Louisville's Best Steak Restaurants

I have no problem with the salad at Pat's since it's included in the price of your steak. And the blue cheese dressing tastes good.

I haven't eaten beef in 30 years. However, my Dad loves steak. We took him to Pat's on his birthday a couple years ago and it was awful. The food came out overcooked, oversalted and cold. He did not like his steak. My daughter's fish sandwich was hard as a rock and ice cold. The service was friendly but slow .

Over Xmas, we took extended family to Jeff Ruby's. Everything was perfect and the service and atmosphere were the best !! Carnivores loved their plates and the fishies in the group were well pleased. I have always been impressed by the quality and consistency of Mr. Ruby's places. I also ADORE Zs, but only do seafood.

The food came out overcooked, oversalted and cold. He did not like his steak. My daughter's fish sandwich was hard as a rock and ice cold. The service was friendly but slow .

Indeed, a rare occurrence at Pat's. Like the food or not, consistency is one of Pat's strong suits.

Too bad about your rare experience into the world of meat. Ummm, a vegetarian at Pat's, did Pat take your picture or anything?

I love Pat's. But, I have found that newcomers who are used to steak places like Ruth Chris or Morton's don't care for it.

Ron,

Thanks, your write-up made me finally "get it". I'd heard great things about Pat's and went there soon affter I moved to Louisville for a special date. To me, the sides were overcooked, the salad plain and while the steak was good, I didn't understand what anyone was raving about. (I was also put-off by the elderly black waiters in their green jackets and white gloves: for a Northerner it honestly felt a little like de-segregation never happened). But now I understand that the appeal is partly about tradition and what you are used to (kind of high-end comfort food). Thanks for giving me a different perspective.

PS. (I've since learned to like good country-style green beans).

All,

My top places for a great steak:

Jeff Ruby's
Morton's (I like the basement/clubby feel and service has always been excellent)
Jack Fry's
I live across the street from Stoney River and it's never done anything for me: too loud and not special enough for those prices.

And now you all have me jones-ing for that steak with chimichurri sauce at Palermo- sounds like my kind of steak!

Deb

It's easy for me to say that Jack Frys has the best steak but that's because I'm always up for a filet...if you and your wife like to each order a different cut of beef then a steakhouse type restaurant is a necessity.

Although, Palermo does have a ny strip and a skirt steak in additional to their tenderloin. I would highly recommend giving it a try it's a favorite amongst all of our friends.

Del Frisco's has it's place. For pure taste, I think it's right there with all the others in town.

The atmosphere and overall "experience" leaves much to be desired. But, it's a nice option, and you don't have to get all fixed up to go in there.

We like to go in there sometimes on Sunday right at 5pm.........we are the first ones in there.............have our food within 10 minutes. Get a great steak, and outta there. It's not going to be my choice if I want a "night out" for a nice steak dinner..........but, as I said it has it's place.

I haven't eaten beef in 30 years.

sort of negates your credibility as a reviewer of steakhouses no?

I was also put-off by the elderly black waiters in their green jackets and white gloves: for a Northerner it honestly felt a little like segregation never happened).

Do you mean integration or de-segregation?

and Jack Frys absolutely has the best filet in town. Hands down.

Ah, but Ron, even I enjoy a good steakhouse. Not for the steak of course, but for the side dishes. Some of the best side dishes seem to be at steakhouses.

yeah, but while you may not like Pat's because the sides don't appeal to you, it's not good sides they're shooting for, they are unapologetically all about the meat. It' not really fair to criticize a STEAK house for not having better sides. They're old school, and pretty up front about it. Nuff said.

Well, I believe I gave a review of what my DAD said as he is the biggest steak eater I've ever known. It was HIS birthday and idea to go there. We had a table for 12 at Jeff Ruby's and not a soul complained about anything.

Do you mean integration or de-segregation?

OOPs, obviously missed the "de" before segregation....

Deb

hands down, the best steakhouse is rubys.

The waiters at Pat's been there since before Moses - no? These guys are professionals.

Pat's is a local institution with loads of tradition....criticism here is like calling your mother ugly.

I have dined at at least five of Jeff Ruby's restaurants in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. For the most part, they are all excellent. I really like the steaks there. The Precinct and the downtown Jeff Ruby's are my favorites.

By comparing Jeff Ruby's to Pat's is nonsensical to me. Jeff Ruby is your prototypical steakhouse. Everything is a la carte, everything is very expensive, and the winelist is outrageous. Pat's is a southern style restaurant that features steaks. With the price of your steak you get a salad, two sides, and hot rolls. The winelist is an afterthought. I love them both, but would never think that they compete with each other. They are too different.