Asian eateries dominate both sides of Valley Boulevard in the San Gabriel Valley, especially in the city of San Gabriel, where you can’t throw a dumpling without hitting a Chinese restaurant.

But now there’s a steakhouse coming to town – thanks to a fiat from City Hall.

Smith Brothers Restaurant Corp. of Pasadena will open Smitty’s Grill, an American steakhouse, inside of a new Crowne Plaza Hotel being built on Valley. The hotel and restaurant are set to open in 2016.

Getting a steakhouse at the hotel was a big deal – one that ensured city approval for the project. Mark Gallatin, San Gabriel’s planning manager, said including a steakhouse in the hotel was a city requirement aimed at addressing residents’ concerns that there aren’t enough non-Asian restaurants in town.

“One thing residents said a lot in surveys was, ‘Could we get a steakhouse here?’” Gallatin said. “So, we made it clear from the beginning that it would be one of our deal points, if you will.”

Mario De La Torre, a former San Gabriel councilman and now a spokesman for developer Global Hotel Investment Group in Stockbridge, Ga., said non-Asian restaurants have historically shied away from San Gabriel, assuming there isn’t enough demand.

San Gabriel is a majority Asian city, and it’s become a destination for authentic Chinese cuisine. What’s more, the hotel will have a decidedly Chinese theme and it’s expected to largely serve visitors from China.

But despite all that, Gregg Smith, co-founder and owner of Smith Brothers, said the hotel project is a good opportunity to break into the area.

“We think it’ll be great,” he said. “We think the demographic will be perfect for Smitty’s.”

Smith added that diners can expect the same look and feel of the original Smitty’s in Pasadena. The restaurant, which will seat about 150 people, will also handle room service and cater banquets at the five-story, 316-room hotel.

– Subrina Hudson