Agreed. And at a fraction of the price.

You couldn't call yourself a man if you didn't think what you cooked on the grill was restaurant quality.
And if a steakhouse just supplied a slab of meat, I suppose it might be true. But I like the general atmosphere of steakhouses that other restaurants usually don't match.

I also think grill masters probably overestimate their ability...;)

I have dined at various locations of the following:

• Flemings
• Ruth Chris
• Del Frisco's
• Smith & Wollensky
• Morton's
• Palm
• Shula's

From a value perspective I put Flemings at the top of the list - frequent prime rib Sunday promos, $25-50 off via email, costco gift cards. And just a great steak. I have a soft spot for certain Ruth Chris locations, particularly in the south. DF and S&W always provide an enjoyable, if pricey experience. Morton's is always a bit too stuffy (and overpriced) and the Palm staff has way too much attitude and often poor quality output.

IMO the primary criterion is always the steak - I want a tender, rare filet mignon that melts in my mouth. No exceptions (except when I'm ordering prime rib ;) ). Service is important but most of these places have sufficient top quality staff. Last on my list is the wine selection, I often bring my own bottle.

Oh, to live in a state that allows BYO...

My Dad's house allows it. Frankly, when he and I are on the grille it's a better steak than at any restaurant. :D

Interesting, I have dined at all those places and I think your analysis is spot on.

If we are really talking chains then I think they need to be on the scale of this list vs. just having multiple locations (maybe 10+ as the cutoff?).

My list would be similar except Ruth Chris and Smith & Wollensky slightly lower with Capital Grille sliding in at #2.

Now if Landry's Select Club ever starts being integrated with Mastro's, then I might have a new #1.

What do you think about Ditka's. We have only been there once for lunch and had really great burgers. Traveling to Chicago - Ditka's or Flemings?

Not to be a hater, but I am looking forward the Chicago Steakhouse menu at Next. I guess that is 1985, but then again every time I see steak tartare on the menu I get it and think back to the great scene with Gordon Gekko and Buddy from Wall Street.
Back on topic - I really enjoy Capital Grille. Consistently good experience, great lobster Mac and cheese side dish and they treat you like royalty if you're celebrating a special occasion. Took my wife for her bday a few years ago to the ORD location and we still talk about it : rose petals on the table upon arrival, comp flute of champagne, pineapple vodka drink and dessert. They even took a photo of us which we kept on our fridge for a few weeks (to remember the great experience and also help us avoid eating fatty food as we went nuts that night!)

Lunch or dinner? Are you going planning to get a burger or a steak? I'd say Fleming's if you are going for dinner and don't plan to have a burger. Ditka's for lunch, or if you want a burger.

Thx, it will be dinner. One of the 17 yr. olds will eat a burger. On one of the trips that he was with us we took him (along with ours) to a very upscale steakhouse. He asked them if they would make him a burger so.......

Ruth Chris, but I have not been to many up scale steakhouses. Most are independent. If I travel i hate going to chains.

I am not at all a fan of Ditka's for anything other than lunch. The ONLY reason I will even dine there for lunch is their amazing prime rib sandwich. I just don't like the atmosphere at Ditka's.

I like Fleming's in Chicago a lot. Get a window booth upstairs. If it's snowing, it's a beautiful view because of the large windows. I love the prime Sunday special at Fleming's. As far as value goes, it really cannot be beat. And those damn Fleming's potatoes get me back there far more frequently that I'd like to admit.

It depends on one's butcher/supplier. Great steaks are available to the retail customer if they live near a good butcher or can arrange to buy direct from a reputable ranch.

If you but the Costco gift cards and go on Sunday you can get prime rib, salad and dessert for a family of 3 for 80 bucks. You can't beat that with a stick.