brotine wrote:Ponderosa nostalgia? Count me out -- and believe me, I've eaten more than my share of Ponderosa meals in their original Dayton hometown, where I used to work on the Ponderosa account for one of their advertising agencies. Utility-grade beef (one step above cutter and canner, the dog food grades), highly tenderized, then formed into uniform steak shapes and blast-frozen at a plant in Bristol, Wisconsin. Actually, some of their 70s-80s competitors like Golden Corral, Bonanza and Rustler at least had an edible product.

I'm not a big fan of the riverboats, but do any of them have the same loss leader steak dinners you'd find in Vegas?

>>Brent

Medium-term lurker, first time poster. Ponderosa was started back in the mid-Sixties by Dan Lasater, who is mostly known now for drugs, horses and a connection to the Clintons back in their Arkansas days. I think the corporate offices moved to Dayton at some point.

We always heard that the "beef" was Australian grass-fed but have no actual knowledge if that was true. For sure, something was done to the meat because medium-rare was a color unknown in higher priced steaks.

Ate many meals there back in the day and worked at another (less successful) chain of local hamburger joints owned by him and managed by his brother Don.

I was just talking to me mum, and she reminded me of a couple more "value steaks"

- If a steak is one of th daily specials at Thyme and Honey in Oak Park (butt steak I believe), it can be highy delicious

- The skirt steak at Mitchell's on Clybourn

- The skirt steak at the Bagel in Old Orchard (which I think is significantly better than the steak at the Bagel on Broadway.)

I had the "Man sized" butt sirloin at Sabatino's on Sunday,and at $18.95 with soup and salad it is my clear winner in the value-steak category. It was approximately 14-16 ounces, very tender, unadulterated, and cooked to spec.

It is a wonderful restaurant, and I would like to thank the folks on this board who brought it to my attention.

P.S. Anyone remember the old "Western Sizzlin" steakhouse chain? I had the 'pleasure' of dining at the one in Valdosta,Georgia about 25 years ago.
The locals thought we were big spenders because we paid the 25 cent upcharge for bacon bits on our baked potatoes.

I've always been curious of Mr. Steer on Milwaukee in the six corners area.

Vital Information wrote:I've always been curious of Mr. Steer on Milwaukee in the six corners area.

You and me both. I think we've driven by it three dozen times and each time I ask the Ms., "Wanna get a cheap steak?" Invariably, the answer is "no".

If Mr. Steer in Six Points is related to Mr. Steer that used to preside over the six-point intersection at Lincoln and Belmont (now Wishbone, I believe) then I can confirm: not so good.

Vital Information wrote:I've always been curious of Mr. Steer on Milwaukee in the six corners area.

Rob,

Sorry to inform you Mr. Steer on Milwaukee Ave is gone, gone, gone. I drove by a month or so ago and noticed it had been shuttered.

Take it from someone who ate there 15-years ago, and only stopped digesting his steak last month, you did not miss a thing.

Enjoy,
Gary

Rick T. wrote:Medium-term lurker, first time poster. Ponderosa was started back in the mid-Sixties by Dan Lasater, who is mostly known now for drugs, horses and a connection to the Clintons back in their Arkansas days. I think the corporate offices moved to Dayton at some point.

We always heard that the "beef" was Australian grass-fed but have no actual knowledge if that was true. For sure, something was done to the meat because medium-rare was a color unknown in higher priced steaks.

Wasn't there a scandal that they were serving kangaroo tail instead of beef?

(FWIW, I've eaten kangaroo -- it's beefy tasting but much softer in texture.)

dashboard diner wrote:2) Mateo's: Cloth tablecloth Mexican, treats you real nice,
get the skirt steak/carne asada (avoid ala Tampenica w/
greasy ground beef taco). Chips, salsa, rice, beans, cheese
echilada, cookies & a shot of kahliha & cream for dessert
(I think dinner only for all this, lunch maybe no shot & cookies)
This will run like 13-14$ plus drink, etc. @ head.

Mateo's 6815 W. Montrose Harwood Heoghts 708 867 8955
look this up on a good map

Well, the steak itself was good.

And the service was very good.

I live nearby, and hadn't been in Mateo's for easily 15 years, haven eaten there once and been underwhelmed. Thought to self, "Self, haven't been there in a long time and they must stay in business for some reason", so I went on over and had the carne asada. Nice, tasty, juicy piece of skirt steat. Accompanied by canned-tomato tasting salsa, gummy guacamole, and stale flour tortillas. Cookies at the end of the meal tasted as though they'd been picked up at the dollar store in mid-April.

Underwhelmed again.

Giovanna

Cito, I grew up in Augusta Georgia where Western Sizzlin' was founded. It was considered high end after Church eating compared to fast food fried chicken or the S&S Cafeteria.

