“Gilbert doesn’t have a good steakhouse,” fourth-generation chef Dennis Petty says. “You can’t get a top-quality steak at a decent price.”
Petty and his wife, Diana Blewer, hope to do something about that when they open JC’s Steakhouse on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Ray.
The stand-alone building formerly was Cafe Posada Mexican restaurant. JC’s opening is tentatively scheduled for next Friday, Nov. 28.
“It’s gonna be close,” Petty says. “If not that day, we’ll be open the following week for sure.”
JC’s Steakhouse gets its name from the first initials of the couple’s fathers – John Fillman and Charles Blewer.
Petty and Blewer are familiar with the Gilbert dining scene. For the past five years they’ve been serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner at their other restaurant, The Groves Bar & Grill, located a mile-and-a-half up Gilbert Road.
The 5,000-square-foot Cafe Posada space has been gutted and redesigned in what Blewer calls “rustic warehouse.” The walls are covered with weathered-gray wood and corrugated metal.
The public space is divided into three rooms – a dining room, a separate bar (pictured above), and a lounge that can double as a private dining room – and a north-facing patio. Together, they can accommodate 250 people.
Not surprisingly, Petty himself is heading the kitchen, which will offer 15 steaks, about 10 types of seafood, pork and lamb chops, Cornish game hen, and beer-can chicken.
“We’ll cut all of our own steaks and fish,” Petty says. “Everything is upper choice or better. We’ll make everything from scratch.”
A full bar will have wines by the bottle and glass, and 12 beers on tap, including nine local.
JC’s will be open Tuesdays through Sundays. The bar and lounge areas will open at 3 p.m., the dining room at 4. Happy hour will run 3-6:30 p.m. weekdays.
“You’re going to get a very nice meal for a very good price,” Petty promises.
