I can't believe noone has mentioned Bern's in Tampa. I'm from the midwest, so I usually opt for seafood on the coast, but Bern's was amazing! It takes 2 years training to become a waiter there, etc., etc. etc. can't explain it all here. I got a sampler that had 3 3 oz. samplers of Kobe, Wagyu and Filet. All melt in your mouth.

Anyway, it's not a chain so...

I've had

1. Mortons (Chicago State St. very good, Las Vegas good)
2. Ruth's Chris (Chicago very good)
3. Shula's ( Miami good, Chicago average)
4. Craftsteak (Vegas average, overpriced) (chain???)

And just for fun try the Ellis Island Casino "Restaurant" in Vegas for the off the menu $4.95 10oz steak dinner with fixin's and a microbrew. Makes a great lunch before a steak dinner. Not the best, but hey it's $5 ;)

Sam Seltzers is in your area too, isn't it??? Went there in 2001 and then 2003... too bad the chain is limited to west coast FLA only....

Best Chain Steakhouse
 

The best steakhouses here in Baton Rouge are Ruth's Chris and Sullivans. Flemings is also very good.

Del Frisco, Flemings and Morton's

We just had another perfect dinner at Fleming's in SAN tonight. I loved them in SEA and am delighted to have them here.

Mahogany also has a location (I believe the original) here in Tulsa! :-) We also have a Fleming's and I think it is a toss up depending on what you're in the mood for and it which "side" dishes you'd like.

As for a value cheaper steakhouse. You can't beat Texas Roadhouse. The Dallas Filet is better than filets that I've had at places for 2-3 times the base price.

I'd also put a vote in for Charley's in the Orlando area. One of the best steaks I've ever eaten.

I'd say Morton'. A bit pricey, but that's the one where I've had the most consistently memorable meals. Porterhouse for two, mmmm.

^ ^ ^ Fully agree with your assessment of Texas Roadhouse. We just had one open in our area a few weeks ago, and sampled it Saturday night. For a cheaper steakhouse, I found the steak to be much better than an Outback...and better than 2/3'rds of some of the more expensive places that I have been to. 3 steaks (2 16oz strips and one 12 oz filet), one shared appetizer, one margarita, one beer and soda...for $113 with tip. Not bad...

Dude, you could have a much better 3-person steak dinner than Texas Roadhouse for $113. Texas Roadhouse is where you go when your sister wants you to take her best friend out to dinner, and you can't get out of it.

Maybe the TR around me is uncharacteristically horrible, but I would take Outback over TR any day.

A crabcake purist and happy w/ something with sauce? Just backfin, some breadcrumbs and Old Bay for me - no sauce needed. Crabcakes at Ruth's Chris are pretty decent, though. As is the Tuna Stack for those who don't want steak.

Without a doubt...
 

Bern's in Tampa. Had the pleasure of dining there last night. Don't forget a visit to their dessert room upstairs!

Texas Roadhouse for inexpensive, Morton's for expensive. Much better than The Palm or Flemings, though The Palm's wedge salad is great.

I can't believe I'm the first to post Ted's Montana Grill. While not a joint in which to impress clients, my bison tenderloin was the best steak I ever tasted, but I fed six at Ted's for the price of two at Mortons.

Puh, tough question.

I'd say Morton's. I've been numerous times to two locations (Scottsdale and Orlando) and the steaks always were very good. However service was way better in Scottsdale than in Orlando. In Orlando waiters tend to be arrogant. Also, the patrons at the Orlando location tend to be very loud. But what matters most with me is the food and they were always great. Be sure to ask their Peppercorn sauce and keep some room for a heavenly soufflé!

I'd say Capital Grill and Ruth's Chris are both very good too, but cannot comment on consistency since I've only been to their Orlando locations.

Someone mentioned Charlies earlier and I have to say that I was terribly disappointed in their Orlando Intl Drive location.

Any opinions on Gallager's Steakhouse? Haven't eaten there but seen outlets in Las Vegas and the Newark Airport.

We've had extremely good luck (except one location) with Ruth's Chris. The location closest to us, Minneapolis, is consistantly good.

Other RCs we've been to:

Manhattan-very good
Honolulu-great (the most reasonable prices and in Hawaii no less!)
Lahaina-very good
Pasadena-very good
Northbrook-awful/inedible (worse than Outback and that is a challenge!)

We've had awful experiences with Outback, you should probably just get the New Zealand rack of lamb if you have to go there.

Mortons has been nothing special.

Smith & Wollensky in Manhattan was probably the most overrated place we've been to. The steaks were awful and gristly(the meat could not have been prime) and the side dishes uninspired. Would much rather go to Peter Luger or Craftsteak in NYC. At least we got to accidentally bump into Mark Messier as he was leaving...Luckily we went to RC two days later and got that awful taste out of our mouths.

When you are at a magazine/bookstore in an airport always look for Wine Spectator or Wine Enthusiast. They often have articles on steakhouses and occasionaly "rate the chains." People who care that much about wine often have very opinions on food, especially good steaks.

Lastly, remember to always get your steaks "bone-in." The bone (and marrow) impart a great amount of flavor as well as keep the cooking temperature consistent throughout the meat during cooking.