What's your favorite place for a steak?

My wife and I have embarked upon a quest. We are trying to determine the best place in Chicago to get a steak. But more than just who has the best steak, but where's the best place to get it, and which is the most authentic chicago steakhouse experience.

Here are some that are under consideration, with comments:
Ruth's Chris' - Great steak, but it's a chain restaurant, started in New Orleans, not very authentic Chicago.

Tango Sur - great place, great food, love the BYOB, and the El Filet might be one of the best steaks I've ever eaten, or that may be because it took 3 hours to get seated, and I was eating dinner at almost 11PM

Gene & Georgetti's - Authetic Chicago for sure, but I heard reports of their loss of quality, that I have been unable to verfy.

Brasserie Jo - Heard they have a great steak, but the one time I have been there, I did not get the steak. The brightly lit interior and cafe' atmosphere coupled with overly snooty service, and just outright poor service put this low on my list, and the service kind of overshadowed the food. Not good.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

I love Gene and Georgetti, though I've had excellent steaks at Gibson's, Keefer's and I've heard great reports about the steaks over at Tavern on Rush. I've never had a great steak at Morton's or S&W, both chains.

See http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=4023 for more info.

I had a wonderful dinner at Lawry's a few years ago with my old boss. It was his favorite place for steak.

One of my favorites is The Saloon in the Seneca Hotel just behind the Hancock. Nice atmosphere. Pretty relaxed. Great service. Great selection of Single Malt Scotches.

#1 Saloon Steakhouse

#1a Joes Seafood, Prime Steaks, and Stone Crabs

Not a fan of Gibson's, G & G, or Ruths Chris.

For me is a place isnt serving Prime, or Dry Aged Beef I wont consider going.

There probably is more information on steakhouses buried in the archives of this forum then you'd ever care to take the time to read.

Given that one of the criteria that you mentioned is "most authentic Chicago steakhouse experience", then I think you can rule out Ruth's Chris, Tango Sur and Brasserie Jo right off the bat.

Unlike some others on this forum, I really do enjoy Gibson's, and feel that it deserves a glowing recommendation in this category. I also like Morton's (the original Newbury Plaza location), and do not feel that it necessarily is a "chain." Although G&G has terrific old-school atmosphere, my experiences there (which admittedly have been few and far between) have not been that great. Finally, I also like the Saloon Steakhouse -- it definitely deserves a solid recommendation, and is a good, safe choice.

Maybe I'm getting older and more set in my ways, but the newcomers -- Keefer's, David Burke's and the like -- don't really do much for me.

A small point, but Ruth's Chris started in Baton Rouge. Might want to refocus the list on places, including "chains," that started in Chicago if you want "authenticity."

Also, I'm a big fan and defender of G&G. However, the best thing on the menu isn't a steak. The lamb chops and the liver and onions are tremendous plates of meat.

PS, nearly every vocal critic of G&G has extremely limited experience there. That's not a coincidence. Unfortunately or not, depending on your perspective, it's the kind of place where regulars get better treatment. It's that mix of insiders and tourists that creates a dichotomy of sorts. Half the places in NY and LA are like that. We only have a few.

Last, to a point that follows (pardon my edit to add a ps, I intended only to fix some punctuation and typos) undesalting is never a problem for me at a steak place that offers the luxury of salt shakers. It's the oversalted, drowning in butter schtick of some other places that bothers me. I guess I could use the water glass and a napkin to remedy the problem.

The new Uncommon Ground has a wonderful steak. It's a grilled buffalo ribeye encrusted with spicy black cat espresso & cocoa. It's delicious.

Uncommon Ground
1401 W. Devon Avenue
Chicago, IL
773-465-9801

My one and only visit to G & G's was a dissapointment. The steak had little flavor and needed a healthy dose of salt to revive. Lot's of authentic Chicago steakhouse experience, though.

I enjoy Gibson's on occasion...I think they can knock it out of the park on some visits and foul out other times.

I had a great steak at the Rosebud Steakhouse as well as top notch service.

Keffer's was excellent but lacks the authentic Chicago steakhouse experience you mention.

I'm a fan of Erie Cafe.

536 W Erie St
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 266-2300

chicagovol wrote:My wife and I have embarked upon a quest. We are trying to determine the best place in Chicago to get a steak. But more than just who has the best steak, but where's the best place to get it, and which is the most authentic chicago steakhouse experience.

The best steak I've had recently was at the Old Town Brasserie. Incredible prime rib prepared to perfection. I certainly would not suggest that it was the most authentic Chicago steakhouse experience. Then again, I'm not a fan of the sturdy oval platter with enough meat to feed four adults, and garnished with a sprig of parsley. That might be authentic, but few restaurant experiences are less appealing to me. Given your list of restaurants, it sounds like you have an open mind as to what constitutes great steak. I would encourage you to give Old Town Brasserie a try.

Old Town Brasserie
1209 N. Wells
Chicago, IL
312.943.3000

joe's on grand- bone in fillet. i have never had a better cut of meat.

I think one of the more authentic of the steakhouses, and one that I like going to is the Chicago Chop House. I haven't had a bad experience there yet.

