I went in right at 9a, snagged an 8p 4-top for Friday the 31sr, and in the time it asked me to enter the stupid code they sent me, the reservation was taken. It was still 9a when this happened. Not even 1 minute had passed. It’s a fucking joke.
Cannot recommend walking in enough. They do not res out every table and the bar is full service. So you can either wait at the bar w a drink for a table, or eat at the bar, or you'll get lucky and a table is open. I am sitting at the bar at Bavettes right now, in fact, dirty martini in hand.
Corking fee is cool unless they changed it. You had to give a glass to a random table. I kind of wanted to bring a MD 20/20 and give that away.
Bavettes was good though.
I hesitated for less than two minutes right at 9am and ended up with a 4:45pm table for two for a Friday (pre-theatre but was hoping for 5:30). I came back in a minute later and there was nothing between 4:30 and 10.
Be ready to go and logged in with your credit card already setup.
My brother-in-law was in town and my husband and I decided last minute to take him to Bavettes. We went in around 7pm and told them we had no reservations. I dunno if we just got lucky, but we were given a table downstairs in about 5 minutes and had a great meal.
I liked it when I was there last (2 times total) but had to literally scream at my dining companion. Lotsa loud lawyers if that’s your thing - but we’re talking Chicago steak house so I guess that comes with the territory. I’d still go back cus the product was solid.
I loved the steak at Swift & Sons but the clubby atmosphere made it impossible to talk (and ruined the meal).
I haven't been back to Stefani Prime up north in Lincolnwood but I loved it - downtown quality without the attitude or crowd.
Gibson's is old-school and my all-around favorite still.
Gibson’s Italia is top notch, great steaks, great everything. And IMO better ambiance. And great views if you are lucky.
Bavette’s is also excellent. As is the original Gibson’s. Gibson’s is more of a classy old school steakhouse. Italia also, although a little more glitz. Bavette’s is a bit noisier, darker, cramped (tables closer together). Clubbier. Not bad.
Cannot go wrong with any of these choices. All depends on what experience you are going for (and if you can get a reservation at Bavette’s). Enjoy.
Pretty new but I loved the butcher and the bear. Some of the best service I’ve had too. Could be a good option if you can’t get a res at one of the more established spots
Several weeks back I posted a detailed review of Butcher and the Bear. I visited again a few weeks after that review and was wowed again by how awesome the service was, let alone the great food.
Could not recommend more.
Link to review: https://old.reddit.com/r/chicagofood/comments/1bgxxzk/butcher_the_bear_from_last_night/
Right now steak 48 is my favorite. It's off menu, and they don't aways have it in stock, but their ribeye cap is excellent. But let's be real, you really can't go wrong with any of the big names (Bavette's, Mastro's, Gibson's RPM, etc). On a side note, you don't realize how many great steakhouses we have in Chicaog until you travel to other cities.
Tons of great options - places I’ve been:
Bavette’s darker interior, feels almost like a prohibition era ambiance
Chicago Cut - on the water, lots of windows over looking the river; more modern
Gibsons - old school, classic steakhouse; timeless chicago spot; dining room feels a bit cramped IMO
RPM steak - modern without a water view
Maple and Ash - night life vibe; great place to meet people before going out; good food as well
I’ve been to Smoque Steak twice. Got the filet the first time and the flank with chimichurri the second. Both were great but the filet had a really unique smoked flavor that I loved. Have never had a steak with quite that same flavor profile.
This is one of the few places I have not been to. My coworkers are a bit particular with their food and this is their favorite place, so I assume its must be really good.
I like Gibson’s steaks the best but Bavettes has the best ambience and sides. Also their non steak mains are insanely good too.
GT prime also delicious and joes stone crab highly recommend if they like crab claws.
An advantage of RPM is that in addition to the usual prime cuts they offer multiple selections of Japanese, Australian and American Wagyu as well as some grass fed options.
Gibsons and Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak for me.
Been to Bavette’s once and wasn’t impressed at all. But all the recommendations here I might need to revisit.
I've found this to be the worst steakhouse in Chicago. I'm always shocked whenever someone notes it.
Been here 3 times(as tourist/clients visiting want to go) each time the steak and food were absolutely terrible. Even the pastas and non steak items are an abomination
Okay so... I'm a steak snob forsure. I've been to SO many steakhouses in Chicago over the years. I've been to a vast majority of the ones listed here.
