Best national chain of steakhouse

[grumpy]

Can't really make this a pole since there are so few and what you may have near you we may not.

So I am curious what you think is the best nation chain of steakhouses.

I have eaten at a lot of steak joints ( as is evident :) ) but not too many national chains. Now I am talking about the Ruth Chris, Morton's, Don Shula's and so on. Whats your fav ?

I ask since its my wife B day soon and want to surprise here with a nice dinner.

Thanks

Grumpy

[mhardy6647]

Fogo de Chão is one of the best dining experiences I've ever had, period. They are a "national chain" but they're not everywhere (e.g., there isn't one in Boston -- yet). If there's one near you, I'd strongly recommend it!
http://www.fogodechao.com/

We'll be having dinner at the one in DC with our daughter and her fiance next time we're down that way...

[grumpy]

Very interesting looking place. Bummer the nearest one is 400 miles :(

[spartanmanor]

Fogo de Chão is one of the best dining experiences I've ever had, period. They are a "national chain" but they're not everywhere (e.g., there isn't one in Boston -- yet). If there's one near you, I'd strongly recommend it!
http://www.fogodechao.com/

We'll be having dinner at the one in DC with our daughter and her fiance next time we're down that way...


I will have to give this a try. We are only 5 minutes outside of DC. :thmbsp:

[tentoze]

I've eaten in at least 1/2 dozen different Morton's, and was disappointed in the food in all but one of them. Pretty over-rated, in my experience.

Too bad there isn't a Del Frisco's or Smith & Wollensky near you- those are my 2 favorite chains. Barring those, I'd go with Ruth's- eaten in at least a dozen of those around the country. My experience- the food is consistently good from location to location (although not as good as it was 20 years ago when there were only 2 or 3), and the service is always unassailable.

[wajobu]

Not a chain, by far, but when I was doing a great deal of work on Long Island, NY I enjoyed my visits to Bryant and Cooper. Very excellent and VERY expensive, but a REAL treat to be waited on hand and foot.

http://www.bryantandcooper.com/

[Rotoplooker]

Have to admit, I avoided Ruth's Chris when they first moved into Canada, (specifically Toronto, Ontario) I stayed loyal to a couple of awesome local originals but eventually got pulled in. They do it right and more to the point, they do it right every time.

If ever in Toronto, do try Tulip (an old greasy spoon diner atmosphere but amazing) and Barberians (I believe TO's finest-very old school and insane wine list)

[philo426]

I like Ponderosa as well as Longhorn Steak houses.

[drknstrmyknight]

Alas, no Fogo de Chão, near Detroit.

Most of the places around here should be named:

Fugup da Chow

Ruth Chris get's my vote around here

But I miss Chicago

Try the Kinzie Street Chop House‎ and Gene & Georgetti's when you're in Chitown

[similost]

I really like Ruth Chris, but my wife for some reason doesn't... She did get a bad steak one time, so maybe why?

Not a fan of Smith and Wollinsky either.. over rated and over priced...

My all time favorite is Don Schula's, but for some reason they took the one here in DC out.. man was I bummin...

I have never heard of Fogo, but being as it's right in the middle of my office and my wife's I think we'll be going to check that out soon.. Thanks for the tip there.....

We recently ate at a place called Texas de Brazil... not sure if you have one around you o not Grumpy, but all I can say is any place that has guys walking around with giant hunks of meat on a sword, and carving you off all you care to eat is one hell of a great place. The food was good, the price, reasonable for what you get (but still not a cheap place) and the service was better than average...

[ZebraBlvd]

I wish St. Elmo's Steak House was a chain, but unfortunately the only one is in Indy. Ruth's or Don's is a good second choice, had good dining experiences in both. I'd probably pick Shula's just because you can "pass" the menu around the table. You gotta love a menu that comes on a football.

[cfranz]

I think I must live around the corner from the Morton's that was good, per tentoze. I've never had a bad meal there. I've also never had a meal under $300 there.

The Sicilian Veal is most excellent. Every now and again they do something with Scallops and a Apricot/Black Pepper compote which is outstanding.

Ruth's Chris is very good, but not great.


It's really too bad. There is only two places on the continent where you can get a truely great steak and neither is Detroit.

