Posted on 08/23/2013 2:25:11 PM PDT by Sopater
There comes a time in just about everyones life when they feel the urge to eat some red meat. Sure, a supermarket steak cooked in a frying pan might suffice, but theres nothing quite like the experience of going to one of those big chain steakhouses. Weve 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, its our right to have unrestricted access to chain steakhouses, darn it, and for that reason we set out to find out which are the countrys best.
There are two very different types of chain steakhouses, and for todays purposes were ranking only one of them: the casual chains. While both Outback and Ruths Chris specialize in steak, they couldnt be more different otherwise, so comparing the two is like comparing apples to oranges. Comparing Outback to LongHorn, on the other hand, well thats something worth exploring.
So when you think "chain steakhouse," what comes to mind? Odds are its a rustic, masculine, most likely wooden building, emblazoned with an eye-catching, brightly lit logo. Inside, theres 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Check out the Kobe beef the next time you're in Los Gatos, CA (or Danville, CA)
I have actually been there too and should have put it in my list
I was also thinking about the Cottonwood in Bluff UT
Man....the west sure has some great steakhouses
If it's anything like the one in W. L.A., it should be incredible.
If you have never had fresh Nova Scotia lobster, it is a must have at least once in your life!
Unfortunately, it is very expensive.
You know, it's funny. I experienced more of Vegas when I didn't live here that I do now that I do live here.
I avoid the strip at all costs and rarely even eat out anymore.
Of course since Obama's reign and what he has done to my business, money isn't flowing like it used to.
Agree...Great American Land and Cattle is MUCH better than Cattleman’s.
Used to like The Cattleguard in Houston (way west) but not been there for years.
I think I remember that place...Hwy 6 N of I-10?
I have friends who live in Vegas. The only time they go to the Strip is when we’re in town.
Our local Outback is OK, maybe having a Texas Roadhouse next door keeps them on their toes !
I’ve never had a bad steak at Longhorn. They are the best of the reasonably priced chains IMHO.
I have only eaten at Ruth’s Chris once, and it wasn’t a good experience. Oh, the steak wasn’t bad, mind you, but it wasn’t good enough to tempt me to pay $50 for the same steak I can get for $20 at Longhorn.
That’s it :)
Hahahahahahaha...that was great, I spit my drink when I read that!
Of that group of steakhouses, I really liked Texas Land & Cattle; I’m not all that big on smoked meats, but the pepper crusted smoked tenderloin was absolutely outstanding. Unhappily, they don’t have a location near where I live and they closed their location near my in-laws’ home.
As far as the high end national chain steakhouses are concerned, Ruth Chris’ has the best food for the money, and is very consistent from restaurant to restaurant. Smith & Wollensky and Mortons are way overpriced.
Bom apetite!
Ok I’m outed. I’m related to Walter Ganzi the owner. Ha unfortunately I have no financial interest. That said I know about The Palm. In LA, NyCity, Vegas , Washington its the place to go for excellent service, best food and the place to be seen by Hollywood honchos..etc. It’s the best steak house in the country. Also the most expensive. They blew it in Chicago. They had a great place the lease ran out and they moved to the Swiss Hotel. No locals. Gibson’s is the place here. Not quite as good but still amazing. $300.00 to sit down and crowded from 12:00am to 12:00 PM.
There is a Sonic in Gilroy. Where do you go to teppanyaki?
I found Ruth’s Chris to be a bit over-rated. Many restaurants offer good sides and being a bit more decorative is nice, but doesn’t add to the taste. Very expensive and I hated the heated plate - I ordered my steak rare and it hit the table that way, but was more than medium rare before the plate stopped cooking it past where I wanted it. That said, we occasionally “treat” ourselves to a high-end and expensive restaurant because I love my wife and she likes to be “pampered” once in a while. She enjoyed Ruth’s Chris for the “ambiance”.
My experience was more delicious than ambiance. Maybe it helps that I prefer medium rare to rare. And the creamed spinach and AU gratin potatoes were so rich and yummy that I’ve been trying ti imitate them ever since. Only been twice in the last ten years. Not something often for the calories and money!
Big fan of Morton's.
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