"How would you like your steak?"

[taiwan_girl]

https://www.tastingtable.com/1597100/steakhouse-chains-us-ranked/?zsource=yahoo

13 Steakhouse Chains In The US, Ranked Worst To Best

To compile this convenient yet comprehensive rundown, I gathered a lengthy list of steakhouse chains, from casual to fine dining, and narrowed it down to those with about 25 or more franchises. From there, I spoke with meat lovers, read countless reviews, and went back into the Tasting Table archives. I paid attention to more than just steak, though. After all, steakhouses serve patrons everything from burgers to fish to potatoes and veggies.

[LuFins Dad]

They went about this the exact wrong way and counted on customer reviews and other professional reviews.

1. Hoss is not even in the same category as the Roadhouses. It’s the modern ponderosa. To be avoided at all costs

2. Sizzler - Same thing

3. Outback is weird. They used to be an okay mid-tier offering. Then they got bad. Shut down a lot of stores, and are trying to build up a classier more upscale image. It doesn’t fit the theme of the name and history, but whatever. I would put them with Logan’s and Texas Roadhouse. And the fact that they are ranked just below Ruth’s Chris is kind of offensive. Ruth’s Chris is a complete different level.

4. Fogo de Chao is overrated. It is fun, and the meats aren’t bad. But the very nature of the way they serve limits how good the meat actually is. Depending on when you get served, you might get all bark, or none. Getting a slice of beef with bark on the outside and rare on the inside is impossible… But the atmosphere and service are great. I would put them below the Morton’s/Ruth’s Chris level but above the more casual shops.

[LuFins Dad]

From best to worse

1. The Palm

2. Capitol Grill

3. Morton’s

4. Ruth’s Chris

5. Fogo de Chao

6. Longhorn

7. Logan’s

8. Texas Roadhouse

9. Outback (though is improving)

I don’t know a couple of the others…

There is a clear distinction between the top 4 and others.

[Mik]

Forget all those. Come to Cincinnati and go to Jeff Ruby's.

[Jolly]

Don't get around like y'all do. Morton's and Ruth's (old lab rat owned) Chris are usually good. I'd reverse the Logan's and Texas Roadhouse ranking.

Been awhile since I ate at Outback. The local one does not impress. Besides, the worst steak I ever had in a steakhouse was at an Outback in Anaheim.

[Jolly]

BTW, is it just me that can't stand the noisy "roadhouse atmosphere"?

[George K]

There's a Longhorn's about 2 miles from me. Never tried it. Perhaps I'll place a pickup order.

[Mik]

@Jolly said in "How would you like your steak?":

BTW, is it just me that can't stand the noisy "roadhouse atmosphere"?

Nope. I'm with you. Don't care for overly noisy restaurants.

[Mik]

@George-K said in "How would you like your steak?":

There's a Longhorn's about 2 miles from me. Never tried it. Perhaps I'll place a pickup order.

I used to eat lunch at Longhorn a lot. They had great chili. Then they discontinued it and I stopped going. It was interesting at the bar because they had a bookie working it, all before legal sports gambling.

[Jolly]

@George-K said in "How would you like your steak?":

There's a Longhorn's about 2 miles from me. Never tried it. Perhaps I'll place a pickup order.

Steak is one thing I'd be scared to do pickup or delivery.

[George K]

@Mik said in "How would you like your steak?":

@Jolly said in "How would you like your steak?":

BTW, is it just me that can't stand the noisy "roadhouse atmosphere"?

Nope. I'm with you. Don't care for overly noisy restaurants.

My bluetooth-enabled hearing aids have a "restaurant" setting, so that the mics focus more on the sound coming directly from the front of you, quieting down ambient sounds. It's nice.

[Doctor Phibes]

@LuFins-Dad said in "How would you like your steak?":

From best to worse

1. The Palm

2. Capitol Grill

3. Morton’s

4. Ruth’s Chris

5. Fogo de Chao

6. Longhorn

7. Logan’s

8. Texas Roadhouse

9. Outback (though is improving)

Personally, I'd try to go to a locally owned place rather than a big chain. I've been to a a couple of Ruth's Chris and Capital Grille's, and while good I didn't feel like the food justified the price tag.

We went to a local Italian place last week for a rare family treat, and Mrs. Doctor Phibes had a filet they were running as a special. It came a little less rare than she asked for, but it was as tender as butter. She let me sample a bit and it was just beautiful.

[Mik]

Outside of Ruby's, I've never been to a high end steak place that I thought was worth the money. Ruth's Chris, meh. Morton's, same. Eddie merlot? Substandard. Like you, I prefer the local places.

[taiwan_girl]

@Jolly said in "How would you like your steak?":

BTW, is it just me that can't stand the noisy "roadhouse atmosphere"?

You must be physic!! I just saw the below article.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/interactive/2024/loud-restaurant-noise-health-effects/

Sietsema began recording and publishing decibel levels in his reviews in 2008 in response to reader feedback. More than a decade later, the problem persists. Noise was the most cited complaint in Zagat’s last Dining Trends Survey in 2018, and it continues to dominate the conversation in online restaurant reviews. Sietsema says behind tipping, a quiet restaurant is the most requested piece of advice in his weekly live chat sessions.

[Jolly]

I can take quiet music.

There was a guy down in Baton Rouge that was a great vocalist. Played guitar and could do anything from country ballads, early Sinatra stuff, to James Taylor and what-not. He used to call my son up to do some percussion and a bit of acoustic bass when he'd play this place:

https://www.sullivanssteakhouse.com/baton-rouge/

[jon-nyc]

@LuFins-Dad

To me a churrascaría and a steak house are two completely different things. I wouldn’t put fogo do chao on the list at all.

[LuFins Dad]

Frankly, I like my steak the best… And it’s simple enough to prepare.

BUT… Karla and my schedules have led to us having to eat out a fair amount. There’s 1-2 nights a week where I meet her and Finley at a restaurant, we have dinner together, then I have to take Finley and she has to go take care of some of her clients…

Since she looooooves steak, that means we go to steak places. Since we aren’t rolling in dough, it means that we’re normally going to the Outback-Longhorn level. There aren’t really any locally owned steakhouses nearby. If I want locally owned restaurant there is a fantastic Italian joint in Reston, a mediocre Italian joint in Sterling but with outstanding service, and a few other Irish and Indian places we like, but not any steakhouses…

[Mik]

Longhorn puts a pretty good steak on your plate for a reasonable price. Most folks overlook the workhorse of steaks, the top sirloin. If dry brined it's as good as any steak, usually with better flavor. I also use flat iron steaks a lot, also Fresh Market has a great prime flank steak. Used to do strips and filets most of the time, but the price has gone up and the quality down. All the filets I see now are butt end or glued together, not center cut.

[LuFins Dad]

@Mik said in "How would you like your steak?":

Longhorn puts a pretty good steak on your plate for a reasonable price. Most folks overlook the workhorse of steaks, the top sirloin. If dry brined it's as good as any steak, usually with better flavor. I also use flat iron steaks a lot, also Fresh Market has a great prime flank steak. Used to do strips and filets most of the time, but the price has gone up and the quality down. All the filets I see now are butt end or glued together, not center cut.

Longhorn’s our favorite at that level not just for the steak, but their sides are a cut above.

[George K]

@LuFins-Dad said in "How would you like your steak?":

Longhorn’s our favorite at that level not just for the steak, but their sides are a cut above.

Mrs. George and I were talking about the sides - have you ever had their lobster? She'd be curious.