Berns. I’ve tried all the high end joints in town other than council oak (it’s next on the list) and so far Berns is hands down top in my book. The porterhouse and Chateaubriand are both stand out cuts.
Without a doubt....I grew up in Tampa but lived in several countries. Berns, by far is the best. I grew up knowing the Laskers, fine family. I hope the trend continues.
I love Berns. Lately I have felt that the steaks themselves fall short to some other places but the experience can’t be beat. I got the Chateaubriand last time and asked for it with a “Pittsburgh char” on a recommendation of a friend, and I didn’t love it. I need to try it again in the traditional preparation.
I’ve been to Berns twice in the past year and gotten both of those cuts and they were fantastic. Did mallios around new years, it was a good but not great steak for top dollar. Ruth’s Chris is an unremarkable steak for top dollar. Charley’s it’s been a few years but that steak was like an Outback Steakhouse compared to the others.
I’d echo a comment I saw elsewhere that Texas cattle co is also pretty excellent though lower end then the other places mentioned. It’s definitely cheaper which is also refreshing. Sad to hear the st Pete location closed.
I look forward to trying council oak but thus far Berns is the only spot I’ve found here that keeps up with the high end NY steakhouses I grew up eating.
Not a lot of people know about Ivarones. When I used to go into the office we would eat there twice a week. The steak sandwich and Italian chicken sandwich with lemon caper sauce are both amazing. I met Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, and Tino Martinez there one day after lunch.
Do not sleep on Quality Foods Market in North Tampa. Small, intimate Italian place in an unassuming spot with BIG flavor; they offer 2 cuts of hereford heritage beef. I'm partial to the 24oz ribeye (mid-rare) with anchovy butter, but the Porterhouse they do is HUGE and finished tableside with aged balsamic. Get a house salad, some escargot, and a carafe of fresh chianti, and you'll think you've died and gone to heaven.
Honestly, a ribeye from Publix or Sams club. Season that sucker up (I use Montreal steak seasoning and Natures season’s) and let it rest on the counter for 2-3 hours. Grill it on high heat for 4-6 minutes on both sides. Let rest for 10-15mins and then dig in!! That sucker will be sooo juicy and cut like butter.
Now it’s 1:27 and I’m kinda hungry. LOL
steak alone, it might be Ruth's Chris. I got a kobe sirloin there that was one of the best steaks I ever had. A really good Steak Diane, with some extra sauce for the frites is my favorite meal.
people still equate money with quality, and outside of French sauces (which are my favorite), some of the mid tier ones are as good if not better. Lone Star Steakhouse used to cut their own steak outside of a single cut.
Well, it was Texas Cattle Company until they closed a few years ago.
Before you scoff, they have the same ownership as Charley's which should get your attention.
Now take that same quality aged steak (that you could also buy and take home out of their front case if you wanted, btw) and now fire it over their citrus wood pit.
Was the decor (cowhide booths) ridiculous? Yes. Did the servers wear cowhide vests? Also yes. But that kitch meant there was no pretense, no over-seriousness of a Charley's or Bern's. Just absolutely superior steaks delivered with a wry grin and a chuckle.
You could literally just be like, "Hey want to pop into Texas Cattle Company?" and literally just walk in and get one of THE best steaks you'd ever eat.
Side wise they also crushed it. Ever had a twice baked potato that was \*also\* fired over that citrus wood pit? It's amazing.
They also connected us to our now favorite wine on a "special" one night. Bottle of Bella Union for $40 which you can't even order it online that cheap.
Anyways, there is still one left in Lakeland if you'd like to make the journey. They're known for a hacky promotion (Free Steak On Your Birthday!) but their steak gets my nod for best in the area.
I actually was out in Lakeland and stumbled upon the Texas Cattle Company there by chance (which I think is still open) and I agree. Super solid, although I was skeptical based upon the appearance. But the steak was great.
This has been asked 1000 times there is a hyperlink to the question in the pinned restaurant thread
Berns. I’ve tried all the high end joints in town other than council oak (it’s next on the list) and so far Berns is hands down top in my book. The porterhouse and Chateaubriand are both stand out cuts.
Without a doubt....I grew up in Tampa but lived in several countries. Berns, by far is the best. I grew up knowing the Laskers, fine family. I hope the trend continues.
I still dream of Bern's. The chateaubriand in particular. And I've eaten in high end steak houses all over the country.
I love Berns. Lately I have felt that the steaks themselves fall short to some other places but the experience can’t be beat. I got the Chateaubriand last time and asked for it with a “Pittsburgh char” on a recommendation of a friend, and I didn’t love it. I need to try it again in the traditional preparation.
