Restaurant or Home-cooked steaks?

Maybe I'm just cheap, but after eating in fine steakhouses in FL like Bern's, Del Frisco's and Charlie's, I have decided that I can grill a steak at home "almost" as good for 1/4 of what they charge. Sure it's not prime, but I can get some pretty good cuts of meat at the Fresh Market or Sam's. I can't get my grill as hot as theirs but my steaks still come out rare with nice grill marks. After 2 or 3 drinks before dinner, I don't think I would be able to tell the difference between prime and choice anyway. Maybe aged steak.

I don't really care if you can cut it with a spoon or a butter knife, to me, it's not worth the $30-$50 for a steak in these high end places unless you're Bill Gates or Tiger Woods. I do not have an expense account with my job. My home-cooked steaks may not be as tender but they still taste great.

We still go to one of these places every so often, but for a high end meal, we usually pick a very nice seafood or Italian place to eat because I'm not very good at cooking that stuff.

End of rant.

Honestly now. Discounting the ambiance of the restaurant. Is it worth the high prices?

This debate has been aired before. The reason being "prime" vs. "choice" meats. Stand by dadetigl... Not to say I don't enjoy one over the other, but I favor home cooking. Why pay $45+ for one steak, etc., when I can get a whole tenderloin for a similar price? Ambiance is only a perception in one's mind, BTW...

Always at home!! Cheaper and Better

I'm sure this subject has been brought up in the past but I didn't go far enough back in this forum to locate it.
The reason for this post is that a friend went to Shula's steakhouse this past week and told me it was very good but also told me what he paid!! That didn't include salad or potato. A'la carte. Holy sh*t! I went to Shula's website to see for myself, but they don't list prices. Neither does Ruth's Chris. I can see why. Sticker shock would keep me away.
I'll cook it myself.
Prime or choice? Dollars or SENSE?
Have at me.

Yep, I can feed four people a great steak and all the trimming's for the price of most restaurant steaks.

John

I really enjoy being waited on, enjoy the thought of not having to clean up after myself, And most of all if it's over or under cooked I have the option of sending it back. Also I have the right to change my mind on a menu selection. For this alone it's worth the price. Chow Jim

I have tried the upper-end ala-carte steak house (Morton's) I felt it was really not worth the large bill...not a good value for the money. I do enjoy a steak dinner at some of the less expensive places like some of the Roadhouses (Texas or Logan's) or Lone Star. While they are by no means "fine-dining", I am more comfortable in that environment and wind up with a bill for two in the $50-60 range, which makes it a 'nice dinner', not a drain on the resources.

I too have tried the upper end places, Morton's, Grill 23 where the dry-aged 14 oz. NY is $44 and mashed potatoes are $7!!!! Puhleese! So yes, I prefer home-cooked steaks and can buy a Prime dry aged steak and pay way less.

BUT WAIT!

I ate at Archie's Waeside in Iowa last week. They put a complimentary relish tray on the table to start (nobody does THAT anymore!). I ordered an Iowa corn-fed dry aged choice NY that was listed on the menu as 12 oz. No way, it was easily 16 oz. With the steak came a HUGE tossed salad with hunks of Maytag blue cheese in the dressing, potato or veg and sauteed mushrooms. Price: $17.50!!!!

Lisa,
Now that is an example of great eating! We would drive a considerable distance to enjoy a meal like that. Archies Waeside is a Classic!

I am not sure which sets me off more about the Urban Sterotypical "Up-Scale" steakhouse... The pretense of arrogance that permeates the place from doorman to wait-help or the size of the check (in both cases relative to the quality of the meal).

There must be a middle ground for food servers that will take care of their customers, without the arrogance of the upper-end and the downhome fake 'friend of the family' attitude of the chain places.

Sounds like Lisa visited a super place. I was in Iowa last week. I am not sure where Archies is located. I was in the western part of the state at Council Bluff.

