Great Steakhouses

I continue to be amazed at the culinary knowledge of the popsters at Roadfood.com. Im sure many of you have a favorite steak house. How about it. Thanks

My favorite steak houses:
1: Angus Barn, Raleigh, NC
2: Johnny's (stockyards), Omaha, NB
3: Cattlemen's Cafe, Oklahoma City, OK
4: Staley's Charcoal Steakhouse, Winston Salem, NC
5: Ruth's Chris, New Orleans (and other locations, too--but the original is still the best)
6: Chicago Chop House
7: Metropolitan, Seattle
8: Shula's, Miami
9: Palm(New York City)
10:Hertford House, Kansas City

I'm not much of a steak eater or red meat eater for that matter. Of course when I travel it's "no holds barred". So far the very few steak experiences I've had while traveling have been quite good. My two favorites so far are:
1. The Golden Ox- Kansas City MO
2. The Tea Steak House- Tea SD (near Sioux Falls)

I would have to say the Lowake Steak House in Lowake, Texas would be my number one pick. It has been there for many years, my Father would always stop there when he was out on wells in that area.
http://www.lowakesteakhouse.com/

I would also recommend Zentner's or Zentner's daugther in San Angelo. Zentner's has been around maybe longer than Lowake ( they may have been associated in the past?), anyway, Mr. Zentner ran a huge outfit and his beef all comes from there since forever.

Huge and delicious steaks! Don't miss them if you are travelin' Texas!

When in Baltimore, go to The Prime Rib (est. 1965). Black glass, baby grand piano, great atmosphere. The best bartenders in town. The beef is dry-aged in Chicago and railed to Baltimore. The best piece of prime rib I have ever had !

I have to second Hillbillys number 6 choice, the Chicago Chop House. I ate there about 8 years ago while in Chicago for several days on business. Food was excellent, decor was very interesting. There was also a great Italian restaurant a few blocks away on the same street the Chop House is just off of. I can't remember the name, but the entrance was inside a corner bakery.

Is Little Abner's still open in Tucson? They used to have a large "cowboy steak" cooked over mesquite and served only with salad, beans and baked potato, wonderful atmosphere like an old ranch house.

quote:

Originally posted by Lone Star

I would have to say the Lowake Steak House in Lowake, Texas would be my number one pick. It has been there for many years, my Father would always stop there when he was out on wells in that area.
http://www.lowakesteakhouse.com/

I would also recommend Zentner's or Zentner's daugther in San Angelo. Zentner's has been around maybe longer than Lowake ( they may have been associated in the past?), anyway, Mr. Zentner ran a huge outfit and his beef all comes from there since forever.

Huge and delicious steaks! Don't miss them if you are travelin' Texas!

Thanks, Lone Star! I've added Lowake to my list. Looks just like my kind of place...

The Hereford House in KC has always been very good to our company. I have been thee many times and I always enjoyed watching the grilling of the steaks at the entrance. I always got their porterhouse, salad, baked potato and a glass of red wine.

Their salad dressing was always delicious.

It seems that the going thing is steaks that are seared at extremely high temps. In Knoxville, we had one open up this week that sears at 1600 degrees.

I would never be able to do that with my equipment. Some of the gas grills I have looked at attempt that. I am afraid that if I tried to do it, I would burn hell out of the steak.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

The best steakhouse I have ever eaten in is Peter Luger in Brooklyn, N.Y. It's been established for over a hundred years and some of the waiters look as if they've worked there that long.
The Porterhouse for two arrives at the table already sliced and tilted on its plate so the juice collects at the bottom. They serve their own house made steak sauce, which is pretty good. Everything in this place is good, though. From the sliced onions and tomato appetizer to the creamed spinach and hash browns.
I'll be in NYC in October and already have reservations for dinner made. It's not a cheap place, but I highly recommend it if you ever are in the area. A classic place.

quote:

Originally posted by Biscuit

The best steakhouse I have ever eaten in is Peter Luger in Brooklyn, N.Y.

That's a place where I've always wanted to eat but never did on my trips to the Big Apple.

A friend I work with went there a few years ago with an associate from a sister company. They ordered everything they wanted (expense accounts, you know) and had a grand ol' time. It wasn't until they got the bill that they found out Peter Luger doesn't take credit cards!!

They managed to scrape enough money together, but I still laugh about that...

