USA - Steak, BBQ Ribs + Suggestions
Discussion
Good morning all,
I am after some advice. We are doing a 3 week tour of Vancouver, San Francisco, Yosemite and LA next month.
I want to eat what i imagine is the American way, i want a steak the size of my head, bbq ribs to die for and any other american foods you can recommend.
Is it easy to get good steak and ribs out there, can i rely i google to find me a steak house or are they hit and miss? Does anyone have any suggestions?
Also, the brands i keep seeing advertised, such as Chipotle, InandOut, buffalo wild wings etc, are they any good for a quick bite or are they rubbish?
Im hungry already.
I am after some advice. We are doing a 3 week tour of Vancouver, San Francisco, Yosemite and LA next month.
I want to eat what i imagine is the American way, i want a steak the size of my head, bbq ribs to die for and any other american foods you can recommend.
Is it easy to get good steak and ribs out there, can i rely i google to find me a steak house or are they hit and miss? Does anyone have any suggestions?
Also, the brands i keep seeing advertised, such as Chipotle, InandOut, buffalo wild wings etc, are they any good for a quick bite or are they rubbish?
Im hungry already.
Lord 
said:
said: Is it easy to get good steak and ribs out there,
Dunno about ribs, but it's just about impossible to get a bad steak! No need to go to a specialist steak restaurant - every half-decent restaurant will serve a great steak. You want a big steak? No problem. . . 12oz is a tiny steak in the US!Of the big chain steakhouses, I'd go for Outback or Longhorn.
It's a matter of personal preference, but my favourite cut is the New York Strip - it's a sort of top loin, but doesn't seem to have a direct UK equivalent.
Edit: wasn't me that censored your username!
I would stick to the non chain/francised places for lunch.I think they care about repeat business more. Prefer Longhorn to Outback (the fries are better) of the chain places. Cant beat a bone in Ribeye in Longhorn but hey try different cuts theres plenty to choose from and none of them are bad!
Dave Brand said:
Of the big chain steakhouses, I'd go for Outback or Longhorn.
I've recently been to this one in a few places. I thought they did a decent job.https://www.ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/
The other place I'd put on your list is Fogo de chao if you can get to one. It's an all you can eat Brazilian chain thing with an awesome selection of meat with a salad buffet if needed.
https://fogodechao.com/menu
Bob
have a look on zagat, i'd avoid outback and longhorn or chains like that theyre the equivalent of frankie and bennys.
here are some suggestions theyve emailed. and you need to try moist brisket from a proper bbq place
Los Angeles: Bludso's Bar & Que
Kevin Bludso, of the most excellent and award-winning Bludso’s BBQ, lent his name and expertise to the guys from The Golden State, and La Brea Avenue hasn’t been the same since. This combo BBQ joint and bar is known for its brisket, big beefy ribs, smoked chicken, pulled pork and great draft cocktails. In addition to great greens, mac 'n' cheese, baked beans and coleslaw for sides, there are amazing pies from Nicole Rucker, including her award-winning chocolate chess pie.
609 N. La Brea Ave.; 323-931-2583
San Francisco: 4505 Burgers & BBQ
A long ways from its roots as a Ferry Building Farmer's Market burger stand, 4505's NoPa patio-only restaurant is still one of the best places in town for smoky 'cue like brisket and ribs. The sides are just as noteworthy (try the perfectly smoky baked beans or the crispy, cheesy frank-a-roni). 4505 is also readying to open its second branch in Oakland this summer.
705 Divisadero St.; 415-231-6993
This was from their old school steak list:
Musso & Frank Grill, Los Angeles, CA
Opened in 1919, this Hollywood restaurant was made famous by its French-leaning menu, which is mostly unchanged today (where else can you get jellied consommé, avocado cocktail and flannel cakes on any given day?). Its history is lengthy: In the 1930s, it was where studio execs recruited authors to the Hollywood sets. One step in either of its rooms, and you feel the ghosts of Faulkner, Fitzgerald and Steinbeck hanging around. The bar is still one of the best places for a martini in town, where red-jacketed servers, some who’ve been there for more than 50 years, shake and serve them up with olives (and a little extra on the side). This was a favorite spot for Mad Men location scouts.
6667 Hollywood Blvd.; 323-467-7788
Pacific Dining Car, Los Angeles, CA
The circa 1921 restaurant was born in a railway car parked on a rented lot Downtown to serve the hungry appetites of land speculators, real estate moguls and bootleggers — the kind of men who made deals over big steaks, flaky pies and a cup of coffee. As the place (and the economy) grew after the Depression, celebrities from mafia heads to Mae West were fans of the hideaway. A meal in the original wood-paneled dining car with its tasseled curtains, green velvet chairs and dog portraits on the wall is a taste of a more glamorous time around the table, long before cell phones and selfies became the norm. It's also open 24/7.
