Hi, Dear Readers. Hope you had a marvelous Fourth. Flag-waving, fireworks and probably a BBQ. It wouldn’t be a Chicago Fourth without those things.
And you can’t be a Chicagoan and not have a favorite steak house. It’s positively unpatriotic. My kind of town has an historic and legendary connection with beef and meat packing.
As far as I’m concerned, we lead the country- if not the world- in great places for a good steak.
And even though I have touched on this subject once before in Where’s The Beef?, I feel this topic deserves another visit.
So click on Open Table and let’s make reservations at these fabulous steak joints.
In the beginning – for me at least- was Al Farber’s.
Located in the Belden-Stratford Hotel at 2300 Lincoln Park West from 1957 until 1977, Al Farber’s was my first introduction to a fab filet with something known as “char crust.”
OMG! I was hooked. This special dry spice rub gave the steak an incredible coat of seasoning and texture. Yum.
I also fondly remember their Thousand Island Dressing and the tomato and onion salad. (The first time I had ever seen one of those.)
Although Al Farber’s is gone, their char crust lingers on. You can still buy it and DIY.
1975 was a banner year for me and steak houses.
I was introduced to two legendary places- Eli’s The Place for Steak and Gene and Georgetti’s.
I’ve already written about G& G. Let’s head over to Chicago Avenue and go to Eli’s.
In case you didn’t recognize him, that’s Eli Schulman front and left center on the wall. Eponymous owner of the joint- and godfather of all things cheesecake to this day.
Remember how they were always in such a hurry to turn the tables? Our waiter always said, “May I get that out of your way for you?” as he was tugging on my half-finished relish plate.
Alas, Al Farber’s and Eli’s may be gone but not forgotten.
The Erie Café is not gone.
Located on the north branch of the Chicago River on Erie Street, this Gene and Georgetti family offshoot serves up great steaks and good Italian “red sauce” dishes.
And in summertime, they have a wonderful patio for outdoor Chicago dining.
Favoloso.
Speaking of outdoor dining, Chicago Cut has to have THE best location for summertime steak consumption in the whole city.
They are on La Salle Street and the restaurant runs along side the Chicago River.
On a gorgeous summer day, nothing can beat it.
Their steaks are good but in this case, it’s location, location, location. Want to wow a client or impress your girl?
This is the place.
Moving out of the city for a moment, there is another Gene and Georgetti family branch outpost is in the suburbs.
If you’re ever out North Shore way and hanker for a steak, try EJ’s Place in Skokie.
Your host E.J. is a G&G grandson and he grew up working in the family business.
He sure knows his onions.
Sidebar about Sides: Speaking of onions, I have to admit that I’m all about the side dishes at these places. The bread baskets, the salad dressings, the corn, the creamed spinach, the lyonnaise potatoes…
I love lyonnaise potatoes.
And here’s another guy who’s as crazy about them as I am. I think I’ll let him describe this delicacy to you.
And have you been to Bavette’s yet? Their elote corn side is yummy.
Yes, I know the lighting in this photograph isn’t good. But if you’re going to dine at Bavette’s, get over it. It’s a coal mine in there. Bring a flashlight and you will see a terrific menu.
And bring plenty of money.
Their filet mignon and short rib stroganoff are worth it.
Paparazzo Sidebar: A few years ago, I had an ugly moment with a celebrity at Bavette’s. I wanted to take a picture of their bar to send to TBF. It’s handsome.
I pulled out my phone and snapped away. Unfortunately I didn’t notice Chris Kennedy and a woman dining at a table in front of the bar. As the flash of my phone camera went off, he looked up.
He thought I was “stealing” a photo of him and was he pissed! He glared at me and I shrugged apologetically. I didn’t want his crummy old picture anyway.
Well, I think I’ve got the subjected of Chicago steak joints char crust covered by now.
Hope I picked a favorite of yours, Dear Readers. ( I hear Steak 48 is the one to beat these days.
Maybe I’ll meet you there.
Dinner’s on me.
(Just don’t order the bone in strip.)
Thanks for the review of Chicago’s many great steak houses. I used to love going to Eli’s —The Place for Steak back in the 1970s but there was one problem. Eli had many “favorite” customers like Irv Kupcinet and if one of his favorites showed up looking for a table, you can be certain that you’d lose your place in line until Eli’s “friends” and their guests were seated. Oh, I wish I could have become successful enough to be one of Eli’s “favorites”.
The cheesecake on the other hand was without peer. Eli’s son, Mark, made sure of that.
You’re right, Jack! I had forgotten about the “favored nation” status he granted certain customers. Maybe because I’m still frost-bitten from how cold he kept the joint. (The temperature discouraged lingering and helped “turn”the tables.)
You’re right about Mark, too. Hope you had a happy 4th. And thanks.
A highlight in days of yore was the stock show at the Amphitheater (where I later saw Iron Butterfly!). Which naturally led to dinner at Stockyards Inn. I always was wowed by the slabs of meat on the mountain of crushed ice. All other purveyors of protein on the hoof pale in comparison. Today, GnG does pretty well and of course still exists.
Wow! What a “city of big shoulders” beefy comment! The Stock Show. Nice. Thanks for mentionkg it. I can almost smell the sawdust. You’re right to remember Stockyards Inn. I had forgotten all about it. Thanks, Dave.
Oh how I remember Eli’s and G&G. There are not many really great steakhouses in SoCal. Morton’s transplanted out here but they’re not what they used to be. Mastro’s is ok, but their sides are lacking. Of course there is Ruth Chris’s but not convenient.
I do like Fleming’s or Smith & Wollensky in New York, but my goal next trip to New York is Peter Luger.
Thanks for the critique, Barry. All I can add is that I have been to Peter Luger in Brooklyn and it’s authentic old school but I didn’t get it. Kind of G&G like but not as good. I think I have to go with a local next time.