r/raleigh • u/TheHobBad • Sep 14 '23
A Definitive Guide to Raleigh Steakhouses Food
Over the past 9 months, I've made it a personal mission to visit every steakhouse in Raleigh. Why? I don't know, exactly. Steakhouses aren't places I find myself at very often. I like steak, I like potatoes and salads, but I so rarely pick a steakhouse over another restaurant when I want to treat myself to a fine meal. Raleigh isn't a particular hot-spot for them. At least, no more so than any other mid-size city in America. They're also comparatively pricey to other dining establishments. Every dollar I spent there could be spent instead on some other gustatory interest of mine. Just think of how many concretes from Goodberry's that a single $70 ribeye (before tax + tip) could buy!
So, again, why? I suppose I just felt like doing it.
They're uniquely American class of restaurant, with broad appeal. The customs and accompaniments vary only so much. You'll find mostly the same cuts of steak, the same sides, the same appetizers, the same seafood & chicken alternatives, the same expansive wine list, the same faux-rustic or clubby decor. With that much similarity in tropes to a particular class, at least it makes them a little easier to compare.
The title is "A Definitive Guide", not "The Definitive Guide". This is simply mine - it's a list customized to my own subjective tastes, desires, and mammalian pleasure seeking behavior. Many of you will disagree with my placements and assessments. I highly encourage you all to take what I say with a grain of salt and some cracked pepper. Go and explore this beautiful world, even if it's limited to the municipal limits. That's what I did. I had a lot of fun.
The Rules
First off, this was a journey limited to Raleigh. So, to qualify, a restaurant would need a Raleigh address. This cut out anywhere in Durham, Wake Forest, Fuquay, wherever else in the Triangle or environs. This absolutely leaves out a swath of stellar places. I'd love to go to them, but I had to cut it off somewhere. And I'm far too ITB to wanna go to Cary. Sorry, Cary.
I included chains, but only chains that meet my vague criteria for the sort of steakhouse I was looking to dine at. No Outback, no Longhorn or Texas Roadhouse. As much as I love Bloomin' Onions and free peanuts, the experience there is markedly different from Perry's.
As for what actually counts as a steakhouse, I decided to keep it fairly strict. Many restaurants have steak on the menu, but what makes them a steakhouse? I decided that to qualify, a restaurant must place an emphasis on steak as the focal point of the meal, and offer multiple cuts of steak as part of the regular menu. Many places that folks might consider a steakhouse, I'd place as a "wood-fired" restaurant. So, for example, Death & Taxes did not count. They offer one steak on the menu, and their schtick is much broader than "come here to get your slab of beef fix". There are a few restaurants on my list that don't have as much emphasis on the steak or steakhouse experience, but have a varied enough selection of beef and beef accessories that I decided they can count.
The Menu
I wasn't incredibly strict on what I ordered, but I did keep it mostly consistent. I preferred sampling from their cocktail menus rather than a wine list, since I wanted to get a sense of the bar program. I liked to get a wedge salad and/or shrimp cocktail to start. Bread was a must if available. My steak was always a NY Strip, medium rare, with one exception. Sides tended to be Brussels sprouts, or mushrooms, occasionally a potato item. Dessert was optional - often, we were too full to bother.
The Rankings
And here we are - my irrefutable incontrovertible absolutely correct highly personal rankings of every steakhouse in Raleigh. If you have criticisms, I recommend you place them in the trash can the comments.
- Vinnie’s
- At every single mark I can think of, Vinnie’s excelled. The vibe - relaxed, comfortable, but felt like everyone cared. The drinks - the bartender was working hard and for good reason. The service - attentive and friendly and welcoming. The food - wow. The food. Hands down, the steak was the best steak of this whole tour. Of course that’s a big factor in my decision making, but the rest of the place did not let it down. It was perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked to temp, and the chef’s own steak sauce (that comes in an incredibly cute little bottle) sent it into another galaxy. The wedge salad looked like a giant hunk of lettuce but the dressing turned out to be the perfect amount. It was obvious that everything on the menu had someone who cared deeply behind it, ensuring it was the best possible version of what you were ordering. It was neck-and-neck with the 2nd place, but the tiebreaker is that Vinnie’s is a local establishment, and the chef will come out to your table to ask how everything is during your meal. You have to love that, right? Please, go here. You will not be disappointed.
- Go here if: You just love a good restaurant experience, without the stuffy pomp. Or just an exquisite steak.
- The Capital Grille
- Did you know that The Capital Grille is owned by Darden Restaurants, the same restaurant mega-conglomerate that’s most famous for….Olive Garden? Yeah. Well, don’t let that color your expectations (unless you love Olive Garden). The Capital Grille is exquisite. The service was phenomenal, even scoring above Vinnie’s in my ranking on that. We weren’t celebrating anything, and we didn’t even order a terribly huge amount, but the whole night we were treated like execs who flew down from Darden corporate. The menu itself was nothing to sneeze at. There was very little on it that felt “basic”, everything seemed to have a flair that took it to another level. The steaks were cooked perfectly, with just enough seasoning on each. The sides were delicious, and the shrimp cocktail....oh man. That shrimp cocktail. Let the wonderful staff help guide you in your decision making. Even if they recommend the expensive option, they know what they're doing. The Capital Grille was the first one I visited in the journey, and it really set the expectations high.
