I’m proud to be a Midwesterner. We’re friendly, honest and here in Chicago, boy do we know- and love- our steak. And our steakhouses.
So forget your cholesterol count, pull up a chair and damn the expense. Today we’re going to eat New York strip, filet and bone-in ribeye ’til the cows (don’t) come home.
And I’m going to need your help with this one, Dear Readers. Please chime in and tell me your top go-to steak joints and your favorite cuts of the cow. I’m pretty limited to petit filets and chopped steaks whenever I dine out. So hit the Comments section if you’re so inclined.
And, so, let’s eat.
Of course I have to start at Gene and Georgetti’s.
(I say “of course” because for twenty years, I was there at least two night a week. It was my ex’s favorite joint and we were regulars. It was the site of our second date and from then on, we did birthdays and general carousing there.)
Located at 500 North Franklin street, G and G was founded in 1941 by Gene Michelotti and his partner, Alfredo (“Georgetti”) Federighi. Gene died in 1989 but the restaurant stayed in the family.
We had the greatest waiter- Joe- who pitying my lack of enthusiasm for the cottage fries would actually bring me a baked potato that he had purchased at the store. Today, however, even though Joe has finally retired you can still savor his eponymous famous “Chicken Joe,’ fried ravioli, terrific linguini with white clam sauce and, of course, their fabulous steaks.
The original has spawned a country cousin. It’s out by O’Hare and I get good reports of it but nothing beats the original.
But after twenty years of eating at Gene and Georgetti’s, I was thrilled when Gibson’s opened.
I was a regular there for many years and also had a gifted waiter- Mario- who sadly has also retired and headed for warmer climes.
I can’t really speak about their legendary steaks. I’m sure that they are succulent and aged and tender and all that good stuff.
What I like at Gibson’s is their ribs. Which Mario made even better (and way less messy) by having them pre-cut in the kitchen. Good safety tip.
Strike that. Make it “LOVE.”
To my mind, they are the most scrumptious in Chicago but Gibson’s is much better known for their specially-aged beef, mountainous seafood towers and fabulous desserts.
And there is a lively bar scene. But it’s a little out of my purview. It always looks like the same old expense account gray-haired businessmen hitting on the same bored forty-ish divorcées. But hey, what do I know?
But if dining out in the middle of Rush Street’s “Viagra Triangle” doesn’t appeal, may I suggest Mastro’s?
I order one thing here. The petit filet mignon. It has a yummy seasoning, and if you can avoid getting third degree burns on the nuclear hot sizzling platter they serve it on, it’s a treat for the palate. Bon Appétit. Btw, they chop one heck of a salad- the one with the shrimp on it.
Noise Alert: Be aware. Mastro’s has a live combo and their music is piped into the dining room EVERY night. This I personally could live without. I rather make beautiful music with my dinner partner. But if you’re not noise adverse, this steakhouse is a great addition to the Chicago steakhouse landscape.
Now it’s on to Rosebud.
I go to the one on Walton and it’s a bit of terrific. I always order their chopped steak. Caveat Emptor. It’s the size of a football and so I have yummy leftovers for at least two more dinners. Great wedge salad and they do something to cauliflower that renders it silky and cheesy and pretty wonderful.
Char crust anyone? I’ve loved that concept since the old Al Farber glory days. When I simply have to have it, I throw caution to the winds and head for The Palm.
It’s not as hip and fashionable as some of the aforementioned hot spots but it’s a reliable war horse with GREAT Thousand Island, a decent Italian red sauce flavor to many entrees and a fab little filet. Sure, you’ll get those corny Chicago “celeb” caricatures on the walls and conventioneers having a blowout in the booths but I ignore both. I’m strictly there for the steak and to hell with the scene.
We’ve barely scratched the medium rare surface. There’s Capitol Grille, The Grill on the Alley, David Burke Primehouse, Chicago Cut, Maple & Ash– each with their own set of hungry devotees.
But for my money, nothing tops an evening at Joe’s.
Swoon. From the bread basket (I’m addicted to their cheesy wafer-thin lavash crackers) to the shrimp cocktail to the cole slaw to anything on their menu is scrumptious. This Lettuce Entertain You joint is my number one pick when I’m in the mood- and the money- to chow down.
Okay, my cholesterol is through the roof and my wallet is bare. Just time for one important Letter From Elba announcement.
This is my last post, Dear Readers until Sunday, March 6. I’m heading out for a little winter R and R. Three guesses what I’m doing.
So see you in a couple of weeks.
And don’t worry.
Your steak was on me.
Now watch this guy. He knows his onions.
Ellen, do you miss steak?