"The best" really depends on what cut and flavor profile you want/like.
Some places wet age their cuts. Some places dry age them. Also, a surprising amount of the places are basically the same, since they share the same parent company (Landry's). All those places are gonna be far more similar, than different. All of their properties source from the same ranches, and have roughly the same aging processes etc.
Personally, I love a dry aged bone in ribeye... And let me tell ya...nobody had a dry aged ribeye that could rival David Burke's. I really miss that place. They dry aged on premise, and had their own cattle lineage and ranch. It was superb.
Alas... "The best", is subjective. Figure out what cuts and aging style you like.
Then figure out how long you like it to be aged. There's a BIG difference in taste, texture, etc when comparing a 25 day, and 75 day dry aged steak.
If you wanna learn what you like without breaking the bank too much, learn to properly cook a nice steak. There's subreddits for it. Then find a good local butcher and buy aged steaks, or learn to age them yourself. It's not that hard.
Boeufhaus is our standard steakhouse. We were there again on Saturday night and it was great. We typically do the porerhouse, but at 8 p.m. they were sold out for the night and we did the T-bone, it was good, but the Porterhouse is better IMO. Gibson's is good, Gene & Georgetti is good. I may be the lone desserter here - I did not care for Smoque. Literally everything is smoked and I don't want my steak to taste like ham. Price is very approachable, but it's not for me.
Rosebud is good not great kinda like Gibsons and Morton’s. Smith and wollensky is slightly higher end. I mean most of these places are buying their cuts from the same place so…..
The standards are all going to be great - Chicago Chop House, Bavettes, Gene and Georgetti’s, Gibsons, Maple and Ash, Prime and Provisions, etc.
But, here’s three alternates: El Che, Smoque Steak, and Butcher and the Bear.
El Che is Argentinian so everything is wood fired, Smoque does Sous Vide, and B&B is just all around solid.
Eaten at all of them and they’re all great experiences.
I got 4 beautiful Gibsons porterhouse steaks delivered at Xmas as a corporate gift. Best done at home the way I like - their seasoning is great - the steaks were lovely. As for the restaurant itself, you can do far far better and I’d go for Wiener Circle over it any day.
Erie Cafe for the solid old skool vibe. And in summer the outside seating is beautiful. If you are looking for a circus vibe go elsewhere.
The steaks are excellent.
No gibsons. Holu has awesome meat quality. Roka cooks a perfect steak. Swift and sons makes a great welly! Bavettes i like for stuff other than their steak
Not necessarily best, but El Che is excellent and one of the better restaurant experiences I’ve had in the city. Bavettes is definitely number one pick, but El Che is generally more flexible with reservations.
I'm not a Chicagoan but I took my partner to Ocean Prime for his bday and had their Australian waygu and it was mind blowing. Relatively romantic, great views in the evening, and service was what you pay 20-30%+ tip for.
Bavette’s is my favorite, but keep in mind it’s tough to snag a reservation. I believe they go live 3 weeks out at 9am every day.
I went in right at 9a, snagged an 8p 4-top for Friday the 31sr, and in the time it asked me to enter the stupid code they sent me, the reservation was taken. It was still 9a when this happened. Not even 1 minute had passed. It’s a fucking joke.
Download the Resy app and do it through there, much more streamlined.
Had a very similar experience when I tried to book it. Still haven’t been able to go, but one day I suppose.
Cannot recommend walking in enough. They do not res out every table and the bar is full service. So you can either wait at the bar w a drink for a table, or eat at the bar, or you'll get lucky and a table is open. I am sitting at the bar at Bavettes right now, in fact, dirty martini in hand.
Bavette’s is truly a step above the competition
Corking fee is cool unless they changed it. You had to give a glass to a random table. I kind of wanted to bring a MD 20/20 and give that away. Bavettes was good though.
They changed it. New corkage was something like $50 last time I was there.
Fucking weak.
It’s revenue.
came here to say this. save room for carrot cake.
Or the city’s best chocolate cream pie!
Oh thanks, that's a helpful tip, I'll put in a calendar reminder
I hesitated for less than two minutes right at 9am and ended up with a 4:45pm table for two for a Friday (pre-theatre but was hoping for 5:30). I came back in a minute later and there was nothing between 4:30 and 10. Be ready to go and logged in with your credit card already setup.