My dad, in one of the few astute business decisions he ever made, bailed out of a proposal that would have had him buying in as the Western Sizzlin' franhisee for southern California when I was 12 or 13.

Truly awful food. Amazingly, the places still exist today.

Thanks to all who recommended Sabatino's. I was there last night for a pre-Father's Day meal.

My son had the strip steak. I was allowed a few morsels. A fine piece of meat properly cooked. Under $20 with soup & salad -- definitely high value.

If Mr. Steer in Six Points is related to Mr. Steer that used to preside over the six-point intersection at Lincoln and Belmont (now Wishbone, I believe) then I can confirm: not so good.

I second that. I used to live in that neighborhood -- back when Lincoln/Belmont/Ashland was considered a blighted commercial district in the late 80s/early 90s.

Mr. Steer was a horror show.

L.Woods in Lincolnwood has good steaks; they serve prime beef, and they cost about $20-30 depending on the cut and size. I also like the steak sandwich which at $12 (I think) is an excellent value.

Haven't been there for a while, but Cy's Steaks on Lincoln had decent steaks at moderate prices.

L.Woods
7110 N. Lincoln Ave.
Lincolnwood, IL 60712
(847)677-3350

Cy's Steak & Chop House
4138 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 404-5800

MJN wrote:Anyone have a thought on what the best value to taste steak place in the city is?

MJN,

Just had another very nice meal at Tango Sur and, though I may be in meat afterglow, say hands down best value for steak, damn good steak at that, in Chicago. Had some light eaters on my hands tonight, they split a special of Lomo Relleno, (half slab Argentine filet sliced and filled with chimichurri, ham sauce and served on a grill with portabella marsala). This was meant for two, but three could not finish and it was delicious.

Started with a few appetizers, Provoleta (baked provolone cheese) a couple of empanadas and Tortilla De Papas, then complimentary salads, for a main course I had grilled short ribs, which are just about my favorite thing at Tango Sur, though I dearly love crisp grilled sweetbreads with a squeeze of lemon.

It's BYOB, service was very good, even though they were busy. As an aside, when the two young ladies at the next table, who made a really healthy dent in a Lomo Relleno, got the bill they started laughing with delight. It was the first time at Tango Sur and they simply could not believe the prices.

Enjoy,
Gary

Just a couple of comments:

The steak at Ronny's is lame, but also very cheap. So it might have a relatively high decliciousness to expense ratio. -- But I LOVE eating at Ronny's even if the food is not good. Perhaps the only place I would say that about.

The one steak I had at Ponderosa is easily the worst steak I've ever had. So I'm thinking "How can they keep the doors open?" I mean the steak was unedible even if they paid you. So I ran across two Ponderosa regulars who said: "No one eats the steak at Ponderosa. You go for the other things on the buffet." Go figure. Go to a so-called steak house, but avoid the steak at all costs.

Gary, we are in complete agreement about TS. I think it is a great restaurant, and very uncompromising in its own way. It is very much an Argentine place. That it is wildly popular, with an attractive and diverse crowd, on a Trixie street, only makes the solid, largely traditional, and inexpensive food that much more remarkable. And the family market's a treasure, too. I would say that the kitchen has become better with time, which is probably not that unusual for a steak place, where consistency is key more so than innovation, e.g.

Another place nearby that should get more mention is Anthony's, further south on Southport. This Italian ice place was wildly popular for 15 years or so on Armitage. Now Anthony's is on a street that is no less bustling, yet it is somewhat sedate compared to the old spot.

I have to say, Anthony (I'm assuming that's the owner's name) makes great ice. It is unlike Mario's -- which is much different; I love the icier, more rustic Mario's, but the styles are too different to compare, lemons to lemons. Also, Anthony's does not start with a lemon base for non-lemon flavors, and he seems to use fresh fruit whenever possible. The ices stay very true to their fruits. Now he has a subtle honeydew that would compliment sushi, for example, as well as a powerfully tart passion fruit that would go well with BBQ.

I have not enjoyed the hot foods offered as a sideline at Anthony's, but the Italian ice is great.

Being on the Westside I cannot help but recommend...

Tom's Steak House
1901 W North
Melrose Park
630-345-2766

Golden Steer
7635 Roosevelt Rd.
Forest Park 60130-2212
708-771-7798

Golden Steer is an old steak house that has not been updated in a long time but the food is good and reasonably priced. They have a weekend Prime Rib special which is very good.

Tom's is a little fancier with higher prices. The steaks are carted to the table in a warming pan with Au Jus.

Good steaks at good prices.