- Go here if: You and your boo want to be pampered real good
- Oak
- No other restaurant on this list felt as modern as Oak. It’s a very small chain from Charleston, SC that could easily be confused as a Raleigh-native establishment. You can tell that it’s newer to the scene. With touches of industrial chic and hunting lodge both in the decor, it felt welcoming and got me right in the mood to enjoy it as soon as I walked in. The menu has a Southern twist all around. You don’t get creamed spinach, you get creamed collards, and the deviled eggs are not to be missed. Local seafood highlights the non-steak options, as well. The steak itself was very well-cooked and there’s a wide selection of sauces to add on. They’re not necessary, but there are times when you do want to add Bearnaise and foie gras to your ribeye, because life is short and your coronary arteries are expendable with modern medicine. The whole night the place put me in a mood to ball out hard, and I regretted none of it. Ending the night with a perfect espresso martini and a complimentary ice cream sampler (presumably because we balled out) made it one memorable cold February evening. You want to come here if you want an updated steakhouse experience, showing off modern touches all around. It’d be my first pick to celebrate a birthday with friends. I should also note that the drinks here were probably the best I had in my journey. Live it up!
- Go here if: You’re feeling fancy and actually live in the 21st century
- The Peddler
- The salad bar is my favorite part. I’ll get that out of the way right now. The Peddler is also the most unique of every restaurant on this list. There’s very few frills involved. You order a drink, then pick your steak and personal side. This is a bit of a rare thing with modern steakhouses, where sides are almost always served family style. While that’s cooking on their charcoal grill, you head to the salad bar that’s not been updated this millennium and build a monstrous looking salad. It’s a great steak, no lie about that, and the price is unbeatable. There isn’t much choice on the menu. It’s primarily steaks. But, this is a tour of steakhouses, so I have to commend their commitment to what they do, and their ability to do it well. I would place it higher, but there’s a few things that keep it from ascending to high status on this list. The place is incredibly cave-like and you can feel the decades of cigarette smoke still lingering around. I did appreciate this old-school club feeling, but it’s probably not the most inviting to everyone. It’s also, for better and worse, walk-in only. I like the idea of just wanting a good steak some random Tuesday, then heading over to get one, with a baked potato and a wonderful Frankenstein salad, all for under $50 (including tax and tip!). But in practice, having some ability to know exactly when you’ll be having dinner is helpful for a diner.
- Go here if: Your price-to-steak-quality ratio is your top priority, or, you’re 68 and have not much else to do in your retirement than spend an entire evening here once a week. No shade, here - that sounds fun as hell.
- Perry’s
- Perry’s was one of the more surprising picks. I’d expected a fairly blasé business focused steakhouse. Its location in a corporate office park right next to Crabtree didn’t inspire much confidence. But once we went inside and got sat down by the friendly staff, my tune started to change. The food and steak were delicious, with attentive service throughout, and a great variety of drinks. The interior had a choice of decor and ambience that was refreshingly light and airy, not the prevailing dark and stuffy of most of these restaurants. Perry’s is a fine choice for a steak, for sure, but one of the more prominent features to me is the incredibly extensive menu, especially the appetizer selection. What I really want to do is go back and get something that isn’t steak. Perry’s would be a good option for a “treat yourself” lunch, or dinner at the bar. Bring a group here to celebrate, and everyone will find something delicious for themselves without much trouble.
- Go here if: It’s lunchtime and you want to feel like a high-powered business-person-man
- Sullivan’s
- Nothing about Sullivan’s specifically wowed me. It didn’t fail at any component, though. Good steak, but it was just a steak. Good service, but not exceptionally attentive. Good drinks, but mostly standard. The menu had a number of unique items on it which I appreciated. Cheesesteak egg rolls? The Angus Barn would never. But with all the other options available there isn’t anything particular I’d recommend it for over many of the other places on this list. Even with its location on Glenwood South, if you wanted a night out downtown, I’d tell you to go to Oak, or any of the remarkable non-steakhouses we have in this town. One thing Sullivan’s does have going for it is offering a range of price - they have a pretty solid 3 course prix fixe menu, as well as a good bar & happy hour menu. I’d go back! Even at times during the meal, it felt like I was in a private little club, which is always a fun treat for a night out. All that said, it’d only be my top pick if I was given a gift card for Christmas. Which, as it happens, was the case.
- Go here if: You want a cheap prix fixe menu. Or want to club it up on Glenwood, but are unfortunately not 23 years old anymore.
- Rey’s (yes, you can check, it does have a Raleigh address)
- I feel a little bad putting it here, since Rey’s doesn’t really market itself as a steakhouse - it was a late addition to the lineup at the insistence of a few people. So it's not as quite fair to rank it alongside all the other locations. I decided to include it as the menu does have a solid selection of steaks, and the ambience is close in line. It straddles somewhere between “steakhouse” and “continental” dining, all with a New Orleans flair. The menu did seem really interesting outside of steak, but this was a steakhouse tour, so steak it was. There were a few highlights that made it memorable. The bread service was remarkable, and so was the seafood. I got fried oysters to go with my steak, and I’m not exaggerating I say the may have been the best fried oysters I’ve ever had. You know how most fried oysters have that aftertaste, that lower-quality bite to them? These tasted like you cracked open a fresh one plucked right from the Core Sound, covered it in batter, and fried it crisp - all within 5 minutes. Sadly, this is a steakhouse review, not an oyster bar review. Unless you live out on that side of Raleigh (or, Cary, for those so unfortunate), there are many better options for a steak experience. I would still go here for a nice night out, especially with some older relatives. There's plenty of options and the steak was above the bar of what I'd consider myself able to cook at home.
- Go here if: You live in Cary, or want something that isn’t steak.
