By Richard Shank
Driving into a small, almost cozy parking lot surrounding 25 Steak & Social, formerly the Polo Bar and Grill, at 25 East 30th Avenue, in Hutchinson, the exterior looked identical to what it has for decades.
Moments later, entering the building, my wife Patti and I noted the building’s interior did not match anything we remembered from the past.
On our last visit to what was the Polo and days before its closing in September 2024, we left thinking the building needed a major facelift before reopening as any business, and that is exactly what happened.
On this Labor Day evening, it was opening night for a new sports bar and restaurant, and from what we observed, it was a good launch of a new business venture.
All five owners were clad in collared, black golf shirts emblazoned with 25 Steak & Social. All waitresses wore similar shirts, but gray in color. All owners and staff made it a point to visit with each customer. Amanda Long, who previously worked at the Polo, is managing the new business and stopped by twice during our 60-minute dining experience. From what I was told, the owners will be frequent visitors to this business they founded.
Soft rock music played in the background while customers watched bits and pieces of the TCU-North Carolina football game to catch up on Coach Bill Belichek’s return to the sidelines as the Tar Heels’ skipper.
Customers seemed interested in the number of photos from early-day Hutchinson, which are displayed on the walls. Included in the photos were a 1915 picture of the Hutchinson Cycle Club parked in front of the new Memorial Hall, a photo of the 1910 Reno County baseball team, and a 1921 Dillons Store. Evil Knievel, who performed at the 1971 Kansas State Fair, is pictured in the middle of a grandstand stunt, and a photo of a 1906 Hutchinson fire truck, purportedly the first fire engine powered by gasoline west of the Mississippi River.
A new and significantly larger bar located in the middle of the floor is, perhaps, the most imposing and significant change to the footprint of this business.
A USDA Upper Choice KC Strip Steak was a high-end dinner option, along with a USDA Upper Choice Ribeye. Patti ordered grilled Salmon, and I settled for a hamburger, and we both ended our meals with more than we could eat. Therefore, we did not opt to order dessert, which could have been Basque Cheesecake with fresh berries or a Chocolate Salted Carmel Brownie. Appetizers from the menu included fried pickle, Bang-Bang Shrimp and Fresh Mushrooms.
In good times and bad, friends and couples enjoy a night out on the town to socialize while eating a good meal, and this was no exception.
With any new eating establishment, customers critique not only the food, but also the servers for courtesy and friendliness. On this opening night, all, including the owners, earned an A grade. Who was it that said, “The best way to compliment a restaurant is excellent environment, friendly service, great menu choices, and decent food at affordable prices.”? All describe opening night at 25 Steak & Social.
Ambience is a word in the English language that defines the character and atmosphere of any place. On our first dining experience at 25 Steak & Social, we witnessed plenty of ambience, and left assuming that would be the theme of this new business going forward.
We plan to return soon for an encore dining experience.