Archies sounds like my kind of place.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Paul, Archie's is in Le Mars, about 125 mi. north of Council Bluffs......I'd drive it in a heartbeat! While in Le Mars you can kill 3 birds with one stone: Archie's, Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlour and Bob's Drive-In where the hot dogs go "SNAP SNAP"!

I too can make a better steak and fixins at home. I usually buy a rib roast and cut my own 1.5" steaks. A much better deal.

But Wait, there's more! We do enjoy going to places like Logan's or Outback occasionally.

MikeS.

I will always prefer a top of the line steakhouse to cooking at home. However, I see no reason to spend good money on low end steak like they serve at Outback or Longhorns (or any one of the thousand others cut from the same cloth). Cooking at home will always beat that experience for me.

quote:

Originally posted by lleechef

Paul, Archie's is in Le Mars, about 125 mi. north of Council Bluffs......I'd drive it in a heartbeat! While in Le Mars you can kill 3 birds with one stone: Archie's, Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlour and Bob's Drive-In where the hot dogs go "SNAP SNAP"!

I probably drove very close to it. I think Al suggested it to me earlier. I believe it was close to Sioux City?

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I prefer to have steaks at home- and I can purchase meat that is comperable to whatever may be served at any steakhouse- even Kobe beef is available- you just have to know where to look for it.
A good steak and all the sides at home, heck, I can feed 4 for what you would pay at a "steak" house of any type of steak dinner with potatoes, etc.
Did I read right, $7.00 for a side order of mashed spuds? Has the whole world gone nutz? FOr $7.00 here in Texas you can buy 10# of potatoes and the cream and the butter. Geeze- I sure am working in the wrong business.

quote:

Originally posted by Sundancer7

quote:

Originally posted by lleechef

Paul, Archie's is in Le Mars, about 125 mi. north of Council Bluffs......I'd drive it in a heartbeat! While in Le Mars you can kill 3 birds with one stone: Archie's, Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlour and Bob's Drive-In where the hot dogs go "SNAP SNAP"!

I probably drove very close to it. I think Al suggested it to me earlier. I believe it was close to Sioux City?

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Paul, Le Mars is about 23 miles from Sioux City! You were in close proximity.......hit it next trip.

quote:

Originally posted by lleechef

Paul, Le Mars is about 23 miles from Sioux City! You were in close proximity.......hit it next trip.

I was born in Sioux City and remember when I was a young lad my Dad used to take us to the Le Mars sandpit lakes to go swimming. Seemed like a 2 hour drive to me back then.

I did a post style review of my experience at Ruth's Chris in AC; it was not good, but the reason wasn't so much the food as it was the arrogance that The Mayor referred to. The steak was OK enough.

Not every steak I've grilled myself has come out done properly. I've spent $17/lb for the really good stuff and ruined it through inattentiveness. I've blown $100+ and created tough prime rib.

I don't eat out for the value, I eat out for the experience. I've spent $100 pp for memorable dining. Thing is, I didn't get memorable dining at Ruth's Chris. The experience was somewhere between forgettable and unpleasant; just slightly bad enough to avoid being unforgettable.

Few of us make a life out of dining out. I think it's safe to assume that most of us dine out between once a week and once a month. I still have to say that the best steaks I've ever had have been in restaurants. I am finally able to recreate the best prime rib at home, but I've never been able to equal the best restaurant steaks I've ever had.

And I'll agree with The Mayor, don't sell the "roadhouse" chains short. The quality is pretty decent and the value is high.


Tom

I agree with Jimeats, I like going out, being waited on, and not having to clean up. I'm not made of money, but I don't mind paying the price. We certainly don't do it on a weekly basis, so it's a welcome treat.

I certainly agree that a cooked-at-home steak dinner will always be less expensive than what is charged at the high-end places (Ruth's Chris, Mortons, Palm, et al). But what does that prove? Only that if counting dollars is the primary thing, then home is where you should eat.