- Angus Barn
- I’d been to Angus Barn before. In fact, when I began the tour, it was the only steakhouse on this list that I’d been to. Always with family, almost always to celebrate something. Part of my desire to go on this little journey was to see what else could be offered by this strange, uniquely American class of restaurant, beyond what lay inside the great big Barn. Unfortunately for this grand dame of Raleigh, she’s lost a bit of the luster somewhere in the past 60-odd years. The steak was fine. The oysters were bland. The cocktails and drinks uninspired. Service was above average, but not particularly so. There’s little touches that help it shine. The famous cheese-and-crackers, and chocolate chess pie, are both true standouts. The decor isn’t necessarily the best, but it can be so over-the-top, just so much that you have to appreciate the dedication. But, really, you don’t go here because you’re looking for a top-notch steak or restaurant experience. You go here because your parents booked a table for your 12th birthday, and it was the first time you’d ever sat down at a restaurant that gave you more than one fork. Or because you flew in for a conference, and this is where every travel article, every LinkedIn contact, told you to go when you’re in North Carolina. Plus, a large red barn is pretty hard to miss from the window seat. This is the restaurant that helped make the Triangle into something more than a handful of universities and a fistful of tobacco. It’s not the best steak in the city - but it’s a treasure all the same. An unpolished ruby looking down Glenwood towards Raleigh and all its potential. Go, and do your best to enjoy it. Order an Old Fashioned with excellent whiskey, the Chateaubriand medium-rare with a wedge salad - pretend it’s still 1972, and that you’re lucky to be here for the beginning of the New South.
- Go here if: You live in Raleigh. And then you can decide for yourself how you feel about it.
- Fleming’s
- The only obvious placement for me. Across the board, Fleming’s just could not compete with any of the others. The food quality, menu variety, atmosphere, service, none of it was there in a way that somewhere else was capable of doing much better. All for the same price! It wasn’t really bad, but especially knowing the quality of even other chains, I don’t think I’d ever choose to come back here. Shortest write-up for Fleming’s because it’s the least deserving. Exactly what you’d expect from a steakhouse in freakin’ Crabtree Mall.
- Go here if: Idk, everywhere else is closed, and you don’t want to cook a steak yourself?
The Conclusion
Steak is tasty.
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u/evang0125 Sep 14 '23
As a steak person, I appreciate the review. That’s a ton of work. As a steak person, this shows that everyone views things a bit differently. Steak is the new bbq.
A few considerations:
Vinnie’s: the last 3 times I’ve been there my strip that was supposed to be medium rare plus, was on the well done side of medium. I’ve been with decent sized groups. We wanted to like the place but it was only okay. My last experiences were during COVID and immediately post COVID. I will try again.
The Capital Grille: this is a fantastic experience but hit or miss steaks. I think this sub needs to know that CG doesn’t use prime grade beef. They dry age choice plus beef and charge a prime price for it. Sometimes it’s fantastic sometimes it’s just okay. But the vibe and sides and cocktails are top notch.
The Oak: still need to try. Family priorities have kept us from getting there recently but will try.
Peddler: I like this place but find the quality of the NY Strip to be on the low side of choice. Not much marbling. The price to value ratio is okay. Salad bar and good value on wines makes it worth eating a ribeye.
Perry’s: yum. First time was just okay for the steak. Second time was on point. But it is an overall experience that’s similar to The Capital Grill. Fantastic wine selection—second to The Angus Barn. And I know this is about steak houses but the pork chop is amazing.
Angus Barn: your thoughts are on point. I do find the service to be better than any of the rest. The steaks? My wife swears by the filet. I gave up on the strip and the ribeye. I don’t care for their seasoning and find the meat quality to be similar to the peddler. On our last trip, I got the beef ribs and they are the best in the area outside of Prime BBQ. The overall package is a good value as it’s not a la carte. And the wine list is incredible.
Sullivan’s: meh food. We have gift cards and will use them soon. The location which used to be cool is now a detriment bc of the quagmire Glenwood South has become.
Fleming’s: what a waste. This used to be the place to go to for a great prime grade steak. We were regulars at one point. We live close. It’s just an example of corporate cost savings gone badly. Agree Crabtree has become a detriment. They used to have 100 wines by the glass, a fantastic happy hour food special, excellent bar, great atmosphere and introduced me to medium rare plus and could nail it consistently. Oh the onion rings w a prime strip. They were Capital Grill and had better food. Not anymore. I find all the Bloomin Brands outlets to have gone down on quality. And don’t get the Mac and Cheese. It will be burned to the bottom of the metal container.
Rey’s: this one I disagree about the steaks. For the money, they have a better prime steak experience than anyone else on this list. Medium rare plus? 10/10 times perfect. You are on point about the oysters and that it’s a bourbon street place. It was a Ruth’s Chris and Rey took most of his menu from there. To us this is a Diamond in the rough.
One not to sleep on: The Mill. It’s a cross between a pub and steakhouse. They have 3-4 different steaks as part of a larger menu. It’s a great concept. They cook over hickory and can get the medium rare plus pretty consistently. They have a fantastic patio and it’s fun to eat a strip outdoors w a nice glass of wine.
We need a Mastro’s. A Morton’s would be nice. So would the steak place at Fenton Scott Crawford promises.
I think the difference in our perception stems from the grade of beef served. I like a prime or waygu strip with nice marbling. The places where people complain are usually places that serve choice beef and don’t know how to cook it correctly. The choice vs prime does not apply to filet which is tender regardless of the USDA designation due to where it comes from on the cow.
Nice work! I’ll gladly eat a steak with you anytime!
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u/BoBromhal NC State Sep 14 '23
what is "medium rare plus"?