My list includes: Peter Luger in Brooklyn, Sparks in Manhattan, The Saloon in Philly, and The Prime Rib and Capitol Grill in Washington, D.C.

Oh man, I forgot Bern's in the Tampa, FL area.

I did the Palm in NYC. enjoyed all the crap on the wall, but the setting was miserable. Too crowded and when I was there, it looked like a firetrap.

Steak was very good and the huge amount of hashbrowns overpowered everything.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

The Best bar none is Charley's Steakhouse in Orlando. The porterhouse is the most wonderful piece of beef I have ever tasted. Be sure to go to the original on Orange Blossom Trail it is a step up from the other locations.

Peter Luger's fan, here. I have sampled the best steaks Argentina has to offer, and they were indeed fantastic, but still fell shy of the porterhouse at Peter Luger's. If you go, you need to try the bacon as an appetizer, as well as their tomato and onion and their onion rolls. I cannot rave enough about the deliciousness of practically everything on that menu. For your viewing pleasure:

Arthur's Tavern, a multi-unit steakhouse with locations in Hoboken, Morris Plains and North Brunswick, New Jersey,
is my favorite for their specialty: 24 oz Rib Eye. They pat the raw steaks in special secret dry rub mixture,
and then grill the steak on super high heat, and a really delicious "crust" forms around the steak, and boy when you put a slab of this rib eye in your mouth, well, it just doesn't get any better than this. So if you're ever in Hoboken, Arthur's is located at 3rd and Washington Sts. "Sammy" is the manager. Tell him Tom Barrett says hello. In Morris Plains, Arthur's is located on Speedwell Avenue. "Arthur McGreevy" is the chain's founder, and he is still alive and probably SO HAPPY about the Atkins Diet phenom.

I second the motion for Peter Luger, but neither could I list my top two favorite steak houses without also including[url='http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=206']Doe's Eat Place[/url].

I'm a NYC guy, but I'll resist the urge to list nothing but NYC steak places.

My top three:

1) Peter Luger's (Brooklyn)
2) New York Prime (Boca Raton)
3) Bern's (Tampa)

The fact that two of my three are in Florida surprises me tremendously. New York Prime, though, might be my favorite all-around restaurant anywhere. Not that I'd consider it roadfood per se. I have no place from my native Western NY.

If I were doing a top 10 list, I'm pretty confident my next 7 would all be in NYC since I live here, and that none would be a chain (although I don't dislike them). My friends and I have had a "steak club" for 10 years: a different place every month.

quote:

Originally posted by Phil J.

I'm a NYC guy, but I'll resist the urge to list nothing but NYC steak places.

My top three:

1) Peter Luger's (Brooklyn)
2) New York Prime (Boca Raton)
3) Bern's (Tampa)

The fact that two of my three are in Florida surprises me tremendously. New York Prime, though, might be my favorite all-around restaurant anywhere. Not that I'd consider it roadfood per se. I have no place from my native Western NY.

If I were doing a top 10 list, I'm pretty confident my next 7 would all be in NYC since I live here, and that none would be a chain (although I don't dislike them). My friends and I have had a "steak club" for 10 years: a different place every month.

I'm a native NY'orker too, but have to contend that you can find the best steakhouses in the Midwest and Southern Plains.

Citizen Kane's in St. Louis, MO

My favorite three steakhouses are Berns in Tamps. Peter Lugers in Brooklyn and our special occasion place "The Prime Rib" here in Baltimore. Everything on their menu is wonderful and the bartenders make the best martinis that you will ever drink!

It's not my favorite steakhouse, but Smith & Wollenski serves my favorite non-steak dish served by a steakhouse: crackling pork.

Peter Luger. I agree, have the bacon.

Out west, I'm quite fond of the Ringside in Portland, OR. Highly atmospheric.

JaK's (there are two in the Seattle area) are surprisingly good neighborhood steakhouses, and you won't need a second mortgage.

Outside of Couer d'Alene, ID, a fantastic discovery in the archives: http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Writeup.aspx?ReviewID=331&RefID=331 - a great meal in a vast culinary wasteland.

As for the chains, I really, really, really like Fleming's. The one in Seattle recently closed, a victim of the decline of the Expense Account. I somehow feel personally responsible.

Eric, Glumly

Kreis Brothers, St. Louis area
Their 32 oz. prime rib is listed on the menu as the ladies cut.
They have a 64 oz. prime rib too...what a sight!

