The SoCal. Steak House Thread

[Coheteboy]

Originally Posted by Rednoyz

I'm a Ruth's Chris gal myself. But... will definetly try Morton's after reading the other comments.

For a decent steak dinner (can't believe no one else has mentioned it), I say go "Outback tonight" [chuckle]. I've never had a send-back type meal there and I get out for about $25 for an entree plus martini.

-- Cannot stand the Chizzler.
-- Couldn't pay me to eat steak at Benihana's.
-- Was unimpressed with the Northwoods Inn.
-- Didn't care at all for the Wood Ranch BBQ place, although the garlic-ish rolls were light and fluffy.
-- Steer Inn = scary (and over priced considering they market themselves as family / affordable).

If you're a Ruth's Chris gal, then I think you always will be one. Reason being, Morton's is just downright WAAAAAY more expensive. I had a way better meal at Ruth's. Mortons was still good but my wallet was really hurting. (okay, maybe no more magnum of wine)

And I have to fully agree with you on Outback. I used to ridicule this place to no end... like it's a fancy T.G.I.Friday's or something... but it's actually a great value with above average taste.

Also, the last time I went was on a sunday and they had $2.50 margarita's and beer all day!

[JesterMn]

Originally Posted by Darth Mickey

I'm not sure if Prime Rib counts in discussion of steakhouses but I am in complete agreement with the earlier poster regarding the utter excellence of Lawry's Prime Rib in Beverly Hills.

Dining in such a large and luxurious dining room with such great food and incredible service is worth every penny. I think we usually end up paying about $40-$45 per plate.

The fresh Idaho baked potatoes are HUGE and amazingly delicious. Their fresh cream spinach and corn are amazing too. The prime rib carts are something you won't see many other places either. They wheel a stainless steel cart up to your table and carve off the cut exactly as you ordered it.

I've rarely had a salad as good as the ones they prepare right at your table. They put your glass salad bowl on top of a bowl of ice and spin the salad as they slowly pour in the Lawry's brand salad dressing. I believe it's pretty simlar to thousand island dressing. It's delicious and a real fun experience!

I also like the little touches like the way the servers take care of each guest and make everyone feel special. Even down to sweeping crumbs off the table between courses. It's a wonderful feeling.

And of course being able to casually mention that you drove over to Beverly Hills for a luxurious dinner is kind of nice too.

I know it isn't unique to LA either but there are only a few other ones out there.

Prime Rib? Why not go to Tam O' Shanter in Los Feliz, and get the Walt Disney connection as well! It's owned by Lawry's.

I second Jocko's, even though it is more Central California. And I can't resist the salad at Northwoods Inn, it gets me every time... yummers!

To be honest, the best steak I ever had was at the little known Steak Joynt in North Hollywood... but sadly, it's gone now.

[Freddie Freelance]

Originally Posted by BroncoBob

Hey guys,

Just thought I'd chime in. My last real meal as a meat eater was at a local steakhouse down here in San Diego. Its called Donovan's. Everything was delicious. I highly recommend it if you are ever in the San Diego area.

I'll second Donovan's La Jolla (its actually in University City not La Jolla), but expect expensive prices and service that runs toward benign neglect.

[loveberri87]

a couple of weeks ago a very generous friend of mine took me out to Mastro's in Beverly Hills.

It was my first ever steak house experience and my 2nd steak ever (I live a very deprived life). We started off with a seafood tower appetizer (crab legs, shrimp cocktail, and caviar). The caviar was absolutely delicious, never had it before and was pleasantly surprised. Also had the ahi tuna tartare which was good as well. As for steaks my friend got a prime rib (medium plus) and I got a porterhouse (medium well). Kinda just threw a dart at the menu since I don't know my steak cuts AT ALL, but it was very delicious. And someone mentioned before that the plates are hot, and they are. 400 degrees are something you don't want to mess with. My friend was also very please with the way his steak came out, I had a bite and it was great. For sides we had steamed asparagus and broccoli which were ok. Merely ordered them just to have veggies. We also got lobster mashed potatoes which were a little pricey, but sooooo good. I'd recommend it to anybody. For dessert we got a slice of chocolate sin cake and a butter cake. They were really good, but extremely rich. We couldn't finish dessert.

Overall very satisfying experience, although I will say it was the first time I've ever been in a restaurant of that caliber so probably anything I would've gotten there would've surpassed anything I've ever eaten in my entire life.

Wish I could go back for more, but at those prices I'd probably have to wait 30 years or until my friend decides to be generous again.

[cositaluvsmickey]

Originally Posted by JediJournalist

Actually, if you want a good steak, Clearman's own an actual steakhouse in the Pico Rivera/Whittier area named Steak and Stein. It's more upscale than North Woods Inn and, perhaps because of that, has better food. The restaurant itself is dimly lit, perfect for a night out, and has a lovely waiting area. As for the food, the steak is absolutely perfect. Great texture and always cooked how you want it. The steak is typically served with a baked potato and their signature cheese sauce. Of course, like North Woods Inn they have a never ending basket of cheese bread. If you are in the area, you should defintely give it a try.

I second that motion...I love love love.. North Woods inn espically their salad...yummy..sadly I've never tried the one in Pico cause its either closed or doesn't open early enough...but one day mark my word I will definetly go there.

[Carl West]

Being a Northern California Boy I heartily endorse McCormics ate at their location in Washington D.C. last year and they took over a local Berkely Fish House and brought its quality and kept its charactor. If you're up in the Bay Area search out Cattlemens. Good steaks, they dry age and cut their own from carcasses of Harris Ranch Beef. Full Bar and is a family type house. Price Range is from Medium 20's up to the fourty dollar range.
If you're a couple they have a fixed price with appetiser, choice of 4 or 5 entrees and Desert for mid fifty range. Standard is a family salad unlimited, Beans, Veg, Choice of Potato and Entree.

Good Food Moderate Price. And they didn't bicker when one of our party sent back the two pound Porterhouse, Twice.

[Coheteboy]

Originally Posted by Carl West

Good Food Moderate Price. And they didn't bicker when one of our party sent back the two pound Porterhouse, Twice.

Ah, but a great steakhouse wouldn't need to send something back to the kitchen twice.


I went to FLEMING'S last week, the new location by Staples Center and Nokia theater. It was fine. Service was a bit on the slow side but polite and courteous at least. The food was really good, but I somehow wasn't as impressed with the steak as I thought I'd be. It was really fatty compared to other locations I've been.

Bone-in RibEye - about $50ish



Here are the sides:




The mashed potatoes were good, onion rings (according to my friends) were good, fries suck (i hate shoestrings... too much fat and not enough potato), but the mac n cheese were OMG OMG OMG AMAZING.

[aashee]

I know this is all about SoCal, but the best one I've been to was called Chops in Sacramento. It's walking distance from the state capitol building.

[MickeyMaxx]

Originally Posted by Radiobarry

That would be Camarillo.

And they're building a new one in Ventura, just outside the Pacific View Mall.

it's open now. We ate at Mimi's next door last night.

[Hook's Pointe]

Originally Posted by Coheteboy

The mashed potatoes were good, onion rings (according to my friends) were good, fries suck (i hate shoestrings... too much fat and not enough potato), but the mac n cheese were OMG OMG OMG AMAZING.

Want the recipes??

[Coheteboy]

Originally Posted by Hook's Pointe

Want the recipes??

Shoot me a PM! Yep!