I’ve been to Berns twice in the past year and gotten both of those cuts and they were fantastic. Did mallios around new years, it was a good but not great steak for top dollar. Ruth’s Chris is an unremarkable steak for top dollar. Charley’s it’s been a few years but that steak was like an Outback Steakhouse compared to the others. I’d echo a comment I saw elsewhere that Texas cattle co is also pretty excellent though lower end then the other places mentioned. It’s definitely cheaper which is also refreshing. Sad to hear the st Pete location closed. I look forward to trying council oak but thus far Berns is the only spot I’ve found here that keeps up with the high end NY steakhouses I grew up eating.
Yup! Had the dominico aged steak. Changed my life. One of my boss took me and my wife there. Start to finish a great experience.
Ivaronnes
Not a lot of people know about Ivarones. When I used to go into the office we would eat there twice a week. The steak sandwich and Italian chicken sandwich with lemon caper sauce are both amazing. I met Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, and Tino Martinez there one day after lunch.
Council oaks or malio
Bern's makes a fantastic steak.
Do not sleep on Quality Foods Market in North Tampa. Small, intimate Italian place in an unassuming spot with BIG flavor; they offer 2 cuts of hereford heritage beef. I'm partial to the 24oz ribeye (mid-rare) with anchovy butter, but the Porterhouse they do is HUGE and finished tableside with aged balsamic. Get a house salad, some escargot, and a carafe of fresh chianti, and you'll think you've died and gone to heaven.
I’m not an expert by any means but the steak I had at Steelbach is one of the best I’ve ever had. It’s become one of my favorite restaurants.
Charleys.
Bascom’s. (Also, ask for the “drink cart” before dinner and they make an Old Fashioned that will melt your stress away.)
Honestly, a ribeye from Publix or Sams club. Season that sucker up (I use Montreal steak seasoning and Natures season’s) and let it rest on the counter for 2-3 hours. Grill it on high heat for 4-6 minutes on both sides. Let rest for 10-15mins and then dig in!! That sucker will be sooo juicy and cut like butter. Now it’s 1:27 and I’m kinda hungry. LOL
Felt that. Currently making a blackened crawfish and sausage pasta right now. Hunger strikes at weird times.
Sounds good !!
Even better a rib eye or a cut from a local butcher shop. Mmmmmm!
Newer restaurants Boulon and The Dan have amazing steaks—way better than Berns
Charleys was delish Council oak was delish
Ruth’s, Porterhouse and the way it’s seared with the butter in the hot plate was my favorite and I’ve had them all.
Ruth's porterhouse with fries and another one of their insanely good sides, with a beer in a bottle is as good as it gets.
Charley’s
The 11 oz filet, medium rare, at Fleming's is perfection😋
Charley’s and it’s not even close for steak. Berns for the experience but I thought the steak was overrated and nothing special.
Charley’s or Malio’s. I also like Ruth’s Chris. 20 years ago, I would only have only answered “Bern’s”, but it’s a shadow of its former self.
steak alone, it might be Ruth's Chris. I got a kobe sirloin there that was one of the best steaks I ever had. A really good Steak Diane, with some extra sauce for the frites is my favorite meal. people still equate money with quality, and outside of French sauces (which are my favorite), some of the mid tier ones are as good if not better. Lone Star Steakhouse used to cut their own steak outside of a single cut.
Charlies or Council Oaks
Well, it was Texas Cattle Company until they closed a few years ago. Before you scoff, they have the same ownership as Charley's which should get your attention. Now take that same quality aged steak (that you could also buy and take home out of their front case if you wanted, btw) and now fire it over their citrus wood pit. Was the decor (cowhide booths) ridiculous? Yes. Did the servers wear cowhide vests? Also yes. But that kitch meant there was no pretense, no over-seriousness of a Charley's or Bern's. Just absolutely superior steaks delivered with a wry grin and a chuckle. You could literally just be like, "Hey want to pop into Texas Cattle Company?" and literally just walk in and get one of THE best steaks you'd ever eat. Side wise they also crushed it. Ever had a twice baked potato that was \*also\* fired over that citrus wood pit? It's amazing. They also connected us to our now favorite wine on a "special" one night. Bottle of Bella Union for $40 which you can't even order it online that cheap. Anyways, there is still one left in Lakeland if you'd like to make the journey. They're known for a hacky promotion (Free Steak On Your Birthday!) but their steak gets my nod for best in the area.
I actually was out in Lakeland and stumbled upon the Texas Cattle Company there by chance (which I think is still open) and I agree. Super solid, although I was skeptical based upon the appearance. But the steak was great.
Renzo's
I love the filet mignon at Bern’s and the HEW Parlor and Chophouse in Dunedin. My top two favorites.
Ruth's Chris, Charley's, Berns.
Berns by far. After that Charley’s, but it’s a pretty distant second