Raising the steaks
Settle in for a meat-centric meal at these 10 iconic local steakhouses
Chicago Chop House The signature New York Strip ($49) and Surf & Turf ($39) are can’tgo-wrong options on a winning menu that has barely been altered since the restaurant’s opening in the ’ 80s. 60 W. Ontario, (312) 787-7100,
Chicagochophouse.com
Chicago Cut A favorite of Chicago athletes, Cut butchers and dry-ages its USDA Prime steaks on-site. Stop in for happy hour, where the bar’s cocktail menu is displayed on iPads. 300 N. LaSalle, (312) 329-1800, Chicagocut steakhouse.com Chicago Firehouse Firehouse’s 110-year history alone makes it worth a trip, as some structural elements — like the two original fire poles in the bar — remain. Go big with the 22 oz. Porterhouse ($53). 1401 S. Michigan, (312) 7861401, Chicagofirehouse.com
Del Frisco’s Chef complements cookedto-perfection cuts of beef with hearty sides like lobster macaroni and cheese at Chicago’s newest steakhouse, which recently took up residence in the old Esquire
Jim Teutemacher building. 58 E. Oak, (312) 888-2499, Delfriscos.com Gene and Georgetti The oldest steakhouse in Chicago has hosted celebs past and present, from Frank Sinatra to Russell Crowe. The atmosphere is elegant, but it’s the food — such as broiled strip loin steak ($49.75) — that keeps ’ em coming back. 500 N. Franklin, (312) 527-3718,
Geneandgeorgetti.com Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse On any given day, Gibsons’ three locations host a slew of high-powered “regulars.” Even the menu items have a familiar, local flair, such as the marinated skirt steak served up with giardiniera ($22.75). 1028 N. Rush, (312) 266-8999; 5464 N. River, Rosemont, (847) 928-9900; 2105 S. Spring, Oak Brook, (630) 954-0000; Gibsonssteak
house.com Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak &
Stone Crab The steaks are beyond compare (opt for the bone-in versions), but this restaurant’s claim to fame is its stone crab, a delicacy discov-
ered in the 1920s by namesake Joe Weiss and his wife Jennie. 60 E. Grand, (312) 3795637, Joes.net
Lovell’s The trio of filets ($40) is a unique way to try more than one steak in the main dining room, but end the evening in the Captain’s Quarters for a post-meal martini and cigar. 915 S. Waukegan, Lake Forest, (847) 234-8013, Lovellso
flakeforest.com
Mastro’s Mastro’s goes above and beyond the standard steakhouse’s seafood offerings with a sushi menu. Drop in for a late meal and stay even later to enjoy the piano bar vibe. 520 N. Dearborn, (312) 521-5100, Mastrosrestaurants.com
Morton’s Though it has six area locations and even more nationwide, the original Morton’s — housed in a grotto-like basement — is everything a steakhouse should be. The food isn’t half bad, either. 1050 N. State, (312) 266-4820, Mortons.com