Review: Timberline Steaks & Grille Denver Airport

Update: As of October 16, 2019, Timberline is no longer participating in Priority Pass.

I was pretty excited when Timberline Steaks and Grille at Denver Airport joined the Priority Pass network last fall. I’ve been there probably at least a dozen times since then. Having become somewhat of a regular, I know most of the ins and outs of the place, have sampled most of the menu, and, unfortunately, have seen them implement more restrictive terms for Priority Pass customers. But it’s still a heckuva deal.

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Timberline is located past security in Terminal C. All gates at Denver Airport are located behind the same security checkpoint, so everyone can access it fairly easily. That said, its location in Terminal C is most favorable for those flying Southwest, Spirit, or Alaska — for everyone else, you’ll need to ride the train, which typically runs every 2 minutes.  And Timberline is located right at the top of the escalators in Terminal C, so you don’t have to walk very far.

As a United Premier 1K, I spend most of my time in Terminal B. I figure it takes a bit under 10 minutes to get over to Timberline, though that obviously will vary a bit depending on how far your gate is from the center of the concourse, how long you have to wait for a train, and of course how fast you walk. Terminal A is probably only a minute or two more, since once you’re on the train, you’re on the train.

Timeberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport

Timberline Steaks & Grille seating

The restaurant itself is reasonably sized, and is sort of square shaped. The decor is rustic, befitting a Colorado themed steakhouse, with stone-like features, wooden furniture, and beam and candle-style chandeliers. It looks about as much like a steakhouse as it can, given the constraints of being located in an airport terminal and all. 

There is the main bar area, and another bar that looks out on the field, which is known as the “back rail”. The main bar is still open seating, but supposedly the “back rail” no longer is. (Again, there have been quite a few changes since last fall.) There is also some “patio” type seating out in front in the space that used to lead to the smoking lounge, which recently closed.

Timeberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport

Timberline Steaks & Grille service

As you might expect, Timberline can get quite busy at times. There are actually a lot of people that go here that know nothing about Priority Pass (crazy, right?). In fact, more often than not, you can probably expect a short wait to get a table. However, the staff at the hostess station are usually pretty accurate, if not a little conservative, with their estimates for the wait. They often ask what time your flight is departing, so they can advise if you have enough time. (I prefer to do my own calculations, however.) I think the most we’ve waited is probably 15 minutes or so. Pretty much everyone is in just as big a hurry as you are, so tables turn over quickly. However, there are a few times where I’ve seen the kitchen get backed up, so even though you get a table, it can still take some time for the food to come.

If you are pressed for time, the best bet is to snag a seat at the main bar since it’s open seating and you still have access to the entire menu.

The guidelines state that you should present your Priority Pass card to the server before you order. They’ll take it and then check you and any guests in as well as explain the Priority Pass policies, which have changed a bit since they opened. You still get $28 per guest, which can be used to cover food and drinks, but not the tip. But they’ve added language recently such that you can only order one meal per guest and cannot place take-out or to-go orders.

Timberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport

It’s worth noting that you can “pool” the credit for your party. In other words, when I dine with my family of 5, I am covered for a bill of up to $140 (not including tip). In other words, it doesn’t matter if you personally order $50 worth of food and drink, while your kids only order $10, if that makes sense.

Once you place your order, they usually say it takes around 15-20 minutes for your food to arrive. I haven’t seen that it much matters what you order, the wait is about the same.

Timberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport

Timberline Steaks & Grille menu

Timberline’s menu is fairly extensive as it really is a full-service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu featured Colorado wines, Colorado named dishes, and your classic Rocky Mountain oyster appetizers.

Timeberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport drink menu

Timeberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport drink menu

Timeberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport breakfast menu

Timeberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport breakfast drink menu

Timeberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport lunch and dinner menu

Timeberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport lunch and dinner menu

Timeberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport dessert menu

By this point, my family and I have sampled just about all of it (except the oysters), and there aren’t really any bad choices in my opinion. My family particularly likes the steak quesadillas, steak nachos, the rib eye steak, and elk medallions. (Do you see a theme there?) My wife, who is more of a foodie than me, notes that the best part of ordering quesadillas, nachos, or even a salad at a steakhouse is that they put real steak on it. I enjoy the fact that you can order a rare steak and actually get a somewhat rare-ish steak.

The sides are also good, including a loaded baked potato (no added cost), fries, seasonal vegetables, and probably a few more. It’s worth noting that unlike real steakhouses, the sides are both reasonably sized and included with the entrees. Also unlike real steakhouses, you’ll have to cut your steak with a butter knife — this is behind security, after all.

They also have a children’s menu, which my kids enjoy. And a dessert menu, with some awesome donuts bites that are served with bacon crumbles. It’s worth noting that you cannot order the box of macarons — either for consumption in the restaurant or to-go — with Priority Pass. Again, that’s just one of the several quirky rules of the place.

Here are a few pictures of our meals that I’ve collected over many visits.

Timberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport ribeye with loaded baked potato

Timberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport kid grilled cheese

Timberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport

Timberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport

Timberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport kid pizza

Timberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport

Timberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport

Timberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport

Timberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport kids burger with mac and cheese

Timberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport doughnut bites with bacon crumbles (contrary to the poor quality picture, they are fantastic)

Timberline Steaks and Grille, Denver Airport cheesecake (sorry again for the poor quality picture)

Timberline Steaks & Grille bottom line

Timberline Steaks and Grille is a welcome addition to the Denver Airport. The food is nothing extraordinary by steakhouse standards, but all solid offerings. And of course far and away better than most club food, particularly standard Priority Pass lounge fare.  It’s always good to know the wide range of options for Priority Pass members, especially as the number of members has increased greatly the past couple of years, since now there are quite a few credit cards with lounge access.

The service is fast enough that I’ll usually try to duck in for a bite if I have at least about 45-50 minutes to kill before I want to be at the gate in Terminal B, though ideally you should probably allow an hour. That can obviously make it difficult to get over there and back when connecting on United, but it’s doable. I neither like nor fully understand some of the new policies they’ve implemented, but it’s still a great deal.