Whenever you want to splurge on food, the one go-to menu item to gorge on is a juicy steak. A flavorful ribeye with rich marbling and a minimal amount of fat will send your senses flying and your mouth salivating. Steak lovers all have their favorite steakhouses, where the employees know their names and their steaks are tailor-made for them. Money is never a question at a great steakhouse, but have you ever wondered which steakhouse is the best? We tried 17 national steakhouses chains, and even though there were a lot of worthy competitors, only one can be crowned the king of steakhouses.
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00:00There's nothing quite like an expensive cut of meat expertly prepared and served hot to
00:05your table. Before you head out for a costly dinner, check out this worst-to-first ranking
00:10of some of the major U.S. steakhouse chains to make sure your money will be well spent.
00:16If you're craving a delicious steak, stay far away from Bonanza Steakhouse.
00:21This chain tries to combine the best attributes of a traditional steakhouse and a buffet restaurant,
00:27but instead you get high-end steakhouse prices at discount buffet quality.
00:32Bonanza Steakhouse also serves a wide array of seafood,
00:36chicken, and other American favorites that generally underwhelm.
00:40If you have to order off of the menu, order anything but the steak, which is the worst
00:45of the worst. The best value at this steakhouse is actually their salad bar.
00:50Bonanza Steakhouse and Ponderosa Steakhouse are both owned by the same parent company,
00:54so do yourself a favor and avoid both.
00:57"'We come, adorable husband, because the steaks are delicious.
01:01Tender, juicy, and cooked just the way you like them. They're great!"
01:05"'No, they're not.'"
01:06When you first walk into Claim Jumper, it looks like a great choice.
01:10This national steakhouse chain, which dates back to 1977,
01:14has a fun Western theme that's centered on the California gold rush of the mid-1800s.
01:20During those times, a Claim Jumper was someone who wrongfully occupied someone else's property,
01:25usually with the hope of finding gold. Today, if you make the mistake of going to Claim Jumper,
01:31you too will feel like you've been robbed. Despite the fun vibes and interesting furnishings,
01:36the food is forgettable. No matter what you order off of the menu, you won't be pleased.
01:42Even if you think you'll enjoy Claim Jumper's Western theme,
01:45just watch a Western movie instead, and then head to a steakhouse that is worthy of your money.
01:51With more than 700 locations in the United States, there's a good chance that you've
01:56been to an Outback Steakhouse. Unfortunately, that also means there's a good chance that
02:01you've been disappointed. Not only is Outback Steakhouse way too expensive for what you get
02:06compared to other restaurants of the same caliber, but the quality of the meat never
02:10lives up to what you see on the commercials.
02:13In a perfect world, I would be eating a Chili's constantly, but tonight,
02:19there's no rules. Just right. Outback Steakhouse."
02:22Outback Steakhouse is primarily known for its Australian theme. If you buy into the hype,
02:28you'd think that this restaurant chain serves authentic food that Australians eat while
02:32they're tossing around boomerangs and boxing kangaroos. But it's clear from the very American
02:38offerings that the founders had never traveled to the land down under prior to opening their
02:43first location. The food you'll get at Logan's Roadhouse isn't too different from the offerings
02:49at Outback Steakhouse. The main difference is you get slightly more bang for your buck at
02:54Logan's Roadhouse, without the fake Australian shtick. That said, Logan's Roadhouse is far from
03:00an elite steakhouse. You can find tender ribs here, and the margarita cheesecake is legitimately
03:05great, but the steaks leave a lot to be desired. The flavor is lacking, and the texture is iffy
03:11at best. One cool thing about Logan's Roadhouse is that the restaurant gives you a bucket of
03:16peanuts at your table. Sadly, following multiple lawsuits related to slipping on peanut shells,
03:22some locations no longer allow you to throw the peanut shells on the floor,
03:26diminishing the restaurant's casual charm. Now there's nothing to distract you from the boring
03:32food. With locations all over the world, Wolfgang's Steakhouse is truly international,
03:38but if you're in the U.S., you'll have to find one in New York, New Jersey, or Hawaii.