[chewy]

1. Ruths Chris
2. Flemings

I'm getting hungry!

[tentoze]

1. Ruths Chris
2. Flemings

I'm getting hungry!

I've heard several positive comments about Fleming's, but haven't eaten in one. They opened one in Las Vegas not long before I moved out of there. The founder was associated with Ruth's for a while, then started P.F. Chang's, I think.

There's one not too far from you, Dave. Feeling lucky?

[slow_jazz]

I know LongHorn is probably a low class steakhouse to many but I've never had a bad meal there...

[mhardy6647]

There's a place called Capital Grille(?) that's also a chain and has pretty fine steaks. Is there one in MI?

http://www.thecapitalgrille.com/splash.asp

EDIT: It says there's one in Detroit. I've eaten (once) at the one in Boston and it was excellent.

[Fred Sanford]

Not a chain, by far, but when I was doing a great deal of work on Long Island, NY I enjoyed my visits to Bryant and Cooper. Very excellent and VERY expensive, but a REAL treat to be waited on hand and foot.

http://www.bryantandcooper.com/

+1 on that, they've gotten a lot of my family's money.

je

[grumpy]

Detroit has about the most unappetizing food Ive ever eaten. Lord I miss Chicago..

We have Morton's, RC and Shula's. Out of those Ive eaten at shula's in Troy and was pretty underwhelmed. The food was good but the emphasis was on LARGE. Damn potato was bigger then the football menu ! Been years since Ive eaten at Morton's in Chicago but remember it well. Still deciding.

Oh yeah we have longhorns and Texas roadhouses. Not bad but its not where id like to take the wife for her B day.

For Valentines day we figured we'd try Bourbons at the new MGM casino. This was the worse food Ive eaten in my life. for 200 bucks it tasted like our steaks were cooked on a grill that just cooked plastic on it. Absolutely horrible !

We have not tried Wolfgang's yet but to be honest if I am paying hundreds for my meal it better be one fine ass piece of meat. And not come with some other crap I cannot pronounce or have nasty sauces to cover up the flavor or the meat. Could never be a vegetarian LOL

[mhardy6647]

The Capital Grill website says there's one in Detroit, Dave.
Do you know/know of this place (per my post above)?

[drknstrmyknight]

It's in Troy, actually. I've been in the DC Capital Grill and it was very good.

[Celt]

I have to say Ruth Chris. The ones in Memphis and Nashville have always been good. Also had my fill (and then some) at Tejas de Brazil, where they just keep bringing everything to the table. (Excellent salad, seafood and soup bar too.)

[similost]

Tejas de Brazil should be outlawed.. We just found one in our area, and damn near had to have the wheel me out on a hand truck... it sure is a dangerous place.. more great food and meat than you can shake two forks and a knife at..

[grumpy]

Never heard of the capital Grill. Going to have check them out.

[Urizen]

In Memphis, Ruth's Chris is excellent, with super service. We also have a Texas de Brazil here, but I wouldn't venture to call it a chop house. I was unimpressed by the heavily seasoned and salty meats, and overwhelming service. Great salad bar, though.

The Butcher Shop, a regional chain, is also good, where you can grill your own cut (:saywhat:), but the service can be spotty, at least at the downtown Memphis location. Folk's Folly, locally owned, is superb, with a CC atmosphere, and outstanding service.

The best steak in Memphis? A trip to Charlie's Meat Market on Summer Ave. for some thick Porterhouses, grilled and served at Casa el Ken.:drool:

[similost]

I'm with you Ken.. I find that I can usually burn a better porterhouse than most any place we go...

I've been using this stuff.. and man oh man.. a few minutes over some real coals, and I will put my steak up against most any other place...

My wife says she would much rather have me cook her a steak than go somewhere else..

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=80962&stc=1&d=1204310988

[Celt]

This thread got me ramped up for a road trip to RC's in Memphis. But reading this killed my appetite. :sigh:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/odd_steak_hairs

[Urizen]

But reading this killed my appetite. :sigh:

Thanks, Celt. :puke:

This thread had me all worked up for a fine cut tonight. The menu is now changed to chicken.

