Richard's Prime Rib & Seafood

What's it like?

As a lifelong Fresnan, I can still remember the good ol' days of going out to dinner with my family on Friday and Saturday nights at The Outpost Steakhouse (Chestnut/Olive) & Paul and Grant's The Melody (Divisidero/H Street). While the memory of these places will always occupy a warm spot in my heart & stomach (I still have yet to find another Manhattan Clam Chowder that is as good as the one they used to serve at The Melody), I believe to have hit nostalgic paydirt with an old Fresno landmark.

Richard's Prime Rib & Seafood has been around from since I can remember (and that's a mighty long time). The owner, Richard, & his grandson, Benjamin, are back in business after being closed for a couple of years due to ownership issues from a former leasee & a complete top to bottom renovation of the restaurant. There's no doubt about it--Richard's is back and it's better than ever!

Many familiar faces still exist, from the wait staff to the bussers, bartenders, and even the cooks. The food is exactly how I remember it--delicious, savory, and full of flavor. My family & I went on a Saturday night at 5:30pm to celebrate my mother's birthday. Once we walked in, we were immediately welcomed by Richard and given an attentive & enthusiastic waitstaff. I ordered the prime rib with baked potato and green beans, while my husband ordered the fried prawns with fries and green beans. They started us off with a small garni of shrimp cocktail and garlic bread. Then I chose the New England clam chowder while my husband ordered a green salad with ranch dressing. My appetite was on auto-pilot from the moment I took a bite of the shrimp cocktail & toasted garlic bread. The clam chowder was creamy and the potatoes were so smooth, they practically melted in your mouth. My prime rib was cooked to perfection (medium) and their green beans deserved a standing ovation--they were THAT good! My husband really enjoyed the fried prawns (they were tasty, since I managed to sneak one off his plate). My dad ordered the salmon and said it was SO good! My mother and sister-in-law both ordered the rib-eye steak that they said was cooked to their liking and tasted delicious. My brother ordered the seafood platter (fried oysters, prawns, and scallops) and enjoyed every last morsel. During our meal, Richard stopped by our table and asked us how everything was and then thanked us for coming. At the end of our visit, his grandson, Ben, also stopped by and thanked us as well. Why would anyone wait 2+ hours at a chain steakhouse, when you can walk in and sit down (at the bar or in the dining room) and be treated like family? And, you'll be supporting a local restaurant and not some corporate fat cat. 

Without a doubt, I highly recommend Richard's for lunch or dinner. Your taste buds will thank you!