From Chicago to Pasadena: A Bar with a Story

When Parkway Grill opened in 1984, one of its most distinctive features had already been around for more than half a century.

Our expansive wooden bar is an original from 1920s Chicago, transported to Pasadena in the early 1980s as Parkway Grill was taking shape. Its journey west is fitting for a city with longstanding ties to the Midwest. During Pasadena’s early growth, many of those who came west to Southern California arrived from Chicago and other Midwestern cities, drawn by the climate and the promise of a new life in the emerging “Crown City.”

More than a century after it was crafted, the bar remains a centerpiece of the restaurant and has been part of Parkway since the beginning. Over the past four decades, countless celebrations, first dates, business dinners and evenings among friends have unfolded around it.

While much has changed since 1984, the bar remains much as it was intended—a welcoming place to pull up a seat, enjoy a cocktail and become part of Parkway Grill’s continuing story.

For a bar that began its life in Chicago more than a century ago, it has certainly found a fitting second home. After more than 40 years at Parkway Grill, this piece of Chicago history has become a piece of Pasadena history, too.

The Art Around the Table

For the Smith Brothers, a memorable restaurant has always been about more than what arrives on the plate. Architecture, gardens, lighting and art all add beauty and interest to the experience. Among the many works displayed throughout the restaurants are several distinctive pieces by acclaimed local artist Kenton Nelson.

Nelson has maintained his studio in Pasadena for more than 40 years and became known for a style influenced by American Scene painting and the idealized imagery of the 1930s. His connection to the restaurants is particularly special because several of his works were commissioned specifically for the spaces they inhabit.

At Smitty’s Grill, a woman applies lipstick using a window as her mirror, with the Smitty’s Grill name cleverly appearing in reverse on the glass. At Parkway Grill, two dramatic, nearly floor-to-ceiling paintings—one depicting a man and the other a woman—have become familiar features of the dining room.

At Arroyo Chop House, Nelson worked on an even larger scale. His sweeping mural, Leisure and Recreation, depicts scenes of sport and leisure inspired by the 1930s and was created for the restaurant when it opened in 1997.

These works are just one part of the art found throughout our restaurants, but their local connection makes them particularly meaningful—original pieces created by a Pasadena artist to bring a little more beauty, character and interest to the spaces our guests enjoy.

A Kitchen Worth Watching

Today, open kitchens are everywhere—but when Parkway Grill opened its doors in 1984, the idea was anything but common.

Our exhibition kitchen was the first of its kind in Pasadena and among the earliest in Southern California, inviting guests to watch our chefs cook over mesquite-burning grill and oak-fired oven—both pioneering features at the time. Long before "open concept" dining became the standard, we were preparing our cuisine in full view, where craftsmanship, technique, and the energy of the kitchen could become part of the dining experience.

More than four decades later, our kitchen remains the heart of the restaurant, where prime steaks are grilled, seasonal ingredients are transformed into specialty dishes, and guests can still enjoy the sights, sounds, and aromas that have defined Parkway Grill since day one.

From the crackle of the grill to the precision of every plating, there's something special about watching our talented chefs skillfully move through the kitchen like a well-orchestrated dance.

It's a reminder that great dining isn't just about the food on the table, it's about the entire experience that brings the meal to life.

Liver & Onions—A Comeback Classic

For years, Smitty's Grill served Liver & Onions as one of its classic comfort food favorites. While it wasn't for everyone, those who loved it were fiercely loyal. As tastes changed, the dish became one of our most unpredictable sellers, and eventually it was removed from the regular menu.

The response surprised us.

Guests called, wrote, and stopped us in the dining room asking when it would return. Some shared family traditions of ordering it, while others simply said they couldn't find a good version anywhere else. It became clear that this wasn't just another menu item—it was a tradition worth preserving.

So we found a compromise.

Today, Liver & Onions returns the first weekend of every month, giving longtime fans something to look forward to. We regularly see guests make a special trip across town just for this dish, and for many, it's become a standing monthly tradition.

Liver & Onions may be one of the more polarizing dishes in American dining, but at Smitty's Grill we've always believed there's room on the table for both timeless classics and new favorites. Sometimes, taking care of our guests means keeping a beloved tradition alive—even if it's just one weekend each month.

Liver & Onions is available this weekend. Whether it's an old favorite or your first time trying it, we'd love to serve you.