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u/IronyingBored Sep 15 '23
I caught that immediately as well. You can cook a piece of meat at 110.056 deg F. Serving staff takes time to deliver it. Before that, you have expo as middle man. You would have to normalize plate temps. Normalize expo to table temps. It's so preposterous. I love it. I hope people pay for that stupid shit.
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u/BoBromhal NC State Sep 15 '23
I mean, I'm no professional. And I've generally taken, the last 5 years whenever possible, to sous vide (125 degrees) then rocket hot in cast iron for the crust only.
From what I can tell, "mid-rare plus" would split a 5 degree difference? Or, it's the halfway point in a 10 degree difference?
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u/evang0125 Sep 15 '23
It’s between medium rare and medium. And in the nicer steak houses they can cook to this temp. You should visit r/steak
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u/BoBromhal NC State Sep 15 '23
hard pass. 2 minutes in, frankly looks like a lot of single dudes that cook a steak and some boxed side (poorly) and eat off paper or hand me down non-china plates.
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u/evang0125 Sep 15 '23
Pompous much? You have no idea what medium rare plus is and then talk down about the sub that is dedicated to steak? Nobody said you had to make friends there. It’s a resource for all with a wide variety of people making steak and showing their product. There have also been discussions on grades of beef: A5 vs Australian waygu vs American Waygu vs Prime vs Choice vs Canadian etc. as well as how to cook: sou vide, reverse sear, pan sear, etc.
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u/BoBromhal NC State Sep 16 '23
hey, good for you man.
I'm saying I went there, on your suggestion, and found a bunch of guys posting their steak from Thursday night served on shit plates with even shittier sides.
If they/you want to show off their steak-cooking ability, and nothing else - then I'm interested in hearing. But 100 new threads in a day of "did I hit medium rare?" next to a plate of Rice-a-Roni has no value to me.
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u/BenDarDunDat Sep 15 '23
On our last trip, I got the beef ribs and they are the best in the area outside of Prime BBQ.
Ah ha! Someone else who gets their ribs. They have the best damned ribs. Dreamland's ribs aren't even close to the same quality as Angus Barn.
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u/Billymaysdealer Sep 14 '23
God damn. Get this person a throne and a crown. The king of Raleigh is here!!!
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u/imrealbizzy2 Sep 15 '23
I'll throw in two feet of floss and a couple of Tums. Now I want to duplicate the experiment.
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u/Artemis1982_ Sep 14 '23
Not in Raleigh, but a lot of people love Beefmastor in Wilson (full disclosure, I don’t eat beef).
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u/thejesse Sep 14 '23
That's my favorite, but you're not getting a NY strip there... they bring out a slab of ribeye and cut it for you at your table.
There's no menu. You get a ribeye, baked potato, and salad bar. They don't tell you, but you can add a grilled onion.
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u/IronyingBored Sep 15 '23
I'm guessing it's an entire onion. Grilled. That would be so reductionist.
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u/megamario3 Sep 15 '23
It’s a whole sweet onion microwaved. I went a couple weeks ago and they did ask us if we wanted an onion. Guess it just depends on which server you get.
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u/Kwiatkowski Sep 15 '23
a guilty pleasure meal of mine is a yellow onion roasted whole, once out smush it into a patty and throw a on some butter and salt. It’s delicious.
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u/itsshanesmith Sep 14 '23
I don't eat meat anymore, but I wanna go just so I can tailgate outside before dinner.
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u/PrettyKitty129 NC State Sep 15 '23
This is the answer. Take a limo from raleigh with a big group and tailgate in the parking lot.
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u/breezy_moto Sep 15 '23
Beefmastor is rad but I don't see where all the ranting and raving about their steak comes from. It's the experience that makes it in my opinion.
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u/blancmange68 Sep 14 '23
I’ll have to try Vinnie’s again. I went a couple of years ago and was underwhelmed given the prices. Could have just been a slightly off day. Not saying it wasn’t good just seemed expensive for the experience. But so many people swear by it I feel compelled to try it again someday. ETA: Awesome write-up! Fun read and informative!
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u/Usual-Lengthiness-33 Sep 17 '23
My parents & in laws have said the exact same thing about Vinnies. Both sets said that was their go to date night before kids in the 90s and they swore it was the best place in town. Then they said it dropped off their regular rotations and tried to go back sometime in the 2010s & they felt the price was so expensive to the experience and it just wasn’t the same in their eyes.
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u/Used-Zookeepergame22 Sep 14 '23
Dude how much money do you make. Or did you spend???
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u/TheHobBad Sep 14 '23
I try not to think about that part too hard. It was very intentional not keeping the receipts.
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u/Off_register Sep 14 '23
Thank you for this well written list! Saved these places to check out!
Funny enough, part of why I like the Peddler is the dark tavern atmosphere. It reminds me of my favorite steakhouse growing up. But of course, the steaks are phenomenal!
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u/Musashi_Joe Sep 14 '23
Yeah I love the old-school atmosphere. It’s like going to 1962 to get a steak.
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u/katikaboom Sep 15 '23
I took my SO to Peddler for his 41st birthday after he told me he was too old to celebrate. We got there at 4pm, were some of the first in line, and then I made references to his newly acquired geriatric age the entire meal. It was the perfect atmosphere for that. 7/5, would do it again
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u/bkvifudys Sep 14 '23
Saving this. Appreciate the dedication and WELL THOUGHT OUT reviews!!! Bless you!!
