We understand that there are many steak restaurants or steak houses scattered across the United States of America. But there are few that have grown both in revenue and branch networks. So, for the sake of this article, we are concentrating on those steak restaurants that we consider to be top fourteen in term of revenue and branches.
Top 14 Steak Restaurants in USA
Below are the top fourteen steak restaurants you can easily come across in the United States of America. Please note that these steak restaurants are not arranged in any particular order but they all satisfy our criteria in term of revenue and branch networks.
The Capital Grille
The Capital Grille is one of the American’s restaurant chains of upscale steakhouses, founded Ned Grace 30 years ago, and owned by Darden Restaurants. The restaurant brand has 59 locations (2019) in twenty states and the District of Columbia. The Capital Grille at Wayside Commons in Burlington, Massachusetts
The original Capital Grille was founded in 1990 by Ned Grace, in Providence, Rhode Island. The opening of an up-scale restaurant in Providence wasn’t expected since the up-scale restaurant of that type would have been opened in a city. Some people would have thought that the upscale steakhouse contrasted with the then-rundown downtown area of Providence, and besides, the opening occurred in the wake of the on-going recession. Grace’s projection that the restaurant would be popular with the business and political elite, proved to be right. Seven years into the opening, the original location generated over $4 million in annual sales revenue.
During the leadership of Grace’s Bugaboo, Creek Steak House Inc. (Grace Bugaboo’s second restaurant chain), expanded geographically to several key markets. By 1996, as expected, The Capital Grille had opened restaurants in Washington, D.C. and, Boston. In 1997, two banks gave the chain a credit line of $20 million, and this was a major boost, and it expanded with the opening of four more locations. In 1994, Bugaboo Creek Steak House Inc. was listed on the Stock Exchange, and soon after changed its name to RARE Hospitality International, Inc. The chain was later acquired by Darden Restaurants as a “part of a $1.19 billion acquisition of RARE Hospitality in 2007”, according to the Washington Business Journal.
The Capital Grille operates in line with the Specialty Restaurant Group division of Darden. An offshoot restaurant called The Capital Burger was opened in Washington, DC., in March 2018, and in January 2020, a second restaurant was opened by The Capital Burger in Reston, Virginia. There were 59 locations as of May 2019.
Black Angus Steakhouse
Black Angus Steakhouse is an American casual dining restaurant chain with specialties in steaks. Based in Sherman Oaks, California, the chain was founded on April 3, 1964, by Stuart Anderson of Seattle, Washington. By April 2017, it has 45 locations in the US and is being run by the following key people: Stuart Anderson (founder), Christopher Ames (current CEO). It is owned and managed by Versa Capital Management.
Stuart Anderson founded the Black Angus Steakhouse chain in 1964.
In 1972 Saga acquired Black Angus and in 1987 Marriott acquired Saga, and sold several of the Saga restaurants to American Restaurant Group.
In 1995 the chain had 101 locations and generated sales revenue of $244 million. In 1999, the overall profit of the parent company stood at $104.7 million, but Black Angus chain was performing at a higher level.
By 2001, there were 103 Black Angus locations in the US which cut across13 states, with each restaurant employing 75 people and serving an average of 3,000 customers on weekly basis. By 2004, the number had gone down to 93 Black Angus and Cattle Company restaurants and were represented only in 10 states, with 57 restaurants in California.
In September 2004, American Restaurant Group filed on behalf of Black Angus Steakhouse for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Black Angus was at the time owing debts to the tune of $202 million and had in 2003 generated revenue of about $276.6 million with net loss amounting to $32.5 million. The bankruptcy proceeded simultaneously in a concerted effort to re-brand and remodel the chain.
On January 15, 2009, American Restaurant Group itself filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Black Angus Steakhouse was eventually sold out to Versa Capital Management Inc. in March 2009.
On June 6, 2016, the founder of Black Angus Steakhouse, Stuart Anderson died of lung cancer at age 93 at his home in Rancho Mirage, California.
As of April 2017, there were only 45 Black Angus locations, with 31 in California.
The restaurant menu includes among others the following:
- All-white meat chicken tenders. Chipotle-Buffalo or original.
- Crispy fried garlic-pepper zucchini
- Chilled jumbo shrimp served with our house-made cocktail sauce.
- French bread topped with fresh garlic and a hot mix of Cheddar, Jack and Parmesan cheeses.
- Jumbo shrimp cocktail
- Steak quesadilla
- Grilled steak, fresh pico de gallo, Cheddar and Jack cheeses, served with guacamole and sour cream.
- Steak quesadilla
- Grilled steak, fresh pico de gallo, Cheddar and Jack cheeses, served with guacamole and sour cream.
- Loaded potato skins
- Fresh zucchini slices hand-breaded in panko bread crumbs, served with house-made cool cucumber dip.
- Chicken tenders
- Crispy Fried Garlic-Pepper Zucchini, Chipotle-Buffalo Chicken Tenders, Loaded with Potato Skins and Shrimp Cocktail.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House is a respectable dining restaurant steakhouse chain set up in 1981 that has been run by Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group until its acquisition by Landry’s, Inc. in September 2019.
Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group on its part is an American steakhouse restaurant chain with a primary focus on offering steaks. The Group was founded in the year1981 and was incorporated in 2012. Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group currently runs Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, Del Frisco’s Grille, Barcelona Wine Bar, and Bartaco with 73 locations across the 16 states in the US Market capitalization which at the end of 2017 stood at US$327.84 million.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse symbolizes the rich tradition of the classic American steakhouse, offering USDA Prime Beef, fresh seafood, and premium wines from its award-winning wine selection.