Isn't it also true that people go to these places for the overall dining experience? The food is just one component of that. Given the prices charged at these places, dinner there would be a special occasion event for most folks. Attentive service, pleasant surroundings, lots of choice--all of these would contribute to both the experience and the cost. I believe arguing home vs. "out" is like comparing apples to oranges. They're both good, but they're different.

I also think that chain places like Ruth's Chris are comprised of individual links in the chain, that is, a bad or good experience at one location is just that. The next location may be much better (or worse). I've had wonderful dinners at the Mortons in Hartford--the service was professional but not snooty or overbearing. The food was delicious. One the best steaks (and dining experiences) my wife and I have had. In fact, she commented that it was one of her absolute favorite restaurants.

I can't afford to go out to these places very often. But, when I can, I really enjoy it.

My reasons for not eating steak when dining out is due to my desire to eat things that I cannot prepare at home. I have the similar attitude for other cuisines.
I -will- go for a prime rib as I like how the slow roasting creates a different meal as opposed to a rib-eye that is grilled.
There is an upscale steakhouse down the road and nearby is a large Italian/Greek family restaurant that has prime rib every weekend. Both places have escargot!! The difference in prices and the cute waitresses helps in my decision for the family style place.

mark

I have eaten some mighty fine steaks out on the town, better than I could ever do at home.

That being said, I really enjoy a home cooked steak also.

I have eaten some High End steaks that should have been served at a sizzler, and I have had some no name places serve some great pieces of meat.

Never set expectations when eating steak out (I know impossible to do), but if you are going to Smith & Wollensky and tell yourself this is going to be the best steak I have ever had, and it turns out to be a sizzler steak, then you get this feeling of I paid $60 for this!

If you just go to enjoy the experience, then most of the time you won't be let down!

Just my nickles worth!

To wrap this topic up, it seems that the majority of the posters can cook a better steak at home. Dining at the high-end steakhouses is for the experience but not necessarily a better steak. More expensive and more kiss a** service = dollars. Is it worth the $40 extra? I mean, doesn't everyone's spouse approach you at the home dinner table with a perfectly cooked steak held high over her head in minimal clothing? Me either. Just dreaming!
Thank you for your posts.

quote:

Originally posted by dadetigl

To wrap this topic up, it seems that the majority of the posters can cook a better steak at home. Dining at the high-end steakhouses is for the experience but not necessarily a better steak. More expensive and more kiss a** service = dollars. Is it worth the $40 extra? I mean, doesn't everyone's spouse approach you at the home dinner table with a perfectly cooked steak held high over her head in minimal clothing? Me either. Just dreaming!
Thank you for your posts.

When I do that she tells me to put my t-shirt back on.

John

i can get Prime, and I've cooked litterly 1000's of steaks..Guess where i eat my steak??LOL

I love to grill my steaks,and have become quite good at it,but I still like to go out for good steaks-I like to be waited on sometimes,and I have a couple favorite prime rib places I like to go to as I havent mastered prime rib at home to my satisfaction.

I agree with Ann..
You go out to eat, and you know you are going to drop a good amount of cash.
The reason?
Because you want to be waited on, and treated special........
You arent paying for the steak.. you are paying for a little self indulgence, and whats the matter with that?
Nothing!
We love us!..Therefore we pamper us!

I will go to a high-end big city steakhouse with friends if that's where they want to go, but it's never my suggestion. I will almost always order prime rib, as that is something I cannot easily make at home.

If I am in a small Midwestern town (say LaSalle IL or one of the towns north of Ames IA), I will go to the local steakhouse because they are usually an excellent value. I will do this especially in the winter, when I don't cook as much steak myself at home. But I've learned not to order prime rib, as it tends to be too cottony.

Otherwise, I'll buy steaks for myself at Costco, and steaks for guests at my local butcher (Casey's in Western Springs IL), and cook them on the Weber Genesis B at home. I can get that up to about 600-650 degrees for the initial sear,

I'll go out for prime rib, but prefer to cook all other steaks at home.

Home-cooked steaks everytime !