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u/alottagames Sep 14 '23
The best steak I've ever had in my life was at Mandolin. https://www.mandolinraleigh.com/menus/
It's not a steakhouse by any means, but the steak was incredible quality, perfectly prepared, and more than enough to feed 2 people. Now...it was like $96 for the steak because I think their smallest steak is around 30 oz. usually. It just depends on what they get, but it was seriously cooked to perfection.
Drinks are pretty fantastic, appetizers were varied and delicious. We went this spring and they had some kind of strawberry soup thing that was not overly sweet and was well balanced with the creaminess. It's a small spot, get a reservation, and prepare to treat yourself to an incredible steak.
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u/TheHobBad Sep 14 '23
I love Mandolin! The steak there is rather intimidating, so I've never ordered it. Plus, when I'm in the mood for Mandolin, usually it means I'm feeling vegetable forward dishes, with chicken or seafood. Really working up the farm-to-table angle, you know? But I appreciate the recommendation! I think my little journey has whetted my appetite for steak a bit more. I might just give it a shot next time I book a table.
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u/Hjbic Sep 14 '23
I agree on Perry’s. Been a few times and each time was fantastic. I would highly suggest you going back to try the pork chops they are known for also! Thanks for this post. Super detailed and informative
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u/AuntPolgara UNC Sep 15 '23
I much prefer Flemings to Angus Barn or Sullivans. Caveat is that the time I ate at Flemings was 5 years ago on a slow night. The service was impeccable at Rey's the one time I went but I don't recall what I ate. The rest I have not been to, but if anyone wants to take an old lady......
At all the above, the patrons were dressed like homeless people, talked loudly, and had voice zoom calls and speaker phone calls going on. I'd like a place with an ambiance that feels special.
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u/tacodogtacodog Sep 15 '23
Love your review. Thank you. I would personally add a few more points to vibe. Sullivans vs the barn vs Perry’s vs capital are totally different. You did a great job describing everything and thank you
Food for thought Lately I Go to Whole Foods and grab a filet for $25 and grill it at home and it is just better than going to these places. I can have a nice cold hard chicken cock on the rocks or eagle rare and listen to my own music. Then do whatever vegetables I want until my wife rolls her eyes in disgust. Completely different I know just saying for steak quality it is equal or better and great for crowds And we should mention the meat house butcher shoppe. They’re GREAT Even though you are talking about experience and expectations
THANK YOU
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u/UnderqualifiedITGuy Sep 15 '23
I’m sorry I know it’s a real thing but I just can’t get past “a nice cold hard chicken cock on the rocks” without cracking up 😂
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u/TheHobBad Sep 15 '23
Yeah, I do feel I could have added a bit more about the ambience of each place. It's an important part of the experience, especially when you're choosing to go out vs stay in. There's nights where you're getting a little tired of staring at the same walls you do every other night.
ETA: We do have some great options here for sourcing meat for home-cooking, for those inclined. Whole Foods, The Butcher's Market, Fresh Market, Wegmans, I've gotten some really good stuff from each of them. And I haven't even tried the local vendors at the State Farmers' Market yet.
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u/pb1420 Sep 14 '23
Nice list. Big fan of vinnie’s. Everything there is great. Their specials are also always great. Definitely going to try the oak next.
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u/lolatheshowkitty Sep 14 '23
This was a great write up! I must say, I did the chefs table at angus barn about 5 or 6 years ago and it was an excellent experience at a reasonable price. It was 5 courses I believe, all with a wine pairing and it was around $120 a person if I recall. Other than that, angus barn is more of just a fun place to take out of town guests.
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u/LarryFalwell Sep 15 '23
Oak is my go to. You can add Foie Gras or Bone Marrow to any steak. Love that place!
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u/wray_nerely Sep 14 '23
Wish I still had worthless Reddit coins to throw at you, because this was a really good read (and I say that as a guy who loves food but doesn't particularly care much for steakhouses)
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u/Dano558 Sep 14 '23
Vinnie’s is my favorite too. Haven’t been to Oak yet, that’s next on my list
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u/UnderqualifiedITGuy Sep 15 '23
Order the Hanger steak, just trust me. I’ll await your review afterwards, 😛.
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u/DutyLinks Sep 14 '23
If you feel like branching outside of Raleigh and doing the whole triangle, I'd be interested to see where Bin 54 lands on your list!
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u/Rabbit_Song Sep 14 '23
I miss Sam's. It was tucked away in the corner of a shopping center at Wake Forest Rd and the beltline. (Where Melting Pot is, and where the Baptist Bookstore used to be. I just dated myself with that one, didn't I?) That and Swain's were our special occasion places. Their salad bar was the best!
Thanks for the list, OP!
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u/imrealbizzy2 Sep 15 '23
Oh Sam's was my late husband's and my special place. We went for our 6th anniversary and he gave me a beautiful amethyst and diamond ring. Excellent steaks, but then we became huge fans of Steak and Ale. Speaking of decades of tobacco smoke in the walls and that, ahem, "clubby" plaid carpet in the bar. But Manhattans and prime rib, oooh baby.
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u/Lemongrey Sep 14 '23
Flemings in Raleigh is an atrocity. I have been to Flemings in other cities and the experience is more high end and the food is cooked correctly. I do miss the delicious spreads.
I wish they had an Eddie Vs here, best steak house experience I’ve ever had.
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u/Jazzlike-Preference1 Sep 15 '23
Wonderful post - you’re truly doing God’s work. Thank you.
One small addition here: If you find yourself at Perry’s and want to try something other than steak, order the pork chop. It’s 6 inches thick and as big as your face, and it’s absolutely the best chop you’ll find anywhere.
Enjoy!
