College Mall unveils new option for steak lovers

After months of waiting, LongHorn Steakhouse has opened its doors to customers at the College Mall on what was formally a parking lot near Dick's Sporting Goods. \nLongHorn, which has 240 franchises in 21 states plus Puerto Rico, opened its newest location on College Mall Road in Bloomington on Tuesday after years of searching for a prime location in the area. \nThe restaurant is open every day for lunch and dinner, and Manager Susan Previs, an IU grad, is very happy to be joining up with the restauarant chain.\n"I have waited 14 years for there to be a LongHorn in Bloomington," Previs said. "As an IU grad I am very glad to be part of the (LongHorn) company." \nThe restaurant specializes in steaks but has other entrees including fish, chicken and ribs. Previs was especially proud of the meat served there as well as the service.\n"We have legendary steaks," she said. "I am also very proud of our staff, though, as we have carefully selected 70 of the best individuals from a job fair of 600."\nMall Manager Dena Marietta concurred with Previs and thinks LongHorn will add a wonderful dimension to the facility.\n"This is a great addition to the mall," Marietta said. "(LongHorn) will give people more reason to come to the mall, especially on Friday and Saturday nights."\nPatrick Walker, a mall patron who will be starting at IU this fall, said it would make his shopping experience more enjoyable.\n"It will definitely improve the variety at the mall, and I plan on eating there frequently," Walker said in an April 13 IDS article. \nPrices of the steaks range from $10.99 for a Chop Steak to $19.49 for a Texas T-Bone. Most steaks are in the $15 range while other entrees average around $10-15. \nWith so many other restaurants in the area Previs has a plan to bring people to LongHorn.\n"We do great community involvement and when people enjoy the restaurant they will tell their friends through word of mouth," she said.