Eating delicious steak is often viewed as a luxury. As a somewhat pricey cut of meat, we understandably want the quality of the steak to feel worth it and match — or even exceed — our expectations. Yet the quality of steak between chains can fluctuate, depending on a variety of factors.
Beef quality falls under three main categories by the US Department of Agriculture:
Select tends to be leanest and cheapest,
Choice is a step above, and
Prime has the most marbling along with the highest price tag. Prime is the highest grade from the USDA, accounting for less than two percent of the US's beef supply. In general, Prime beef is produced from young cattle that are very well-fed.
There are also different breeds of cattle to consider, such as Angus and Wagyu.
Angus is a type of American cattle known for its beefy flavor.
Wagyu is a type of Japanese cattle renowned for its thorough marbling and exceptional tenderness.
Kobe beef comes from a specific breed of Wagyu that originates from the Hyogo region of Japan.
Ribeyes are known for being thoroughly marbled; marbling is the thin web of intramuscular fat that creates ultra tender steak during the cooking process.
Here is a short rundown of the favorite steakhouse chains in Southern California.
Morton's
Website: https://www.mortons.com/
Southern California locations:
Morton's uses Prime beef aged between 23-28 days. Some of the best steaks on the menu at Morton's include the tomahawk ribeye with several inches of rib bone attached to the cut.
Morton's also sells Japanese Wagyu strip steaks and filet mignon. One of the things that makes Morton's steaks so delicious is the fact that the restaurant offers a variety of butters and sauces, including blue cheese butter and cognac sauce au poivre.
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Website: https://ruthschris.com/
Southern California locations: Anaheim, Del Mar, Irvine, Long Beach, Pasadena, Palm Desert, San Diego,
Ruth's Chris Steak House is one of the high-end steakhouse chains in the US well-known for its USDA Prime beef. Some of the cuts the steakhouse sells include 40-ounce porterhouse steaks, 16-ounce NY strip steaks, 24-ounce T-bones, and 16-ounce ribeyes. Diners with a smaller appetite will appreciate Petite Filet, while customers who are feeling extra hungry may want to take advantage of the 40-ounce bone-in ribeye.
Ruth's Chris Steak House also offers cold water lobster tails bathed in Cajun butter, blackened and broiled shrimp, Oscar-style crab cakes, and bleu cheese crust. Ruth's Chris broils its steaks and serves them on a heated plate with butter. The butter on the hot plate bastes the steak and gives the beef a rich flavor that's truly delicious.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Website: https://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/
Southern California locations: Anaheim, El Segundo, Los Angeles/L.A. LIVE, Newport Beach, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, San Diego
Fleming's uses USDA-certified Prime beef sourced from small farms in the Midwest. The chain's steak menu showcases bone-in ribeye, tomahawk steak, up to two months dry-aged, and NY strip steak. The kitchen makes sure that each cut gets properly rested after broiling.
Each steak comes with a choice of béarnaise, herbed horseradish butters, or smoked chili butter made with smoked chilis, fresh garlic, kosher salt, crushed red pepper, and chopped parsley.
Black Angus Steakhouse
Website: https://www.blackangus.com/
Southern California locations: Temecula, Chula Vista, Bakersfield, El Cajon, Escondido, Ontario, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, Torrance, Whittier
Since 1964 Black Angus Steakhouse serves minimum of 21 days dry-aged, daily cut Certified Angus beef.
Experiences section of Black Angus' menu features specially curated meals including the cedar plank-grilled filet that comes with bacon shallot butter and smoked sea salt. The crowning jewel of the menu is the Whiskeys of the World Pairing Dinner — a three-course meal that's truly a feast for a reasonable price of under 50 buck. This dinner comes with smoky BBQ chicken tenders, a filet mignon served with mashed potatoes and brown butter Brussel sprouts, and a spiced carrot cake — all served with a different whiskey cocktail during each course.
Read the original article on Daily Meal.
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There are many steakhouses all across the country to get premium steak, incredible sides, and a complete luxury experience. There's most likely a top quality steakhouse near you.
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