Chicago Chop House
60 West Ontario

-Chicago Chop House is an excellent choice.
-Gibson's is considered a quintessential steak experience but I only go there when my friends make me. The steak, while generous isn't that flavorful.
-Morton's has an excellent steak, one of the Originals and I've never had a bad experience there.
-Ruth's Chris, is not chicago based as someone else pointed out and the only one of the premium steak houses to make my "I will never go there unless I have a girlfriend that makes me and breaking up is the only other option" list. I detest that place and never, in over a dozen times have had a satisfactory experience. And we were people that never needed a reservation on a Saturday, that new management always were introduced to, we were always bought drinks before and after dinner yet they still managed to screw up the actual dinner portion everytime. The hot plate also results in the steak being overdone and the burning butter assaults my nostrils. It's also on the do not go list of most of my steak loving friends.
-David Burke's primehouse has my favorite steaks, in terms of flavor. They have good service and the atmosphere is a nice change of pace from the traditional steakhouse, but I've had every one of their sides and found them all dissapointing.
-Ditka's is owned by a Chicago classic and has one of the tastiest steaks I have had. Their steaks are a bit smaller than expected in a premium Chicago Steakhouse but they are still on my short list of steak places.
-Gene and Georgetti's is good. I've heard bad things about their service but I have never experienced it myself.
-Joe's Prime and Crab is pretty good too, but for me the star is the seafood.

Somehow I have never made it to Capital Grille, which I've heard good things about and is not a 'Chicago steakhouse', Smith and Wollensky's or Keefer's, but I'm sure there are plenty of people around here that can give good info.

Have fun, I'm sure you will enjoy your steakhouse visit in Chicago.

Oh and Tango Sur is a good choice, but more of a Argentinian meat restuarant than a steakhouse to me. For years, it wasn't that good and I always went to Nandu, but my last couple of visits to Tango Sur has changed my mind and I would recommend it to anybody wanting a good red meat dinner.

But like others, I wouldn't put it in the category of 'Chicago steakhouse experience.'

Gene and Georgetti is still using Allen Brothers steaks, and it still has the same chef, so quality probably hasn't changed much. It's a great place to go for regulars. If you're not a regular, and not dining with one, the experience can be mixed.

The Chicago Chop House and Stetson's vie as far as the combination of Chicago experience and great beef are concerned, with perhaps an edge to the Chop House. If you want to add in a side of local history and sports mania, try Harry Caray's.

Carmichael's is also very Chicagoan; they serve choice-grade beef, and are thus more affordable than many. Weber Grill ranks with them -- though a different sort of Chicago experience, to be sure, the charcoal grilling adds an edge. For yet another kind of authentic Chicagoland experience, head up to Lincolnwood to Myron & Phil.

Lawry's, mentioned above, doesn't serve steak. It's a great place, but they serve roast prime rib.

If "authentic Chicago experience" were removed from the mix, and the question were where to get the best steak in town, the answer would be Primehouse. Vice versa, there's Ronny's (although the Thompson Center location doesn't have half the, er, charm, of the old Wabash site).

Carmichael's Chicago Steak House
312/433-0025 www.carmichaelsteakhouse.com
1052 W. Monroe St., Chicago

Chicago Chop House
312/787-7100 www.chicagochophouse.com
60 W. Ontario St., Chicago

David Burke's Primehouse
312/660-6000 www.brguestrestaurants.com/restaurants/primehouse
James Hotel, 616 N. Rush St., Chicago

Gene and Georgetti
312/527-3718 www.geneandgeorgetti.com
500 Franklin St., Chicago

Harry Caray's
312/828-0966 www.harrycarays.com
33 W. Kinzie St., Chicago

Lawry's the Prime Rib
312/787-5000 www.lawrysonline.com
100 E. Ontario St., Chicago

Myron & Phil
847/677-6663 www.myronandphils.com
3900 W. Devon Ave., Lincolnwood

Ronny's Original Chicago Steak House
312/346-9488
100 W. Randolph St. (State & Lake), Chicago

Stetson's Steak & Chop House
312/565-1234 www.stetsonschophouse.com
Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago

Weber Grill Restaurant
312/467-9696 www.webergrillrestaurant.com
539 N. State St., Chicago

The hangar steak I had at Blackbird is probably the best tasting steak I've ever had. They cheated by adding a touch of bacon, but why not? My one experience at The Saloon was awful. I had the the wagyu ribeye. Other than mediocre flavor and texture it was pretty mediocre.

^ I agree that Harry Caray's and Ditka's actually are not bad choices, surprisingly (one would think that they cater primarily to tourists and could get away with serving mediocre food). Harry Caray's has a great filet vesuvio.

Feel like a little road trip? Ray Radigan's is just over the Wisconsin border (Russell Road exit from I94), but the food is excellent and reasonably priced. At least it was about 5 years ago. The place has been around forever, so I'm sure not much has changed.

http://www.foodspot.com/rayradigans/menu.html

Tom's Steak House, strictly for the atmosphere and history. Great place, Ive been popping in since my grandpa took me there years ago and they still remember me.

