I agree that Morton's was not as good as what I was expecting. My vote for the best goes to Capital Grille as well. I have gotten to go to the DC and Tysons Corner location a bunch of times. I think you get a great full meal experience.

I like the appetizers, especially the cold shellfish platter, and if anybody can point me to a better plate of calamari I would want to know it.

For the main courses I like not just the various types of steaks but also the veal chop and the salmon.

The sides are great, and I love going with a large group so we can have many.

Great wine choices and as also mentioned the service is great.

I think the only thing that leaves me disappointed when compared to the rest of the meal are the desert choices. Just not crazy about what they offer. Find myself eating more appetizers knowing I do not need to leave room for dessert.

I used to be a major fan of Ruth's Chris... until I knew better and was introduced to the one-five location steakhouses (Old Homestead, Cite, etc.)

Ruth's has become inconsistant in recent years as well as most of the other chains mentioned. I was disappointed in Capital Grill the two locations I went to (Chicago and NYC.)

If Outback can be considered a real "steakhouse" it's mostly a disaster especailly if you are a single diner. You get ignored as if you don't exist. (I try to eat at the bar if I'm dining alone so I know I can get relatively quicker service.

Morton's actually has turned out good steaks and good meals (I like the pre dinner show with the explaination on what the different type of steaks are and other things.) Morton's actually came to the "rescue" in Singapore when a dear friend and fellow Flyertalker and I went looking for our beloved "Trader Vic's" and found it was CLOSED! :(

It's NOT a steakhouse but Trader Vic's has some good steak offerings. Do the slow grilled steaks Polynisian style.

Morton's in Singapore was just as good as Morton's in Houston and Morton's in Las Vegas (I did not like the one in NYC off Fifth Avenue.)

Would Charley's (Florida) and Old Homestead (which I think now has three or four locations) be considered chains now? They are FOUR PAWS UP when it comes to steak.

For my best "chain" steakhouse: Hy's in Canadia! ;) The Keg was decent too (of course there Flyertalkers who would disagree.)

The best steaks IMHO come from the little one to five location steakhouses. :)

I like the Capital Grille as the best in Detroit, but I still think that the best steak's (regular) Ive had are the ones I buy at a local gourmet store (prime fillets) and throw on my infrared gas grill- add some sauteed mushrooms and some onions, with a side of mashed potatoes and a good red wine, very good.

I like the Rosebud Steakhouse in Chicago (it is one of several Rosebuds, but is the only steakhouse). That said, I rarely order steak at a steakhouse, since the portions are huge -- a pound or more of beef is too much.

I would vote Ruth Chris for best.

My vote goes to Del Frisco's especially in Dallas. Amazing steaks and they still have the cigar bar in the back. Makes for a great evening :D

Morton's way overrated! Usually piss poor service along with an air of superiority. Ruth Chris's, not bad, but usually doesn't WOW me.

Capital Grille is not bad steaks, but usually I get that stellar service there. I guess with all the politicians eating there, they have to be on top of their game.

Now if you want to talk about seafood, the best damn chain is Oceanaire! I've eaten at 3 different locations and each one is amazing in its own regard. Check it out. http://www.theoceanaire.com/

1. mortons
2. Palm
3. Ruth Chris

Ruths Chris. Agree to the :td: on Shulas.

I've always had excellent steaks at Ruth's Chris steak house... until last week... which prompted this thread.

The steaks were just plain awful. It couldn't even match
the $5/pound mystery beef at the local grocery store.
However, since God was the one who created cows, I didn't
really blame the chefs. However, the service was also very
bad. In fact, the service from the waitress was so rude
and unprofessional, the 9 of us unanimously voted to give
her a tip of $0.(the final bill was about $450)

I enjoy going to J. Gilbert's for steak. It's a smaller chain - only 4 locations, but I've always had a great meal in the location near me.

Sullivan's gets my vote. IMHO superior to Ruths Chris.

Thanks!
 

Based on the recommendations in this forum, I decided to check out Capital Grille's Orlando location this weekend. I was flying into MCO and meeting a friend. She and I had an excellent dinner there. The service was outstanding, and the food and wine were amazing. The gentleman taking care of our wine even came by and gave my lady friend a rose.

Excellent suggestion. Coincidentally, I stayed in the Peabody for a couple weeks in August on training, and a group of people were going to eat at the Capital Grille. I opted out because it looked expensive and I had never heard anything about the place. I'm a huge foodie and don't mind shelling out cash for a great meal, but I don't like to gamble with unknown restaurants when it comes to expensive dinners.

Thanks for the tips, guys.

One of the other thread prompt me to one question... how cheap is a cheap chain steakhouse??? What is the average price to get a piece of the dead cow???

Dividing all the restaurant into three classes

1. eg Ruth Chris (>50???)
2. eg Alexander's (<30???)
3. eg Applebees (<20???)

i vote for ruth chris. love the buttery crust.

My vote goes to Ruth's Chris. The Palm is good but I was disappointed with the one in PHL last time.