For years we’ve seen the WQCW-TV commercials for the Wild Horse Café Restaurant in Pomeroy. So we opened the sunroof, cranked up the XM, and headed for a seat with a breathtaking view beside the beautiful Ohio River.
A couple of hours later, we were wondering why we waited so long.
The view from the outdoor patio can’t be put into words. From Main Street to the north to the Mason-Pomeroy Bridge to the south, across the Mighty Ohio to West Virginia to the east, Wild Horse Café makes the most of location, location, location.
And, oh yes, the food ranges from pretty good to great.
Wild Horse Café looks like a western steakhouse with an indoor rustic feel, using lots of carved wood around the booths and western décor. A smoke-free environment makes sure you can smell the food while breathing clean air indoors or outside.
As we enjoyed the food, I was looking forward to Prime Rib, but Dolores was undecided, as we looked over the menu. I was pleasantly surprised to find fish tacos on the menu, so, with to-go boxes in mind, tried the Prime Rib after using the fish taco dinner as my “appetizer.” Dolores ordered chicken fajitas.
Before our meals arrived we were treated to tortilla chips and some of the freshest salsa on the planet. Better yet, our server, Pamela, brought out some corn bread muffins. These were incredible, melting in our mouths as Dolores commented that, "They feed you too much before the meals come out." Dolores was right. There was plenty to chow down on while we waited (quite a while) for our meals.
As soon as the meals arrived we were ordering to-go boxes. The portions were large, giving us our money’s worth along with the million-dollar view.
My Prime Rib was a disappointing average, but the salad was tasty, the fish tacos were the best I’ve had away from San Diego, and Dolores’ chicken fajitas were delicious.
And our server was superior. Despite being let-down by a slow kitchen Pamela kept on top of our drinks, took away plates, and apologized for the delay when we complemented her hard work.
Food prices are reasonable at Wild Horse Cafe. We ordered three entrees and a Pepsi and spent under $50 including a $5 tip. We will be working our way through those to-go boxes for days.
After your meals, you can walk (or drive) to the Main Street Village a few blocks north. There are a few shops that are open Monday-Saturday or you can sit in the gazebo and watch the boats and barges sail by.
Despite the distance, getting to The Wild Horse Café is pretty easy. If you’re driving, or riding your Harley, just take U.S. 35 west to Rte. 62 north out of Point Pleasant. Then it’s a quick trip across the Mason-Pomeroy bridge into Ohio. Make a right turn on Main Street as you come off the bridge and head north a mile or so. You’ll see Wild Horse Café on your right at 251 Main. If you’re sailing, it’s a pleasant trip west on the Kanawha River, then north on the Ohio River into Pomeroy. The restaurant’s dock is just past the bridge.
Now if I can only convince Oshel Craigo to duplicate the concept alongside the Kanawha River we can enjoy spectacular views without leaving Putnam County!
Wild Horse Café can be reached at: 740-992-0099. You can check out the new menu of Wild Horse Café by logging onto www.TheWildHorseCafe.com.
Major credit cards are accepted.
