dicksond wrote:

On Outback - when they first started out they actually bought pretty good meat, could have been Allen Bros, for the first two or three years, and I enjoyed their steaks. That was a long time ago though, and my last two meals there, over the last three years, have convinced me never to go back. Mediocre meat, indifferent preparation, awful sides and appetizers. I think they have built the brand and are mostly trying to milk as much profit from it as they can.

Some years ago (more than 5) a fellow came into my shop who worked for Rose Packing Company. We got to talking about steaks and he said he thought Outback offered good value. He didn't say specifically that Rose was a supplier to Outback but I got that impression. Of course Outback could well have changed suppliers and standards many times during the intervening years.

George R wrote:Some years ago (more than 5) a fellow came into my shop who worked for Rose Packing Company. We got to talking about steaks and he said he thought Outback offered good value. He didn't say specifically that Rose was a supplier to Outback but I got that impression. Of course Outback could well have changed suppliers and standards many times during the intervening years.

Rose Packing Company used to be one of my suppliers when I was in the business fifteen years ago. They do a lot of specialty PORK products and are known nationwide as a supplier of Canadian bacon and pork loin products.

From my recollection, they don't do much work on beef.

I've done some work with Rose, and unless something has changed recently, they don't do beef - just pigs in various forms (and beer).

George R wrote:dicksond wrote:

On Outback - when they first started out they actually bought pretty good meat, could have been Allen Bros, for the first two or three years, and I enjoyed their steaks. That was a long time ago though, and my last two meals there, over the last three years, have convinced me never to go back. Mediocre meat, indifferent preparation, awful sides and appetizers. I think they have built the brand and are mostly trying to milk as much profit from it as they can.

Some years ago (more than 5) a fellow came into my shop who worked for Rose Packing Company. We got to talking about steaks and he said he thought Outback offered good value. He didn't say specifically that Rose was a supplier to Outback but I got that impression. Of course Outback could well have changed suppliers and standards many times during the intervening years.

Outback just started serving USDA Choice cuts at the beginning of the summer 2006. I used to think Outback was really overpriced for the quality of meat you got before this past summer, but I had a pretty good steak $18 steak in August.

Also OSI Restaurant Partners (the company that owns Outback) agreed to be bought out by an investor group and the deal is expected to close by this April. This might result in some sort of change on how Outback is operated and the direction they are attempting to go with regard to their restaurant objectives and personality.

The butt steak at Jameson's Charhouse (Arl Hts & Mt Prospect locations) has to be one of the top 5 best values in town. It is $8.95 at lunch and includes potato, veggies, and your choice of a salad or soup. They could be charging $15 and it would still be one of the most popular items on the menu. Anytime someone I'm with is about to order the filet or NY strip, I always interject that the butt steak is their best cut (just because it's also the cheapest people can be steered away from it).

I'm not sure what it costs at dinner but it can't be much more than $15 (and at dinner you get soup AND salad instead of just one...how many places in Chicagoland are still doing that?).

The prime peppercorn NY strip at Black Ram in Des Plaines is another great value for lunch, only around $16.95 and one of my favorite steaks on earth. Also not sure what they charge for it at night, but it's probably not much more than $25.

Old thread, but the subject was brought up by my parents tonight as I am visiting for another day or so (by the way, nice lightning/thunderstorm going on...we don't get that in SoCal).

They are looking for good "value steak" places in the western 'burbs (in and around DG). A long long time ago, I patrolled the grill at Ponderosa, and Bonanza and Sizzler were also favorites of theirs (ok, so the budget was tight). In recent years, Lonestar has been their go-to but the 2 or 3 closest to them have closed down.

If anyone has any good input, they (and I) would appreciate it.

Jonathan's, on Roosevelt just west of Finley in Lombard, has really good steaks for a fair price.

Glad we could accomodate with the weather. For a real fun time, come for a visit in January!

I've always been a fan of Wildfire for a mid-range steak house, although the things I order there - Romanian Strip Steak, Tenderloin Tips, Burgers, Chopped Salad - aren't your standard hunk of meat type standards. But I always find them well run and I like the menu an atmosphere (although the specials are always the same). Its a step up from Ponderosa/Long Horn/Sizzler, although it won't break the bank. Its also a local chain which is nice. There are several in the Western Suburbs - the closest to DG being maybe Oak Brook.

http://www.wildfirerestaurant.com/index.htm

Thanks for the mention of Jonathan's...that happens to be one of their go-to's. I've only been there once about 8 years ago and found the food good but almost choked on the smoke smell (cigarette) in the place. We'll have to give Wildfire a go on our next visit.