03:43Is it worth it? While the steak at Wolfgang's is a lot better than the steak you find at most
03:48casual steakhouses, it's not quite good enough to justify the price tag of about $50 per steak.
03:54While the ribeye steak is very flavorful, it's just not notable enough to be worth the money.
04:00The high prices would be easier to digest if it weren't for the fact that Wolfgang's
04:04Steakhouses can get uncomfortable and loud. This is not the place to go if you're trying
04:09to have an in-depth conversation with a date. Also, don't get confused and think that this
04:14steakhouse is the brainchild of Wolfgang Puck. This chain comes from a man named Wolfgang Zwiener,
04:20and while Mr. Zwiener has more than 40 years of experience in the industry,
04:24the confusion caused by the name of the restaurant resulted in a lawsuit.
04:29Saltgrass Steakhouse is basically the opposite of Wolfgang's Steakhouse,
04:33both in good ways and bad ways, offering an extremely comfortable dining experience with
04:39friendly, attentive waiters, relatively low prices, and an impressive assortment of appetizers
04:45and desserts. Unfortunately, the quality of the steaks at Saltgrass Steakhouse just isn't there.
04:51The restaurant covers all its steaks with a flood of garlic butter,
04:55and while that's a tasty gimmick the first time or two you have it,
04:58eventually you'll realize that the wool is being pulled over your eyes. Beneath the butter is a
05:03steak that lacks the flavor or the satisfying texture to survive on its own. If you want to
05:09go to a Saltgrass Steakhouse, you won't have much luck on either the East Coast or the West Coast,
05:14but you can find this steakhouse throughout the Heartland if you look hard enough.
05:18Charlie Palmer Steak has locations from the Golden State to the Big Apple,
05:23all of them luxurious. But unless you know exactly what you're doing,
05:27you're not guaranteed to be satisfied by your meal. For starters, you need to know that the
05:32seafood at Charlie Palmer Steak is actually better than their steak. Their yellowfin tuna tartare,
05:37citrus-marinated wild Baja prawns, pan-roasted sea bass, and halibut are all great choices.
05:44If you do go with their steak, be sure you add a sauce like horseradish cream,
05:48blue cheese fondue, or roasted garlic choux. Otherwise, if you order a steak without any sauce,
05:54you'll be met with a piece of meat that looks really good but lacks flavor.
05:59Morton's The Steakhouse claims to have the best steak anywhere, and at one point in time,
06:03that may have been true. However, these days, you're taking a gamble. Sometimes,
06:08the steaks are outstanding, but other times, they're so rubbery that you'll have a difficult
06:12time swallowing. Unfortunately, the prices are the same, no matter what you end up with.
06:18If you're headed to Morton's The Steakhouse, order the filet mignon, which it offers in three
06:23different sizes, starting at six ounces. If you're lucky, you'll get an amazing steak that you will
06:29talk about for the rest of the week. But if you get a steak that has a rubbery texture, all you
06:34can do is eat as much as you can and take the rest home for your dog. Fido will be thrilled.
06:40Black Rock Bar & Grill is an interesting concept, and while this place is unlikely to become your
06:45favorite steakhouse, it's unique enough that you should try it at least once in your life.
06:50At Black Rock, your meat is served on a volcanic rock that's been heated to 755 degrees.
06:56It's a novel idea, but not the strangest thing a steak has been served on.
07:01What is that thing?
07:02These are roof tile.
07:05Wow.
07:06Amazing.
07:08Once you're given your slab of sizzling meat, you're in charge of the rest of the cooking.
07:12The best part of the experience is that every bite of steak promises to be as hot and as juicy
07:18as your initial bite. On the other hand, if you wanted to cook your own food, wouldn't you have
07:22just gone to your kitchen instead? Black Rock Bar & Grill isn't a place to kick back, relax,
07:28and get lost in conversation. It promises to be a memorable dinner, but you'll be responsible
07:33for most of the heavy lifting. With only eight far-flung locations,
07:39Shula Steakhouse stretches the definition of national chain, but it's worth mentioning
07:44nonetheless. Shula's is the creation of legendary Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula. You might
07:50think that a football coach knows a thing or two about filling up hungry people who love to eat,
07:55and you'd be right. While this steakhouse offers a fine dining experience, the portions are large,
08:01and the steaks are worth the money you'll spend. If you go to Shula's with a big appetite,
08:06order the 48-ounce porterhouse, and there's no way you'll leave without feeling stuffed.
