50 Best Steakhouses in America

It's American as apple pie, the idiom goes, partly because it just rolls off the tongue right nice. However, if there were a type of food that really typifies the idea of America, it has to be steak: Raised by cowboys, seared on grills and served up in giant slabs befitting a land of plenty. The list below is a expert's rough guide to where you can find some of the best steaks and steakhouses in every state from Maine to Hawaii, and everywhere in between. Settle in, chow down — and don't leave room for apple pie. And once you've devoured the list, check out our exclusive report on 25 Foods That'll Keep You Young Forever!

Connors Steak & Seafood
Next time you're in Huntsville, make sure you stop by Connors. The company first opened its doors to steak and seafood lovers in 2004 in neighboring Tennessee, but this location has been satisfying customers and racking up accolades since 2008. Their speciality? Premium aged steaks and fresh seafood. A winning formula, apparently.

Club Paris
Club Paris sounds a little precious for a meat mecca in the United States' most wild, vast and rugged state, but this maison de boeuf is magnifique. Home of the four-inch-thick filet mignon, Club Paris has been slinging steak since the late '50s, and all their offerings are are individually cut and aged on the premises. (Need an excuse to visit Alaska? See why it's one of 25 Adventures You Must Have in Your Lifetime!)

Durants
A dark dining room, red leather booths, a storied 65-year-history: Durants in Phoenix is an old-school steakhouse, all right. You enter the joint through the back door and can see the grillmasters in action. If you can finish the 48oz Porterhouse on your own, you get your name posted on the wall and — if you can stand to even think about it — a free slice of strawberry shortcake.

Gaskin's Cabin Steakhouse
The state has its fair share of sophisticated steakhouses, but perhaps no other beats the old-time charm of Gaskin's. Built in 1864, the steakhouse occupies the oldest standing property in Carroll County, and the dining is just as impressive. Locally, the quality of Gaskin's steaks and prime rib are revered.

Taylor's Prime Steakhouse
A true hot spot among steak lovers, Taylor's is a bona fide family business that's been serving up fine cuts of the corn-fed prime and certified Angus beef for about half a century. Remodeled in 2009, this local stalwart includes a wine room, private tables, a group room for private functions and an outdoor patio complete with fireplace. Think steak's too rich for your blood? It's actually part of our exclusive Zero Belly Diet, one of 40 Things You Should Do in Your 40s!

Buckhorn Exchange
Denver isn't lacking in the steakhouse department, but the joint that best evokes the spirit of the Old West is almost certainly the 123-year-old Buckhorn Exchange. It's the sort of place where you can whet your appetite for a whopping 4 lb. strip steak with rattlesnake, ostrich and bull-testicle appetizers. You'll also be going eye-to-eye with ungulates as well as eating them: the decor is a taxidermist's fever dream come true.

Blackstones
When you think Connecticut, you think upscale. When you think about a steakhouse in Connecticut, you wouldn't be blamed for thinking about a pretty sleek and fancy joint. That's what Blackstones in Norwalk is: It accurately describes itself as a "chophouse specializing in dry-aged steaks and seafood, in a smart space with red tones and dark wood."

Domaine Hudson
Tons of companies are incorporated there. Joe Biden is from there. If there's a third fact that you need to know about Delaware, it's that the best steakhouse in the state right now is Domaine Hudson in Wilmington, which currently rocks 4.5 stars out of 5 on Yelp. Pair your steak with a selection from their acclaimed wine list, and get some pointers on How to Start a Wine Collection!

The Edge Steak & Bar
In some ways, The Edge is the antithesis of the more classic steakhouses on this list. Steaks are cooked on an infrared grill (which enthusiasts say are good at searing meat, providing uniform heat and cutting down on flare-ups), and the portions are not humongous. But that hasn't stopped this more modern carnotopia from being one of the highest-rated steakhouses in Miami.

Ted's Montana Grill
Ted Turner is known to be an ornery ol' dude. But maybe his reputation for palpable dissatisfaction with anything that isn't up to his standards is what makes Ted's Montana Grill such a steak-fan favorite. There aren't many chains on this list, but Ted's high ratings warrant inclusion for this location in CNN's Atlanta headquarters.

Hy's SteakHouse
Live music, leather booths, an upscale atmosphere and generous portions are what Hy's SteakHouse in Waikiki trades on. The Hawaiian flavor is represented by native kiawe, a type of mesquite tree, which several of its steaks are cooked over. So book a Hawaiian getaway — it is, after all, one of The World's Best Exotic Vacations — and make this one of your stops.

Barbacoa
One of the best-rated steak houses in Idaho is Boise's Barbacoa. Its offerings are given a Latin twist. Por ejemplo? The steak sandwich is topped with manchego, the 20oz Porterhouse arrives with serrano chimichurri, and the 16oz ribeye comes with a side of tequila habañero BBQ sauce. Muy rica!