Ditto on Arthur's in NJ. Every time I go up North I visit the Morris Plains location. The best steak for the price, anywhere.

Others: Murray's in Minneapolis. New York Prime in Myrtle Beach. Also, The Palm and Ruth Chris.

chezkatie,
Next time you are in the Prime Rib, say hello to my brother (John). He has rtended bar there for years. He also buys their wines and booze.

Agree on Kreis' in St. Louis for prime rib, but for a GREAT steak...Citizen Kanes.

Here's a vote for The Embers in Des Moines, IA--a spinoff, Embers West has made the Stern's recommended list.

Oh, on the Peter Lugar payment thing; the solution is simple; make someone with a house credit account take you. ;0)

Eric

Dearfolk,
Regarding steak houses, I have a news flash. The construction company doing Pilgreen's renovation on Lee Street, S/W in Atlanta went bankrupt; this has stopped the planned reopening. Alas, we've lost a good one: the legalities will take a good while to work out, so all concerned just threw in the proverbial towel.
But not to worry. Pilgreen's has two other considerably more fernladen and/or less surrealistically charming locations on the Southside in Metro Atlanta... one is at 6335 Jonesboro Road in Morrow; the other is at 1720 Lake Dow Road in McDonough - at Lake Dow, wherever that is.
This just proves that sometimes the best places hang by a thread.
Chucking The Idea Of Going Back There, Ort. Carlton in rumbly Athens, Georgia.

Bern's in Tampa is also on my best list. Be sure to take the kitchen and wine cellar tour and then go upstairs for dessert.

In Chicago, I also like Gene and Georgetti's and Gibson's.

In Las Vegas, The Steak House in the Circus Circus Hotel. The Palm in Las Vegas also has a great lunch special. It's about $12 for a filet, potatoes, salad, etc. A steal for the quality of steak you get. They are in the Forum Shops Mall.

In St. Louis, though it's not a steak house per se, I'm partial to the steaks at Al's. Also have had good bone-in prime rib at Mike Shannon's.

Michael, I second your nomination of Does Eat Place. Went last Saturday on a little snacking tour of the Delta (parents live in it). Went to Interstate BBQ for early morning snack, Abes in Clarksdale for a can of Tamales (got two to go), Does for a real meal (steak and Tamales and my boys had spaghetti which is really good) and just for fun went across the river to Rhodas and got more tamales just for a comparison. Stopped n Mer Rouge, La for some soft serve and went to my Mama's where we had a big crawfish thing. Later that night I exploded

Here's my top five. I thought I'd include a little more information than normal for people (like me) who budget their cash.
For the little $ signs, here's the rating system:
$ = Inexpensive, $8-15 per person
$$ = Average, $16-25 per person
$$$ = Moderately expensive, $26-30 per person
$$$$ = Very expensive, $36-45 per person
$$$$$ = Extremely expensive, $46 and up per person
Per person = cost if you eat 1 appetizer, 1 entree with its sides, and a soda.

1. The Ranch Steakhouse in Oklahoma City ($$$$). Absolutely amazing steaks, appetizers are really something else.

2. Lawry's The Prime Rib in Chicago ($$$$). Excellent prime rib, they treat you like a king at this place. Excellent meal for the money spent.

3. The Saloon in Chicago ($$$). Very good steaks. I love how the chef at this place gives you a crash course in choosing a steak for your dinner. Worth every penny.

4. Zeno's Motel and Steak House in Rolla, MO ($$). Outstanding service. Servers typically receive at least a 20% tip from me here. Prime rib is superb. Has the best sauteed mushrooms I've ever eaten.

5. Indian Hills Steaks in Norman, OK ($$). Prime rib is far above average for a very average price. Fries are seasoned and crispy, which merits an above average score in my book any day.

A note about Lawry's - if you order soda, refills are not free, so it's $2.50 for every glass of Pepsi they bring you :)

And here's the bottom of the list - there's only one here because all the other places that would make this list are chains.

1. Danny's Steak House in Norman, OK ($$$$$). Steak was really not worth it. Appetizers flavors were way out of balance. When you can smell the garlic on the bruschetta from two tables over, something's wrong. I spent nearly $50 here on a steak, 1 appetizer, and a drink. If the steak had been juicy and flavorful, this place might have not made this list - but when you order a steak medium and get a hunk of charcoal there's some serious issues here.

