rakers

Well put! I feel the same way. I'd much rather eat at a one of a kind restaurant, especially when I'm traveling. I'm no food snob, but it's sad that these chain restaurants serving overpriced, poor quality food are taking over.

That being said, I did just get a $100 gift card to outback for test driving a Maseratti and I'm not about to turn down free food. Or ridiculous offers to test drive cars worth more than my apartment and its contents...

RustyC

I can't say I'd consider Lone Star or Outback cheap for my budget, though certainly in comparison to a Morton's or a Ruth's Chris.

What's happened with ones like Western Sizzlin, Golden Corral and Ryan's is that they've morphed into feeding troughs for the blue hairs where you're an oddity if you just order a steak plate. Given that, it's hard to see how they can keep focused on what they were originally about. It's like MTV no longer playing music videos.

I like the idea of a Brazilian steakhouse, but it seems you've gotta have a monster appetite to make it come out.

Hopefully more independents will be tried now that review sites and actual menus are available over the Internet. Locals might know a good place or two, but travelers need assurance over quality and price range.

Honestly, though, I think I do best in Las Vegas by reading the reviews of the better buffet deals.

SixString

I'd have to go with Outback. I think the filet is only like $18 and it is quite tasty. While it'll never compare to a $40 cut at Ruth's Chris, if you're hungry and in the mood for steak it certainly does the job.

I don't think I would consider Houston's or The Keg in the "cheap" category. I would say they are in a slightly more upscale category(i.e. no "flair" on the servers). Plus you are far less likely to find one unless you are in a big city.

ElmhurstNick

I like the Keg, but I never get out of there spending less than $40. I tend to end up at them in July on vacations, and I'm always a sucker for their lobster au gratin appetizer. Another good place in that range used to be Mountain Jacks/Hungry Hunter, but it's been at least 7-8 years since I've been to one (are there any left)?

In the $20-$25 all-in range (steak, salad, starch, diet coke, tip), I usually don't order the steaks except maybe on a salad. I used to hit an Outback across the street from our hotel outside of Albany, and usually did chicken or salad. Lone Star is meh, Logan's is ok but again I'm more likely to get a sandwich or a salad. Houston's was good but they've closed the Nashville location so I haven't been at one in a few years.

cmvinsk

Texas Roadhouse is much better than Outback in my opinion.

nwaaok

In my geographic area, Texas Roadhouse and Outback are the better of the low end steakhouses. Obviously YMMV...

HiJanIsHere

I kind of suffer from a little Cheaposteakophobia, but I like Texas Land and Cattle. But, I think you have to be in....well, Texas. Saltgrass, that's not too bad in a pinch.

BamaVol

Thanks for the

cyberdad

Yeah, I think I mentioned them earlier in this thread. Decent steak, decent value, but they arent exactly cheap. When I'm North of the Border (or for that matter, in Seattle), I like their Teriyaki or their Prime Rib sandwich.

I don't go as freqently since they took out what used to be a fantastic salad bar.

ipegleg

They are ALL YOU CAN EAT and usually well above average. Fago de Chao is TOP of the line and lunch is a steal at @ $25. Includes a gourmet salad bar. Dinner is about twice that.

SixString

Do you mean Fogo de Chao? If so, there are barely a handful of locations so most people would never see one in their normal travels. Plus $25 for lunch is more than what people on this thread are looking to spend on their dinner.

However, I will say that their food is A+. ^
Living less than 2 miles away from one, I can attest that this is probably the best restaurant to drive by, just for the smell of all that meat roasting on the huge fire pit they have.

bhmlurker

Having been to restaurants such as Donovan's San Diego, Smith & Wollensky and Delmonico in Vegas, and others, my recommendation for San Diego area (if it still exists) is Carvers Steak and Chops in Rancho Bernardo. It's actually a small chain restaurant owned by the same company that runs Hunter's or Hungry Hunter's.

Priced around $20-25 and locals often get coupon in the mail, you get very close to top quality steak at a fraction of the price. Here are some qualities I think regular chains such as Outback cannot compete on:

1. Taste great without seasoning or sauce; what properly aged beef should be
2. You order a medium or medium-rare, you get exactly that
3. Dark wood interior and classier atmosphere with no noisy families
4. Decent wine offerings that are devoid of cheap sub $10 rotguts
5. Take reservations, well-dressed and mannered staff