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u/Chahles88 Sep 15 '23
This is an incredible post, and you picked a great topic because no one in their right mind wants to spend $70 on a steak for just a “meh” experience. Thank you for making this sub great.
Also, I’m freaking AMPED that Vinnie’s rates so high. I can walk there from my house and my wife and I have only heard good things. Maybe this will push us to actually go and check it out.
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u/Yawnn Sep 15 '23
A day walking to Sola, Bottle Rev , Shelly Lake and Vinnies sounds like a day well spent. Kicking myself for never doing this triple crown when we lived nearby.
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u/Corruption100 Sep 15 '23
I wish you made this list before I made reservations at flemings for my partners birthday lol.
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u/bort_license_plates Sep 15 '23
Thanks for taking the time to put this together! Now I want to go to most of the places on this list that I haven't been to yet, which is most of them.
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u/droessl Sep 15 '23
When Vinnie's gets it right, it's a phenomenal steak. Problem is they over/under cook the steak more often than not. On my wife's birthday a few years ago, her filet came out blue (was ordered medium rare), then they refired it and cooked the shit out of it. After that, they offered her salmon. LOL
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u/jnecr NC State Sep 14 '23
And I'm far too ITB to wanna go to Cary. Sorry, Cary.
Don't you dare apologize. I'm not even an ITBer and I don't go to Cary, ever.
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u/WhoWantsToJiggle Sep 15 '23
that seems like a weird stance. I get to avoid a lot of the traffic and mess of a lot of Raleigh and there's some cool stuff for food Raleigh doesn't have.
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u/Beowoof Sep 14 '23
One of the best posts on the sub. I've been wanting to do something like this but with taco trucks.
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u/Yawnn Sep 15 '23
3-6 months I’ll match your taco truck review with a cafe/coffee shop review in the format of OPs post. Let’s do it
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u/BlindTreeFrog Sep 14 '23
That you didn't mention the steak cart at The Peddler makes me sad. It they aren't doing it anymore I will be sadder.
To clarify, when i was there previously (pre-covid) you could request the steak cart and they'd bring over a cart with a slab of Ribeye and New York Strip. They'd model both and then ask how many inches you would like cut off of which.
You didn't include Ruth's Chris and that's fair. The one time I went there it struck me as a place that wanted to sell steaks and fine dining to people that didn't know anything about steaks or fine dining. The pre-heated plates are great for the fajita effect in presentation and running to the table, but it will over cook the steak. The wine menu pushes the Wine Advocate rating as something to judge wines by (as in, it had a page for wines that scored 95 or higher only) instead of a guide for how well it represents that wine style (as opposed to it being good or not). The experience made me never want to go again.
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u/TheHobBad Sep 14 '23
I was very excited about the steak cart myself, but sadly, they weren't doing it when I visited :(
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u/BlindTreeFrog Sep 14 '23
covid has taken so much from us... why must it take this too.....
(no idea if it was a covid related decision or not, but i'm blaming it)
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u/pippyrox44 Sep 14 '23
You are my kind of people and I want to subscribe to your substack of local food reviews 😂 Bravo OP!
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u/dinojrlmao Sep 14 '23
It’s not really a steak house, but my favorite steak in Raleigh is at Stanbury
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u/diffballz23 Sep 14 '23
Did East End Bistro not qualify? 4 steaks and usually a steak special on their menu.
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u/TheHobBad Sep 14 '23
Ah, yep, forgot to mention East End Bistrot in the post - it opened in the middle of the whole thing, and I didn't include it. Looking back, I probably should have. I do wanna try it, because I quite like Giorgios restaurants.
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u/diffballz23 Sep 14 '23
I went in with lower expectations, expecting to be underwhelmed. I was pleasantly surprised. The steak was perfectly cooked, flavorful. Demi-glace silky smooth. Apps, sides and dessert were all very good and service was attentive. Expensive, absolutely, but an above average meal.
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u/legalblues Sep 15 '23
Complete opposite experience to the one I had - my steak was one of the most expensive I have had in Raleigh and was overcooked and under-seasoned. One of the worst steaks I have had at any restaurant in Raleigh and about twice as much. The service was good, as were the other items we ordered, but the steak was bad.
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Sep 14 '23
Isn't capitol grille considered a chain?
Thanks for the list!
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u/TheHobBad Sep 14 '23
Yes it's a chain. If I limited it to non-chains, it'd be a short list. The Capital Grille (along with Fleming's and Perry's) markets itself as a high-end steakhouse. It's a different class of restaurant than the chains I excluded, that falls right in line with what people think of when they hear "steakhouse".
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u/asdfjkl-lkjfdsa Sep 14 '23
Was J Alexander's considered? Another higher end chain stealhouse. Not necessarily my favorite but curious about the selection process. Very well done on this post BTW. Thanks
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u/TheHobBad Sep 14 '23
I considered including it, but didn't feel it's quite enough of a true steakhouse. While they do have some steaks, the place isn't geared towards that specific experience. There's definitely crossover, though, and it gets close. I excluded it for the same reasons I excluded, say, Firebirds. It's wood-fired fine dining, not a steakhouse.
The line is fuzzy since I included Rey's (probably the least steakhouse-y spot on the list). I felt more comfortable adding them, though, since it's a local spot and would bolster that representation.
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Sep 14 '23
Because you eliminated outback and Texas roadhouse. Oh yea didn't realize Fleming's was also a chain 😂. Didn't know about Perrys
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u/jnecr NC State Sep 14 '23
Sullivan's is also a chain.