In Atlanta, "Bones" ($$$$+ as above) is wonderful, excellent service to go with the great steaks. Super garlic mashed potatoes and bread. Grilled tuna is too bogged down in sauce, but good flavor. Everything is a la carte but worth it if you want a excellent piece of beef on occasion. Ruth Chris now has 3 locations.

quote:

Originally posted by mek

chezkatie,
Next time you are in the Prime Rib, say hello to my brother (John). He has rtended bar there for years. He also buys their wines and booze.

I can hardly wait to go there again and will certainly say hello to John. It will be fun!

If you all ever get to Knoxville, you need to try "Ye Olde Steakhouse". It originally was on Chapman highway on the way to Gatlinburg, but burn't a week or so before Christmas. They did a miraculous thing and reopened in just a few days in the old L & N Railway station downton Knoxville.

Unbelieveably, it opened better than it was. Their serve their steak in some type of steak juice that enhances the flavor of the steak and they serve you a huge jug of their cheese.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

My all-time favorite restaurant, all time greatest eating experience ever: Bern's Steak House in Tampa. It was also here where I was turned onto Ridge Montebello Vineyard in Cupertino California. I have sampled almost every vintage in my 5 trips to Berns: I can't find it anywhere else. 12,000 wines, including the desert wines, but if I had to drink water, the steak alone would be worth it. The chart, the specifications the steak is cooked with, the lobster tank in the kitchen, the desert room with the 5000 desert wines and bananas foster tray, and .. and ... and ....! It's overwhelming, and transcends mere dining. The after dinner tour in the wine basement, the jacket classifications the waiters use, etc everything here hints at a staff that is obsessed with perfection.
My second choice, and I mention it only because no one else has on this thread: Ben Benson's in midtown Manhattan. I went here for my bachelor party, and have never been so quite completely stuffed in my life. I had 2 martinis, and they were made so strong, I don't quite remember how the night ended there.
My most desired place to try: Doe's in Greenwood Mississippi. I have heard so many roadfooders rave about the place, and when I am on vacation in the area, will drive the required mileage just to try it.

In Los Angeles:

1. Pacific Dining Car...well aged steaks, old fashioned obsequious waiters (who speak French with my mother!), and ambiance like nowhere else in Los Angeles. 1310 West 6th Street (Bad neighborhood, but good valet and security)

2. Taylor's Prime Steaks...unbelievable prime rib. Very "old boys club" mood. Holdouts are still having the three martini lunch at the next table. 3361 West 8th Street (Another not so stellar hood, easy to miss the drab exterior...an oasis in the desert).

3. Geo Petrellis...would you like a steak with that whiskey? I can't imagine what it must be like actually being able to see without the haze now that LA has a restaurant smoking ban. 50 year old institution
5615 Sepulveda, Culver City (adjacent to Fox Hills Mall).

4. The Dresden Room...my local haunt. The interior was designed by a yacht designer. The cool wood design and large comfy booths embrace you like mother's lap. Career waiters and a maitre 'd who check on you just enough. Artichoke hearts fried in olive oil...filet mignon, insanely rich sauces. Most hipsters who flock into the bar for the kitschy warblings of Marty and Elaine never think to look around the corner, so it is blessedly uncrowded. 1760 N Vermont Avenue www.thedresden.com

VENTURA: Landmark 78, a relatively new kid on the block, but home to what we lovingly refer to as The Best Steak in the World. I don't know where they get it, or what they do with that filet mignon, but it beats all the old boys mentioned above. 211 East Santa Clara

I agree with your choices, Elise. Taylors is great. And I love Landmark 78, which also holds the distinction of being a true "haunted house". Maybe the ghosts help "scare" the meat into early aging! Their boulliabase is also excellent. In back on Main Street is my other favorite there------Jonathan's at Peiranos. The Grilled Ahi with Morroccan Charmoula sauce is excellent
and the Portugese Crab Bisque a must. He also makes a killer martini at the tapas/martini bar that he opened next door.

Hillbilly and Lone Star -

Great call on Johnny's Steakhouse in Omaha and Zuenter's Daughter in San Angelo.

There's something about going into Johnny's the night before a Nebraska football game. Love to see those pictures of prime beef up on the walls. An interesting piece of trivia about the place is that it was the scene for Jack Nicholson's retirement dinner in "About Schmidt."