[AudioKeith]

Haven't been to one in a while but always liked STEAK and ALE.

[SpeakerLabFan]

I haven't been in a long time but the Black Angus Steakhouses have never disappointed me. Black Angus cattle ranch in Eastern Washington associated with the chain. Unfortunately, it looks like this chain is western US only...closest to Detroit would be in Colo...

http://www.blackangus.com/

All-Natural Black Angus beef
Aged 21 to 28 days
Each steak is hand cut daily by our Chefs in our kitchen
Grilled to order over an open flame

[Urizen]

Unfortunately, it looks like this chain is western US only...closest to Detroit would be in Colo...

My brother-in-law used to be a VP for that chain. I had the chance to eat at one in San Francisco and it was decent, not on the RC level, though.

[Snade]

Dave, not a direct answer to your question about taking your wife out to dinner, but if you want great steak delivered to your place, I recommend this Chicago steak delivery service - Heartland Steaks Delivered (http://www.heartlandsteaks.com/store/close-trim-filet-mignon-certified-angus-beef®-p-3154.php).

Excellent packing of the steaks with dry ice and good customer support - any problems and then send you new steaks. Not cheap, but a good value for the quality.

My wife loves the files at this place on the grill (when it gets a tad warmer outside). We've ordered from them for about 5 years. FYI.

Cheers, Mark (aka Snade)

[KeninDC]

I'm a big fan of the Capitol Grille.

I've eaten at the one on Capitol Hill and the one out here in the DC 'burbs. I had a bourbon with PJ O'Rourke at the Capitol Capital Grille.

Mortons is OK and a step above Flemings which I find is mediocre. I've never had a bad steak at Ruth Chris.

And I freakin' hat the Palm. It's like eating at a cafeteria and the wait staff has airs about them unless you are famous.

Ken

[grumpy]

While I appreciate a good steak at home it does not come close in my opinion to a fine dining establishment.

Morton's reservations at 8:30 tomorrow for me thank you :)

Thanks for all the input. I'll let you know how it is.

[cfranz]

Say Happy BDay from all of us too.

[grumpy]

Will Do.

By the way after a quick call to my bud who has eaten at all of the above places he suggested Ruth Chris instead of Morton's. Normally I would have just kept the reservations but when he said Morton's beef is grain feed and RC is corn it made my choice easy. Midwest corn feed boy here !

[Celt]

w00t! :banana: You'll enjoy it I'm sure and Happy Birthday to the Mrs.!

[RussinOhio]

I like Outback Steakhouse. I don't know if it is up around you but the food is great.


Russ

[tentoze]

I'd say you made the right move.

[Urizen]

Y'all enjoy and happy birthday to Mrs. Grumpy!

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/Urizen_2006/cow.gif

[grumpy]

Sorry for the late update. Been nuts round here.

Ended up taking her to Ruth Chris. Other then a long wait it was a fine evening. Food was very good and most importantly she loved it. Thanks

Grumpy

[240sx4u]

I think I must live around the corner from the Morton's that was good, per tentoze. I've never had a bad meal there. I've also never had a meal under $300 there.

The Sicilian Veal is most excellent. Every now and again they do something with Scallops and a Apricot/Black Pepper compote which is outstanding.

Ruth's Chris is very good, but not great.


It's really too bad. There is only two places on the continent where you can get a truely great steak and neither is Detroit.


That particular mortons is excellent, just vouching for ya!

[jerrymrc]

I haven't been in a long time but the Black Angus Steakhouses have never disappointed me. Black Angus cattle ranch in Eastern Washington associated with the chain. Unfortunately, it looks like this chain is western US only...closest to Detroit would be in Colo...

http://www.blackangus.com/

All-Natural Black Angus beef
Aged 21 to 28 days
Each steak is hand cut daily by our Chefs in our kitchen
Grilled to order over an open flame

They went downhill in the last 10 years. we used to have one here in the springs and the last 2 times I went there I was very disappointed.

[alexkerhead]

I like Outback Steakhouse. I don't know if it is up around you but the food is great.


Russ

Seconded. I prefer outback over longhorn.

[marantzfan]

In this thread there are two different levels of steakhouse which are being compared here and shouldn't be.

