Louisville's Best Steak Restaurants

On Stoney River: the Outback Steakhouse has three different steak restaurants: Outback is the cheapest, Stony River the mid-priced, and Fleming's the top of the line (designed to compete with Morton's and Ruth's Criss). I wouldn't really compare Stony River to Morton's, as it is not designed to compete with them!

i know about the fleming's relation, but i thought stoney river was owned by o charley's.

You are correct. Back in 2000, Outback and O'Charley's both bid on Stoney River, then a 2 restaurant "chain", and Outback advertised it's plans for a multi-tiered operation. I had just assumed they won the bidding, but I guess when they lost then they bought Fleming's.

I'll give you guys the heads up when I'm going to be wrong so you can disagree then.

But what happens if you're wrong when you think you're going to be wrong?

The only time I was ever wrong was this one time when I thought I was wrong but then it turned out I was right after all.

Ruth's Chris and Morton's charge too much for average food.

I got anal today (like I don't have plenty of other things to do!) and took a count of the votes up to here. They are (favorable-unfavorable-mixed):

Palermo Viejo...4-0-0
Jeff Ruby's........6-0-0
Z's....................4-0-3
Morton's...........2-4-0
Del Frisco's.......4-0-0
Ruth's Chris......2-2-2
Pat's.................5-2-1
Stoney River.....2-2-1
Jack Fry's..........8-0-0
Seviche.............1-0-0

This includes my pluses for Del Frisco's and Jack Fry's, "mixed" for Z's and Ruth's Chris and negative for Morton's -- too much $$$ for what you get.

I'll still opt for Del Frisco's. The steaks are superb, and you can't really beat the price for what you get. Hint: look at the chateaubriand for two. It's not a true chateaubriand. It's actually two of their filets served on the same platter surrounded by roasted vegetables. The vegetables and their green phunque are included in the price (as opposed to a la carte if you ordered separately) and it is now just over $50.00. We always get out of there after an excellent fare for under $100.

I love Jack Fry's, but it's not a steakhouse. It has a filet on the menu, but so does every other nice restaurant in america.

Remember that Ron is always right.

And I offered this:

Tom Sizemore wanted to know. So, have we figured it out? Tom, are you there? A lot of names have been bandied about.

So, whose steak reigns supreme? We have some chains in Morton's, Ruth's and Jeff Ruby's. Ruby's kills the others here. We have the local high end places such as Z's, Jack's (strike Jack's, per Ron) and Del Frisco. I believe this is a personal choice, they are all fantastic. Then we have the place that time left behind. Pat's. So, I call upon all forumites, whose steak REIGNS SUPREME?

BTW Vince, good job. So, by your scoring of the forum, a non-steakhouse (Jack Fry's) is the best steakhouse in the Ville. Maybe we need to re-evaluate our definition of a steakhouse. This is nothing against you. Just the tabulation of votes, and/or opinions. Also, as high end as Z's is, it's somewhat odd to see they received 3 "mixed" votes. Personally, on that whole list, Stoney River is the worst. Over priced, too noisy and the food and service do not match the food.

My faves are Jeff Ruby's and Pat's. Oh, how I miss Dillon's

Four pages of posts and no one has metioned Frank's Steakhouse yet..
So I thought I would throw them into the mix as well. The Baked Potatoes make the place one of my personal faves...
I do like Del Frisco's also.... The decor is still quite dated (even after remodeling)but I think it adds to the "funky" vibe of the place. The steaks are always top shelf and The Phunk and Sauteed Shrooms are quite tasty as well.

Frank's Steakhouse, gets mixed from me. They have a nice baked potato, but their wait staff can be decidedly mediocre.

I'd put Frank's way down the list. In my opinion Longhorn and Outback are even better. I've only been to the one on Shelbyville Road but at least there the atmosphere and service are not spectacular neither. Heck I really don't like Stony River and I probably even put it above Frank's.

[Robin Garr]

I'd put Frank's way down the list. In my opinion Longhorn and Outback are even better. I've only been to the one on Shelbyville Road but at least there the atmosphere and service are not spectacular neither. Heck I really don't like Stony River and I probably even put it above Frank's.

I agree. The old Jeff Frank's used to be okay, but their move across the river didn't do much for me. Their Hurstbourne eatery is decidedly mediocre, pretty much an upscale Ponderosa. I'm a little surprised it even came up in this context.

I also tried Frank's, and was far from impressed.

Well...because we're talking steak I think it's fair to mention that some of the very best steak we eat is right here at home. It doesn't take a graduate of a culinary school to grill meat and do it well if one has:

1. The right meat (aged beef from Whole Foods is high but real good)

2. Good heat source ie. real mesquite and real charcoal...no Kingsford!

3. A reasonable amount of grilling experience

Advantages:

1. The service is top notch

2. The wine price is package retail...drink Opus for under $200

3. Sides you can't get easily at a steak joint

4. Don't need a designated driver...more Opus please!

6. My deck and garden look better in the Spring, Summer, and Fall than
any of the places mentioned. We sometimes break out good china
and stemware. Great atmosphere.

As a result we don't eat steak out more than a couple times a year and usually it's on someone else's nickel if the wife and I attend a pharmaceutical meeting. I don't mind paying out lots of coin for a meal, but I prefer to have a chef cook something a bit more inventive. Ron has mentioned Jack Fry's so much that I need to go and I need to go soon. I love that place!

I've tried hard not to say anything, but this piece has gone on too long:

I've never gone to a fine restaurant to order steak. If I find the need for a steak feed, I go to Fresh Market, order/pickup the appropriate needs in pound and go home and grill. Dining on great steak is not a restaurant experience in my mind. I go to a fine restaurant so that they can create/recreate a menu beyond my expertise.

I've tried hard not to say anything, but this piece has gone on too long:

I've never gone to a fine restaurant to order steak. If I find the need for a steak feed, I go to Fresh Market, order/pickup the appropriate needs in pound and go home and grill. Dining on great steak is not a restaurant experience in my mind. I go to a fine restaurant so that they can create/recreate a menu beyond my expertise.

Someone is keeping these steakhouses in business. You're entitled to your opinion and I totally respect it. Just respect those of us who love to go out for a great piece of cow meat, me included. I do wonder if you have the same type of dry aging room as does Jeff Ruby's where beef will spend at least 28 days in a temperature and humidity controlled atmosphere, which I have personally toured.

Not being mean, just saying some of us truly enjoy a great steak at a great restaurant.

I've tried hard not to say anything, but this piece has gone on too long:

I've never gone to a fine restaurant to order steak. If I find the need for a steak feed, I go to Fresh Market, order/pickup the appropriate needs in pound and go home and grill. Dining on great steak is not a restaurant experience in my mind. I go to a fine restaurant so that they can create/recreate a menu beyond my expertise.

And that's why I never order Jello in a restaurant.