I never order steaks at a restaurant. They're something I can do cheaper and better at home. I like to concentrate on menu items that I don't do at home either to difficulty of preparation or unavailable ingredients.

Make a nice compound butter, splurge on a really good wine (you can afford to...no eleven dollars for a side of asparagus). Prime and dry aged are nice but not absolutely necessary. If you really want to get your caveman/woman on, order up some hanger steaks from Lobels in New York and take the phone off the hook. Maybe some duck fat home fries. Call me.

quote:

Originally posted by dadetigl


Honestly now. Discounting the ambiance of the restaurant. Is it worth the high prices?

Yep, maybe you are cheap . . . but so am I.

And NO amount of ambience is worth the prices that some restaurants charge for a steak and sides.

Like another poster said: I can go to a butcher shop and buy (or order) some prime, aged steaks, and feed FOUR PEOPLE a meal to remember for the same amount OR LESS than the over-priced restaurants can.

And I don't want to hear their argument about "overhead". They usually pay their employees "squat", and often treat their customers as a "bother."

Hey, if I want ambience, I will buy some candles.

NO WAY are the prices justified (in my opinion)!

End of rant.

For health reasons, I have limited my beef consumption in general and my steak consumption to about 2 or 3 per year. So when I do indulge, I INDULGE, which means getting a 24 to 32 ounce top prime steak at a high-end steakhouse. Why? Because since I do it so rarely, paying $40 for the steak and $60-$70 for the whole meal isn't such a big deal. And since it is such a treat, I want the best possible quality, which, to me, means going to a place like Morton's, Ruth's Chris, or The Prime Rib here in the D.C. area.

To those of you who believe that you can do as well at home, God bless you, I'm sure that your steaks are delicious. But this article from a local magazine would seem to indicate that top steakhouses have some advantages in the quality of the available meat and the equipment used that would be difficult or impossible to duplicate at most homes. http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/diningguides/2804.html So for me, the quality of the steak at a top-notch steakhouse definitely makes it worth the additional expense.

I sort of agree with everyone. I can get prime steak at a local butchers...great stuff. Sam's and Costco carry a very good choice rib-eye, NY, filet, etc... But the first time I had a sirloin at Mortons I almost cried it was so good. I usually don't go for the sirloin, not enough fat for my formerly skinny butt, but this steak was sublime. This was at Morton's mind you, I've never been impressed by Ruths Chris or any of the other high end joints in Denver. And yeah we don't go there that often but when we do it is for the experience, AND THE FOOD.

Steaks are overpriced at many of the finer steakhouses and I feel I can ususally come close to what they serve when I cook it at home. The one exception I have encountered is Luger's, I don't mind paying for that.

My primary complaint is the degree steak has to be cooked to pass health department rules. We're out often and at Ryans, for instance, I have asked just how raw can we get by with before I order a steak. 15 seconds on each side on a flaming hot grill was one of their cook's answer. That is okay by me, and if he's there I may order one, but if a steak is going to be medium rare or worse I prefer to give it a pass. At home I can eat it raw, and most times my steak never touches the grill.

I ate at Ryan's only ONCE. After sending my steak back three times for being overcooked (ordered rare), the manager brought the forth steak out to me personally. It was good, finally, but to go through that much trouble just to get a steak seemed a bit silly to me.

quote:

Originally posted by Adjudicator

I ate at Ryan's only ONCE. After sending my steak back three times for being overcooked (ordered rare), the manager brought the forth steak out to me personally. It was good, finally, but to go through that much trouble just to get a steak seemed a bit silly to me.

That's why I asked in advance and watched the cook grill it. I've done this twice now and this cook knows I want the steak mooing. The last steak he cooked draped over the sides of the plate, all I added were several ounces of sauteed mushrooms.

Steak at the house, my vote!

I DO like getting the steaks in restaurants, cause I can't get the grill marks like they can!

My condo development does NOT let us have charcoal grills outside....
my regular oven broiler just does'nt "cut it" , IMO!