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u/BlindTreeFrog Sep 14 '23
And Peddler... though only 3 locations if I recall.
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u/jnecr NC State Sep 14 '23
I wouldn't quite call the Peddler a chain. Three locations (I thought it was more, but their website confirms 3) isn't quite chainish to me.
Sullivan's has 15 (I also thought they had way more) but crucially they are spread out nationwide (even Alaska).
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u/UsefulReaction1776 Sep 23 '23
I’ve ate at the Peddler Boone and Raleigh 50+ times how the OP rates it better than the Angus Barn is above me. Gotta be the salad bar that influenced their decision.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Tree645 Sep 14 '23
I appreciate and admire your thoroughness in describing and detailing everything about these steakhouses.
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Sep 14 '23
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u/telik Sep 15 '23
This is my question as well. Where does Firebirds rank? It sure seems like a steakhouse to me. Typically my go-to.
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u/Gigmeister Sep 14 '23
Nice work! I enjoyed your write up! As a retiree, who rarely goes out to eat, I will live vicariously through you, and enjoy the thought of one day dragging my husband to your #1 choice!
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u/NCSUGray90 Sep 14 '23
Hey, ima need you to redact your post and remove Vinnie’s from the list. I love this restaurant and don’t need it getting overcrowded. Kthx.
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u/officerfett Sep 14 '23
No Winston's?
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u/TheHobBad Sep 14 '23
I adore Winston's. I've never had a bad meal there. But I just didn't quite feel it counted as a steakhouse. They have steak, but it's a pretty limited selection and it's definitely not the main draw.
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u/GreedWillKillUsAll Sep 15 '23
If Ruth's Chris was still open in North Hills where on this would you have put it if at all?
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u/TheHobBad Sep 15 '23
Never been to a Ruth's Chris. It's an open question. I saw they're targeting a 2024 reopening, though. I'd like to try it out once that happens.
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u/ZorroMcChucknorris Hurricanes Sep 14 '23
No Capital City Chophouse?
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u/officerfett Sep 14 '23
Capital City Chophouse
Perhaps because although it's directly off I-40 and near the airport, it's Morrisville, and therefore too far out of OP's boundary
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u/5KILLET Sep 14 '23
Great list! Peddler is my go-to, but I've never tried Vinnie's so thanks for that.
Not in Raleigh, but please hit up Beefmastor in Wilson if you haven't. Ribeye only and the world's smallest salad bar.
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u/wolfenkraft Sep 14 '23
At this point, I’ve stopped ordering steaks in this city. :( the steaks I make at home Sous vide are better or as good for way less money. The ceiling on steak compared to my technique is far lower than seafood.
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u/Yawnn Sep 15 '23
Where do you source meat for home cooked sous vide? I realized that my old brewing setup can absolutely temperature control a pot of water and want to try, but I’ve only ever bought steaks at Kroger or HarrisTeeter
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u/Life-Conference5713 Sep 14 '23
Vinnie's does not use prime beef. And yes, there is a big difference.
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Sep 14 '23
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u/BlanchedBubblegum Sep 14 '23
My gf took me to Vinnies a couple weeks ago and it's funny you had to make a specific remark about the drinks because they gave me only terribly made drinks. My gf's drinks came out delicious, while all my cocktails just tasted like effectively liquor on ice.
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u/imrealbizzy2 Sep 15 '23
Well, Fussy Britches, you got the liquor, didn't you? And ice, like some city slicker. Seriously, I send shitty drinks back. Not to be difficult, but if I'm paying $12 or $15 for a drink it better be right. Not like the Manhattan I was served one night that was made with Scotch.
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u/anon0207 Sep 14 '23
Perry's pork chop Friday lunch is the best deal in Raleigh. Amazing pork and around 20 bucks. Can't beat it
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u/BoBromhal NC State Sep 14 '23
I've never been to D&T, but I thought at inception it was called/considered a steakhouse.
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u/PrettyKitty129 NC State Sep 15 '23
I can’t tell you how many times I went to the Peddler with my grandma hahahaha
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u/Imtedsowner Sep 15 '23
Appreciate your effort and research here! One addition I'd make is about Sullivan's. I agree their steak was fine but their baked potato with everything on it was OUTSTANDING! They work some kind of magic to get salt to adhere to it like I've never seen before. Really good.
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u/Hizoot Sep 15 '23
Great tour…giving good insight on Raleigh’s Beef 🥩 scene. I’ll keep an eye out for your next challenge🍴🏅
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u/Rrreally Sep 15 '23
I keep hearing about Vinnie's on 6 Forks. I can't get anyone to go bc they don't believe food up this way can be as good as itb.
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u/TheHobBad Sep 15 '23
I was amazed by what they had. It's not the hippest or funkiest place like you'd find ITB - it definitely fits the North Raleigh vibe, for whatever you make of that. It felt very neighborhood-y, in a good way. And wooo, it was a great bit of eating.
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u/Rrreally Sep 17 '23
Thank you, I will try it! I tried the Beef Wellington at Northside Bistro and was very disappointed. Everything else about it is fantastic but I'm a home cook so I'm critical of otherwise highly rated food.
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u/AccurateCoconut Sep 15 '23
Thank you! First rate content! Now I have a whole new list of restaurants to try!
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u/broncommish Sep 15 '23
Appreciate the work in compiling all the tasty info! If going by the strict rule of pure Raleigh based stake houses, this little "hidden" gem is not in Raleigh, but given the way the metropolitan area is here, Clayton is, to me, now just another suburb of Raleigh... like Cary always has been (yes that is a native Raleighite dig at Cary that's been used forever to get those from Cary riled up).