For those of us who have eaten at a Mortons, Ruth's Chris, Flemings, Del Frisco, etc. There is a WORLD of difference between these restaraunts and say, Black Angus, Outback, Texas Land and Cattle, Longhorns, etc.

I can tell you from an industry standpoint that the beef alone costs 2 to 3 times more, accounting for the higher menu prices. Also, the difference also, besides just product, is a dramatic difference in service. It's not really fare to compare fine dining with family dining.

Now, I know that Grumpy's wife's birthday has already passed, but my suggestion would be to find a good local steak house that serves USDA Prime "Dry Aged" steaks. I don't know if any of the chains serve it as dry ageing is an art in itself, but if you can find a reputable steakhouse in your are that serves "dry aged" steaks, you will not be disappointed.:no:

[JosephH]

Alas, no Fogo de Chão, near Detroit.

Most of the places around here should be named:

Fugup da Chow

Ruth Chris get's my vote around here

But I miss Chicago

Try the Kinzie Street Chop House‎ and Gene & Georgetti's when you're in Chitown

Agreed 1000%, A few pints at the Clark Street Ale House and a walk over to Gene & Georgetti's for steak and then a show at the Jazz Showcase.
Man, I enjoyed my years in Chicago! Ruth Chris' is always a good bet, but I agree, it is not as good as it was 15 years ago. RIP Ruth Fertel....

[JosephH]

In this thread there are two different levels of steakhouse which are being compared here and shouldn't be.

For those of us who have eaten at a Mortons, Ruth's Chris, Flemings, Del Frisco, etc. There is a WORLD of difference between these restaraunts and say, Black Angus, Outback, Texas Land and Cattle, Longhorns, etc.

I can tell you from an industry standpoint that the beef alone costs 2 to 3 times more, accounting for the higher menu prices. Also, the difference also, besides just product, is a dramatic difference in service. It's not really fare to compare fine dining with family dining.

Now, I know that Grumpy's wife's birthday has already passed, but my suggestion would be to find a good local steak house that serves USDA Prime "Dry Aged" steaks. I don't know if any of the chains serve it as dry ageing is an art in itself, but if you can find a reputable steakhouse in your are that serves "dry aged" steaks, you will not be disappointed.:no:


My father was a chef in a top local steak house. He always was on the lookout for true "prime" beef. From the first day I worked with him he would preach that prime beef is the key. Only a few percent of beef is certified Prime. The best establishments get almost all of this beef and they pay a lot for it. You can't find Prime in supermarkets or most butcher shops. It is worth the trip to a top notch steakhouse for prime, corn fed beef.

[bigmacc]

Grumpy l have the spot for Nancy and you - BIGMACC's .

Not a chain or even a restaurant but only 350 miles away. Located in a private home run by Mac and Linda. The price of the meal is reasonably (free) and includes lodging.

For yourself Grumpy l would recommend the BIGMACC special - a 32 oz T-Bone cooked to perfection. In addition a couple of twice baked potatoes, Greek Salad, St Joe Island corn, mushrooms and onions.

For Nancy the Linda special - the same as above but with a smaller 16 oz T-Bone.

Dessert is included, homemade of course.:yes:

[Bogframe]

First and foremost, Belated happy birthday to Mrs. Grumpy!
Second, I've been to a Ruth's Chris' in Atlanta, and that's where I fell in love with the Lovely Blanche because she didn't want "just a salad", bless her! Great steak there. Del Frisco? Not bad, I'll give it a good solid 8. I went to the Morton's that was near the WTC, I thought the steak was fine, but nowhere near the quality I had hoped. Outback? we go there quite a bit, and I've never been dissapointed, but I'll tell you whut, you come here to Brooklyn, and I'll take you to Peter Luger. (http://peterluger.com/brooklyn.cfm) Now THAT's STEAK!

[tentoze]

Bogframe speaks truth. On the rare occasion I'm forced to be in the city, a porterhouse at Peter Luger is a carnivore's dream.

[centralflori]

Not sure if it is a chain, but if your ever at Disney World in Orlando there is a steak house on 192 about .5 miles west of Disney main entrance called Key W. Kools that I have always had great steaks from. As I was posting this I did a google search to check spelling and found mixed reviews, but we always got excellent steaks there. Also Charlie's Steak House.:drool:

[Urizen]

If you're in Greenville, SC, Charlie's Steak House is good.