1310 W. Sixth St.; 213-483-6000
Alfred's, San Francisco, CA
Approaching its 90th birthday, this iconic FiDi steakhouse received a much-needed menu and decor revamp last year thanks to its new owners, Daniel Patterson's DPG group. Now it feels both historic and fresh, balancing classic dry-aged steaks from the mesquite grill and oysters Rockefeller with carrots cooked in aged beef fat or smoked steelhead trout on toast. The gorgeous atmosphere features throwback bright red booths and crystal chandeliers, with contemporary touches like Bay Area photography. Note that the restaurant suffered a fire in the spring and expects to reopen mid June.
659 Merchant St.; 415-781-7058
We haven't personally tried the above, but not been let down by their suggestions in other cities, and have personally tried about 5 steakhouses from their old school list across the country and they were top notch.
or check out eaters list:
https://la.eater.com/maps/best-steaks-los-angeles-...
here are some suggestions theyve emailed. and you need to try moist brisket from a proper bbq place
Los Angeles: Bludso's Bar & Que
Kevin Bludso, of the most excellent and award-winning Bludso’s BBQ, lent his name and expertise to the guys from The Golden State, and La Brea Avenue hasn’t been the same since. This combo BBQ joint and bar is known for its brisket, big beefy ribs, smoked chicken, pulled pork and great draft cocktails. In addition to great greens, mac 'n' cheese, baked beans and coleslaw for sides, there are amazing pies from Nicole Rucker, including her award-winning chocolate chess pie.
609 N. La Brea Ave.; 323-931-2583
San Francisco: 4505 Burgers & BBQ
A long ways from its roots as a Ferry Building Farmer's Market burger stand, 4505's NoPa patio-only restaurant is still one of the best places in town for smoky 'cue like brisket and ribs. The sides are just as noteworthy (try the perfectly smoky baked beans or the crispy, cheesy frank-a-roni). 4505 is also readying to open its second branch in Oakland this summer.
705 Divisadero St.; 415-231-6993
This was from their old school steak list:
Musso & Frank Grill, Los Angeles, CA
Opened in 1919, this Hollywood restaurant was made famous by its French-leaning menu, which is mostly unchanged today (where else can you get jellied consommé, avocado cocktail and flannel cakes on any given day?). Its history is lengthy: In the 1930s, it was where studio execs recruited authors to the Hollywood sets. One step in either of its rooms, and you feel the ghosts of Faulkner, Fitzgerald and Steinbeck hanging around. The bar is still one of the best places for a martini in town, where red-jacketed servers, some who’ve been there for more than 50 years, shake and serve them up with olives (and a little extra on the side). This was a favorite spot for Mad Men location scouts.
6667 Hollywood Blvd.; 323-467-7788
Pacific Dining Car, Los Angeles, CA
The circa 1921 restaurant was born in a railway car parked on a rented lot Downtown to serve the hungry appetites of land speculators, real estate moguls and bootleggers — the kind of men who made deals over big steaks, flaky pies and a cup of coffee. As the place (and the economy) grew after the Depression, celebrities from mafia heads to Mae West were fans of the hideaway. A meal in the original wood-paneled dining car with its tasseled curtains, green velvet chairs and dog portraits on the wall is a taste of a more glamorous time around the table, long before cell phones and selfies became the norm. It's also open 24/7.
1310 W. Sixth St.; 213-483-6000
Alfred's, San Francisco, CA
Approaching its 90th birthday, this iconic FiDi steakhouse received a much-needed menu and decor revamp last year thanks to its new owners, Daniel Patterson's DPG group. Now it feels both historic and fresh, balancing classic dry-aged steaks from the mesquite grill and oysters Rockefeller with carrots cooked in aged beef fat or smoked steelhead trout on toast. The gorgeous atmosphere features throwback bright red booths and crystal chandeliers, with contemporary touches like Bay Area photography. Note that the restaurant suffered a fire in the spring and expects to reopen mid June.
659 Merchant St.; 415-781-7058
We haven't personally tried the above, but not been let down by their suggestions in other cities, and have personally tried about 5 steakhouses from their old school list across the country and they were top notch.
or check out eaters list:
https://la.eater.com/maps/best-steaks-los-angeles-...
