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Destination Date Night Visits The Chophouse in Mt. Vernon

Destination Date Night Visits The Chophouse in Mt. Vernon
  • PublishedOctober 5, 2022


The Chophouse in Mt. Vernon dining room.

The History of The Chophouse in Mt. Vernon

Destination Date Night hit the road last month and traveled east of Sulphur Springs to the small Texas town of Mt. Vernon.  Mt. Vernon started as a settlement by the Fanning Springs in the early 1800s.  We were given a tip that there was a fantastic steakhouse located on the old downtown square off Highway 67.  The land that now occupies The Chophouse and buildings on each side used to be part of the Ruth Hotel built in 1861. After the hotel was demolished in 1897, another building and a bank were built.  However, the buildings were destroyed by fire and another building and bank were built in 1912.  A cotton trader named Guy P. Hill, “G.P.”, built the existing structure that now houses one of east Texas’ most unique steakhouses.

Down the Road to Mt. Vernon

Sulphur Springs “Legend” Slade Daniel and wife Kendra

We were joined by Sulphur Spring’s natives Slade and Kendra Daniel, and made the quick trip down I-30 to enjoy an evening without the children. Destination Date Night is all about finding unique places within an hour or so of Sulphur Springs so we can enjoy ourselves but also not leave our sitters trying to wrangle our feral children for more than a few hours.  This makes Mt. Vernon an easy trip for us.  The restaurant was not incredibly busy for a Thursday night which led to an superb experience with the owners of the restaurant offering us a tour and talking with us about the history of the building as well as some interesting stories about the ghosts that apparently reside in the building. More about the ghosts to come.

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Meet the Owners

Owners Brad & Stephanie

The owners, Brad and Stephanie, are not only seasoned professionals in their own respective careers, but now highly involved Mt. Vernon visionaries who have been investing their time and resources in helping Mt. Vernon become a destination for dining and tourism.  The Chophouse is a prime example of their passion for providing guests in Mt. Vernon a unique customer focused experience.  Our arrival on a Thursday night allowed us to experience the weekly Theme Night with our evening’s theme being Hawaiian.  We received our leis upon arrival and made our way to our table.  

Our Experience

The Chophouse Crew

Our server, Katie, was attentive, friendly, and prompt with recommendations.  Not only was her service stellar, but she also creates desserts for the restaurant.  She made the delicious cheesecake that we later enjoyed after our meal.  Katie recommended that I allow Smitty, the bartender, to craft for me not only a few of their Hawaiian themed cocktails, but to enjoy one of their locally renowned Smoked Rye Old Fashioned.
A perky attentive group of bartenders using fresh squeezed juices and spirits put together a series of fruity concoctions for our enjoyment.  The highlight for me was most definitely the whiskey drink. 

 

 

 

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Our Meal

Dinner started with our appetizer selections of Tempura Asparagus and Mexican Shrimp Cocktail both simple and satisfying, and although I am a bigger fan of the heat found in a more traditional style Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, the house made tortilla chips were a nice touch to finish off the dish.   Moving on to our mains, our table primarily sampled a variety of Chophouse’s steaks.  From steak tips to a succulent filet, a Texas favorite ribeye, and a thick cut pork chop rounded off the table’s meatiness. 

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In Conclusion

The Chophouse lived up to its name and the history and heritage of what an American Steakhouse should be.   From the dusty 19th century working class English-styled chophouses aimed at a male only dining experience, to the extravagant beefsteak banquets of early days, the American Steakhouse was born.  Beginning in the meat packing districts of New York, the first steakhouses were quite different than your modern day Texas Roadhouse or Outback chain steakhouse terribleness.  The Chophouse in Mt. Vernon sets a new, yet familiar tone that appeals to a variety of guests looking to spend an evening experiencing crafted cocktails, thick-cut aged beef, and homemade accompaniments.

Destination Date Nighters Logan & Whitney Vaughan

But the jewel of this place lies in its history.  Take the time to get to know the owners, listen to the spooky haunted tales of the ghosts that lurk in the historic buildings of downtown Mt. Vernon.  The phantoms, ghosts, and hauntings are regulars at The Chophouse, appearing in candid photos, cell phone videos, and making eerie sounds in the dark upstairs or storage areas.  Enjoy your company.  Get a tour of the upstairs and of the original elevator.  Maybe after a couple of flame kissed whiskey drinks, you will even catch a glimpse of an apparition.  Tell it, “Hello” and maybe it will pick up the tab.  

If you are interested in Destination Date Night visiting your location, please email logan@chadsmedia.com.  Follow us on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK  



Written By
Logan Vaughan