As for the weather, after finding myself in a basement for the first time in 20+ years due to a tornado warning on Thursday afternoon and watching the news, I didn't think there was any way, shape or form we'd be getting out of Midway on a 7:15AM flight Fri AM, but sure enough, we got up at 4:30AM (ugh) and the flight was only 10 minutes late! "The City That Works" lived up to its name.

We come back for 7-12 days every year, once in the summer and then again at Christmas time...and jinx it as I may, we've never had a bad delay or flight experience. We enjoy even the Dec-Jan weather, knowing that we do get to escape back to SoCal.

Since it was mentioned in this thread, I thought I'd bring it up here again. My husband, a customer of ours, and I all went to Krapil's in Worth for dinner last night. Everyone in our office raved about how good their meat was there. I will admit that I was a bit skeptical, mainly because I've had people give me recommendations before and found myself fairly disappointed.

In any case, this place really is kind of a blast from the past. Wood paneling on the walls, vinyl bar stools, snappy waitresses. My first impression was amusement. They have dry-aged T-Bones and Strip Steaks that range from $22 for 12 oz - $46 for 48/32 oz. respectively. Dinners come with the ubiquitous relish tray (is this a south side thing?), soup or salad and choice of potato. We were sitting at the bar for a while, so we ordered the sampler appetizer tray in addition to our dinners. Their riblets were surprisingly good as was the shrimp bruschetta.

Onto the steak, though -- the guys ordered large & extra-large steaks, which, frankly, were ridiculous. I ordered a small filet. Everything was cooked perfectly, came out on super-hot plates, decent flavor. I personally wouldn't have minded a bit of herb butter or blue cheese on mine, but other than that, I can't complain.

For the money, I think you get a pretty decent cut of meat here. My husband said the "ambiance was a little off-putting," but, honestly, you don't come to a place like this expecting a Morton's atmosphere. I personally thought the place was comfortable and well-kept for what it was.

Krapil's Steakhouse
6600 W 111th Street, Worth, IL
Ph: 708-448-2012

Does anybody know where one can go, in Chicago, for his birthday and get a great steak without the prices of the famous steakhouses?
My favorite steaks have always been on my own grill. But I'm too tired this year.
Thanks!

Value Steak was a good thread on this topic.

Get some sleep and then call Zier's Prime Meats and order some nice dry-aged prime meat....

These are quick and dirty - I'll do some more thinking and let the real steakheads weigh in.

Myron & Phil's

http://www.myronandphils.com/

Hugo's Frog Bar (same steaks are $5-15 less than Gibson's next door)

http://www.fogodechao.com/

Fogo de Chao at lunchtime ($30, all you can eat)

http://www.fogodechao.com

Al Primo Canto (Edgebrook)

http://www.alprimocanto.com/

Las Tablas

http://www.lastablas.com/

There are a few places I like a hanger steak / London Broil in my neighborhood (greater OPRF/Cicero area), but they're a little quaint (Golden Steer) or fussy (Hemmingway's). My other thought is any of the French bistros for steak frites / steak au poivre, like Le Bouchon:

http://www.lebouchonofchicago.com/

Smaller portions of steak with less conventional accompaniments are sometimes on the menu at Avec, Publican, Bristol, Hopleaf, May Street Market, onesixty blue, etc., but these don't offer the giant plate o'meat you'll get at the Latin steakhouses, Hugo's, or M & P if that's what you're after.

I'm also not the only one here who has occasionally (occasionally) had a really damn good steak at Outback. It's just really hit and miss.

You might want to check out this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4023&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

I posted about the greatness of Sabatino's in that thread, and after eating a steak there not more than three weeks ago--- I can vouch for the fact that things haven't changed at all.

Friendly service, and quality exceeding their menu price-point. Granted, It's not a top tier steakhouse, but if price is a concern--- I don't think you could find much better.

Agreed. Strip at Sab's is the epitome of value steak. Sabatino's strip is just as good (and big) as many I have had at twice the price in "downtown" chophouses. Not to mention all the "comes with" items at Sabatino's.

mhill95149 wrote:Get some sleep and then call Zier's Prime Meats and order some nice dry-aged prime meat....

