Walt’s Hitching Post
Restaurants and dining out have evolved tremendously over recent decades. Ethnic locales abound. Limited, exquisite menus are in demand. And customer cuisine knowledge — with the likes of Gordon Ramsey and Jamie Oliver showing us just how good food can be — have made the restaurant experience more panoramic than ever.
But for many people, they do not look for that sort of place. They want a good steak in a familiar, family atmosphere, a place that feels like home. Well, for those of you that appreciate traditional dining, Walt’s Hitching Post has what you’re looking for. Owner/Manager Donny Arnsperger oversees a classic steak house with many well known favorites.
In keeping with this notion, my wife and I began our evening meal at Walt’s with Burnt Ends with Barbecue Sauce. Complete with onion straws and dipping sauce, this appetizer was a solid start to an enjoyable meal.
Before I go further, I want to let you know that for me, dining out requires great food, but it’s not complete without great service. Our server, Dan, provided exactly that. He was attentive to our needs and knew the menu and wine list well. I have noticed when eating out lately, servers are often reluctant to give recommendations. They will tell you what is popular or say that “no one complains about this dish.” Dan did none of that. When discussing our options, he did not hesitate, letting us know that the he strongly recommends premium steak. He reviewed several options and made a few clear recommendations. I ordered a Filet Mignon and my wife got the Black and Blue Salad, both featuring quality beef. Along with my steak, I had the grilled onions & mushrooms topping and home fries. And like a traditional steak house, entrees are not a-la-carte, so salads, sides and bread are included. In short, Walt’s does not let you go home hungry.
To go along with these dishes, we had a bottle of Penfold’s Shiraz, a wine I have not seen on a wine list much recently. It was a fantastic accompaniment to the meal and reasonably priced.
The wine list is well rounded and features a wide variety of wines from around the world.
Donny came by our table for a visit, and I enjoyed the pride he takes in his restaurant, as well as his hands-on approach. I learned years ago when I worked in restaurants that if you want to have a well-run restaurant, you better be there to make sure it stays that way. Donny does exactly that, which is reflected all around the dining room.
To finish up our meal, we both enjoyed a Kentucky favorite, a piece of Peanut Butter Pie. Like most of the items at Walt’s Hitching Post, the Peanut Butter Pie was a great finish to a enjoyable meal.
But Donny didn’t let us leave empty-handed. He returned to the table to tell us about a new initiative he’s taking. Like any good businessman, Donny tries to keep things new and exciting.
He gave my wife and I a packet of his new homemade jerky, Steak Bites. Named in part after his son, Ari, Donny even has a mascot of sorts featured on the package: Ari Jerkowitz. I tried the jerky later and it was quite tasty: a little sweet with good beef flavor.
From the valet parking, to the old style entrance with a marquee, to classic tables and chairs, Walt’s Hitching Post stands out as a traditional family restaurant in Fort Wright that brings modern, high quality cooking to a traditional family setting. I’m sure to go back, because Walt’s is a place where… where the last taste lingers long after its gone.
