THE BEST STEAKHOUSES IN AMERICA
Whatever that means....
Steakhouses are weird. Obviously, if taken literally it would mean a house made of steak, like a Wonka Steak Factory. I put the name in Chatgpt plus (yes I pay the monthly fee) and it came up with this: a restaurant that specializes in serving steaks, typically beef steaks, and often offers other cuts of meat such as lamb, pork, or veal. Ok, I agree with that, but can an Italian restaurant that specializes in steaks be a steakhouse? Can a coffee shop be a steakhouse? Can a 24 hour diner that serves a steak be considered a steak house? I believe the answer is yes.
Broadly, I define it as any place where the steak is a featured dish is a steakhouse. For instance, if your favorite pub has steaks, it is in the steakhouse category. Conversely, there are many self-proclaimed steakhouses that serve many other things. My view is that they are steakhouses because of the definition, not because they call themselves a steakhouse.
This is not a list of the best steaks in America. In fact, some of these steaks are good, but wouldn’t make me do back flips or that weird facial expressions Phil Rosenthal from “Everybody Feeds Phil” makes when he tastes something. I believe I have a great sense of food, and specifically steak, but I still do not believe that I have looked at these places in a critical way to make judgments.
My preference - cooked on an open fire, real medium rare, with salt. I prefer steaks from older cattle and usually raised in a very comfortable manner. In León, Spain I saw in the field the ancient Iberian Breeds that were cooked at Bodega El Capricio, widely considered the top steakhouse in the world. In Tuscany the steaks made at Osteria Nandone were from a Chianina breed of cattle, the original Florentine breed. In Basque country, the steak at Casa Julian came from retired Galician dairy cows from a rancher who had supplied the restaurant for decades. These are curated beyond curated, and not the basis of this list.
The best steakhouses feel cool and special. The food, the vibe, the history, the signage or the interior may each create happiness on its own.
A few places were close but just didn’t make the final cut. Dan Tana’s in Los Angeles is an amazing old school Hollywood spot, and although mostly known for its red sauce Italian, serves steak. Of course, Peter Luger in New York was close, but is just a little too much of an “it” place and requires dealing with all the mishigas associated with it and its schtick with no menus, etc. Asador Bastian in Chicago is a great attempt at a Basque steakhouse. However close, these spots didn’t make it, but did want them to get mentioned.
Never understood the phrase “with much ado” so it won’t be said, but here is The List:
7. Venice Room, Monterrey Park, Ca.: The only spot like it in the Los Angeles area. It’s a bar (a very cool, dark old bar) and it serves food. But it’s great differential is when a steak is ordered, it is given raw. On the grill inside the bar, it’s mano y mano with you and the steak, self-cooking. There are various seasonings, butter and sauces. You’re the chef for yourself in the steakhouse. Pretty brilliant, because you can’t really complain how it turned out.
The blank canvas that is the grill at the Venice Room.
6. Chi Spacca, Los Angeles: A small restaurant, considered an Italian steakhouse in the Mozza empire. It seems European although I’ve never been to a similar looking place in Italy or Europe. It’s hearty and fun, watching the chefs on the open grill and slicing. Just love it. And it too is excellent.
5. Jocko’s, Nipomo, CA.: Loved this place. It looks like a really old western dining establishment, and it actually is. It’s in the Central Coast, and cooks steaks Santa Maria-style, over an open flame with a pully raising and lowering the grill. One can watch the magic happening with the open grills right outside the dining room. It’s one of those places that you don’t forget.
4. Charlie’s Steakhouse, New Orleans: Man, this place is old, and super cool. In a rural part of the tony garden district, it has a bar, and a simple dining room, and serves a very limited menu of steaks and a few sides. It’s been around since 1932 and (other than the prices) seem to take a no frills approach probably as it was in 1932.
3. Keen’s, New York, New York: Old school and old pipes everywhere, how couldn’t this place be great. Really doubt it looks much different than it did in 1905. It’s dark, it’s got a mood, excellent food, big portions. If one isn’t using several handy wipes to clean, one is not getting Keen’s.
2. The Golden Spike, Las Vegas, Nev.: When arriving, it’s sort of bizzare—a steak house in a mini mall off the main part of Vegas. Once inside, all is understood---it’s the Vegas steakhouse vibe, with a big dining room and a long bar, Caesar salad made tableside, huge steaks, huge lobsters, and huge people drinking and eating as if there is a cure for cardiac arrest.
Gibsons has a vibe.
1. Gibson’s Steakhouse, Chicago, Ill.: A smile comes just saying this place’s name. It’s got a lively, crowded bar with perfect, cold steakhouse martinis and a piano bar. The dining room is white cloth with amazing service, great decor and great food. Not to be missed when in Chicago.
I hope I can add to this list. But you definitely try the list. What is on your list?