Caveat; it's been 20 years since I've been there.

http://www.charliessteakhousegreenville.com/

[alexkerhead]

Grumpy l have the spot for Nancy and you - BIGMACC's .

Not a chain or even a restaurant but only 350 miles away. Located in a private home run by Mac and Linda. The price of the meal is reasonably (free) and includes lodging.

For yourself Grumpy l would recommend the BIGMACC special - a 32 oz T-Bone cooked to perfection. In addition a couple of twice baked potatoes, Greek Salad, St Joe Island corn, mushrooms and onions.

For Nancy the Linda special - the same as above but with a smaller 16 oz T-Bone.

Dessert is included, homemade of course.:yes:

Don't make me drive to Canada dressed as Dave wearing stilts.:D

[thedelihaus]

Jeez,

I feel very lowbrow. I've never eaten at the Capital Grill- but have heard plenty a positive thing about 'em. Ruth Chris (or however you spell it), well, never heard of them 'till a week or two ago.

Morton's- another I've heard of, but never eaten at.

We have some interesting steakhouses in Boston that I've eaten at like the Hilltop, West Coast Grill, the Stockyard- but they ain't chains.

The chains? Outback, which I find terrible- three different locations, three meals, strike-out.

Bugaboo. A decent steak, but an annoying talking moos and Christmas tree, and animatronic trout, beaver and geese mounted on the wall. Creepy, and annoying. Like Disney on Dilauded and metallic spray paint.

Longhorns- seems well-liked. Been to the Boston one. Not unimpressed, but not wowed eitrher. They're fairly new to the locale outside of that location, just making it to the suburbs. I think we now may have a Texas Roadhouse as well- but in areas I have no real interest in going to- Everett, Brockton, and Seekonk.

I'd like to try one of these high-falutin' places that have been mentioned. Sounds like a real treat.


Hope you enjoyed your meal.

[Negotiableterms]

Fleming's is my favorite, and where I'll be heading, with Mr & Mrs Grumpy, Mr & Mrs luvvinvinyl, and hopefully Mr. Tentoze, at the Fest. Someone has to eat prime beef, and why not us?

As Eric said, Paul Fleming was the GM at Ruth's Chris' in Beverly Hills, then opened two more. Then, after Ruth died, they took the company public and had to buy out all the franchisees. Paul sold, and the next thing we saw was P.F. Changs, and then Fleming's.

Fleming's uses the same beef as RC's, which is corn-fed prime. I prefer the flavor of corn-fed over grain-fed (Morton's). Also, Fleming's has 100 wines by the glass every night, and you can order a "flight", in which they group 3 or 5 wines to demonstrate differences between vintners and vintages.

Fleming's has a better menu for side dishes and desserts. On the other hand, RC's has the best creamed spinach anywhere... worth the trip all by itself. Peter Lugers is also worth a trip by itself... but they only got to Las Vegas recently, and NYC is too far, even for a steak.

[grumpy]

Grumpy l have the spot for Nancy and you - BIGMACC's .

Not a chain or even a restaurant but only 350 miles away. Located in a private home run by Mac and Linda. The price of the meal is reasonably (free) and includes lodging.

For yourself Grumpy l would recommend the BIGMACC special - a 32 oz T-Bone cooked to perfection. In addition a couple of twice baked potatoes, Greek Salad, St Joe Island corn, mushrooms and onions.

For Nancy the Linda special - the same as above but with a smaller 16 oz T-Bone.

Dessert is included, homemade of course.:yes:

Does this bigmacc's deliver ??

[grumpy]

Meet Luvvinvinly and his lovely wife for dinner last night. We eat at www.gauchosteakhouse.com. Non stop eating and darn good food at that.
Sure it was a little pricey but you can sample 15 different meats for one flat price.

I would recommend everyone stop there at least to give it a try. Oh yeah its about 1 mile from the AK fest hotel.

Grumpy

[luvvinvinyl]

Yes, an excellent time was had by all.

Great food, and even better company. Thanks