Special Report

This Is America's Best Steakhouse

Photo by Wendy T. via Yelp

Steak, for better or worse, has become a staple of the diet of millions of Americans. Alongside the evolution of cattle shipments from ranches in the western United States after the Civil War, steakhouses began to pop up in American cities. Today, they are part of the restaurant landscape in many cities.

While in New York City, some of the steakhouses from the late 19th century are still in business, the best steakhouse in America is SP Brazilian Steakhouse in Lakeway, Texas.

There has been discussion in recent decades about the health risks of eating red meat. The Harvard Medical School recently critiqued a paper that found “low” evidence that either red meat or processed meat is harmful. Harvard experts were quick to explain the flaws of the study and to point to the body of evidence that suggests otherwise. “Red and processed meats do increase health risks,” they write.

The health risks, however, do not appear to have dented steak sales. Perhaps the positive side of eating beef — namely being palatable to many — has been enough to keep customers coming. (This is the price of steak the year you were born.)

There are likely thousands of steakhouses around the country, ranging from such exalted establishments as Wolfgang Puck’s Cut restaurants and “Top Chef” star Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak to chains like Outback and LongHorn.

Yelp has recently compiled a list of the best steakhouses in America for 24/7 Tempo. The site identified businesses listing steak as a specialty, then ranked them according to a number of factors, including user ratings and the total number of reviews. We list the top 25 restaurants, including the top one.

The list of restaurants, notable for the absence of many big-name steakhouses, might seem a little unusual to some. Many establishments on the list are not even really steakhouses, but rather restaurants where the steaks are particularly appreciated. In any case, Yelp’s list is full of hidden gems sure to satisfy any steak-lover. (Here is the best hidden gem restaurant in every state.)

The best steakhouse in America is SP Brazilian Steakhouse in Lakeway, Texas. Here is what one visitor to this establishment thinks: “What a wonderful experience. The food was amazing.” Another comment: “The service was impeccable, the food delicious, and a great ambiance.” Ribeye, filet mignon, top sirloin, bottom sirloin, and beef ribs are among the meaty offerings.

Click here to see America’s 25 best steakhouses, according to Yelp

Photo by Sergio A. via Yelp

25. Altura Bistro
> City: Anchorage, Alaska

Seafood may be well-represented here with dishes like red king crab grilled in the shell and Alaskan Kodiak weathervane scallops with wild mushroom risotto, but the 13-ounce Australian wagyu ribeye and the 12-ounce 32-day house-dry-aged New York steak with chanterelle butter are more than enough to earn this laid-back restaurant a place on this list.

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Courtesy of Tony's of Indianapolis

24. Tony’s of Indianapolis
> City: Indianapolis, Indiana

“The MOST flavorful steak I’ve ever had,” writes one Yelp reviewer of this serious old-school steakhouse. “I’ve never had a steak so tender and juicy in my life,” adds another. Offerings include a bone-in filet mignon and a 24-ounce porterhouse.

Photo by Marina M. via Yelp

23. Cholla Prime Steakhouse & Lounge
> City: Scottsdale, Arizona

The Phoenix area has no shortage of good steakhouses, but this one sometimes gets forgotten because it’s located in Scottsdale’s Casino Arizona (which describes itself as the area’s “hottest destination for gaming, dining, and entertainment”). The menu is brief, but the seafood bisque, Caesar salad, and filet mignon and ribeye steaks are classic.

Courtesy of Julia D. via Yelp

22. Bowdie’s Chophouse
> City: Lansing, Michigan

This is one of three locations around Michigan of this popular steak-centric chophouse, founded by former cellphone-store mogul Scott Bowdish. The prime steaks include a “melt in your mouth” filet mignon and a tomahawk ribeye for two. If you’re in the mood for anything other than steak, warns one Yelp user, “you’ve come to the WRONG place.”

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Photo by Kimberly T. via Yelp

21. Fire and Smoke Gastropub
> City: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

If you’re not interested in a filet mignon or a Kansas City strip steak, this “phenomenal farm-to-table gastropub” (per a Yelp reviewer) offers such steak-adjacent choices as a five-hour-braised prime short rib and a couple of Mountain River free-range elk chops served with wild mushroom and bone marrow bread pudding.