Edited by JDiz on Wednesday 26th July 12:03
fat80b said:
I've recently been to this one in a few places. I thought they did a decent job.
https://www.ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/
The other place I'd put on your list is Fogo de chao if you can get to one. It's an all you can eat Brazilian chain thing with an awesome selection of meat with a salad buffet if needed.
https://fogodechao.com/menu
Bob
out of the chains ruthschris or mortons are the go to as they serve prime meat.https://www.ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/
The other place I'd put on your list is Fogo de chao if you can get to one. It's an all you can eat Brazilian chain thing with an awesome selection of meat with a salad buffet if needed.
https://fogodechao.com/menu
Bob
Wasn't impressed with Fogo, every other piece was some kind of sirloin, had much better brazillian in the UK
The Lift in Vancouver is a good place to eat, steaks are good and they also do beef short ribs 
http://liftbarandgrill.com/gallery/
Easy walk along Coal Harbour waterfront at the opposite end to the cruise ship terminal/convention centre behind The Westin Hotel
You'll also walk past Cardero's on the way, worth a nose
https://www.vancouverdine.com/carderos/
http://liftbarandgrill.com/gallery/
Easy walk along Coal Harbour waterfront at the opposite end to the cruise ship terminal/convention centre behind The Westin Hotel
You'll also walk past Cardero's on the way, worth a nose
https://www.vancouverdine.com/carderos/
filthypig said:
Mortons in San Francisco (near Union Sq) is excellent for steak, but very expensive. Had a great burger at Fog City Diner too.
If you head anywhere near Pismo Beach then Mo's Smokehouse BBQ does AMAZING ribs.
The above I can confirm, when I was in SF with my (then) other half we had a bet with the loser paying for dinner at Mortons, from memory it was around £170 for the two of us (this was 2012) service was excellent thoughIf you head anywhere near Pismo Beach then Mo's Smokehouse BBQ does AMAZING ribs.
It's worth noting that food in the US is more than just steak & ribs!
San Francisco in particular has good seafood - it's a long time since I was there (although I'll be back in September!) - but Pier 39, although a bit touristy, had, & no doubt still has, some great restaurants.
It's also worth trying Mexican food - avoid the chains like Chili's & find a small, family-run place. The Americans also do some great pizzas.
Now, with food you'll need a drink! The US, & California in particular, produces some very good wines. The US is also a great place to drink beer. There are literally hundreds of small craft breweries brewing every imaginable (& some unimaginable) beer. Many restaurants sell premium imported beers as well, such as, er. . . Boddington's!
To find a restaurant we use TripAdvisor - the app will show you restaurants near your current location.
San Francisco in particular has good seafood - it's a long time since I was there (although I'll be back in September!) - but Pier 39, although a bit touristy, had, & no doubt still has, some great restaurants.
It's also worth trying Mexican food - avoid the chains like Chili's & find a small, family-run place. The Americans also do some great pizzas.
Now, with food you'll need a drink! The US, & California in particular, produces some very good wines. The US is also a great place to drink beer. There are literally hundreds of small craft breweries brewing every imaginable (& some unimaginable) beer. Many restaurants sell premium imported beers as well, such as, er. . . Boddington's!
To find a restaurant we use TripAdvisor - the app will show you restaurants near your current location.
Dave Brand said:
It's worth noting that food in the US is more than just steak & ribs!
San Francisco in particular has good seafood - it's a long time since I was there (although I'll be back in September!) - but Pier 39, although a bit touristy, had, & no doubt still has, some great restaurants.
It's also worth trying Mexican food - avoid the chains like Chili's & find a small, family-run place. The Americans also do some great pizzas.
Now, with food you'll need a drink! The US, & California in particular, produces some very good wines. The US is also a great place to drink beer. There are literally hundreds of small craft breweries brewing every imaginable (& some unimaginable) beer. Many restaurants sell premium imported beers as well, such as, er. . . Boddington's!
To find a restaurant we use TripAdvisor - the app will show you restaurants near your current location.
I agree, we went to Naples, Fl last year in August, which was out of season so there were some great deals at the local restaurants if you ate early, which was good for us. A lot did a set menu and a bottle of wine for about $15 a head. Went to one place and I had mussels for a starter, must have had about 50 of the buggers, I struggled with the main course!San Francisco in particular has good seafood - it's a long time since I was there (although I'll be back in September!) - but Pier 39, although a bit touristy, had, & no doubt still has, some great restaurants.
It's also worth trying Mexican food - avoid the chains like Chili's & find a small, family-run place. The Americans also do some great pizzas.
Now, with food you'll need a drink! The US, & California in particular, produces some very good wines. The US is also a great place to drink beer. There are literally hundreds of small craft breweries brewing every imaginable (& some unimaginable) beer. Many restaurants sell premium imported beers as well, such as, er. . . Boddington's!
To find a restaurant we use TripAdvisor - the app will show you restaurants near your current location.
Look out for coupons too, the yanks like their coupons!
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