What is your favorite steakhouse chain?

[Redz]

Sorry, I'm a steak snob.  Worked at a good ol' steakhouse for a long long time, and I'm working there again for a bit currently. I'd rather shell out the extra cake for a good steak.  If I'm at a chain place I'll stick with pasta or chicken or something.

I ate at Outhouse Steakback once and felt pretty ill after.  Mind you I ordered chicken at a steakhouse, but the thing tasted like body odor (not that I've ever tasted BO...but I can imagine that that's what it would taste like).

  Some of the filets that you get are pretty good cuts of meat. It's hard to eat out when you're a cook, though. You know all the tricks and mistakes, and you can practically perform an autopsy on your dinner to see them. "See, they cooked it ahead of time, then they microwaved it, then they threw it under the broiler for a minute. That's why this part is soggy, this part is singed, this part is warm and this part isn't". It was quite a while after I stopped working in restaurants before I ever ordered seafood when I ate out.

yeh, it can be hard to switch off the "how's this place run" mindset and enjoy a meal.  But if a place is run well, it helps.

[BballTim]

I think pretty much all the "chain steakhouses" named here are pretty bad.  If I had to go with one, I'd probably go with Texas Roadhouse or Bugaboo. 

If I want steak, I'm not going to go to a "chain steakhouse".  Much better quality (and usually price) out there at other places, many that can be construed as Mom & Pop shops.

I agree with this.  Truth be told, I almost never get steak at these "steakhouses".  I much prefer to just go to the store, pick out a nice steak, and make it myself, or spend the extra money for a real high quality steak at a nicer restaurant.  

I think these places are really no different than the TGIFridays, Applebees, Chilis, and other chain restaurants.  You can get a decent, if generic meal for a decent price, but they just don't stand up to legit steakhouses.    

  I tried steak once at Applebees once, either I ordered it or someone else did and they gave me a bite.

  Never again.

[Donoghus]

Having a background working in a restaurant, namely the kitchen, can be a blessing and a curse when going out to dinner.

I will tell you, though, that I absolutely loved working on a line. 

[Assassin70]

Ruth's Chris by a mile, if it is considered a chain.

Any fans of KO Prime? Love that place.

Ruth's Chris was excluded, since it's a "high end" chain.  I love their sides, I love their bisque...  Last time I got their steak, though, it fell into the "good but not great" category.

I went to Ruth's twice and I hated it both times.  I liked the sides...and the service was top notch.

But I would rather go to Texas Roadhouse or even Applebees or Red Lobster and get a steak there before Ruth.  

Waaaaay waaaay to expensive for what you get.  Like other said rather do it @ home.

BTW a baked potato better be good if you have to pay 10$+ for it!

[Donoghus]

Two of my favorite "high end" steakhouses;

Boston (former home)- Grill 23.  I'll take it over Capital Grille, Abe & Louies, and certainly Ruth's Chris. Flemings is probably #2 for me.

Chicago (current home)- Gibsons.  If you're ever in Chicago and want a steak (and possibly run into a celebrity), look no further than this place.  Probably my favorite steakhouse out here. 

[Chris]

Two of my favorite "high end" steakhouses;

Boston (former home)- Grill 23.  I'll take it over Capital Grille, Abe & Louies, and certainly Ruth's Chris. Flemings is probably #2 for me.

Chicago (current home)- Gibsons.  If you're ever in Chicago and want a steak (and possibly run into a celebrity), look no further than this place.  Probably my favorite steakhouse out here. 

Love Grill 23.  I went there once (on work's dime), and it was possibly the best meal I have ever had.  I go back and forth on Flemings.  I went there once, and thought it was great, but the second time I left pretty disappointed. 

[Chris]

BTW, I have a turkey burger waiting for me when I get home tonight, so this whole thread is making me just a bit angry that I am not coming home to a big steak.

[birdwatcher]

How about a Chef's point of view...

In Boston: Moo (not your typical steakhouse), Grill 23 (honestly, probably the best I've ever had)

Boston & Beyond: Smith & Wollensky's. Flemings and Morton's are dinosaurs in the restaurant biz these days as they serve the same dated menus they had during prohibition. Flemings has great wine lists, Morton's is better to go lurking for famous people over a bourbon or scotch at the bar.

[Edgar]

In El Salvador


In Gualemala
La media cancha

In honduras Utila

Chain of one

[Assassin70]

Two of my favorite "high end" steakhouses;

Boston (former home)- Grill 23.  I'll take it over Capital Grille, Abe & Louies, and certainly Ruth's Chris. Flemings is probably #2 for me.

Chicago (current home)- Gibsons.  If you're ever in Chicago and want a steak (and possibly run into a celebrity), look no further than this place.  Probably my favorite steakhouse out here. 

Love Grill 23.  I went there once (on work's dime), and it was possibly the best meal I have ever had.  I go back and forth on Flemings.  I went there once, and thought it was great, but the second time I left pretty disappointed. 

I love Grill 23 and Also love Flemings those are top notch places.

[pearljammer10]

I used to be a big fan of Bugaboo but i got over that real quick. Outback is usually good not great. Only been to Longhorn once....

Texas Roadhouse is my vote....I've never been disappointed with a meal or the service there. I would recommend that over any of the other ones.

[Redz]

http://www.patesrestaurant.com/about.html

[WWBJD]

It's a Brazilian steakhouse, but Fogo de Chao is the best restaurant I've ever eaten at.  If you're ever in a city that has on, I highly recommend it.  Just make sure you're hungry.

http://www.fogodechao.com/

[BballTim]

BTW, I have a turkey burger waiting for me when I get home tonight, so this whole thread is making me just a bit angry that I am not coming home to a big steak.

  Unrelated, but I had a turkey burger with curry flavored mayo on it a few months back. I don't eat a lot of turkey burgers but when I do that's how I have them.

[Edgar]

It's a Brazilian steakhouse, but Fogo de Chao is the best restaurant I've ever eaten at.  If you're ever in a city that has on, I highly recommend it.  Just make sure you're hungry.

http://www.fogodechao.com/

faisca de brazil is pretty good too
All those concept restaurants are pretty darn good.
Specially if you like massive