It’s no secret that Texas is serious about steaks, from filets to flank and strips to sirloin. And Austin has no shortage of steakhouses where travelers can get their carnivore on. To get to the meat of the matter, U.S. News asked local experts where the best bites are.
ALC Steaks (formerly Austin Land and Cattle Co.)
“It’s been around forever and has a really great reputation,” says Amber Weir, concierge at the JW Marriott Austin. “I’ve eaten there once, and I still say it’s one of the best steaks I’ve ever had.” Since 1993, this west downtown steakhouse with classic Austin charm has drawn locals, legislators and visitors with its cuts, ranging from the 6-ounce filet mignon ($42) to the 30-ounce porterhouse ($48).
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Steaks at ALC Steaks come with sides like luxurious truffled bacon mac ‘n’ cheese or standard matchstick fries. There are also nine house steak sauces to choose from, in addition to steak toppers like lobster tail (market price) and Gulf shrimp ($9).
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
Hand-cut steaks reign at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, whose original Fifth Street location that opened in 2000 is still extremely popular. “It’s in a great historic building, and they take great care of guests and Austinites alike,” says Tony Ingargiola, concierge at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin. “The Chilean sea bass is phenomenal, as are the prime steaks.”
Although branching out to locations in eight other states, Eddie V’s maintains quality with high-end steaks like the 12-ounce center-cut filet mignon ($48). Intriguing sides like crab fried rice with mushrooms and scallions ($14) or butter-poached lobster mashed potatoes ($18) are also on the menu, as is the live jazz that permeates the uniquely styled restaurant.
Jeffrey’s
At Jeffrey’s, an Austin favorite for more than 40 years, the uniformed staff, USDA prime beef and caviar service make this spot one of the swankiest in the city. The Black Angus beef from Niman Ranch and wagyu steaks from the Beeman Family Ranch are all-natural. The 24-ounce bone-in strip ($120) and bone-in rib-eye ($130) are dry aged for 32 days. Over-the-top sauces and toppings at this Clarksville spot include marrow-roasted garlic bulb and foie gras butter.
Ranch 616
“One of my favorite places for any type of meat is Ranch 616,” says Katherine Wise, communications manager at Visit Austin, the city’s tourism organization. “It’s got this Austin and Texas feel. There’s taxidermy on the walls and a giant iron pistol [sculpture] on the patio. Whether you’re getting a steak, pork chop, fish or salad, everything there is incredible.”
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Ranch 616, established downtown in 1998, draws meat eaters with its Texas Black Angus rib-eye ($34.95) and Texas Black Angus tenderloin and crab ($46.95). Other top choices include crispy oysters ($15.95) and the Ranch Water cocktail, with Hornitos Reposado tequila, Patrón Citrónge liqueur and lime juice served on the rocks with mineral water ($11).
Truluck’s Seafood, Steak & Crab House
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Both the downtown and Arboretum locations are popular for stone crab and steaks. Truluck’s Seafood, Steak & Crab House only uses seasonal, sustainable and all-natural ingredients. The best dishes include the fresh stone crab claw platter ($59), the prime bone-in filet ($65), and the surf and turf entree, a 7-ounce beef filet and a 5-ounce South African lobster tail ($65). A business casual dress code is enforced at this modern, yet cozy, steakhouse.
Central Standard
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In addition to the restaurant’s 8-ounce filet mignon ($45), 10-ounce wagyu flat iron steak ($38) and 16-ounce prime rib-eye ($52), David Scheffke, front office manager at the Hotel Ella, says Central Standard offers a “great atmosphere, beautiful bar and outdoor eating area on South Congress.” This spot, which opened inside the South Congress Hotel in 2015, serves a number of other excellent dishes, including the grilled pork chop ($32), deviled eggs ($8) and wagyu steak tartare ($18). A rotating wine list of more than 100 labels is featured as well.
Steiner Ranch Steakhouse
Melissa Crawford, lead concierge and front desk agent at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, says her pick is Steiner Ranch Steakhouse because of its incredible views of Lake Travis. Far west of downtown on a former family ranch, this steak haven not only boasts cuts like the 7-ounce filet mignon ($34) and the 28-ounce porterhouse ($59), but also lobster tails (market price), Gulf Coast shrimp ($28) and wagyu braised beef short ribs ($46).
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III Forks Prime Steakhouse
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“I’m a 8-ounce filet, Pittsburgh-style guy with a bottle of malbec, and my absolute favorite is III Forks,” says Steven Leigh, chief concierge at the Archer Hotel Austin. “It started in Texas. They’ve branched out to other states, but the consistency and the quality are still my No. 1 favorite.” Right on Lady Bird Lake in downtown, III Forks Prime Steakhouse has bone-in ($52), boneless ($60) and tomahawk ($90) rib-eye steaks, plus 6- to 12-ounce servings of filet mignon ($36 to $41), New York strip ($45) and flat iron ($23). Angus prime beef steaks dry aged for 42 days and wagyu steaks are on the menu, too, as are more than 500 varieties of wine.
The Driskill Grill
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“We’re known for our steaks, and we dry age our steaks in-house, which is rare here,” Chris Johnson, concierge and greeter at The Driskill, says of his hotel’s restaurant. “We work with Ranger Cattle, a local farm, and I’d get a wagyu steak because they’re delicious.” Locally sourced organic produce and meat are staples at The Driskill Grill, a classy and intimate spot in downtown Austin. Steak aficionados will love the 50-day dry-aged 10-ounce Texas wagyu rib-eye with seared foie gras ($78) in addition to the 10-ounce New York strip ($54) and 8-ounce prime filet mignon ($56).
To experience more of what Austin has to offer, check out the U.S. News Travel guide.
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9 Must-Try Austin Steakhouses — Locals’ Picks originally appeared on usnews.com