Cute, Doc. All I can say is my favorite musician is T-bone Burnett. Look him up.
Ellen, I would have preferred a little less beef and a little more cake. As for T-bone, doesn’t that have something to do with certain kinds of auto collisions?
Quit your beefing. And stop rib-eyeing me. If you have a t-bone to pick with my content, take it up with my boss, Beldon Kattleman.
You mean T-Bone (Slim) Pickings? Rich and old and (if wikipedia is to believed) on wife #5. As for this Borden character, I’m having a cow tracking him/her down on the internets. Your moo-ve.
Slim Pickens is not who I meant. Sorry about Mr. Kattleman reference. He’s pretty famous. I didn’t mean to give you a cowniption. And that’s no bull.🐂
Gibson’s, Gibson’ and Gibson’s for me. That said, they are all great but I only go to steak joints (remember that place in Old Town?) around once a month these days, which is down from about 6 or 8 times 20 years ago. Have a terrific trip Ellen!
Yep, I hear ya’. Booth 11 is my favorite and one night, lets meet there. Hope you’re enjoying fun in the sun. Thanks, Gary.
JACK FELDMAN says: I cast my vote for CARSON’S- in Deerfield or Chicago. The steaks are great and the ribs and the char crust pork chops are just wonderful. Add the cole slaw and the wonderful chopped liver/onion appetizer for a great meal.
I do miss my old favorite – Eli’s – The Place for Steak. World’s best dessert. Guess.
Enjoy the Red Onion and Pinocchio’s in Aspen.
All great choices, Jack. Eli’s especially brought back a smile. They always kept that dining room at meat locker temperatures to turn the tables fast. And the waiter was ahead grabbing my pickled red peppers plate saying,”Can I get that out of the way for you?” I have to fight him for it because I wasn’t ready for the entree yet! They hustled!
And thanks for the suggestions for my vacation dining. Appreciate it. ⛷
I had the pleasure of dining at the first two on your list during my last visit to Chicago. But for some reason, I favored Gibson’s. Who knows why? Maybe it was the hosts, maybe it was the food, but it was a hell of a good time and worth the extra miles on the treadmill. Looking forward to putting some more check marks on your list of great Chicago steakhouses in July.
Anyone who has a great restaurant named after him knows what he’s talking about. Chicago looks forward to your return as well. Thank you, Pardner.
Joe’s. The perfect restarant. And Eli’s had the best calves liver ever.
Joe’s IS perfect. And I heard that about Eli’s before. Did they serve it with fava beans and a nice Chianti? 😊 Thanks, Mitch.
ER don’t I remember a Lexus parked in front of Gene and Georgetti’s with a big red bow on it?
It was a Porsche 911 Targa Carrera. And it was a birthday present in 1983. You have a very good memory. 🏎
I love a good steakhouse, but your two favorites would be way (weigh?) down on my target list.
I find G&G to be absurdly cliched, from the waiters’ outfits to the age of the clientele, to the valet parking guy smoking on the corner awaiting customers.
And, Viagra triangle is the right location for Gibsons, where the number of tables crammed into the space suggests that the Viagra would be useful for someone with a hankering for the “steak” at the next table.
Both are about seeing and being seen a lot more than the quality of the steak.
And, when are these places going to get away from the stupidity of a la carte everything? Nothing is more unappealing than a steak on a white plate, with nothing else (perhaps even with some parsley) next to it.
Having said all that, I miss Keefer’s.
G and G was never my favorite, Michael. It was my ex husband’s and I agree with your characterization of it. However, it’s a “club” for a certain kind of guy. I only gave it the number one slot because I was there so much. My favorite is Joe’s. I’m sorry that I never knew about Keefer’s. You sound like a hard grader. It must have been great. Thanks for your unflinching review. Tough but fair.
Was in town last month staying downtown for Sox Fest and of the 4 nights in town I hit 3 of your places. Gibsons the skirt steak was pretty good, next night saw my friend Dean Carson Jr at Carson’s on Wells and the NY Strip was awesome and night 3 was Joe’s although I had the Stone Crabs the steaks are also outstanding.
One of these days maybe LEY will put a Joe’s in Phoenix since there are so many chicagoans and they can see the $ Portillo’s is making and Lou’s is soon to be open ringing in the $
Wow! You really had a trifecta. Thank you, Mr. Restaurant Critic. Thank you for those reviews. Sounds like you had a fun visit. I know There is a very good steak house – Don and Charlie’s- in Phoenix. Maybe Joe’s is on the roster.
LOVED THIS ONE
Glad to hear yet. Next time you’re in Chicago, let’s all grab a steak.