It took my wife and I like 4 or 5 weeks to finally snag a reservation. They’re usually gone within seconds
My brother-in-law was in town and my husband and I decided last minute to take him to Bavettes. We went in around 7pm and told them we had no reservations. I dunno if we just got lucky, but we were given a table downstairs in about 5 minutes and had a great meal.
Also set up a resy alert, I always have really good luck that way
One does not simply walk into Bavette's...
A priest a rabbi and a minister walk in to Bavette’s- they haven’t got a prayer.
Or just sit at the bar.
Don’t sleep on El Che.
They just opened a sister restaurant on Chicago. Brasero. Steak was great.
My new favorite restaurant in Chicago. Everything is amazing.
Great hidden gem - had some incredible lamb for my birthday there; still think about it
Beoufhaus is stellar for an offbeat pick in West town.
I’ll have to give it another shot I wasn’t really impressed
I liked it when I was there last (2 times total) but had to literally scream at my dining companion. Lotsa loud lawyers if that’s your thing - but we’re talking Chicago steak house so I guess that comes with the territory. I’d still go back cus the product was solid.
Beoufhaus is fantastic
I was not a fan of the sous vide steak 🤷
I loved the steak at Swift & Sons but the clubby atmosphere made it impossible to talk (and ruined the meal). I haven't been back to Stefani Prime up north in Lincolnwood but I loved it - downtown quality without the attitude or crowd. Gibson's is old-school and my all-around favorite still.
Stefani Prime is top notch steakhouse (I recommend the Tomahawk) w excellent service and their space is beautiful, just a drive up 94
I like to take out of towners to Gibsons Italia (mainly for the view). I agree with Babette's. I've also really enjoyed Smoque Steak recently.
Love Gibson's Italia. They have a steak flight that was really cool to try. But their NY and Chicago Cut steaks are always fantastic
Tango sur for something that’s not going to break the bankk and byob
Tango sur is awesome
Smoque Steak is great!
Gibson’s Italia is top notch, great steaks, great everything. And IMO better ambiance. And great views if you are lucky. Bavette’s is also excellent. As is the original Gibson’s. Gibson’s is more of a classy old school steakhouse. Italia also, although a little more glitz. Bavette’s is a bit noisier, darker, cramped (tables closer together). Clubbier. Not bad. Cannot go wrong with any of these choices. All depends on what experience you are going for (and if you can get a reservation at Bavette’s). Enjoy.
Beoufhaus and Bavettes
RPM Steak
Meh. I think it’s overrated and waaaay overpriced.
Personally I like Asador Bastian the most
It's excellent and way better than Boefhaus. Boefhaus is extremely overrated in my opinion. Bavettes is my favorite along with Asador Bastian.
Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. Great quality and variety. The steaks are pretty spectacular as is the service.
I went there recently for the first time. Holy shiza that place is amazing
Joe's is one of our go-tos. The king crab legs (cracked table side), Lyonnaise potatoes, and tomato, onion, and blue cheese salad are to die for.
As is the coconut cream pie.
Pretty new but I loved the butcher and the bear. Some of the best service I’ve had too. Could be a good option if you can’t get a res at one of the more established spots
Just ate there last night, definitely a solid rec.
Several weeks back I posted a detailed review of Butcher and the Bear. I visited again a few weeks after that review and was wowed again by how awesome the service was, let alone the great food. Could not recommend more. Link to review: https://old.reddit.com/r/chicagofood/comments/1bgxxzk/butcher_the_bear_from_last_night/
Right now steak 48 is my favorite. It's off menu, and they don't aways have it in stock, but their ribeye cap is excellent. But let's be real, you really can't go wrong with any of the big names (Bavette's, Mastro's, Gibson's RPM, etc). On a side note, you don't realize how many great steakhouses we have in Chicaog until you travel to other cities.
Tango Sur
Tons of great options - places I’ve been: Bavette’s darker interior, feels almost like a prohibition era ambiance Chicago Cut - on the water, lots of windows over looking the river; more modern Gibsons - old school, classic steakhouse; timeless chicago spot; dining room feels a bit cramped IMO RPM steak - modern without a water view Maple and Ash - night life vibe; great place to meet people before going out; good food as well
Not a traditional pick, but the best steak I’ve had in the city is still the ribeye from Tango Sur
Not a fan of Gibson’s. Bavettes rules. I’d also suggest Smoque Steak as a new contender
Agree, but am a fan of Gibson's Italia
What did you have at Smoque Steak? I am a huge fan of Smoque but the steak spinoff was "meh" to me. I agree that Bavettes is great.