San Angelo is the center of the steak belt in Texas. It prompted a classic comment from former Houston Oilers kicker Tony Fritsch was still active and the team was training at Angelo State. Fritsch said the only thing that made San Angelo tolerable was that it was where you could find a "happy hour for steaks at almost every restaurant." Zuetner's is great because of their steak medallions, about five or six heart-shaped nuggets to an order. And they also have a "steak salad" for lunch which is exactly what you would think, a tossed salad with chunks of prime beef crowning the delicious order.

But for an underrated favorite for all of the reporters who cover the Big 12, try the Fifty Yard Line in Lubbock. The meal starts with a shot of beef bouillon, followed by some homemade pickles, hot peppers and carrot strips. Then comes the meat - my favorite is a perfectly-seasoned pepper steak cooked medium-rare. Great potatoes and the rest, but the piece d'resistance are their piping hot blueberry muffins and cheese rolls. Be sure to watch for the pictures of a svelte Bill Parcells on the wall when he was coaching Tech back in the 1970s.

Tim G.

While I realize a steakhouse located in rural southeast Arkansas is an oddity for including here, I again this past Thursday evening had opportunity to dine at Layne's Steak House in The Village shopping center just south of the small country town of Star City, AR. And, once again, Layne's proved to me that it is worthy of inclusion in a forum titled "Great Steakhouses". Its steaks certainly rate right up there with those of the "big boys", and its smoked prime rib is absoutely the most delicious and most perfect that I've ever eaten anywhere. The Bakery in The Village continues to turn out its many varieties of deliciious breads and pasteries, and all the various retail and service shops there continue to offer their wide varieties of quality and unusual merchandise and services with levels of customer service and care extremely seldom found anywhere this day and age. More out-of-state first time visitors to The Village with me Thursday were as impressed with quality of food at Layne's and merchandise offerings at shops there as have been all other visitors I've taken or sent there - and these visitors left with significant purchases (such as lamps, leather, and large taxidermied pieces) they had been seeking but unabale to find elsewhere but which found there. They were pretty well loaded down on their journeys back home "up north". For much more details re Layne's and The Village see my 6/3/03 "Southeast Arkansas Recommendations" post under the "Where Should I Eat" forum. Also, Star City's new (and first decent) motel will soon be ready for occupancy. Again, I recommend Layne's Steak House, other eateries, and the shops at The Village as highly as possile to everyone. Liketoeat

Here's a warning for anyone dining in NYC: I recently went to Smith & Wollensky's for the first time in quite a while. I was shocked -- shocked -- by what a horrible meal I had. The steak was almost inedible -- and I don't mean inedible by expensive steak house standards (the steak was around $30 or more, I believe). I mean inedible by TGI Friday's standards, or Denny's standards. My wife's baked potato was as hard as a rock, and our broccoli was ice cold. But those two things were only on the table to humor my wife...it's the steak that appalled me. I left $150 lighter in the wallet, and starving.

I don't know what happened. I used to consider S&W upper echelon in the Manhattan steak house scene. Are they losing quality control now that they're a chain? Is there new management? My wife recently met someone who used to work in the meat-selling business in this area. He mentioned that there's one steak house that has begun buying inferior meat and then passing it off as higher quality. When pressed, he said it was S&W (this was unprompted: my wife never mentioned our experience.) I have NO IDEA whether that's true or not, and am not claiming it is. But, it sure tasted that way.

quote:

Originally posted by Big George

I continue to be amazed at the culinary knowledge of the popsters at Roadfood.com. Im sure many of you have a favorite steak house. How about it. Thanks

My favorite steakhouses include :: The Chicago Chop House in Chicago (an old time feel with many interesting pictures on your walk to the table); Del Friscos in Orlando (a place to go in Orlando to get away from the tourists and eat in a good ole steakhouse); Del Friscos in New York City (very spacious and light decor which make for an enjoyable experience. Slightly more expensive than its Orlando location); Arthur's Steak House in Morris Plains, NJ (you can't beat the value and the 24 oz steak isn't the only large portion for a low price. dinner for two here without drinks will run under $35) and Michael Jordan's @ Mohegan Sun Casino (what is even better are the ribs at the Jordan Cafe next to the restaurant)

Last night I made my first visit to Peter Luger's in Brooklyn. I now have to displace one of my top 5. It is probably my number 1 purely for the traditional steak, but I can't move it ahead of the Chateaubriand at Angus Barn (Raleigh), Johnny's (Omaha) or Staley's (Winston Salem).