David Burke's Primehouse
The David Burke Restaurant Group hails from New York, but that hasn't stopped it from operating the Windy City's top-ranked steakhouse. Chicago magazine's well-fed reviewer described his favorite item like so: "The transcendent 40-day bone-in rib eye ($51) hits the sweet spot like no other steak in town: rich, beautifully marbled, almost nutty." (By the way, did you know you can work beef into one of these 10 Slimmer Sandwich Recipes?)

Peterson's
At Peterson's in Indianapolis, the bar area is classy, the service is attentive without being bothersome, and the $52 New York Strip is, according to professional and amateur reviewers alike, well worth the price.

Iowa Beef Steakhouse
This Des Moines standby has been serving locally reared beef since 1982. They're also keeping it local elsewhere on the menu, adding regionally brewed beers, locally grown and produced wines and spirits distilled in central Iowa. (By the way, eating local, organic beef is one of the 30 Best Ways to Boost Your Metabolism After 30!)

J. Gilbert's Wood-Fired Steaks and Seafood
In the 1920's, Kansas City steakhouses were highly regarded across the country, and that heritage is what this Overland Park resto taps into. All steaks are USDA Prime, Midwestern-raised, wet-aged black Angus beef, sourced from farms promoting humane management with no use of antibiotics or growth hormones. (That's great, because organic beef boosts your metabolism!) Another clue to their robust flavor is the house-made seasoning, which includes fresh ground coffee beans and brown sugar.

Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse
This Louisville location calls its business "culinary entertainment." All the steaks here are USDA Prime, and a cowboy-style, bone-in strip is dry-aged for 65 days, doubling its deliciousness: When you let meat rest for more than two months, it develops a deep flavor and texture that will practically melt in your mouth. And for some at-home culinary entertainment, try making these Amazing Low-Cal Steak Frites!

Dickie Brennan's
This state's French history shows up in the steaks at Brennan's. You might just have to bring a French-to-English dictionary. Take the châteaubriand for two. It comes with au gratin potatoes, roasted vegetable gratinée, mushroom sauté and three housemade sauces, including béarnaise. By all accounts, tout c'est tre bon.

Timber Steakhouse & Rotisserie
Great steak doesn't need to be served in a fancy setting to be world class, and at Timber Steakhouse & Rotisserie in Portland, they focus on the meat foremost. All the beef is sourced from in-state farmers — it's not only top quality but sustainable too. (By the way, eating local, organic beef is one of the 30 Best Ways to Boost Your Metabolism After 30!)

Fleet Street Kitchen
This handsome Baltimore eatery's plates are a thing of sophisticated beauty, setting it apart from steakhouses that trade on rusticity. Fleet Street doesn't have a deep bench in terms of steak offerings, but the slabs it does serve are roundly excellent. Try the locally sourced, seared N.Y. Strip potato-horseradish terrine, maitake mushroom, spinach purée and braised cipollini onion with beef jus.

Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar
Doesn't sound much like a steakhouse, right? That's what makes the South Boston joint's inclusion on this list even more special. Their take on steak and potatoes looks like this: A grilled bavette chop marinated in chimichurri and drizzled with a choron sauce spiced with morita chile peppers. It comes with crispy Brussels sprouts and papas bravas for a reasonable $19. Add some oysters to your order: They're one of these 25 Foods That'll Keep You Young Forever!

Vernales
This Harbor Springs eatery must be on your list if you have a hankering for steak in the Great Lakes State. Try a 32oz. Tomahawk ribeye dry-aged steak for two ($79), or if you want to spend an extra dollar, try the Chateaubriand for two ($80), which is an 18-to-20oz. center-cut tenderloin.

Libertine
This spot in Minneapolis' Uptown area has several cuts of beef on its menu that you may not immediately recognize. That's nothing to fret about — these deep cuts are some of the most flavorful steaks you can get. The onglet, feather steak, or point steak, are all expertly grilled, tender, and served with a side of marrow butter. Pair your dinner with one of the restaurant's quirkily named cocktails, like I Am Steve McQueen or Don't Mind If I Do: You might add them to your list of 20 Drinks Everyone Should Know How to Make!

Doe's Eat Place
As down-home as the name suggests, Doe's Eat Place originally started life as a grocery store and has become one of the South's top restaurants, particularly when it comes to steak. The specialty here is the porterhouse, which has won numerous awards, including No. 1 of the 100 Best Things to Eat in America by Men's Journal and landing spots on Bon Appetit's "Best Picks for American Eats" list.