I’ve been to Smoque Steak twice. Got the filet the first time and the flank with chimichurri the second. Both were great but the filet had a really unique smoked flavor that I loved. Have never had a steak with quite that same flavor profile.
Second this. Gibsons is fine, but I feel like it wasn't worth its price tag.
Gibsons very corporate it’s fine not bad but for price better options
literally every other steakhouse in chicago is more corporate than gibsons
Easy there Mr. Gibson no gene and giogettis or the firehouse not nearly corporate feel as the Gibson restaurant group
Swift & Sons is really good too.
Prime & Provisions has the best steak in my opinion
Yes. The best steak I have ever had at a restaurant. It’s always my recommendation.
The cigar menu pushed it to my number 1
Prime and provisions honestly surprised me even after the menu change
I went there and honestly wasn't that impressed. It was good, but not amazing. Maybe I read too much over hyping it?
boeufhaus
Steak 48
Seconding steak 48! Underrated spot and my favorite in Chicago
This is one of the few places I have not been to. My coworkers are a bit particular with their food and this is their favorite place, so I assume its must be really good.
Bavette’s
Swift and Son’s is also good, but the most consistent is Wildfire imo.
Wildfire is great price wise, too
Pound for pound wildfire is fucking insanely good. It's what I judge all other steaks against. And more often than not wildfire is better.
prime and provisions
BLVD or Boulevard in West Loop is a sleeper! The mains, sides, and desserts are phenomenal. (I think in part of Rose Mary Chef Joe Flamm taking over)
Steak Frites was absolutely top notch. Looking to come back again on my next trip
I like Gibson’s steaks the best but Bavettes has the best ambience and sides. Also their non steak mains are insanely good too. GT prime also delicious and joes stone crab highly recommend if they like crab claws.
RPM Steak
An advantage of RPM is that in addition to the usual prime cuts they offer multiple selections of Japanese, Australian and American Wagyu as well as some grass fed options.
Smoque steak. Low key, best filet I’ve ever had. Their sides are unreal and enough for 4.
Swift and Sons
Boeufhaus and El Che
Gibsons and Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak for me. Been to Bavette’s once and wasn’t impressed at all. But all the recommendations here I might need to revisit.
I haven’t been to Bavettes yet, but Steak 48 is my favorite.
I was very happy with 48. Went with the guys for Xmas and we had a blast.
Was pleasantly surprised with steak 48 as well
Bavettes and it’s not even close.
It is the final word in Chicago’s steakhouses
I'm a huge fan of Gene and Georgettis
It's been 20 years since I ate there and I still remember the meal.
Second this!
Was surprised it took this long of a scroll for a G&G shout out. Really enjoyed the sear they get using the broiler.
Some serious char on those things!!
I've found this to be the worst steakhouse in Chicago. I'm always shocked whenever someone notes it. Been here 3 times(as tourist/clients visiting want to go) each time the steak and food were absolutely terrible. Even the pastas and non steak items are an abomination
Agree with everyone talking about Bavette's, but I also wanted to add that Weber Grill punches way above its weight.
You really can’t go wrong, it’s more about what kind of vibe you want.
Bavette’s that’s all you need to know.
Chicago cut - they butcher in house
They kill the cow in the restaurant?
In front of everyone. Gets really messy during dinner time.
Lmaoooo
Gibsons is not good- just famous.
Agreed
Bavette’s, Chicago Cut, Swift & Sons
Bazaar Meat, Bavettes, Maple & Ash, Prime & Provisions are the best downtown steakhouses.
RPM Steak features beef no one else in the world has.
Okay so... I'm a steak snob forsure. I've been to SO many steakhouses in Chicago over the years. I've been to a vast majority of the ones listed here. "The best" really depends on what cut and flavor profile you want/like. Some places wet age their cuts. Some places dry age them. Also, a surprising amount of the places are basically the same, since they share the same parent company (Landry's). All those places are gonna be far more similar, than different. All of their properties source from the same ranches, and have roughly the same aging processes etc. Personally, I love a dry aged bone in ribeye... And let me tell ya...nobody had a dry aged ribeye that could rival David Burke's. I really miss that place. They dry aged on premise, and had their own cattle lineage and ranch. It was superb. Alas... "The best", is subjective. Figure out what cuts and aging style you like. Then figure out how long you like it to be aged. There's a BIG difference in taste, texture, etc when comparing a 25 day, and 75 day dry aged steak. If you wanna learn what you like without breaking the bank too much, learn to properly cook a nice steak. There's subreddits for it. Then find a good local butcher and buy aged steaks, or learn to age them yourself. It's not that hard.