I'd recommend Petey's Bungalow in Oak Lawn. A 14oz. (!) USDA Choice (not Prime, but still quite good) filet mignon runs around $24, including relish tray, "picnic" salads (e.g. macaroni salad, potato salad, beets, and coleslaw), garlic bread, choice of soup, garden salad, choice of potato, coffee/tea and dessert. Try it with blue cheese for a buck or two more -- about 4oz. of blue cheese mounded on top. Nearly impossible to finish the whole thing, esp. when you include the sides. Always cooked perfectly to order, with a nice char crust.

Petey's Bungalow Lounge
4401 W. 95th Street
Oak Lawn, IL

South suburbs


The aforementioned Petey's, Jack Gibbons Gardens in Oak Forest and Krapil's in Worth, all serve tasty meats in roadhouse atmosphere. These joints are not cheap a la Ronnies but will save you 30% from the Morton's, Gibson's genre. All steaks and sides are huge and give you the feeling that you are dining in some sort of time warp. Many a highball is served throughout the night by the long time waitresses in their waitress outfit ( not the 22 year old in the black pants with the butcher apron).

Highlights:

Krapils has some dry aged steaks, big mineral taste.

Gibbons, porterhouse with hash browns

Peteys greek style pork chop


JGG 14700 Oak Park Ave
Oak Forest, 60452
708 687 2331

Krapils

6600 111th street
Worth 60482
708 448 2012

Babaluch

JeffB wrote:Another place nearby that should get more mention is Anthony's, further south on Southport.

Jeff,

After dinner at Tango Sur we attempted to go to Dairy Queen (a few doors North of Tango Sur), 35 people ahead of us, line running out the door, so off we headed to Scooters. I saw Anthony's as I was driving South on Southport, was going to call an audible, but there was not a parking spot, legal or illegal, to be seen.

Scooter's was as good as always, slight, but quick line, and street parking immediately West on Belmont. Next time Anthony's for sure.

Enjoy,
Gary

Ah, steak. A topic I can definitely expound on, since I love it ...

I'd have to concur with those that mentioned Elliot's in Edison Park & Cy's Chop House on Lincoln (in Northcenter). Both places are decent enough, and their prices aren't out of this world. I've eaten at Elliot's twice, and have to say that my most recent trip was definitely the best.

The meals at Elliot's come with a salad, but sides are ala carte. Their steaks are around $22-28, if I remember right.

Locally, I've had steak at Harrison's Brewery & Restaurant, which is sometimes excellent and sometimes just okay. Their steaks run around $22-25 with a salad and a side.

I've eaten at Jack Gibbons Gardens; have to say that I was a bit underwhelmed when I was there.

I've also had a nice steak a few times at our local Francesca's Vicinato, but the steak is usually a "special," and is around $26 with a side. So I don't know if that's a "value" steak, but I haven't been disappointed when I've ordered steak there. (Not really a likely place to order steak, either.)

Also, although I wouldn't really consider this "steak" in the traditional sense, I've always had pretty decent steak at some of the various hibachi / teppanaki-style restaurants around here (on the south side, including - Hamada of Japan, Fuji Japanese Steak House). I usually order filet, which runs around $22 or so, and includes soup, salad, noodles, rice, veggies and meat. The meat is always tender and tasty.

Harrison's Restaurant & Brewery
15845 S LaGrange Road
Orland Park, IL
708-226-0100

Francesca's Vicinato
12960 S LaGrange Road
Palos Park, IL
708-671-1600

Hamada of Japan
18310 N North Creek Drive
Tinley Park, IL
708-444-2255

Fuji Japanese Steak House
15132 S LaGrange Road
Orland Park, IL
708-403-1580

What about the Chicago Chophouse?

It's not the "cheapest" steak but it's a good value, considering potato & salad are included with the steak.

If filet is your cut, you cant beat the price at Cafe Bernard ($19) and it comes with an excellent sauce that changes as well as veggies and mashed potato's. This LP original is here to stay and as far as "value fine dining" goes this is the place. Also check out their french onion soup. Although he doesnt cook in the kitchen (hes always around making sure it runs smooth), Bernard has been honored as one of France's finest chefs on multiple occasions.

The Fireside on Ravenswood has a decent 12 oz. prime NY strip for $17.45 and a 8oz. filet for $18.45. Both come with soup or salad, veggies and choice of potato or rice. They serve food until 3AM and booze until 4AM. They have 18 beers on Tap and 60 in bottles (mostly microbrews). I usually end up there sometime after midnight when I don't quite want to go home, but need something in my stomach to soak up that last half gallon of suds, which I probably don't need.

Fire Side Restaurant
5739 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Chicago
773-561-7433

Panther in the Den wrote:
Tom's is a little fancier with higher prices. The steaks are carted to the table in a warming pan with Au Jus.

