Iron Chest Steakhouse

In town for our wedding anniversary and a visit to the hot springs (if you haven't been to Mt. Princeton you're missing out), we decided to skip our usual local haunts for our anniversary dinner and try a new place.

We selected the place based on never having eaten here, reviews and owner review replies.

I totally now understand another reviewer stating they would drive 100+ miles to return because damn it so would I. Hopping that far is just too far for this bunny.

We had no idea this place even existed as its tucked in a small plaza in the little town of Poncho Springs located between Buena Vista and Salida Colorado.

We were seated immediately and initially I felt overdressed but by the end of the night we had ballgowns, us in our anniversary duds and those in jeans and hoodies.

The place is a unique atmosphere almost as if urban store front, steampunk, and taxidermist had a baby, but honestly it works. If you have a problem with hunting heads/taxidermy staring at you as you dine upon the food chain, they are part of, then might not be the spot for you. But I found the decor pleasant and fun, and it was almost a theme over the walls and tables, between the heads, fresh flowers and dead candles. I always say if something works go for it.

Our order was taken right away, and salads came out really fast, as someone who would sleep in the kitchen with all my toys if my husband would let me instead of just cooking and writing my blog, I'd say this is a scratch kitchen.

I did the prime rib special done medium with the au jus, smothered with carnalized mushrooms and onions. Prime rib is one of my specialty dishes and favorites to eat. This was spot on. The flavors danced over your tastebuds with a culinary explosion. I paired it with a baked potato which was light and fluffy and the perfect butter/ sour cream ratio.

My husband tried the ribeye medium, it came out rare-ish almost on the side of mooing field puppy. We flagged a staff member, and they rushed it right on back and plopped that slab of field puppy back on, and the chef brought it out shortly later to my husband personally so the reviews about slow service or under/overcooked or flavorless food make me wonder if the customer(s) mentioning issues thought to mention the said issues and allow staff to fix them.

We honesty were going to skip desert we don't have huge appetites but when she said the hand pies were made and brought in by a local Amish community, we got one of each flavor. I haven't had a strawberry rhubarb hand pie since I graduated HS and hopped out of Pennsylvania. My husband tried the blackberry one.

OMG! It should be a food felony to leave without having one of the hand pies!

I can't wait to return and try all the tasty menu items and enjoy the amazing decor.

Oh my goodness, this place was great!!! I think they were the friendliest staff I have ever encountered. The food was really good. The decor was cool. I want to go back, lol. Just an over all great experience!

We went here for our wedding dinner after eloping and couldn’t have asked for a better experience! The entire staff was wonderful. The manager, Becca, really made sure our night was special and memorable. The food was so good. The bison steak was better than the $125 steak from a fancy restaurant recently visited. Everything was so perfect! We even went back the next night to try some of the appetizers we didn’t get the night before. Thank you for everything!

My wife and I had a fantastic experience at Iron Chest Steakhouse in Poncha Springs! Our server was awesome—friendly and attentive throughout our meal. We started with the chicken wing appetizer, which was really good. For our mains, I had the bison ribeye with a side salad and elote, while my wife enjoyed the sirloin with the same sides. Both dishes were cooked perfectly and delicious. We finished off with a delightful carrot cake for dessert.

Overall, the food was excellent, and the service was top-notch. The only downside was that the seat was a bit hard on the butt, but that didn't overshadow our wonderful dining experience. We'll definitely be returning!

The food is delicious 😋 The service is good. My only complaint is I've been here 5 times with one perfect service. 1 # visit - raw sausage, 2# visit - went into the restaurant as a group of 3. The orders were all mixed up. Temperatures of burgers, and had wrong toppings. #3 visit - I got charged for stuff I didn't even receive. Still owed $0.75 for the ranch all they took off was a dessert on my next visit to compensate. #4 visit - I didn't receive my second side(broccoli) had to ask. The appetizer came out with dinner and it was completely cold (baked macaroni). It sure seems like I was overcharged for a drink.
We ordered an $8 drink special with a top shelf spirit. Which made the drink 17$???? The food is absolutely delicious in the presentation is wonderful. I just wish they could get it together 100%. I personally won't be back.