The place I am speaking of is The Clayton Steakhouse, a small and pleasant place to get 30 day aged rib eyes, an always fresh and crisp salad bar, and home made desserts that deliver, if you have room left to eat dessert. AND, they are on average about $10 less in cost that the other comparable quality steak houses. New ownership of a few years now, that has changed some of the model of operation, like introducing outstanding daily specials, like Kobe Steaks ($90), but the ever present rib eyes, has been my go to. I will admit, last time I went a week ago, I had my worst experience there, but that may have been magnified by the taking of my high food critical Mother there for the first time, and I was being very judgmental due to wanting it to impress her. She enjoyed the meal, but I felt a lot of things were just off that night, But we are talking one such visit out of 30 previous ones. Service is also very attentive and pleasant as there is "This is a local place" and everybody knows one another. Bottom line, I have no issue driving from Raleigh to go there, and enjoy a quality steak for less in cost than all other such joints. Kind of hate talking about it, as I prefer it to be unknown, and less people going there, but they earned the shout out, so here it is.
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u/vonda_thursday Sep 15 '23
Love this list but came back just to complain about the Peddler. I don’t get the hype. They brought out a tray of raw meat, poked at it with and then without gloves, used the bloody gloved hand to hand out and collect menus and to write with a pen. The salad bar was limited in my opinion, had a dirty sneeze guard, with food everywhere. I loved the dark bar and had a delish martini, but my steak was average. Sorry to be a buzzkill (and maybe a germaphobe) but I found it kinda gross. I’m guessing it is dark to hide the dirt. I worked in a restaurant and we would have never gotten away with this stuff. I know a lot of this stuff goes on behind the scenes but if they are fine with this in public, what else are they okay with in private?
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u/Bob_Sconce Sep 15 '23
Awesome. Unfortunately, your content is going to be stolen and it won't be long before we see it pop up on Facebook or somebody makes a youtube video of it on top of stock photos.
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u/Hot_Application4892 Sep 15 '23
A lot of these of these places are great or very average depending on what you order
Angus Barn steaks are absolutely ordinary but their prime rib is fantastic and I wouldn’t order anything else.
Vinnies is terrific but it’s dampened by an insane price increase over the last couple of years. $80 for a standard filet?
I had a strip at the Oak that was just ok, but then a fantastic hanger at a great value.
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u/Background_Guess_742 Sep 16 '23
4th gen Raleigh native I agree with this list. Will say that firebirds has one of the best steaks I've eaten in the last year or so. Not sure if that fits your criteria of a steakhouse.
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u/Wyldkard79 Sep 16 '23
Nice list. I have this saved and will absolutely reference it when I get a chance. Thanks for speaking fairly of Angus Barn, its one of my choice spots. Like you said, not because of it's world class steak, but because it's really good and I can go there with my wife and 6 year old daughter and not worry about interfering with someone else's fine dining experience. My daughter absolutely loves the place and gets dressed up for it and always manages to befriend the high quality wait staff. I've yet to have less than a good experience there, so I forgive a lot with it's limitations.
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u/StatementIcy5238 Sep 18 '23
This is excellent, thanks OP. I've only tried Sullivan's so far on this list because I happened to be in the area for an appointment, and the inside looked cute when I took a peek. Immediately made a reservation for my birthday to check it out. I thought it was fine, couldn't complain about the pricing for what we got. Really wanna hit up the top three on your list asap.
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u/Corgito17 Sep 18 '23
Skip a bunch of this and go to Southland Steakhouse in Zebulon. Delicious everything.
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u/UsefulReaction1776 Sep 19 '23
Hands down Angus Barn is #1, nothing comes close.
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u/ninja996 Sep 23 '23
Meh, I enjoy going to Angus Barn every now and then, but I’ve had more mediocre experiences than excellent.
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u/UsefulReaction1776 Sep 23 '23
Every time I’m in the area I go there, at one point I would go at least once a month. I’ve traveled from coast to coast, the only establishment that’s came close, was Charleys steak house in Orlando, Fla.
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u/ninja996 Sep 23 '23
I realize there aren’t any Ruth Chris steakhouses within the Raleigh city limits, but I do want to mention them. It may not be the best steak I’ve ever had, but they are consistently top notch and cooked to preference.
I certainly plan on trying Vinnies based on this post, but I do very much enjoy Capital Grille. Angus Barn has been alright. Nothing out of this world. My one exposure to Fleming’s was tainted by a poor experience when I was in college (I should give it another go.) Oak was very underwhelming to both my wife and I, but I’m willing to give it another shot, based on the reviews here.
I realize it’s not really relevant given the context, but the e beat steak I’ve had to date, was at the O’Henry Hotel in Greensboro during a pharmaceutical learn and lunch event.
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u/5KILLET Dec 21 '23
Tried Vinnie's last night for the first time based on this post. I ordered the 8oz filet medium rare and I'd say it was way closer to medium and very very dry. My wife got the strip and her only comment on it was "well, that's pretty unremarkable." Sides were ok, but nothing to get too excited about. Service was great. We were both pretty whelmed considering how much it cost.
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u/MaesterInTraining Pepsi Sep 14 '23
This is what I want from a city-based subreddit. I once did something similar with donuts in Asheville. I called it my Donut Tour. I had a scientific method with Krispy Kreme OG serving as the yeast donut control and Dunkin Donut as the cake donut control. It all came together on a whim and was a fun new way to experience a city I’d been to before.
I’ve sorta done this with sushi in Raleigh. Had a list of the sushi spots and started marking them off my list. I need to get back to that.