I missed this thread the first time around. But I have to agree, Tom's is very good. While I fits nicely in the discussion of good value steak, it's actually just plain GOOD.

For a cheap beef fix it seems to me you can't beat the South American places-- El Llano, in particular, also Mr, Pollo, etc. Not a high class steak, but a satisfyingly beefy/salty piece of meat plus a few sides for barely into two figures.

El Llano thread with addresses:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=8742

For an actual steak in the American sense, I'd throw in Jury's, which I think we've only talked about in terms of burgers (but the steak is the other thing I'd recommend); especially on Monday nights when it's 2 for 1 up to $10 (which I think basically means, $10 off the second one). Reasonably priced, done to a nice char crust, classy but not stuffy supper club atmosphere.

Jury's
4337 N. Lincoln Ave.
(773) 935-2255

See, I wasn't impressed with Tom's on my one visit. It struck me as overpriced for the quality, and the thinly sliced butt steak (maybe 1" thick, max) was either overcooked in the kitchen or overcooked when it was held in the jus.

It just didn't come together well, and I certainly don't think it was a good value.

I suggest getting a small grill and mini fridge (if you're in a dorm), and hitting up costco or another market for some reasonably priced ribeyes, tri-tip, skirt, flank, strip, etc. If you do want to go out, I'd stick with the south/central american places.

A couple options not in that vein, and more in the Tom's vein: Omega, out in the burbs, for the excellent athenian skirt steak. Just about the only good thing at Omega, to be honest, but a really good massive portion for a fairly low price. The other option: Jonathan's in Lombard. Once upon a time they served in-house dry-aged prime. I don't know if they still do, and I haven't been there in a couple years, but back in the day you could get a salad, decent french onion soup, a really nice steak, potato, and veg for under $20.

LAZ wrote:

Rick T. wrote:Medium-term lurker, first time poster. Ponderosa was started back in the mid-Sixties by Dan Lasater, who is mostly known now for drugs, horses and a connection to the Clintons back in their Arkansas days. I think the corporate offices moved to Dayton at some point.

We always heard that the "beef" was Australian grass-fed but have no actual knowledge if that was true. For sure, something was done to the meat because medium-rare was a color unknown in higher priced steaks.

Wasn't there a scandal that they were serving kangaroo tail instead of beef?

(FWIW, I've eaten kangaroo -- it's beefy tasting but much softer in texture.)

Kinda like horse.

Rick T. wrote:We always heard that the "beef" was Australian grass-fed but have no actual knowledge if that was true. For sure, something was done to the meat because medium-rare was a color unknown in higher priced steaks.

I just figured they "tenderized" the heck out of it. I did like the Ponderosa steak sauce. It was lighter in color and less salty than A1.

I had a skirt steak I really enjoyed the other night at Zocalo, the new place in the former Chilpancingo site. At $16, the steak wasn't cheap by carne asado standards, but I thought it a good price for the neighborhood and ambiance. The space has all been done over in oak and cherry woods and looks really classy and attractive.

The steak was a nice, tender, beefy piece of meat, marinated in tequila and chilies -- it had bite! -- and served with black bean puree, roasted poblano rajas and salsa cruda.

Other dishes I especially enjoyed were the guacamole trio, which included an intriguing one made with papaya, guava, chiles manzano and walnuts, and another flavored with roasted tomato, onion and red jalapenos; mini elotes, served on skewers; and an alcohol-laced watermelon agua fresco.

Zocalo was launched by the son and nephew of the founder of Lalo's. The Mexican-food purists on this board will probably think the fare somewhat dumbed down, but several items I tried were creative and delicious. (Although the chef likes things quite sweet* -- as with the fruit guacamole mentioned and an octopus ceviche with pineapple-ginger sauce I found cloying.)

Zocalo
312/302-9977
http://zocalochicago.com
358 W. Ontario St.
Chicago

*So much so that I found myself wondering whether there are Mexican Galitzianers.

A few things to reply to:

On USDA ratings - they are only a grading of the marbling, and do not relate in any way to flavor. Good flavored meat can, in principle, be of any grade. The higher grade meat is likely to be more tender because of the better marbling, but that is all you can be sure of. For those who like the flavor of range-fed (versus feed lot) beef, less marbled, stronger flavor, it is high quality stuff but can hardly even grade to choice.

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.

The absolute best value for steak is at the SA steakhouses as mentioned above, and the best of the best is Tango in N'ville. The lunch steak sammy is $6.95, with sides and unilimited chimichurri, it is good for at least two meals. I like TS and some others, but this price is a steal.

Tango
5 W Jackson Ave
Naperville, 60540
(630) 848-1818