I agree that Morton's is too overpriced.....
the Palm steakhouse is more "reasonable"......their steak is $38, but Mortons gets you for an extra 10 bucks (more like $48)...

plus all the side dishes are extra....

I agree that the service at the Ruth Chris' in Atlantic City was arragant...
I thought I was going to be thrown in the penalty box for ordering "regular ice water"

quote:

Originally posted by BunglingBill

quote:

Originally posted by dadetigl


Honestly now. Discounting the ambiance of the restaurant. Is it worth the high prices?

Yep, maybe you are cheap . . . but so am I.

And NO amount of ambience is worth the prices that some restaurants charge for a steak and sides.

Like another poster said: I can go to a butcher shop and buy (or order) some prime, aged steaks, and feed FOUR PEOPLE a meal to remember for the same amount OR LESS than the over-priced restaurants can.

And I don't want to hear their argument about "overhead". They usually pay their employees "squat", and often treat their customers as a "bother."

Hey, if I want ambience, I will buy some candles.

NO WAY are the prices justified (in my opinion)!

End of rant.

Amen Brother !!!!!

I very seldom buy a steak when eating out simply because there are no really outstanding restaurants within maybe 200 miles of me, and I can do a better job than most (maybe all) of the closer places. And when I go to a really nice joint, I tend to order things that I can't find in a nearby grocery store, let alone restaurant. I am not going to order steak at Arnaud's or Commander's or Antoine's!!

I liken steak to "celeberation food", at least when it comes to dining out. We are generally celebrating some sort of accomplishment within family. I'd say the ratio of cooking steaks at home to dining out is about 10:1. I'll probably have steak at a steakhouse once, or at most, twice a year.

quote:

Originally posted by ellen4641

I DO like getting the steaks in restaurants, cause I can't get the grill marks like they can!

I agree that the service at the Ruth Chris' in Atlantic City was arragant...
I thought I was going to be thrown in the penalty box for ordering "regular ice water"

Ellen:

We have one of those cast-iron "ribbed" skillets that we use for cooking steaks and fish. My wife has been able to get really nice "grill marks" on both steak AND fish.

She is hesitant to tell me all of her "secrets" , but I think she gets the skillet super hot BEFORE searing the steak.

Secondly, I agree with you about Ruth Chris'. I felt that they were WAY over-priced and snooty as hell. They'll never see a return visit from us!

Did you really watch the cook grill your steak? Twice?. Your passion for barely warm meat is extraordinary. Am I to understand that, at home, you often skip the cooking step completely? This is interesting stuff.
I'm a guy who enjoys carpaccio and steak tartare from time to time. With a steak, though, I want the marbling to have a chance to melt and flavor the meat a bit. I also enjoy the contrast between a salty, seasoned crust and the rare to medium rare juiciness within. Some cuts (ribeye, for example) have so much internal fat that to eat them extremely rare would be, I think, a mistake. A filet, now that's another story. Knock yourself out and eat it right out of the cryovac

quote:

Originally posted by dickestep

My primary complaint is the degree steak has to be cooked to pass health department rules. We're out often and at Ryans, for instance, I have asked just how raw can we get by with before I order a steak. 15 seconds on each side on a flaming hot grill was one of their cook's answer. That is okay by me, and if he's there I may order one, but if a steak is going to be medium rare or worse I prefer to give it a pass. At home I can eat it raw, and most times my steak never touches the grill.

Boy, this is such a tough choice. I've had some awesome steak dinners while dining out, but I have to say my home-cooked pan fry ribeyes are close to their equal.

The other night, I found a great deal on a couple of ribeyes, about 14 oz. each, which cost me $13 and change for both. I marinated them for about an hour, pan-fried them in my cast iron skillet, and served them with home fries cut from a giant leftover baked potato and asparagus (99 cents a pound).

The cost for the two of us was, with beer and a slice of pie for dessert, was less than 10 bucks each. The steaks and accompaniments were out of this world, IMHO.