More Than a Name on a Glass

One of the things we've always believed is that great hospitality is personal.

Whether it's remembering your favorite table, your preferred wine, or simply greeting you by name, our goal has always been to make every guest feel genuinely welcome. It's the little things that turn a meal into an experience—and an experience into a tradition.

If you've ever noticed a glass etched with someone's name behind the bar, you may have wondered about the story behind it.

These glasses belong to some of our most loyal guests. Over the years, they've become a small but meaningful tradition—our way of recognizing the people who have made our restaurants a regular part of their lives.

For some, it's a weekly dinner. For others, it's decades of anniversaries, birthdays, celebrations, business lunches, and quiet evenings at their favorite table. Long before loyalty programs became common, we believed the best way to thank our guests was simply to know them by name and make them feel at home.

From time to time, someone asks, "How do I get one of those?" We usually smile and reply, "Just come often enough that you need one."

The truth is, the glass isn't what matters. What matters is the relationship. Whether it's your first visit or your hundredth, we want every guest to feel cared for, recognized, and appreciated. Those engraved glasses are just one small reminder of the kind of hospitality we've always hoped to provide—a place where everyone is welcomed, and where, over time, familiar faces become friends.

The engraved glasses at our restaurants are a lasting reminder that while names may be etched into the glass, it's the relationships and shared memories that have truly left their mark on all of us.

Meet the Pinkglow Pineapple

Some ingredients are so special they deserve a story of their own. This week, Parkway Grill is featuring the remarkable Pinkglow pineapple, a rare blush-hued fruit grown exclusively in Costa Rica.

Unlike traditional golden pineapples, its rosy color develops naturally through selective cultivation. The result is a pineapple that's exceptionally fragrant, delicately sweet, lower in acidity, and incredibly smooth, with a nearly candy-like finish.

Because Pinkglow pineapples are grown in limited quantities, each one is hand-harvested and carefully packed to preserve its beautiful color and extraordinary flavor.

Our inspiration came from Bob Smith, who recently discovered the fruit while spending time in Costa Rica. After tasting it at its source, he knew it was something worth sharing with our guests. Bringing this unique pineapple to Parkway Grill was a way to offer a taste of that experience here at home.

Chef Martin has paired the Pinkglow pineapple with peppery arugula, shaved fennel, radicchio, pistachios, creamy feta, and a honey Dijon orange blossom vinaigrette. The combination balances sweet, savory, crisp, and creamy in a salad that's as memorable as the fruit itself.

Why We Serve Linz Heritage Angus

A great steak starts long before it reaches the grill. That's why we proudly serve Linz Heritage Angus.

Our restaurants are among the select few in California to serve Linz Heritage Angus (on our menu at Arroyo Chop House and Parkway Grill, and as a special at Smitty's Grill). What sets Linz apart isn't just its USDA Prime grade—it's the extraordinary care behind every steak. The Linz family oversees the entire process, from carefully selected Black Angus genetics to raising, feeding, and aging each cut. The result is exceptional marbling, tenderness, and flavor.

While USDA Prime represents the highest grade awarded by the USDA, Linz Heritage Angus goes a step further by selecting only cattle that meet its own rigorous standards for genetics, marbling, and flavor. It's an added level of selectivity that produces a remarkably consistent steak—one we're proud to share with our guests.

At Smith Brothers Restaurants, exceptional dining begins with exceptional ingredients. Linz Heritage Angus is one more example of our commitment to serving the very best, one steak at a time.

An Arroyo Chop House Happily Ever After

When we started dating, one of the things we looked forward to most was our weekly date night. No matter how busy life became, we always made time to sit down over a great meal and simply enjoy each other’s company.

One of our earliest memories there was sharing a bone-in tomahawk on the outdoor patio during the temporary outdoor dining setup back in 2020. Over the years, we’ve returned to celebrate birthdays, promotions, milestones, and countless ordinary Tuesday nights that somehow turned into our favorite memories.

Some couples have a song that tells their story—we have a steak. Looking back, we realized our relationship has been built around laughter across the table, unhurried conversations, perfectly cooked medium-rare steaks, and always finding our way back to Arroyo Chop House. It’s where we’ve celebrated so many chapters of our lives together, and will continue for years to come.

Photo Credit: Marco Cantero | Instagram: @ablesvision and Christopher Hipolito Instagram: @jetjaguar