I'm sorry to hear about Phil's experience at S&W. My wife and I ate luunch at the Grill last week and had a terrific meal, although it did set us back $175. It is sad to say, but I do think that tourists get a different class of service, and sometimes food, than locals and regulars. In the Restaurant, we always requested a table with Hank (he's just been married and moved to Las Vegas, and working at the S&W there) and got wonderful service. As with most restaurants, establish a relationship with your server goes a long way to fast service and hot food.

My favorites are Peter Lugers, Far Western Tavern, the Hitching Post, Gallaghers (NY), and S&W (NY). We go to S&W's because my wife loves the creamed spinach and the coconut cake. Our two girls love the Champagne they get -- Ginger ale in flutes. When the get it right S&W is one of the best.

Hillbilly,
Do you know if Angus Barn in Raleigh is related in anyway to one in Williamsburg, VA. I went to college in Charlottesville and remember either an Angus or Aberdeen Barn there and seem to remember that they were all related but had to have different names to comply with the liquor laws.

As to Peter Luger, feel like writing more about your meal there?? I'd love to hear it. Never been, but close to making a trip to NY primarily to eat there.

I would have to 2nd Peter Luger's.
Morton's of Chicago has a Boston location-had a great Porterhouse there.
Paul, I missed out on Ye Old Steakhouse on my trip to Knoxville, located next to the Convention Ctr.
I would have to add The House of Prime Rib in San Francisco, and of course, Durgin Park in Boston to my list for their Prime Rib selections.
DaveM

Signman:
I don't know whether the Angus Barn in Raleigh had any other locations, but it is entirely possible. I know that the founder, Thad Eure, Jr.(his father, Thad Sr., was North Carolina's elected Secretarty of State for 52 years), established other chains (Winston's, Fat Daddy's and others) around the Carolina's but I am not aware of any other steahouse ventures. The Raleigh facility has one of the premier wine cellars in the south in addition to being one of the very best steak houses. It is located in a big red barn on highway 70 between Raleigh and Durham.
For Peter Luger's, I suggest that you go to the Roadfood home page and look over Michael's 2001 review and all of the accompanying pictures. That was part of my preparation. And it didn't hurt than ZAGAT's has listed them as the best NY steakhouse every year since 1989. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS WELL IN ADVANCE!
Our experience went thus:
My son and his girlfriend, who live in Manhattan, were with my wife and me so we were in the New York groove. The service was not chatty, but responsive. They don't give you anything, including a menu, until you ask for it--but sophisticated New Yorker son was prepared for this. Everything, naturally, was ala carte, but I prefer that to having someone else determine what I am getting with my meat. The appetizers-salad for 2 which was actually enough for 4 (great house dressing), HUGE slices of tomatoes and onions (see picture on Roadfood home page), and thick sliced bacon started us off with high expectations for the rest of the meal. After observing the size of the portions being brought to surrounding tables, the ladies decided that we didn't necessarily need 4 steaks, so we ordered "Porterhouse for 3", medium rare. AND, just as we finished the appetizers, the 4 1/2 pounds of meat arrives, sizzling, pre-cut and on a platter tilted (by placing a small ash tray under one corner) so a half cup or more of the juices pooled up in the lower corner. The meat was perfectly medium rare, charred on both sides. There was a unanimous "WOW" from the 4 of us with the first bite. They say that they have great steak sauce, but we couldn't tell you about that. The only sauce any of us used was to occasionally dip the meat we had on our forks into the pooled juices. It would have been treasonous to have used any kind of sauce on this meat. A very reasonably priced (less than $20 per bottle) beaujolais complemented the steak perfectly. AND THEN--CHEESECAKE!! Although not produced in house (but they did give us the name of the bakery), we were again unanimous in our opinion that this was the best we have ever eaten.

total bill? $186.00 including tax. $220.00 including tip. CASH (or established house account) ONLY, NO CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED!

Thanks Hillbilly. You've confirmed what all the reviews write.

I agree with the Luger's fans; it's my favorite.

By the way, Willly, I live in NYC, a few blocks from S&W. So, I don't believe I was being given the "tourist treatment." In fact, we were talking with the waiter about something that had happened in the neighborhood a day before. But, I do appreciate your regrets about my experience. I've had great meals there before, too.