Now, you can get a marginally better meal featuring the same ingredients while dining out, but it would run you maybe $75, give or take $10 either way.

So my final answer is this: If it is just the two of us, I opt for staying home. For a party of four or more, the hassle of cooking isn't worth it, and it's more fun with a larger party. Plus, your guests can order whatever they want and what do you care (unless you're paying!).

- Rusty

From NYC to Chicago down to Miami, my best "steak out" was a Rib Eye at Dicky Brennans in New Orleans.

I took an extra lipitor that night

This is an age old argument in my house,dispite all the good steaks Iv grilled, I like the night out, martini,creamed spinach, experience, at a steak house.

quote:

Originally posted by Rustywolf

I marinated them for about an hour,

- Rusty

In what did you marinade these steaks rusty? I'm always on the lookout for a great steak marinade.

I'd really like to find one similar to carabba's but no luck so far.

Larry -

About an hour before I cook my ribeyes (the only steak I like to pan-fry in a cast iron skillet), I poke them all over with a serving fork, then liberally douse them with Lea & Perrins Worchestershire Sauce.

That's it. No salt. No pepper. No nothing else. I cut through the fat rings so the steaks won't curl up in the pan.

I let the skillet, with some olive oil and butter in it, get smokin' hot. Then carefully put the steaks in so the sizzling and spitting pan oil doesn't get you! Cook until it suits your taste.

Generally, I undercook the steaks - but long enough to get a good char going on the outside. Then I put the steaks in a preheated oven on an ovenproof dinner plate to "rest" before serving. They're still cooking internally.

I lower the heat in the pan, add some red wine, butter, sage, and fresh thyme, and throw in sliced mushrooms. I saute these. This usually "deglazes" the pan so it's easier to clean.

Works for us.

Good eating!

- Rusty

quote:

Originally posted by Jack Barry

Steaks are overpriced at many of the finer steakhouses and I feel I can ususally come close to what they serve when I cook it at home. The one exception I have encountered is Luger's, I don't mind paying for that.

My Father used to have one of their cards...Wonderful place. The salads are to die for but the steaks are to give your soul for.

I'm sorry my Lord for that statement.

After reading the comments about Ruth Chris, I'm wondering if I should skip a visit there. My boyfriend is staying near one(he heard of it from me speaking of Roadfood)in Tampa and wants to take me there next time I go down there. We passed on one we saw in Jacksonville Beach. And, I prefer to cook my steaks at home. I like them RARE and it's difficult to find a restaurant that cooks mine to order.
If you know of a good steak house in Tampa, please share.

I've got to say that my one visit to Ruth Chris's Steakhouse (VA Beach) was a bit disappointing. The servers seemed to be bothered when asked for something we should have had and they got our order wrong. The steak was good but I will give them their due on the Banana Cream pie....it was worth every morsel! I don't plan on going back, however. Barney

My wife and I visit our local (Hartford CT) Ruth's Chris every few months of so and and have always been more that happy and satisfied with the experience. It certainly is not inexpensive, but the steaks are great, the wine list is good, and the staff is very professional. In my opinion, anyone who says he can find locally (those in large cities with access to dry aged beef excepted) and prepare a better steak than Ruth's is being subjective and letting his wallet color the judgement.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty246

After reading the comments about Ruth Chris, I'm wondering if I should skip a visit there. My boyfriend is staying near one(he heard of it from me speaking of Roadfood)in Tampa and wants to take me there next time I go down there. We passed on one we saw in Jacksonville Beach. And, I prefer to cook my steaks at home. I like them RARE and it's difficult to find a restaurant that cooks mine to order.
If you know of a good steak house in Tampa, please share.

