Posted on 08/23/2013 2:25:11 PM PDT by Sopater
There comes a time in just about everyone’s life when they feel the urge to eat some red meat. Sure, a supermarket steak cooked in a frying pan might suffice, but there’s nothing quite like the experience of going to one of those big chain steakhouses. We’ve come to depend on these places for a good steak and a cold beer, enjoyed in a comfortable and just-boisterous-enough atmosphere, with an overall experience that leaves you full and content. From sea to shining sea, it’s our right to have unrestricted access to chain steakhouses, darn it, and for that reason we set out to find out which are the country’s best.
There are two very different types of chain steakhouses, and for today’s purposes we’re ranking only one of them: the casual chains. While both Outback and Ruth’s Chris specialize in steak, they couldn’t be more different otherwise, so comparing the two is like comparing apples to oranges. Comparing Outback to LongHorn, on the other hand, well that’s something worth exploring.
So when you think "chain steakhouse," what comes to mind? Odds are it’s a rustic, masculine, most likely wooden building, emblazoned with an eye-catching, brightly lit logo. Inside, there’s a bar with some TVs, plenty of comfortable seating, maybe some cattle paraphernalia on the walls (or boomerangs, in the case of Outback), neon beer signs, and a steak-heavy menu, obviously. But there are plenty of subtle differences, and no chain is exactly like any other.
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I believe you’re thinking of the Swinging Steak in Mexican Hat, truly a unique place. http://www.mexicanhat.net/reservation.html
We used to have one where we live (inland Empire) now it is Ponderosa Dental.
Hah! I passed that Logan’s steakhouse on I-20 about a month ago... I wanted to snap a picture of it, as I have a nephew named Logan.
... Damn ..... Nobody likes Morton’s Steakhouse?
Flemings was excellent. Ruth Chris.... Bah. The most expensive piece of saltiest meat that I have had. NEVER again. We have a Ruth Chris within walking distance of our house. We will never darken the door of that establishment.
Hmmmmm...maybe next weekend... :) :)
“Ruth Chris”
BINGO!!!!
And Manny’s in Minneapolis.
The Capital Grille is a nicely run “1%” chain of up-scale steakers.
Not a national chain, but The Cattleman’s Club Steakhouse in Pierre, SD is a real steakhouse in cattle country. We take steaks seriously here and this is where cattle ranchers go for a fantastic steak. However, the best steak I have ever had was at the Texas Roadhouse in Austin, TX.
There are two other Pinnacle Peaks in SoCal....one is Santee and one in San Dimas...SSZ
Another small chain, mostly in the Midwest is Eddie Merlot’s. It’s on par with Morton’s, Ruth’s Chris et al...SSZ
There are two Trail Dust Steak Houses in the DFW area. One is in Arlington. The other is in Aubrey. The one in Aubrey is Parker Brothers Trail Dust Steak House. I think the chain ran into difficulties and most locations shut down.
Manny’s, huh.
Will have to try it out, was in Minneapolis once and loved it. Great people, beautiful city, and it was August.
One of the BEST restaurant steaks I've ever had came from that exact restaurant.
The BEST, however, is when I actually have the time to prepare and cook my own steak.
Class 36
All I remember was it was a pretty good way out east of town - out in the desert. Seemed pretty spread out - or at least a few buildings. It was just about full dark when we got there.
I know it was east because north would have took me up to Orro Grande Range Camp. Spent way too many visits to Ft Bliss cooped up there.
We also took in the show up in the mountains. Don’t remember much of that either other than I enjoyed it.
Yeah, every year we go to the one in KC for my guy’s birthday. It is fabulous, and my next time is in one week, one day.
Chain restaurant? No thanks.
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