Jess & Jim's Steakhouse

This 78-year-old family-owned Kansas City joint has been landing on national and global best-of lists since Playboy's in 1972. And who are we to argue? Every steak is hand-cut fresh daily, the steakburgers are gigantic and acclaimed, and the experience is homey and old school (two of the waitresses have been with the restaurant for 47 years).

Open Range
There are plenty of rough-hewn steakhouses in rugged Montana, but if you're hankering to enjoy your steak in a more stylish setting, check out Open Range in Bozeman. It's one of the state's best places for a date night, not least because the 16oz ribeye, which is hand-cut in-house, is one of the best steaks in the state. (Don't forget: Regular date nights are one of the Secrets of the Best Relationships.)

The Drover
Omaha is a steak town, meaning that competition and loyalty are fierce. That's what makes The Drover's longevity so special. It's been around for over 40 years, and for all of that time, grillmasters have specially marinated their offerings before they hit the grill and, minutes later, hits your plate.

The Golden Steer
It's Las Vegas' oldest steakhouse, and a veritable who's-who of diners have sat in its classic red leather booths. We're talking Elvis, Ali, Sinatra. Hell, even Joe DiMaggio had his own booth here. But this is no fusty museum: The place has hardly been hotter than it is right now. The secret? Steaks that make you think that you've died and gone to heaven at first bite. Need an excuse to visit Vegas? It's home to one of these 10 Most Jaw-Dropping Hotels in the World!

Hanover Street Chophouse
Manchester is where you want to be if you've got a taste for a great steak in the Granite State. Hanover Street's dry-aged, bone-in ribeye ($58) may be its most enticing offering, but glance a little further down the menu and you may be swayed by the excellent filet mignon, which can be had in two sizes (8oz and 12oz) and with six different sauces.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

Old Homestead Steakhouse
This upscale joint is actually an outpost of New York City's legendary Old Homestead Steakhouse, although aesthetically this incarnation has been tweaked to make it feel like it belongs in Atlantic City. You'll find it in the AC Borgata, and if you feel like going yuuuuuuge, get the 48oz porterhouse steak for two, which comes in at $92. Don't worry about morning-after guilt: You can always get started on The How-to-Stay-Lean-for-Life Eating Plan!

Geronimo
In Santa Fe, Geronimo is housed in an adobe home dating back to 1756, when the state was under the direct rule of Spain. Another interesting fact about this place: one of the best steaks in the house isn't beef. It's a tellicherry-rubbed elk tenderloin served atop roasted garlic fork-mashed potatoes, sugar-snap peas, applewood-smoked bacon and creamy brandied-mushroom sauce.

Peter Luger's
This stalwart's reign will come as no terrible shock to anyone in the tri-state area. Luger's has been atop the German steakhouse scene since it opened way back in 1887. Porterhouse was the only cut available for years, but in recent times, Luger's has added a bone-in rib steak that's just as otherworldly (and comes in at a few bucks less). Pair it with a side of fresh broccoli: Studies show that eating cruciferous vegetables is one of 100 Ways to Live to 100!

GameKeeper Restaurant and Bar
Although Raleigh and Charlotte certainly have their fair share of steakhouses, you might want to wind your way up into the Appalachian mountains for more rustic ambience at the GameKeeper Restaurant and Bar in Boone, NC. Founded in 1987, it was purchased by Ken and Wendy Gordon in 2000 and continues to preserve its historic rustic-cottage charm and celebrated cooking methods. Try the grilled bison steaks with roasted red potatoes and horseradish sour cream.

Maxwell's
Elegance might not be the first word that springs to mind when you imagine dining in Fargo, ND, but don't tell that to the folks at Maxwell's. These guys serve up perfected slabs of beef as artful as anywhere else in the country — perhaps the world. Try the Hereford Reserve Beef Tenderloin with toasted goat's cheese, Bordelaise sauce and roasted cremini-mushroom relish.

Red
On the day I write this, Cleveland.com reports that Red has been voted the best steakhouse in Ohio by The Daily Meal. "With two locations in Cleveland and one in Miami, Red is stylish, classy, and just about everything you look for in a steakhouse," wrote the Daily Meal's Dan Myers. "High-rollers, take note: If you want to top your steak with seared foie gras with black truffle demi-glace, nobody will stop you."

Cattlemen's Steak
This one has been serving Oklahoma City for 106 years — less than three years after OK became a state! The management describes their T-bone steak thusly: "This hearty portion is sort of 'two steaks in one.' It combines the full flavor of the Strip Sirloin, the impeccable tenderness of the Filet and joined together by the famous "T." Trivia: This is the steak President Bush preferred when dining in Oklahoma City.