One thing that I've found from occasionally going to a high-end steak house is that they do seem to do a better job of cooking your steak to the desired degree of "done-ness" than your local Ryan's or Ponderosa. Often, they'll have printed explanations on the menus of what they understand "rare" and "medium" and so forth to mean, and in my experience, they almost always hit the mark. I wouldn't let that stop me from going to Ruth's Chris (especially if your boyfriend is paying for it!)

quote:

Originally posted by ellen4641



I agree that Morton's is too overpriced.....
the Palm steakhouse is more "reasonable"......their steak is $38, but Mortons gets you for an extra 10 bucks (more like $48)...

plus all the side dishes are extra....

Interesting. I recently ate at one of the Morton's here in Wash. DC with a friend, and the Porterhouse, which was their most expensive steak for one (and the one I assume you're referring to) was $44. I wonder if their prices vary from location to location?

Rusty246, there are so many good steak houses in Tampa. Ruth Chris' is not one of them, tho. My favorite is Charley's on Cypress St, just off the expressway (http://www.charleyssteakhouse.com/location-tampa.html). Great steaks. Many in Tampa, though, believe the famous Bern's Steakhouse is the best, but I think they are highly overrated and super expensive. But dining there is a unique experience.

quote:

Originally posted by BTB

Rusty246, there are so many good steak houses in Tampa. Ruth Chris' is not one of them, tho. My favorite is Charley's on Cypress St, just off the expressway (http://www.charleyssteakhouse.com/location-tampa.html). Great steaks. Many in Tampa, though, believe the famous Bern's Steakhouse is the best, but I think they are highly overrated and super expensive. But dining there is a unique experience.

Thanks BTB. We were in fact discussing our diappointments last night. Sounds like Charley's will be the place to try. We also thought we'd ask some locals their choices, but the last time we did that we had some not so great seafood....

Sorry for jumping in late. I have not been on this forum in ages, but would like to add my $0.02.. Yes, I love to cook steaks on my grill.. New York Strips or Porterhouses (Choice or Prime). My steaks are on par with most restaurants, but, there are the ones that you just can't touch.

The one that comes to mind is Peter Lugers. My favorite steak house in the country (and believe me, I have eaten at many high end steakhouses).

I pay top dollar for meat I cannot make myself. I was in Minneapolis a couple of weeks ago, and went to Mannys.. it was praised up and down the block. The meat was very good. The cooked meat was, ok.. Dinner by myself? $112.. wow... All I kept thinking about was lugers.. :)

So back to other comments about Ruth Chris'.. Ruth Chris is my favorite CHAIN steakhouse (more than 3-4 locations). Smith and Wollensky, Mortens... not in my top 10.. I think the one that comes closest to Ruth Chris' is probably Palm (once again, all in the "chain" category). I like Ruth Chris' because I know its a place where I can expect very good food and some pampering. I have never had bad service at Ruth Chris'...

Once again, just my $0.02

God Bless Sam's Club and COSTCO for their $8/lb. tenderloin.

Coat them in Char-Crust's "Original Hickory" rub, let them rise to room temperature and throw them on a hot charcoal grill, turn only once.

www.charcrust.com in case your local grocery doesn't carry it. You'll recognize it in your grocery's rub section because the packaging is like a pint milk carton.

In the Winter get a Cuisinart "Griddler" and cook on "sear". (This rig is a superior knock-off of the "Foreman Grill" - $129 and worth every cent).

This six buck hunk of meat is 90% as good as a $45 12 oz. filet at Morton's! (That said, ambiance can well be worth the money: in my single days whenever I treated a lovely women to a dinner at The Prime Rib on K St., WDC., "dessert" was always a certainty).

Here's some additional info on Prime vs. Choice tenderloin:

"A filet mignon trades off intensity of flavor for tenderness. Steakhouses love diners who order filets because, despite its reputation for being costly, it is the most profitable cut on the menu. Cut from a muscle that is underexercised, and the least marbled cut among premium steaks, it requires no dry-aging to make it tender; a less-expensive USDA Choice filet is as tender as a USDA Prime filet, so many steakhouses feel there's no need to offer the more expensive grade". Copied from: http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/diningguides/2804.html

Sam's/COSTCO's filet is USDA Choice.