Photo by Sonny O. via Yelp

20. The Saddle Room
> City: Waimea (Kauai), Hawaii

What makes this casual Hawaiian burger place special for steak lovers is the grass-fed Kauai beef (the island is famous for it) served in the form of 8-ounce New York strips either on a sizzling platter with mushrooms and onions or pulehu-style (grilled over hot coals) with oyster garlic butter sauce.

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Courtesy of Mark Y. via Yelp

19. Primal Steakhouse
> City: Las Vegas, Nevada

From the smoked steak salad with blue cheese dressing to the 44-ounce tomahawk steak, meat is the thing at this Vegas showplace with its “rustic/medieval” atmosphere (says a Yelper), reminiscent of a scene in the History Channel’s series “Vikings” (says another). Seared lamb chops and a “big smoked burger” are among the other choices.

Photo by R H. via Yelp

18. Webb Custom Kitchen
> City: Gastonia, North Carolina

“Handle a 40-ounce aged Certified Angus Beef charbroiled porterhouse and you will earn a spot in our history, forever honored on our wall of fame,” reads an entry on the menu at this community-focused restaurant in an historic movie theatre. More modest cuts are also available, including a center-cut filet mignon and a hand-cut aged ribeye.

Photo by Jenny K. via Yelp

17. Ken Love’s BYOB
> City: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“This is more than a hidden gem,” according to one recent Yelp review. “Every time I go the menu changes and it always has crazy good but also inventive dishes.” There’s just one steak on the current menu, a hanger steak with shiitake mushrooms and unagi (Japanese eel) sauce. How is it? One recent diner: “The flavor of the steak was so good and flavorful — charred slightly smoky on the outside with a balanced seasoning throughout the meat.”

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Photo by Emily G. via Yelp

16. Restaurant Rebirth
> City: New Orleans, Louisiana

The modern Cajun-Creole food here, prepared by chef Ricky Cheramie, a veteran of K-Paul’s, Commander’s Palace, and other noted local restaurants, includes a filet mignon and a cowboy ribeye from pasture-raised cattle, with a choice of optional sauces and toppings (including quintessentially New Orleans fried oysters).

Photo by Jeff L. via Yelp

15. Bos Taurus
> City: Bend, Oregon

You’ll know this restaurant is all about beef if you know that Bos taurus is the scientific name for cattle. Steaks include assorted cuts from ranches in Arizona and California and from the Chicago stockyards, as well as wagyu beef from both Australia and Japan. Prices range from $32 for a 5-ounce filet mignon to $210 for a 54-ounce tomahawk for two (there’s also top-quality Kyoto A5 wagyu for $39 an ounce, with a 2-ounce minimum.)

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Photo by Mindy W. via Yelp

14. Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill
> City: Dallas, Texas

“This was probably one of the top dining experiences I’ve ever had!” enthuses a recent visitor to Kenny’s on Yelp. ” I got the NY strip with lobster butter on top and it was absolute perfection.” A ribeye and a filet mignon are also offered, and the steak sandwich (sliced tenderloin with brie and sautéed onions) gets high marks.

Photo by Geselle R. via Yelp

13. 8oz Korean Steak House & Bar
> City: Las Vegas, Nevada

This friendly restaurant specializes in Korean barbecue — which means meats like ribeye, skirt steak, brisket, and marinated short rib cooked on grills inset into the tables and served with an array of side dishes. “Great meat quality,” “incredibly impressive,” and “very good and flavorful” are among the comments on Yelp.

Photo by Mario B. via Yelp

12. Summer House Steak & Seafood
> City: Siesta Key, Florida

“An elegant relaxed transitional steak house with a seafood attitude,” brags this establishment near Sarasota. Steaks are Midwestern Certified Angus beef, aged in-house for 35 to 40 days. Options include an 8-ounce American wagyu top sirloin, an 18-ounce prime bone-in ribeye, and a filet mignon bordelaise with Boursin mashed potatoes. Wagyu also shows up in the form of wagyu beef fat fries and wagyu bruschetta with roasted mushrooms.

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Courtesy of Fierro Argentine Grill via Yelp

11. Fierro Argentine Grill
> City: Miami, Florida

The cuts of steak here include entrana (skirt steak), vacio (flap steak), and picanha (top sirloin). All three are also included in a combination plate along with grilled beef rib strips, chorizo, blood sausage, and chicken. Burgers and steak sandwiches are available as well.

