I was shocked to find out that Austin's American Grill wasn't owned by Chili's, Applebee's or Friday's, because it just smacked of being a chain restaurant. Even the menus look like they were built by a marketing team - corporate and bereft of character.
Austin's is, essentially, a steak house - offering grilled salmon, delmonico steaks, buffalo, roasted chicken and prime rib. At least they called it "prime rib" but I'd be very surprised if it was USDA prime (someone call the inspectors from the big Dept. of Agriculture campus down the street) - more like choice grade beef, which was cooked in a manner that simultaneously drained this noble cut of beef of all flavor while retaining all of the connective tissue internal in the meat. The accompanying garlic mashed potatoes were, well, dry and flavorless. Butter would have helped. Cream would have helped. Gravy would have helped.
Maybe a new chef would have helped.
They get a couple of points for the spacious bar with a decent selection of local beer as well as their 4 course dinner special ($18.68 for an appetizer, salad, entree and dessert).
Having never eaten in Fort Collins before, I am sure you could do better.
more