Pat them dry, coat with salt and papper. Insert into your 275 degree oven and cook until internal temperature hits about 90-95 degrees. Then sear in a veg oil coated, scorching cast iron pan for about 2 minutes on each side. Perfect every time...

If you must eat out, I second the Las Tablas recommendation.

I forgot about Sabatino's! I love that place. I haven't been since they had the fire. I haven't had the strip either.
Way to go LTHers!

I went out to Golden Steer recently and left impressed by the steak but let down by most everything else, from the average french onion soup to the horseradishy roquefort dressing, to the underdone fries to the seriously dumpy decor.

But the steak was great. Better than my last strip at Sabatino's, for about the same price -- but everything else about Sabatino's is far superior, and I'd go there every time for the experience.

x

gleam wrote:I went out to Golden Steer recently and left impressed by the steak but let down by most everything else, from the average french onion soup to the horseradishy roquefort dressing, to the underdone fries to the seriously dumpy decor.

But the steak was great. Better than my last strip at Sabatino's, for about the same price -- but everything else about Sabatino's is far superior, and I'd go there every time for the experience.

... and don't forget...

SUPER SPECIAL
Friday & Saturday ONLY

ROAST PRIME RIB...............23.95
Served with Natural Juices

Includes a Crock of Our Delicious
French Onion Soup, Crisp Salad and
Choice of Potato

Big and beautiful.

http://www.goldensteersteakhouse.com/dinnermenu_1.htm

Al's in Cicero has steaks which remind me exactly of the steaks at Biasetti's,(R.I.P.) at about the same price point. If that was any body's definition of value steak then I'd recommend it.

I went by Jameson's Charhouse in Mt Prospect for lunch. The price for the butt steak is up to 10.95 which wasn't much of a surprise. It was a pretty good steak, about 8 oz, cooked as ordered. The accompaniments were OK. I had split pea soup (with croutons) and a baked potato. The restaurant is nicer than you might expect from driving by. Definitely worth a look if you're in the area. I still have to visit Flamingos (which is across the street).
http://www.jamesons-charhouse.com/mtprospect.html
http://www.jamesons-charhouse.com/bloomingdale.html

Chandlers in Schaumburg has a nice Tuesday dinner special. 10.95 for a NY strip steak.
http://www.chandlerschophouse.com/dinner3.php

I know its been said here before, but I think you can spend more money, but you can't get a better steak for the money than at Myron and Phil's.


http://www.myronandphils.com/

Agreed. My girlfriend and I dined at Myron & Phil's last Sunday and enjoyed it immensely. The place it totally "old school" - a relish tray with half-sour gherkins, roast peppers, terrific chopped liver, lettuce with house-made green goddess dressing, etc. My girlfriend had the superb prime rib while I ordered the very tasty bone-in ribeye.

The service is very friendly, and the decor reminds me of the "nice" restaurants that my parents took me to on special occasions when I was growing up.

Had some time to burn so I mapped this thread.

Mmmm... Now where to go for dinner and movie on Friday?

Panther in the Den wrote:

gleam wrote:I went out to Golden Steer recently and left impressed by the steak but let down by most everything else, from the average french onion soup to the horseradishy roquefort dressing, to the underdone fries to the seriously dumpy decor.

But the steak was great. Better than my last strip at Sabatino's, for about the same price -- but everything else about Sabatino's is far superior, and I'd go there every time for the experience.

... and don't forget...

SUPER SPECIAL
Friday & Saturday ONLY

ROAST PRIME RIB...............23.95
Served with Natural Juices

Includes a Crock of Our Delicious
French Onion Soup, Crisp Salad and
Choice of Potato

Big and beautiful.

http://www.goldensteersteakhouse.com/dinnermenu_1.htm

After a week of corporate dining in the Arboretium area of Austin (saved only slightly by the excellent BBQ twice for lunch at Mann's), I needed something to wash the taste of Chuys, Chili's and the such out of my mouth. I knew nothing would heal me quicker than a trip to Chinatown, but I had no energy for such traffic. My wife, however, realized there was something nearby that would do the deed.

All these years, and with a huge soft spots for these kind of places, why the hell have I not been to the Golden Steer. I mean it should have been, when I sat down on Saturday night, my Jack and Coke (not that I drink Jack and cokes) should have been there waiting for me. I should be a lot more regular, that my one quibble of the evening, the rushed service, would not happened. Why am I not a habitue?