Ox
Portland is proudly weird, but it's also a foodie mecca. Strangely, there aren't a lot of what you might call traditional steakhouses. But there's no dearth of great steak. Head to the Northwest and check out Ox. There many be a line out the door. That's a good thing—Ox serves its fare family style, which is good, because the top cut, a 36oz. rib eye, could definitely feed a family. (For at-home culinary satisfaction, try making these Amazing Low-Cal Steak Frites!)

Urban Farmer
If you've ever wondered how different methods for rearing and preparing steak affect the eating experience, go to this sustainable steakhouse in Philadelphia to find out. Here, diners have the the opportunity to sample side-by-side cuts of grass-fed, dry-aged and locally grazed prime, a flight of steaks that illustrate each ethos deliciously. So run, don't walk: eating grass-fed beef is one of the 30 Best Ways to Boost Your Metabolism After 30!

Capital Grille
If you're looking for the biggest flavor in the smallest state, Capital Grille in Providence is a good place to begin your search. It's a chain, but what they're doing up there has made the place a hit with steak lovers. Their signature steak is a dry-aged, 24oz porterhouse. The twist? There isn't one — just classic quality.

Halls Chophouse
Family owned and operated, Halls offers classic steaks and Southern hospitality. USDA Prime beef is flown in from Allen Brothers of Chicago, then either wet- or dry-aged in a variety of cuts. A favorite is the 22oz. dry-aged Kansas City bone-in New York strip.

Parker's Bistro
This location in Sioux Falls is housed in an historic building where the decor and food presentation have been given significant consideration. The Flatiron steak comes adorned with mango and shaved vegetables and creamy potato salad on the side.

Kanye Prime
This boutique steakhouse is an incredible way to spend a lot of money on an incredible dinner. (The wagyu strip will set you back $65). Here, you can enjoy exquisite buttery beef cooked over an 1,200-degree flame and served in an ambiance of dark wood and leather furnishings.

Big Texan Steak Ranch
Almost every state in the union has a Texas Steak House, a Longhorn Steakhouse or a Lone Star Steakhouse. The reason is simple: Texas is associated with humongous slabs of tender charbroiled beef, just like Philly is connected to cheesesteaks. Amarillo's Big Texan Steak Ranch is nowhere near as upscale as steakhouses in Houston, Dallas or Austin, but it does perhaps best exemplify the state's everything-is-bigger ethos. It's the home of the infamous 72 oz. challenge that started when a couple of hungry ranch hands tried to outdo each other in an eating competition. The owner, R.J. Lee, then decided that anyone who could match the amount of steak that the hungriest cowboy ate would get their meal free. If you indulge, atone with our exclusive Workout That Nullifies Business Dinners!

Avenues Proper
It may have a curious name, but this newcomer is already making waves in the Salt Lake City dining world. The restaurant offers a seasonal menu that centers on fresh and local ingredients. Chefs bring in local beef daily from around the Salt Lake area and cook it to perfection.

Guild Tavern
At this farm-to-table steakhouse in South Burlington, ingredients are sourced from local Vermont farms. Prime steaks such as the 14-oz. ribeye are hand-cut from naturally raised grass- and grain-fed beef and cooked on an open-fire wood grill.

Morton's The Steakhouse Richmond
Although there are plenty of world class steakhouses in the greater D.C. area, Richmond, renowned for its food scene, may be the place you want to head to find the area's greatest steak. Try the grilled Bistro Steak, rosemary grit cake, collard salads with a bacon/apple butter vinaigrette.

Bateau
Renee Erickson has confidence in the sourcing of the grass-fed beef she serves at her new Seattle steakhouse. That's because it's raised on her own Whidbey Island farm. Dry-aged and butchered locally, cuts of the day are sold by weight and paired with bone marrow or preserved lemon butter.

Prime 44 West
Locally sourced and served with a generous pat of herb butter, the bone-in rib-eye steak is a mouthwatering example of the prime cuts on offer in the elegant surroundings of the Greenbriar golf course in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Ward's House of Prime
You're reading this correctly: At Ward's, they serve up a 168oz. slab of prime rib. Incredibly, one man named Mike Litman actually ate the thing in a single sitting. He risked his life to get on the restaurant's Wall of Fame, but you don't have to — there are plenty of more manageable items on this storied Milwaukee steakhouse's menu. (If you overindulge, the next morning you can always take some tips from How to Stay Lean for Life: The Workout.)

Mangy Moose
Luckily, "mangy moose" isn't on the menu at this Jackson Hole eatery, it just happens to be the name of the place. You can, however, get the "moose cut" 20oz. smoky prime rib, which comes with mashed potatoes, grilled broccolini and au jus for a reasonable $32. Tell them not to skimp on those greens: Studies show that eating cruciferous vegetables is one of 100 Ways to Live to 100!

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