I'm sorry I read this thread! Now i"m in the mood for a good steak.

IT's funny. I used to be a big fan of Bern's but in the past few years have found myself desiring Charleys even more when I go to Tampa. THe steaks are aged and cooked over a big flame grill the way you want. Great wine list and a certain appetizer that's a bang for the buck. (Check the menu for what I mean.)

(It's also funny that I've been to several of the forementioned steakhouses with other Flyertalkers ;0) )

I am not a fan of Peter Lugars (I can hear Dhammer groaning.) I need to be convinced on why this place is so great. Surly waiters, CASH ONLY for payment, old atmosphere. Both times I've bene there I've slipped on the sawdust on the flooor. THe surly waiters never stopped to help me up. And I was sober! (Plus it's kind of a trek to get there.) The steak was unimpressive and overpriced at best.

Another thing: Before discovering the independents I was a Ruth's CHris fanatic. In fact I hosted the second Catman Do 2 at Ruth's in NYC. But I have had one or two bad experiences since. Not much for the chains lately (the bigger than the smaller ones.)

Guess tastes change over time.

My steak forks go to:

*Old Homestead NYC: worth every penny esp the bone in rib eye.

*Charleys Florida (see above)

*Sparks (haven't been in over a year. Maybe a NYC FT meeting is in order.)

*Cite Cite Cite!!!!!!! The fries with a side of beef is great, even better with the included Wine tasting menu. Unlimited wine and steak for $63! Best bang for the buck in NYC (Other than Grey's Papaya.) Cite hosted the Catman Do 3, March 2001.

*Hugos at the Hong Kong Hyatt Recency. Excellent atmosphere and well prepared beef with a great wine list.

*Hy's Steakhouse, Toronto: home away from home when I go see "THe Red Green show." And I can SMOKE my Habanos!!! One of the best.

*Don Pepe's: Parsippany and Newark, NJ> Great value and great made steak. Plus lots of super seafood dishes.

*Trader Vics: Nothing like steak made the Poloysian way slow cooked in a grill. Thank you PremEx for introducing me to this place.

*THe Steakhouse at Circus Circus: Have to get back there again when I'm back in LV.

THat makes me MOURN for the late, great Binions Horseshoe Steakhouse at the Horseshoe. I heard it closed. Best view for a steakhouse. Expense but great beef.

*The steakhouse at the Doubletree Ontario, CA. I went there on an Entertainment Card offer and had one of the best steak experiences ever. Impressive wine list. Good prices excellent service. FUnny a Hotel steakhosue can top some of the bigger hyped ones. Better than most chains.

I have not been to steakhouses in Portland, Seattle or INdianapolis but could be puruaded to make a trip. Also the best steakhouse I've found in Chicago, so far, is Trader Vics! Maybe Sweet Willie can recommend a steak place for me when I get out there sometime.

Now back to my Pepsi