Tom's Steak House
1901 W North
Melrose Park, IL
708-345-2766

I like Capital Grille too.

My favorite place though is Keefer's @20 West Kinzie.



anne

Best steak I ever had was a perfect NY strip at the original Morton's in Newberry Plaza.
But my best steak-eating experience was one Valentine's day a few years back when a snowstorm shut down the city. My sweetie and I walked into Gene & Georgetti, only to find the place nearly empty. Not only were the steaks great, but we had one of their surly old waiters all to ourselves!

Chicago Chop House: IMO, best combination of great steak, classic Chicago steakhouse feel and decent wine list. Clams Casino and the bone-in NY are my go to steak options in the city, when I want comfortable, familiar and certainty that I'm going to get a great product.

G&G: I really, really want to like this place--the classic old school politician/mobster hangout directly underneath the L. The wine list, however, is a deal breaker for me. It's a horrible collection of supermarket wines--almost a parody of a bad wine list--and clearly the product of a "tied in" big wholesaler than of a restaurant that cares about putting out a quality wine program.

Morton's: Very Good steaks. So-so everything else. Knowing that I can get the same product in Columbus or Minneapolis or Sacramento takes off some of the luster.

Saloon: About four visits over the last three years have been very hit or miss. At steakhouse prices, that's too much of a gamble.

Gibson's: Too much of a Viagra Triangle scene and refusing to let dogs sit on the patio--and blatantly lying about the reason (i.e. it's NOT against city law) means that they don't get a chance to prove themselves. Petty reasons for not giving them a chance? Perhaps, but it's my money.

David Burke's: Have yet to try it. I'm a big fan of NY style dry aged steak, so I'm looking forward to it. I have met a friend for a drink in the bar, and the wine list looked very good.

French Bistro Steak Frites: Mon Ami Gabi. Very good and varied selection of steak frites with well thought out French wine list but still know that I can get a very good Plymouth Gin Martini also.

Sam Harmon wrote:G&G: I really, really want to like this place--the classic old school politician/mobster hangout directly underneath the L. The wine list, however, is a deal breaker for me. It's a horrible collection of supermarket wines--almost a parody of a bad wine list--and clearly the product of a "tied in" big wholesaler than of a restaurant that cares about putting out a quality wine program.

Drink a martini or a manhattan instead

Sam Harmon wrote:Gin Martini

There's another type of martini?

Also, up until 1/1 it was against health codes (or at least very unlcear) to let a dog sit out on the patio of a restaurants.

Mas had the best steak I ever had. Really. On a bed frazzled (?) onion rings. It had a real flavor and was not merely huge.

I enjoy going to Gibsons but maybe not for the steak, which is fine but huge. I like looking at the hookers in the bar and the guys trying to flash a lot of cash. If you can get a seat out of the way and look at the buffoons there it is hilarious. It is almost like Chet Coppick has a finishing school for loudmouths and making a public jackass of yourself at Gibson's is a required course.

jpschust wrote:

Sam Harmon wrote:Gin Martini

There's another type of martini?

No. But I did specify classic, dry English gin (i.e. Plymouth) in opposition to the "new wave" of over the top flavored vodka wanna-bes or god forbid worse French or Dutch Gin--somewhere Sir Winston is rolling in his grave.

jpschust wrote:
Also, up until 1/1 it was against health codes (or at least very unlcear) to let a dog sit out on the patio of a restaurants.

That I didn't know because Chicago has a national reputation for being dog friendly and having dog friendly outdoor dining. For years, Brasserie Jo will even bring out a comp plate of doggy steak tartar. The fact that Gibsons has to be so over the top about it, putting it on their outdoor table tents, really bugs me. Dog friendliness was one of the main reasons that I live in Chicago rather than Manhattan, so I don't like to see any business taking such a pronounced stand against it.

I said it before and I'll say it again, Erie Cafe. Great meat, perfectly cooked, nice comfortable room, good service and a solid wine list. My only slight (and I do mean slight) complaint is that you get home fries rather than a baked potato with your steak. I'd much rather have baked.

Other than that I'd say it's an awesome steakhouse and rather "Chicago" in style.

536 W Erie St
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 266-2300

Sam Harmon wrote:But I did specify classic, dry English gin (i.e. Plymouth) in opposition to the "new wave" of over the top flavored vodka wanna-bes or god forbid worse French or Dutch Gin--somewhere Sir Winston is rolling in his grave.

How about Scottish gin? Is that allowed?

Here's an outlier: Jack Binion's Steak House at the Horseshoe casino in Hammond. I have had two* of the best steaks I've ever eaten at this restaurant (as well as the best shrimp cocktail I've encountered anywhere, hands down). The rest of the food is hit or miss, and mostly miss (serving the worst excuse for a twice-baked potato I've ever tried to choke down, and don't even ask about the burnt Jello pudding they call creme brulee). But damn. They serve an amazingly good steak.

* Third is a tie between one of the heavily-aged steaks at David Burke's Primehouse and a similarly indulgent piece of meat at Besh's restaurant in the Harrah's New Orleans. But those are $50 to $75 steaks and therefore not fair competition, I think.