Over in the Historic Places to Eat Topic, some of us seemed to wander off topic talking about our favorite Steakhouses. So rather than completely hijack the topic that JRCX originally intended to talk about, I thought it better to start a separate topic where we could discuss our favorite steak houses.

My favorite is SPARKS . Their steaks are excellent, their lamb chops are the best that I've ever eaten, and their lobster is to die for, not to mention the great job that the waiters do taking it out of the shell for you. The service at Sparks is impeccable!

I also love the THE OLD HOMESTEAD once again. Years ago it was one of the top steak houses in NYC. Then for a while there it declined somewhat in quality. Several months ago I was invited back there by a couple of friends. The quality of the food has come back to what it once was. The steak was superb, the cold king crab & colossal shrimp appetizer tower was fantastic, and the broiled lobster plater was simply delicious.

I haven't been there yet, but I hear that UNCLE JACK'S STEAKHOUSE is very good. Anyone ever been there?

How about Sizzler???

I agree with a lot of the comments in the other thread... Spark's is a very decent place, as is The Old Homestead. Ben Benson's ain't what is used to be, though, and Peter Luger's is DEFINITELY way too "full of itself".

Ruth Chris's is another place to pass by now, btw.

Hey, how can I forget. I really must include Shula's in Chicago as one of the favorites that I've ever eaten at.

That was a class A restaurant, food wise, service wise, and company wise , all the way.

And who could forget TIS eating what looked like a side of beef?

BTW SC, you mentioned Sizzlers. Do you remember a steak house chain of restaurants called "Rustler's Steakhouse?"

Me too DC, how can I forget Shula's?

Probably because it's so much more than a steakhouse. My favorite is the one in the Yankee Trader Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. When I'm in Delray Beach, it's usually on top of my "places to eat" list. The Fort Lauderdale location is also where I joined the 48 oz. steak club.

Again, is it any wonder I have the bowels of an old lady?

Yeah, but you weren't with the class of friends that I was with when we had dinner at the one in Chicago! Not to mention that a complimentary bottle of fancy wine was sent over to our table by the one and only Frank Vincent.

And the entertainment at the table next to us, by "Gigi Cestone" and the 6 foot blond lady was just priceless.

Ruth's Chris in downtown Indy is really good.

There aren't too many real steakhouses around here, I'd have to go to Chicago. Sounds like I need to try Shula's.

My favorite is the Tuscany Grill in Somerset, NJ. They have the best Steaks and chicken and the desserts are to die for. The service is great also. I can't wait to go back there.

Mama, you just won an all expenses paid week at the Somerset Doubletree Hotel icluding free breakfast, lunch and dinner at The Tuscanny Grill!

Can I bring a friend?

Rustler's! Wow, now that's a blast from the past. Remember Ponderosa as well?

Remember the Rustler's commercial?

"We want the green stuff!"

We have Ponderosa's - YUCK

I love almost any steak. I like sizzler, I liked the Ponderose and Steak & 4 from years ago in Michigan. I assume you all are talking a little more expensive places though. You'd have to mess up my steak pretty badly for me to refuse to eat it.

Just off the top of my head, and because I've been there most recently, the Road House comes to mind. Their steak is wonderful, cooked as you order it, to perfection, and melts in your mouth. Not only that, the Roadhouse also serves baked sweet potatos with butter and brown sugar that are to die for. I think the potato alone is a half pound.

The prices are really not too bad and the atmosphere is friendly and family oriented.

I see there are a few NY locations, along with a few other states. Maybe some of you are familiar with it.

TIS

Road House

Edited to add:

Oh, and here's another restaurant. I have only been to it once or twice, but really liked the steak.


Cask 'n Cleaver

I love the Palm West. Excellent steaks, and the hash browns are great (if that doesn't sounds stupid).

Although it wasn't technically a steakhouse, the Cite Grill in NYC had the best prime rib and steak tartare I have ever eaten. Plus, they would serve some wonderful wines with the meal, all included in the price of their wine dinner. Our mutual love of Cite was the first bond that Plaw and I shared.

I think TIS and Lori split an order that night.

They ordered half a cow!!

Then they split a gut!

I think I'm with TIS on this... there's plenty of wonderful meals out there w/o spending a whole week's allowance.

I've over-paid plenty for meals in the past, and I've also had even BETTER meals for much less.

There's a little hole-in-the-wall pizzeria close by me that has GREAT food!! (And I think I said it once before, their pizza sucks - but - their entrees are GREAT!!!)

I wouldn't hesitate taking a date there.

There are only a handful of places in my area I could say that about.... and [insert DMC "date" joke here ]

I'd much rather take a date to a place that has good food over a place thats just fancy.

Speaking for myself, I'm much more relaxed in a less fancy place, and good food goes hand-in-hand with good conversation.

And she'd like you to return them!

Signor V.

The heck with the steak. I want to know what they did with the zucchini.

Bethie, you have no idea how big of a sport you've been since that dreadful night! Love all around!

Good thing I come with my own pom poms then. :0

Let me take you down, to Strawberry Fields...

Yes SC, now that you say it, I do remember thew splitting that cow, I mean steak.

Oh I don't disagree one iota. There are definitely some excellent meals available out there that you don't have to spend an arm and a leg on. And I think that almost every neighborhood has a "hole in the wall" type family place that has fantastic food.

I find that more in Italian food than in steak though.

There is a diner here on Staten Island called Andrews**, and I'll put his steaks, lobster tails and most of his food in general up against any fancy restaurant any day of the week.

There is ONE chain steakhouse that I've eaten in where I thought that the steak was just as good, if not better, than many of the high priced fancy New York Steakhouses; HOPS grill and brewery. Great food, a very relaxed atmosphere where you can have a great time with a group of people, a huge selection of their own homemade ales and beers, and their prices are no where near those of a fancy smancy restaurant.



** Just Lou, if you're reading this, Andrews is very close to where you now live. I highly recommend it.

Shula's. Oh yes, I forgot. Absolutely wonderful. Best half cow I've ever eaten. I was amazed at the portion. It was absolutely wonderul!!!



TIS

I guess while you're sitting in Shulas you can't remark, "Don't have a cow man".

I just tell everyone not to be messin' with my cow or I'll break their legs!!!

You would have loved the place Beth. It was very nice.


TIS

Or a Zucchini!

Let me just say this regarding steak. As I said, I am not real fussy, but I DO prefer charbroiled as opposed to broiled. I just notice and like the taste better. Same with hamburgers. I'll prefer a place that char broils them.


TIS

They don't have a microwave?