08:11What holds this steakhouse back is the lack of quality options on the menu.
08:16While the steaks are really good, the seafood is mediocre, the appetizers are a letdown,
08:21and even the cocktails manage to underwhelm.
08:25If you like your steak to be bleeding, Stoney River is the place to go.
08:29In fact, Stoney River doesn't recommend ordering their steak medium well or above.
08:34While this may be disappointing for those who prefer to see no pink in their steak,
08:38it's a godsend for those who daydream about digging into a rare slab of meat.
08:43Stoney River has more than a dozen locations spread across Georgia,
08:47Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, and Tennessee,
08:52but it's worth a trip if you can gather up a group of like-minded carnivores who enjoy rare meat.
08:58Don't go here if you want to order seafood or salads, as you'll be disappointed.
09:02Stick to what Stoney River does best.
09:06Texas Roadhouse is what would happen if Outback Steakhouse traded in its Australian theme for
09:11Texas and actually prioritized the flavor of its food. It even has a better version
09:16of Outback's iconic bloomin' onion, the Cactus Blossom. Texas Roadhouse is definitely a casual
09:23steakhouse with casual steakhouse prices, but don't think the laid-back atmosphere means the
09:28steaks will disappoint. Far from it. In fact, their steaks are much better than you might expect,
09:33considering their fairly low prices. The tenderness of the Dallas Filet is worth the trip,
09:39and if you want something unique, try the Roadkill. While the name isn't the most appetizing,
09:44this steak is covered with jack cheese, mushrooms, and onions that have been roasted to perfection.
09:50Texas Roadhouse is an especially good steakhouse option if you're going with a family,
09:54as the kids' menu will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
09:58With locations in all but one of the 50 states, you can likely find a Texas Roadhouse near you.
10:05Smith & Walensky has only seven locations in the U.S., so get ready for a drive,
10:10because it's a fancy steakhouse that isn't afraid to spice things up.
10:14While their standard ribeye isn't spectacular, their Cajun-marinated USDA prime dry-aged bone-in
10:20ribeye is definitely worth ordering. This steak is very flavorful, but if you don't enjoy spicy
10:26foods, you should probably skip it. It's a little bit on the pricey side, but if you are looking
10:31for something more affordable but equally as fun, there's always the lunch menu.
10:37Mastro's Restaurants is a marvelous steakhouse where you need to either go big or go home.
10:43Don't order the normal steaks on the menu. They're all above average,
10:46but not worth writing home about. If you're at Mastro's and you have a few hundred dollars
10:51burning a hole in your pocket, you owe it to yourself to try one of the Japanese A5 Wagyu
10:57steaks. Sure, you'll spend a whole lot of money, but your taste buds will agree that it is well
11:02worth the hit to your wallet. If you've never eaten A5 Wagyu, you should know that this is some
11:07of the highest quality meat on Earth. Beware, though, that you might not be able to go back
11:12to regular steak again. Mastro's Restaurants also have a lot of seafood options on the menu,
11:18but you'd be wise to stay away, because these dishes aren't good enough to justify
11:22the inflated price tag. Make sure you adhere to their strict dress code, too.
11:28If you want a fine dining steakhouse experience but don't want to have to break the bank,
11:32Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse is a great place to go. Everything about this steakhouse
11:38is fancy, from the decor to the wine list. While all their steaks are worth ordering at least once,
11:44it's the 45-day dry-aged prime ribeye that steals the show. It's not cheap, but this is a steak
11:50that is well worth the money. The amount of flavor packed into one slab of meat is over the top.
11:56Even better, you can also order the seafood from Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse with
12:01confidence. Their salmon and sea bass dishes are particularly outstanding. The only issue
12:06with this steakhouse is the lack of tasty sides. The best side is the creamed spinach with bacon,
12:12cheddar cheese, eggs, and mushroom. All their other sides, while fancy, are well below average.