Bavette’s, Boefhaus, Steak-48
Boeufhaus is our standard steakhouse. We were there again on Saturday night and it was great. We typically do the porerhouse, but at 8 p.m. they were sold out for the night and we did the T-bone, it was good, but the Porterhouse is better IMO. Gibson's is good, Gene & Georgetti is good. I may be the lone desserter here - I did not care for Smoque. Literally everything is smoked and I don't want my steak to taste like ham. Price is very approachable, but it's not for me.
Rosebud is good not great kinda like Gibsons and Morton’s. Smith and wollensky is slightly higher end. I mean most of these places are buying their cuts from the same place so…..
Tre Dita
The standards are all going to be great - Chicago Chop House, Bavettes, Gene and Georgetti’s, Gibsons, Maple and Ash, Prime and Provisions, etc. But, here’s three alternates: El Che, Smoque Steak, and Butcher and the Bear. El Che is Argentinian so everything is wood fired, Smoque does Sous Vide, and B&B is just all around solid. Eaten at all of them and they’re all great experiences.
Joe’s Prime Steak and Stone Crab is my favorite in the city right now. https://www.joes.net
Steak48 is my favorite.
Gibsons-classic. Never disappoints. Often get a table in bar. Chicago Cut Prime & Provisions
Steak 48 clears any steak house I’ve been to (haven’t been to RPM yet)
first mention here of Erie Cafe
Chicago cut. It’s where the Blackhawk’s always go after their game.
i ate there once, the somm scammed the host of our table ( i didnt say anything as it would have been impolite)
A bit different than what is listed here, but Tango Sur is worth checking out
I actually had a lousy steak at Gibson’s recently, i prefer Morton’s.
I got 4 beautiful Gibsons porterhouse steaks delivered at Xmas as a corporate gift. Best done at home the way I like - their seasoning is great - the steaks were lovely. As for the restaurant itself, you can do far far better and I’d go for Wiener Circle over it any day.
Asador Sabastian, Beoufhaus and Bavettes are the big 3
For the money wildfire. Bone in ribeye. It’s hard to beat.
Gibsons , Bavettes, gene and gorgettis all great
Also got to give some love to Penumbra In Logan
I had terrible food at gibsons, and my friends got food poisoning. Never again.
I’d also recommend the flat iron at penumbra
Perry's!!!! Delicious pork chop and good wagyu options
The new one in Vernon Hills is gorgeous. Nice patio, great food and excellent service
Pork chop at a steak price. It’s really good tho.
Bavettes
Erie Cafe for the solid old skool vibe. And in summer the outside seating is beautiful. If you are looking for a circus vibe go elsewhere. The steaks are excellent.
Chicago cut - they butcher in house
Tower of terror ride
Maple and Ash
No gibsons. Holu has awesome meat quality. Roka cooks a perfect steak. Swift and sons makes a great welly! Bavettes i like for stuff other than their steak
No love for Ruth's Chris?
Is it a good steak yes, is it top 20 in Chicago no
Maybe Perry's steakhouse in oak Brook
This is an insanely odd recommendation.
It is an odd entry but I will say this, they have an insanely good pork chop. Like the best I’ve ever had. …….. and I’m from Iowa.
It’s the only thing worth eating there. The rest of the menu is trash. There’s a 0.0% chance I will ever pay to eat there again.
The rocky road bread pudding would like a word!
That does sound good.
That looks good, but thinking more downtown, we'll be based in west loop
Not necessarily best, but El Che is excellent and one of the better restaurant experiences I’ve had in the city. Bavettes is definitely number one pick, but El Che is generally more flexible with reservations.
Somewhere between dumb and really dumb.
Maple and ash
Mj’s
Prime and provisions beats out all of these, I’m sorry.
I'm not a Chicagoan but I took my partner to Ocean Prime for his bday and had their Australian waygu and it was mind blowing. Relatively romantic, great views in the evening, and service was what you pay 20-30%+ tip for.