We did not get a steak, so I cannot fully react to the statement above, but most everything else there, I disagree. Some of the best part of dinner was the fried to order cottage fries, not victim to the trend of late where potatoes are fried too hard. I went up-charge for the greek salad (worth it!), but my wife very much liked the roquefort dressing, saying it had a nice mustard bite (instead of calling it horseradishy). And if the decor was dumpy, it was too dark to notice. OK, maybe it was dumpy, but really in a good way.

We had that prime rib cited above. A good deal if not the best piece of prime rib I've had. What we enjoyed more, the "baby steer" liver. This ranks with Rob Levitt's and Gene & Georgetti's as the best liver (non-foie), I've enjoyed in our area. I'm not sure how they do it, but the liver had an awesome crust, while maintaining tenderness inside--see I like my cottage fries limp but my liver crisp.

I know the Oak Park boys club is poking its head up again. Just because I dictated Jimmy's for our last meeting does not mean I cannot highly suggest we go this time to Golden Steer. After all, I've got a bit of work to do to be come a regular.

Vital Information wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:

gleam wrote:I went out to Golden Steer recently and left impressed by the steak but let down by most everything else, from the average french onion soup to the horseradishy roquefort dressing, to the underdone fries to the seriously dumpy decor.

But the steak was great. Better than my last strip at Sabatino's, for about the same price -- but everything else about Sabatino's is far superior, and I'd go there every time for the experience.

... and don't forget...

SUPER SPECIAL
Friday & Saturday ONLY

ROAST PRIME RIB...............23.95
Served with Natural Juices

Includes a Crock of Our Delicious
French Onion Soup, Crisp Salad and
Choice of Potato

Big and beautiful.

http://www.goldensteersteakhouse.com/dinnermenu_1.htm

After a week of corporate dining in the Arboretium area of Austin (saved only slightly by the excellent BBQ twice for lunch at Mann's), I needed something to wash the taste of Chuys, Chili's and the such out of my mouth. I knew nothing would heal me quicker than a trip to Chinatown, but I had no energy for such traffic. My wife, however, realized there was something nearby that would do the deed.

All these years, and with a huge soft spots for these kind of places, why the hell have I not been to the Golden Steer. I mean it should have been, when I sat down on Saturday night, my Jack and Coke (not that I drink Jack and cokes) should have been there waiting for me. I should be a lot more regular, that my one quibble of the evening, the rushed service, would not happened. Why am I not a habitue?

We did not get a steak, so I cannot fully react to the statement above, but most everything else there, I disagree. Some of the best part of dinner was the fried to order cottage fries, not victim to the trend of late where potatoes are fried too hard. I went up-charge for the greek salad (worth it!), but my wife very much liked the roquefort dressing, saying it had a nice mustard bite (instead of calling it horseradishy). And if the decor was dumpy, it was too dark to notice. OK, maybe it was dumpy, but really in a good way.

We had that prime rib cited above. A good deal if not the best piece of prime rib I've had. What we enjoyed more, the "baby steer" liver. This ranks with Rob Levitt's and Gene & Georgetti's as the best liver (non-foie), I've enjoyed in our area. I'm not sure how they do it, but the liver had an awesome crust, while maintaining tenderness inside--see I like my cottage fries limp but my liver crisp.

I know the Oak Park boys club is poking its head up again. Just because I dictated Jimmy's for our last meeting does not mean I cannot highly suggest we go this time to Golden Steer. After all, I've got a bit of work to do to be come a regular.

I'm much more disappointed to hear that you ate at Chili's in Austin, Rob.

I have to chime in that the best steak value deal that I have encountered in some time is the unadvertised $99 special at Mortons. $99 for two people gets you two salads, two single cut filets with an accompaniment of either bacon wrapped scallops, a crabcake or shrimp alexander (and for a slight, either $5 or $10 depending on the cut, upcharge you can have any other steak on the menu), two side dishes and two desserts (or one souffle to split). The last time that I checked this deal amounted to something like a $70 savings and is available all the time. Since it is unadvertised you have to specifically ask for it and if you are dining alone they will do the special for $49.

As far as upscale chainy type steakhouses go, I find Morton's to be one of the better choices.

texas roadhouse has a really decent prime rib dinner IMHO we just get carry out cause it can get REALLY loud in there. anyone agree?