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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Yum! I want some red meat now....
Pinnacle Pete’s in Scottsdale, Arizona.”
You are so right about that. The first time we ever ate there was in 1962. Winding dirt road in, not a directional sign anywhere to be found - you just headed in the general direction. Lots of cut off ties hanging from the beams. Real guitar music and everyone working there lived in a bunk house. Real working cattle ranch which just happened to cook a great steak on a huge outdoor grill.
No menu. You sat down and a bottle of beer appeared, followed by a bowl of beans and a platter of bread and then the largest steak I had ever seen, all cooked outside - medium rare and absolutely perfect.
Of course back then there were also no stop lights in Scottsdale, horses had the right of way and all the bars had swinging doors and hitchin’ posts.
Went back with my family a couple of years ago. Couldn’t believe what had happened to the area. Steak still good but it’s not quite the same.
Mortons
Palm
Ruth’s Chris
In that order
Big Texan in Amarillo actually is rather good as was the old Cattlemans chain
For cheaper....I like Longhorn best
Stoney River...no Tks
Does Eats..hit or miss...pricey
Kane...money money
Peter Luger...hell yea
Smith and Wollensky...not bad
Jimmy Kellys in Nashville....a black white waist coated homosexual waiter there loves me...his polar bear..me...lol
There is an outdoor joint in southeast Utah about...70 miles west of Cortex CO.....the Buckboard maybe.... middle of nowhere east of monument valley
Outdoor grilled under cottonwood trees....excellent
Morton’s, for me, is my favorite chain steakhouse. It was better when you could have a cigar at the bar. Some places allowed you to keep your smokes there in a humidor.
In Seattle we have two very good non-chain steakhouses: El Gaucho (beside the steak, the Caesar is made at the table), and the Metropolitan Grill (best cocktails, most knowledgeable bar staff, and excellent steaks).
You could raze Seattle for all I care, but leave those two places be.
“It’s a titty bar with steaks.”
I would much prefer a steak bar with Ti*****! ;-)
>>And Outback? I’ve never liked their stakes.<<
Neither does Dracula. Da Dum Dum!
Yes...the Met Grill is GREAT....but, very expensive!
Outback is garbage. I do not understand why they are so popular and how they stay in business.
Saltgrass is good but Churrasco’s beats Saltgrass.
I hear The Palm is the place to go in Vegas. In Chicago it’s Gibson’s. Does more revenue then any other restaurant in the country. With drinks and sides for two...$300.00 You’d never think there’s a recession there.
I’m with you The Palm is almost perfect.
Never been there. Should try it when I come home for the Holidays.
2.) LG's Steakhouse in Indian Wells, CA. $$$$ - but worth it.
The Filet Mignon with veggies and desert and wine and pre-dinner drinks and appetizer will set you back close to $200 per person not counting tip. Been there several times on a date and I always went dutch and split the bar bill. Can’t expect the guy pay for the whole thing.
YES! I went to their Colton, Calif., location and the food was great! I also enjoy Ted’s Montana Grill (choice of bison or beef).
Pasadena, CA - AWFUL
And Flemings, Carraba's, and a few more IIRC. I love Outback because the wait system is the best. Perfect timing between courses and it's not an accident. The steaks are fine as is the rest of the menu, but fine dining it's not. Beats Longhorn, Texas Roadhouse and the others for my taste. Flemings' is very good as is Ruth's Cris but bring money.
There's a place off the lobby of New York, New York Casino in Las Vegas that has aged beef and is VERY good.
YMMV
Outback is terrible. Long Horn and Lone star are both pretty good.
Bonefish sucks
They try to hard to put on airs that don’t make up for the mediocre eats
America’s best Steak House is...My House!
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Wow. Finally someone with some sense.
I’ve been to 3 of the top 5 and, without exception, I order chicken now.
One poster mentioned a place where you get to pick out your steak. That’s more reasonable.
I’m not eating a steak that I’ve not seen that it is deeply marbled and worth eating. Fat is where it’s at.
And since they’re cooked on the Weber, it’s a night off from heavy dishes for the missus.
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