Photo by Louis C. via Yelp

10. Pruller Restaurant
> City: Marlborough, Massachusetts

A no-frills Brazilian place with skewers of grilled steak and other meats (the garlic beef is popular) and extravagant buffets (no longer self-service) of hot and cold side dishes, Pruller is hailed by Yelpers for “delicious food at good prices” and a staff that is “welcoming and attentive.” There’s an all-you-can-eat option for just $15.99 — praised by reviewers as a great bargain.

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Courtesy of Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse

9. Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse
> City: Jacksonville, Florida

“Be prepared to be wowed by the MEAT!!” exclaims a Yelp user about this clubby steakhouse, before going on to offer special praise for the bacon-wrapped filet, the ribeye, the tenderloin, and the garlic steak. Another offers “I really cannot commend enough the superb service and food of Terra Gaucha!”

Photo by Elisa H. via Yelp

8. 4 Charles Prime Rib
> City: New York, New York

The short menu at this trendy Greenwich Village establishment, with its old-fashioned supper club atmosphere, offers three cuts of prime rib and only one steak — but it’s a 22-ounce dry-aged bone-in ribeye with béarnaise sauce that gets high marks all around and is probably at least partly responsible for the fact that this is one of New York’s toughest restaurants to get into. For those who like their steaks ground, by the way, the hamburger is famous.

Courtesy of Goodies in the Pantry

7. Goodies In the Pantry
> City: Orange, California

Behind its rather bland-sounding name, Goodies is a full-scale deli, charcuterie, butcher shop, and three-meals-a-day restaurant. The menu features a 48-ounce 35-day-dry-aged smoked tomahawk and a smoked bison tri tip flambéed with bourbon, among other meaty delights.

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Courtesy of Fazenda Gaucha

6. Fazenda Gaúcha
> City: Bedford, Texas

This family-owned Brazilian steakhouse “doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the more well-known Brazilian places,” writes one Yelper, “but the food held its own.” In addition to well-prepared cuts of steak, “the sides are wonderful” and “the salad bar was great,” writes another reviewer.

Photo by Pappy H. via Yelp

5. Halls Chophouse
> City: Charleston, South Carolina

One of four South Carolina locations, this comfortable establishment offers both wet- and dry-aged steaks in more than a dozen cuts and sizes, including an American wagyu flat iron and a Japanese wagyu filet, as well as a 26-ounce dry-aged prime porterhouse and a 16-ounce wet-aged New York strip. “Hall’s is a MUST when visiting Charleston,” proclaims a diner from Georgia.

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Photo by Mahmut A. via Yelp

4. Mangal Turkish Grill
> City: Sunnyvale, California

This unusual Turkish barbecue restaurant sells locally raised free-range grass-fed meats — including ribeye, filet mignon, and filet mignon shish kabob — by the pound and cooks them to order over smokeless hazelnut shell charcoal. A few hot and cold Turkish appetizers are available, as is a selection of hard-to-find Turkish wines.

Photo by Samantha L. via Yelp

3. Aracosia – McLean
> City: McLean, Virginia

Describing itself as an “authentic Afghan gourmet + chophouse,” this place moved one recent visitor to say “Wow. Just wow” on Yelp. Though the preferred meat in Afghanistan’s cooking is lamb, diners love the marinated beef tenderloin here, available by itself or in combination with lamb chops or chicken kabob.

Photo by Wendy T. via Yelp

2. Pangaea Grill
> City: Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

The marinated skirt steak sandwich at this casual Carmel restaurant, with an Asian fusion accent, is a Yelp favorite (“amazing,” according to one review). Steak-lovers also gravitate towards the filet mignon with sautéed mushrooms in a madeira reduction and the grilled ribeye with green peppercorn reduction. Steak tacos show up on the happy hour menu.

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Courtesy of SP Brazilian Steakhouse

1. SP Brazilian Steakhouse
> City: Lakeway, Texas

Here’s what one recent visitor to this establishment thinks: “What a wonderful experience. The food was amazing.” Another comment: “The service was impeccable, the food delicious, and a great ambiance.” Ribeye, filet mignon, top sirloin, bottom sirloin, and beef ribs are among the meaty offerings.

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