I may be a bit biased since i worked for them for 6 years, but as a steak (and steakhouse) connoisseur, Morton's of Chicago has an amazing steak. Unfortunately, most everything else on the menu doesn't live up to the quality of the steaks.

Once I did put together my dream steakhouse dinner with steaks from Morton's, and appetizer's, salad, and side orders (hash browns & creamed spinach, oh my) from the Palm.

While you lose the ambiance of single owner-operated steakhouse's like Berns, the high quality of the meat at Morton's is consistant, as all the steaks for every restaurant are bought and shipped from the same two meat packers in Chicago.

I am newly returning to the Roadfood sight, and am hoping to post reviews of my favorite steak joints (and other culinary delights) in Los Angeles, a city you could spend monthes eating exciting and new foods.

Alright, I stand here ready to have my head handed to me -- but I just ate one of the best steaks I have had in my life -- top 10 lifetime, call it -- at a chain restaurant and for under 10 bucks incl beverage.

Honest.

6oz thick cut sirloin dinner, MR, with green beans, steak fries, and all I could eat peanuts and warm rolls with cinnamon butter. 7.99, and it was awesome.

The place: The Texas Roadhouse in Cincinnati (Milford, specifically). I never would have thought a relatively inexpensive chain steakhouse could be so good....

take a gander: http://www.texasroadhouse.com/menu02.html

Yeah, yeah...I'm sure all those 30-70 bucks-a-plate places have better steaks. No problem. But this was close and was 8 bucks....got to love the value.

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

Alright, I stand here ready to have my head handed to me -- but I just ate one of the best steaks I have had in my life -- top 10 lifetime, call it -- at a chain restaurant and for under 10 bucks incl beverage.

Honest.

6oz thick cut sirloin dinner, MR, with green beans, steak fries, and all I could eat peanuts and warm rolls with cinnamon butter. 7.99, and it was awesome.

The place: The Texas Roadhouse in Cincinnati (Milford, specifically). I never would have thought a relatively inexpensive chain steakhouse could be so good....

take a gander: http://www.texasroadhouse.com/menu02.html

Yeah, yeah...I'm sure all those 30-70 bucks-a-plate places have better steaks. No problem. But this was close and was 8 bucks....got to love the value.

You know, sometimes it's just the location or supplier. When I was recently in Edmonton, my relatives insisted on taking us to places like TGIF's and Chile's the whole time. But even those places had that amazing Alberta grain-fed Angus, so I really couldn't complain. They were all better than the best steaks here in L.A.

One of the best steaks I've ever eaten was a Blue Cheese Filet Mignon at Bistro Gardens in Crescent City, CA. The steak was fork tender and the blue cheese sauce was to die for. Add a ceasar salad, veggie and baked potatoe with a nice glass of Merlot . . . wonderful

I will agree with hillbilly--Cattlemans, Oklahoma City, is the steak house.

living in Tampa now and working my entire life in NYC gives me pause as to the thread so far....some folks do indeed know their beef!!
Peter Lugers is simply the best(you can get their steaksauce on the web).....Bern's is a good choice as well,although the atmosphere is akin to a Roman Bordello, but if in Tampa, give 'Charlies' a try(bring money!) or Shulas

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew

I'm not much of a steak eater or red meat eater for that matter. Of course when I travel it's "no holds barred". So far the very few steak experiences I've had while traveling have been quite good. My two favorites so far are:
1. The Golden Ox- Kansas City MO
2. The Tea Steak House- Tea SD (near Sioux Falls)

louise is a native of kc
she took me down across the railroad tracks in the bottoms where the old stockyards used to be.......to the golden ox
the ox had fine food, but the atmosphere....
exemplary
the ox is a steakhouse, not a place serving steaks
she tells me when she was a kid they had to dodge the occasional steer on the way to dinner
it is so good the missouri river came up to get a steak
i like places like this[and arthur bryant's as well]

Just thought of another great steakhouse, in the most traditional manner. It's the Smokehouse in Toluca Lake, CA across the street from the Burbank Studios. The steaks are thick, juicy and rare. The Garlic Bread is worth a trip by itself and has been praised by both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno. The Sunday brunch a is fantastic spread. If you're ever in this area, treat yourself to dinner or brunch here.