Chicago steakhouse reviews

The Chicago Tribune had a special centerpiece today rating Chicago's best steakhouses on a one- to three-star scale. Interestingly, Chicago Chop House didn't make the cut. The steakhouses getting three stars included Gene & Georgetti, Gibsons, Harry Caray's, Morton's of Chicago, Phil Stefani's, Ruth's Chris and Shula's Steakhouse. Not sure if Chicago Chop House being left off was a mistake or what, but I consider it one of the best in the city.

One footnote - there was a side article about ordering the 64-oz. Porterhouse at Chicago Chop House (despite the restaurant not making the overall list). The reporter and her family couldn't finish it. However, the waiter told them that one "husky" customer polished off two of the 64-ouncers in one sitting and chased them down with a 32-oz. lobster tail. The meal took 2.5 hours to eat. Any Roadfooders out there willing to admit this was them?

To quote my 3rd grade self, "Not it!".

I've eaten 2 full orders of Rendezvous ribs in a sitting, but that seems like it'd just be an appetizer to that person...

Hi...just discovered this site..truly wonderful, I must say..

One old school steakhouse that is consistently overlooked in Chicago is Biasetti's on Irving Park...recent remodelling took away some of the character, but still tremendous steaks and ribs at dirt cheap prices. They hand carve everything in house, and the quality is right up there with the Gibsons, Chop Houses, etc....not to mention the extremely kitchy Stan Zimmer on the cheesy organ on weekends, and waitresses who have worked there for decades....a true Chicago original

quote:

Originally posted by danimal15



One footnote - there was a side article about ordering the 64-oz. Porterhouse at Chicago Chop House (despite the restaurant not making the overall list). The reporter and her family couldn't finish it. However, the waiter told them that one "husky" customer polished off two of the 64-ouncers in one sitting and chased them down with a 32-oz. lobster tail. The meal took 2.5 hours to eat. Any Roadfooders out there willing to admit this was them?

I'm going to find out which waiter called me "husky" and he's going to be sorry!

Was Pete Miller's up in Evanston on that list? That's a pretty good place to get a steak as well, perhaps not quite the caliber of those mentioned as three-star but still very good.

Check out the prices on these steaks![|)] www.gibsonssteakhouse.com Ala Carte to boot! My employer takes our overnight clients there on a regular basis...

quote:

Originally posted by jeepguy

Check out the prices on these steaks![|)] www.gibsonssteakhouse.com Ala Carte to boot! My employer takes our overnight clients there on a regular basis...

After I read the first paragraph about the place, I see that those persons who pay those prices can afford it.
My hometown grocer has both porterhouse and t-bones on sale for $5.99, that fits my budget.

quote:

Originally posted by jeepguy

Check out the prices on these steaks![|)] www.gibsonssteakhouse.com Ala Carte to boot! My employer takes our overnight clients there on a regular basis...

And I thought beef prices were high in Knoxville. We are not even close.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

How odd, thats a really high chain-to-nonchain ratio.

One would think the absolute best steakhouses would not be in a Chain.

I have always (until very recently) considered Doe's Eat Place to be a humble little place in Mississippi that was one of the ultimate Roadfood places in the USA. Now I find that it is expanding...Little Rock, Tulsa, and other places have been listed. The Little Rock Website claims they are independent stores, not related by anything but name. I don't know if the quality of the steaks have been compromised in the expansion, but it's image is sure changing in my "Minds-Eye?
Is there one in Chicago now?
Somehow I can't visualize the screen-door on a Chicago restaurant slapping some 'city-folk' on the butt as they leave, With the slow-moving ceiling fans and Sweet-Tea keeping the temperature and humidity at the level so that the customer's Linen suit doesn't wilt, or the helps genteel service not be treated with a Sophisticated City Patronizing Attitude---" How Quaint" !
Tell me it ain't so, Joe!!!

OH Yeah, On the Plus Side--Welcome to the Roadfood Family, FredFerris. Hope you can add to the reviews of the Chicago area eateries.

quote:

Originally posted by fredferris

Hi...just discovered this site..truly wonderful, I must say..

One old school steakhouse that is consistently overlooked in Chicago is Biasetti's on Irving Park...recent remodelling took away some of the character, but still tremendous steaks and ribs at dirt cheap prices. They hand carve everything in house, and the quality is right up there with the Gibsons, Chop Houses, etc....not to mention the extremely kitchy Stan Zimmer on the cheesy organ on weekends, and waitresses who have worked there for decades....a true Chicago original

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll have to try it sometime. It's certainly more convenient for me than driving all the way downtown. Is it a place that welcomes little kids? That would be another selling point (mine are 4 and 1)

quote:

Originally posted by jlobough

quote:

Originally posted by danimal15



One footnote - there was a side article about ordering the 64-oz. Porterhouse at Chicago Chop House (despite the restaurant not making the overall list). The reporter and her family couldn't finish it. However, the waiter told them that one "husky" customer polished off two of the 64-ouncers in one sitting and chased them down with a 32-oz. lobster tail. The meal took 2.5 hours to eat. Any Roadfooders out there willing to admit this was them?

