner: the complete experience. Longer service windows mean your server isn’t juggling as many tables. Kitchen staff has more time to perfect each plate. The sommelier can actually spend ten minutes helping you select the perfect bottle rather than rushing through recommendations.
Ambiance: Day Versus Night
The physical space remains the same, yet feels completely transformed between lunch and dinner. During lunch, natural light reveals the restaurant’s architectural details—exposed brick, hardwood accents, framed photographs of cattle ranches. It feels approachable, almost casual despite the white tablecloths.
Come dinner, strategic lighting reshapes everything. Candlelight flickers on tables. Pendant lights create pools of warm illumination. Those same brick walls now cast shadows that add intimacy. Background music that was barely noticeable at lunch becomes more prominent, setting a sophisticated mood without overwhelming conversation.
The Food Quality Question
Here’s something many diners wonder: is the steak actually better at dinner? Truthfully, the same kitchen prepares both services using identical ingredients and techniques. That USDA Prime ribeye at lunch received the same careful aging and preparation as the one served at dinner.
However, dinner does offer advantages. Full menu availability means you’re not limited to lunch-sized portions or abbreviated selections. Specials often debut at dinner service. And with more time built into the meal, your steak can rest properly after cooking, your sides can arrive at peak temperature, and everything reaches the table exactly as the chef intended.
Making Your Choice: When to Book Lunch Versus Dinner
Choose lunch when:
- You want to experience a top steakhouse on a tighter budget
- Time is limited but you’re craving quality beef
- You prefer a livelier, less formal atmosphere
- You’re conducting business over a meal
- You want to actually see what you’re eating (some dinner lighting is deliberately romantic but impractical)
Choose dinner when:
- You’re celebrating something special and want the full treatment
- Time isn’t a constraint and you want to linger
- You desire the complete steakhouse experience with all the trimmings
- You’re planning a romantic evening or important occasion
- You want access to the entire menu without restrictions
The Redlands Difference
Redlands adds its own flavor to the steakhouse experience. This historic Southern California city brings a certain charm—whether you’re dining at lunch with views of the San Bernardino Mountains or enjoying dinner under twinkling lights on a patio surrounded by citrus-scented air.
Local Redlands steakhouses often incorporate regional touches: California wines dominate the list, locally-sourced produce appears in side dishes, and the relaxed Inland Empire vibe keeps even dinner service from feeling stuffy or pretentious.
The Verdict: Both Have Their Place
Asking whether lunch or dinner is better at a Redlands steakhouse is like asking whether morning or evening is superior—it depends entirely on what you need from the experience.
Lunch delivers quality and value in a timeframe that respects your schedule. It’s steakhouse excellence without the ceremony, perfect for when you want substance over show. Dinner provides the full theatrical production, where every detail from lighting to wine pairing contributes to a memorable occasion.
The savvy diner learns to leverage both. Enjoy lunch when you want to indulge midweek without breaking the bank or spending three hours at the table. Reserve dinner for moments that deserve celebration, when you can surrender to the experience without watching the clock.
Perhaps the real luxury is knowing you have both options waiting in Redlands—same exceptional beef, two distinct ways to enjoy it. The choice isn’t which is better, but which fits this moment in your life. Why not enjoy both? There’s no reason you can’t savor a quick, satisfying lunch one day and indulge in a leisurely dinner the next. Whether it’s a midday break or a relaxed evening, a great steakhouse experience is perfect anytime.
About Tartan of Redlands
Lunch vs Dinner at a Redlands Steakhouse: Which Experience Reigns Supreme?
Tartan of Redlands stands as a cherished neighborhood gathering place and traditional steakhouse that has woven itself into the fabric of the community across multiple generations. Celebrated for its legendary Saturday night prime rib dinners, extensive array of premium beef cuts, the beloved Redlands Tartan Burger, and a thoughtfully curated full bar, this establishment has secured its position as a cornerstone of local dining heritage.
The restaurant’s story began on April 15, 1964, when three brothers—Velmer, Al, and Art Ctoteau—brought their dream to life in downtown Redlands. Their dedication to exceptional cuisine and genuine hospitality created the blueprint for what would evolve into a community treasure.
As time progressed, Larry Westin joined the ownership team, partnering with the Ctoteau family. Together with his wife, Westin helped steer the restaurant through many prosperous decades. Following his passing in 2003, leadership passed to Larry Westin Jr., who maintained the helm until 2015. That year marked a new chapter when Jeff and Lisa Salamon took ownership. Jeff Salamon, originally from Boston and a devoted United States Marine Corps veteran, has upheld his commitment to honoring the traditions and distinctive character that define the Tartan experience.
Through changing times and evolving tastes, Tartan of Redlands has maintained its timeless appeal and welcoming environment. Affectionately known as the “Cheers of Redlands,” it continues to be a destination where both longtime patrons and first-time visitors receive the same warm reception and genuine sense of community.