12:20While Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is operated by the same company that owns
12:24Outback Steakhouse, you'd never know it. The two restaurant chains are worlds apart.
12:29The menu at Fleming's is so thorough that it can be overwhelming, but you can't really go wrong.
12:35Be sure to start off with one of their great appetizers, like the sweet chili calamari or
12:40the seared pork belly. And then be sure that you end it with a triple-layered chocolate caramel cake,
12:46or any of their other scrumptious desserts. While other steakhouses offer a wider variety of steaks,
12:52all of Fleming's steaks are really, really good. They may be more expensive than more
12:57casual steakhouses, but the quality of their steaks means you're actually getting a pretty
13:01good deal. Go with the filet mignon if you're having a hard time making a choice,
13:06especially if you like your steak medium-rare. It's only six ounces, but delicious.
13:12Of all the casual steakhouse chains in the country, Longhorn Steakhouse reigns supreme
13:17with 600 locations. At this restaurant, you get high-end steakhouse quality at casual
13:23steakhouse prices. The 14-ounce Delmonico is one of the best steaks you can find anywhere.
13:29Longhorn Steakhouse expertly trims the steak, adds its one-of-a-kind seasoning,
13:34and then grills it over a fire. The result is stupendous.
13:38If you love rare steak, go with a rare Delmonico and your life may be changed forever.
13:44Whether you're coming here for lunch or dinner, this restaurant has menu options that are sure
13:48to excite and entice. Of their appetizers, the Wild West shrimp is fun and tasty.
13:55And although many steakhouses have chocolate lava cakes,
13:58the lava cake at Longhorn Steakhouse is better than anything the competition can offer.
14:03What is a Chris Steakhouse? Is that a type of a f----- steakhouse?
14:08What sort of a steakhouse do you got there? Oh, it's a Chris.
14:11Ruth's Chris Steakhouse has a well-deserved reputation for having spectacular food.
14:16They have the art of serving gloriously flavorful steaks down to a science.
14:21If you're looking to impress, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse will always get the job done.
14:25Of all the steaks there, the cowboy ribeye is the one that stands apart from the rest,
14:30even if you typically don't like bone-in steaks. This majestic steak is 22 ounces of USDA prime
14:36cut ribeye that will keep you riveted. If you are in the mood for some surf and turf,
14:41you can't go wrong with a petite filet and shrimp. This Ruth's Chris Steakhouse specialty
14:46comes with half a dozen large shrimp and a pair of ultra-tender medallions.
14:51The lobster is also well worth your hard-earned money.
14:54The Capitol Grill is a lot like Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, but with a more ambitiously robust
14:59menu. No matter which meal you select, you'll walk out of this steakhouse satisfied. The porcini
15:05rubbed bone-in ribeye is a mouthful just to order, but it's well worth the twisting of your tongue,
15:10popping with a unique flavor that everyone should taste at least once in their life.
15:15Their dry-aged steaks are some of the best you will ever eat. Of any steakhouse on this list,
15:21the Capitol Grill also has the best seafood. The seared salmon melts in your mouth,
15:26while the lobster cakes will cause you to fantasize about the next time you'll visit
15:30this steakhouse. The Palm has just under 20 locations, one of them in an airport,
15:36but every location is still number one on this list. While it's nearly impossible to escape
15:42this steakhouse without spending at least a couple hundred bucks, splurging at The Palm
15:46will never leave you feeling an ounce of regret. The food is so good that it will feel like a
15:51bargain. Of all the steaks there, it's the filet mignon that is the cream of the crop.
15:56At The Palm, it's the quality of the meat that makes all the difference. Their beef is fed only
16:02corn, selected by an expert to make sure only the best of the best makes it into the restaurant,
16:07and is aged at least 35 days. After that long process,
16:11the result is a steak that blows all other steaks out of the water.
16:15The Palm also serves outstanding lamb and perfect seafood, and its starters are all very good.
16:22Add in an extensive wine list and exquisite cocktails,
16:25and this is the place where you'll want to celebrate all of your life's special moments.