Steaks are high on any Texan’s list
In Texas, where beef is the preferred protein, you will find many cow palaces. Here are some of Houston’s best:
B&B Butchers & Restaurant
Housed in a historical building, this upscale steakhouse serves Texas-bred wagyu beef from Gearhart Ranch. Ask for a table on the rooftop patio for great views of downtown. By day, B&B serves up sandwiches from its on-site deli. 1814 Washington, 713-862-1814; bbbutchers.com.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
Located inside the bustling Galleria and part of a small highend chain, Del Frisco’s is all about details. The experience includes attentive service (starting with its crack management team), high-quality ingredients in the hands of a veteran kitchen and a menu of comfort foods. 5061 Westheimer, 713-355-2600; delfriscos.com.
Killen’s Steakhouse
Located in bustling Pearland, chef Ronnie Killen’s steakhouse certainly is worth seeking out. While the steaks are the stars, we remember the featured players most vividly: the appetizer of fried asparagus topped with lump crab; the beef tomato salad with blue cheese and basil; the dreamy, creamy spinach; and, for dessert, a crème brûlée bread pudding. 6425 W. Broadway in Pearland, 281-485-0844; killenssteakhouse.com.
Laurenzo’s
The handsome dining room in this clubby but comfortable restaurant is decorated with framed sports memorabilia. The menu is dominated by manly fare: prime rib (check out the carving stationjust past the hostess stand), marinated rib-eyes, burgers with bacon and chiles and racks of pork ribs. 4412 Washington, 713-880-5111; laurenzos.net.
Morton’s
Now part of the Landry’s empire, this steakhouse specializes in USDA prime-aged steaks cooked with consistency and served with sincere hospitality. 1001 McKinney, 713-659-3700; 5000 Westheimer, 713-629-1946; 25 Waterway, in The Woodlands, 832-585-0794; mortons.com.
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
In dining rooms as plush and gleaming as a vintage railway car, big men partake of big dry-aged steaks that are among the city’s best, along with big-ticket wines that include interesting premium choices by the glass. The handsome dining counter is a great spot to dawdle over the definitive shrimp rémoulade while watching the scene — and the valiant line cooks. 1200 McKinney, 713658-1995; 5839 Westheimer, 713780-7352; pappasbros.com.
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
Old-school service with an attention to detail elevates the dining experience at this Texasborn upscale chain. The menu is old-school, too: seafood towers, wedge salads, creamed spinach and flaming desserts. Sunday brunch is an indulgence, as it should be. A tip: Two can share the signature dish, an enormous pork chop carved tableside. There are six locations in the Houston area; to find the nearest, visit perryssteakhouse.com.
Rainbow Lodge
This elegantly rustic Heights-area restaurant specializes in wild game and seafood, wooing diners with ingredients that come from its back garden. When the weather allows, dining on its creekside patio is a pure joy. 2011 Ella, 713-861-8666; rainbow-lodge.com.
Taste of Texas
The best feature of this outrageously popular goodvalue steakhouse is that you can personally instruct the butcher to cut a rib-eye to your desired thickness. There are good breads, side dishes and grilled shrimp, as well as a distinguished wine list. 10505 Interstate 10 W., 713-932- 6901; tasteoftexas.com.
Vallone’s
The specialty at Tony Vallone’s steakhouse in the Energy Corridor is a 55-day dry-aged, bone-in ribeye. Try it with truffled macaroni and cheese and roasted carrots topped with goat cheese. 947 Gessner, 713-395-6100; valloneshouston.com.
Vic & Anthony’s
Here you’ll find manly steaks, sides that could feed a family and the best crabcake on the planet. Even though this upscale Landry’s restaurant is across from Minute Maid Park, the dress code is always enforced. If you ask nicely, though, even ballpark garb may be allowed at the bar. 1510 Texas, 713-228-1111; vicandanthonys.com.