I'm going to find out which waiter called me "husky" and he's going to be sorry!

Was Pete Miller's up in Evanston on that list? That's a pretty good place to get a steak as well, perhaps not quite the caliber of those mentioned as three-star but still very good.

Pete Miller's wasn't on the list, though I think their steaks are great. The service was lousy, however, last time I was there. The waitress kept trying to rush everything, as if she needed to have turn-over. We didn't enjoy our experience. I'll have to go back and give them another chance.

Also, Wildfire wasn't on the list, and I've enjoyed steaks there in the past. But I'm still surprised to not see Chicago Chop House there. My dad and his friend had steaks at a little storefront place on Halsted just north of Diversey recently, and he said they were both quite happy with them. I can't remember what the place is called.

I am from NY and have really enjoyed Gibsons. Definitely priced like the expensive NY steak houses but much more relaxed/noisy etc. Also if I recall the steaks do include sides.

For Many Years Carson's on N. Wells was our dinner choice when in Chicago. They did a fine steak . Are they still in the running???

Gibsons is a great experience but they don't include sides. The sides are big enough for 2 or 3 to share. Carson's is still open and although it's touted for its ribs, the steaks are excellent too.

Wow - I can't believe my four-year old post has been revived!

Since 2004, when I originally posted, I've found another Chicago-area steakhouse that belongs in the pantheon - EJ's in Skokie. I've eaten there three times, and haven't come away disappointed yet. Its steaks are on par with any of the downtown steakhouses. The sides are tremendous, and I love the atmosphere - very down-home atmosphere - not fancied up or phony at all.

I have eaten at both Harry Careys and the Chop House.I find Harry Careys to be beter.........

I enjoy Carmichaels in the West Loop area of Chicago. Not cheap, but much cheaper tha Gibsons.

Chicago Magazine did a cover story on the 20 best Chicago steakhouses recently, and Gene & Georgetti's was their favorite. All the other usual suspects were there. Although Chicago Chop House made the list, the reviewers said it has fallen in quality recently, mainly because the restaurant used to dry-age their steaks and now they use the more common wet-aging method. Most Chicago steakhouses use wet-aging. I think Smith & Wollensky may be one of the few that dry-ages. I haven't been there in 10 years - maybe I'll give it a try.

My budget has traditionally not allowed for experiences such as dining at one of Chicago's premier steakhouses, but, about ten years ago, I was able to visit the Chicago Chop House, not once but twice, thanks to my former employer. I had just reached my 25th anniversary with Amtrak, and I was rewarded for those years of service with a $250.00 gift certificate from the Chop House. This was good for two visits to the CCH with my then-girlfriend, and I have to say that both meals were wonderful. Ribeye is my favorite cut, and never before or since have I had ribeyes like that; simply delicious. Very good sides too. Next month, I'm joining the Roadfood Glee Club gang at Doe's Eat Place in MS, and I'm curious as to how a steak dinner at Doe's will compare to that at the Chop House. Stay tuned...

jeepguy


Check out the prices on these steaks![|)] www.gibsonssteakhouse.com Ala Carte to boot! My employer takes our overnight clients there on a regular basis...

Check out these prices for one of the the top end steakhouses here in Seattle.:
El Gaucho

It's been two years since I've been at Chicago Chop House, but I've eaten there a dozen times over the years. Ditto for Gene & Georgetti's, Gibson's, Ruth's Chris, Morton's Lawry's, and a number of others. (Thank you, expense account!)

I always thought CCH was the best. G&G tended to be too much of the 'old boy' place, and CCH just had a great atmosphere... I don't know how they age their beef now, but the last time I was there, it was dry aged & wonderful.

CoastFan



Check out these prices for one of the the top end steakhouses here in Seattle.:

AKA "El Gouge-o" Good food, though.

Anybody like Myron and Phil's on the North Side (or maybe Skokie). A friend swears by it but in all the years I lived around Chicago, I never tried it.

My only issue with reading good reviews of fine steak houses, especially those with good photos of the entrees, is that I really get the desire to go and get one of those dinners  RIGHT NOW !!!  Sometimes that just isn't in the daily plan, and I find myself growling about having to settle for a lower-level alternate choice !

Have been to "Bob  Chinn's Crabhouse" in Wheeling many times, not only great seafood but also one of the best ribeyes I've had, hoping to return soon. Also like "Lawry's House of Prime".

erikkoik


Anybody like Myron and Phil's on the North Side (or maybe Skokie). A friend swears by it but in all the years I lived around Chicago, I never tried it.

I've been there but never tried the steaks. It's in Lincolnwood, I believe. It's good for Jewish-style food.

I've been reading terrible reviews lately of Chicago Chophouse. Apparently the ownership changed and the new owners really ruined it. I haven't been there in years. Has anyone else been there lately?

No one has any thoughts on Chicago Chophouse? I'll start a new post.