As part of history, on September 21, 2018, Del Frisco’s sold Sullivan’s Steakhouse to Romano’s Macaroni Grill for 32 million (USD). In June 2019 Del Frisco’s Restaurant accepted the offer by L Catterton to acquire it to the tune of $ 650 million.
Dress code for Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House: There is no strict dress code, however, the group recommends business casual attire as a general guideline. Jeans are acceptable, as well, with a dress shirt, sweater, polo, etc.
Menu review
A customer dining experience review
A customer commented that she chose Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House as a result of its magical Dining experience as well to celebrate a birthday. She said that the steakhouse is a perfect place to eat, beginning from the hostesses to the waiter, and above all the excellent meal. Dining in Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse was the best experience she has had for a longtime, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The smart waiters serve you as soon as possible and the COVID-19 rules are strictly observed. Everything that goes on in the restaurant points to an upscale and classy steakhouse. The meal offered for its Magical Dining menu is so diverse that makes the steakhouse deserve a 5 stars award in every aspect.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (also known as Fleming’s) is an American steakhouse restaurant chain owned and managed by Bloomin’ Brands, with the headquarter located at 2202 N West Shore Blvd, Suite 500, Tampa, FL, U.S. 33607.
Flemings Prime Steakhouse was founded in 1998 by Paul Fleming and Bill Allen, its first location was in Newport Beach, California. Fleming’s is a wholly subsidiary of Bloomin’ Brands, founded in 1998 at Newport Beach; as of 2020, the company has 64 locations throughout 26 American states and 1 in São Paulo, Brazil, all company-owned.
The Fleming’s 100 is a brand trademark that comprises a collection of 100 wines offered in the glass or bottle. Fleming’s is amongst the top 4 wine bars from San Antonio.
Some of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar menu consists of the following:
Appetizers:
French Onion Soup:
Roasted Mushroom Ravioli:
Baked Braised Short Ribs of Beef: cabernet butter sauce, fresh horseradish slaw
Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes:
Brie: in puff pastry, candied walnuts, and sliced gala apples
Wicked Cajun Barbecue Shrimp:
Shrimp Cocktail: jumbo shrimp, chipotle horseradish cocktail sauce
Braised Short Ribs of Beef:,
Chilled Seafood Tower:
Tenderloin Carpaccio: Sweet Chile Calamari
SALADS: Fleming’s Salad; The Wedge: Fresh Mozzarella & Sweet Tomato: Classic Caesar
PRIME RIB DINNER AVAILABLE ON SUNDAYS: Lite Filet Mignon; Prime Ribeye; Prime Bone-in Ribeye; Main Filet Mignon; Petite Filet Mignon; Prime New York Strip
NEW CLASSICS: Porcini Rubbed Filet Mignon; Center cut, grilled asparagus spears, gorgonzola cream sauce; Peppercorn Steak; Prime New York strip, cracked black and white peppercorns, proprietary “f17” steak sauce on the side; Complimentary Sauces Upon Request; Peppercorn, madeira, béarnaise, chimichurri; Double Thick Pork Rib Chop
Julienne of apples and jicama, apple cider and creole mustard glaze; Double Breast of Chicken; Steakhouse Cobb Salad; Filet mignon or north atlantic lobster blue cheese, bacon, avocado, egg and tomato, tarragon ranch or red onion balsamic vinaigrette dressing
SEAFOOD: Barbecue Scottish Salmon Fillet; Summer squash vermicelli, lemon-garlic butter sauce; Slow roasted mushroom salad, barbecue glaze; Shrimp Scampi; North Atlantic Lobster T
Fogo de Chão
Fogo de Chão (Brazilian-Portuguese restaurant chain with a full-service Brazilian steakhouse or churrascaria. It serves rodízio style, and is famous for its roving waiters who serve barbecued meats from large skewers directly onto the seated diners’ plates. Founded by two brothers, Arri and Jair Coser in 1979 with its headquarters at 5908 Headquarters Dr, Plano, Texas, U.S. Key people that drive the restaurant to the great success it has achieve today include: Barry McGowan (CEO), Larry Johnson (Chairman), Tony Laday (CFO), Rick Lenderman (COO), Janet Gieselman (CMO), Selma Oliveira (CPO/CCO),[2] Andrew Feldmann (Pres Int’l)
Fogo de Chão founders, Arri and Jair Coser, grew up on a traditional Southern Brazilian farm in the Serra Gaucha. They were trained there on how to cook in the churrasco grilling tradition. The two founding brothers moved from the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul to Rio and Sao Paulo for formal training aimed at developing the Fogo concept. The first restaurant was built of a wood structure in the countryside of Porto Alegre, subsequently was followed by the second restaurant in Sao Paulo. They were later advised by tourists who came to dine at Sao Paulo restaurant to open a churrascaria style restaurant oversea.
The Cosers set in motion on how to go about opening a location outside Brazil, and in 1979, they opened their first restaurant in Addison Texas, just north of Dallas. Between 1997 and 2020, the restaurant chain has made tremendous progress by having 57 locations across the US, Brazil, Mexico, and the Middle East. The restaurant chain has plans for further growth around the world in the near future.
In accordance with all Fogo de Chão restaurants, every location provides guests with a unique experience called espeto corrido, or continuous tableside service. The menu is built around a variety of fire-roasted meats skillfully prepared and carved tableside by gaucho chefs. Some favorites among guests include a new Cowboy bone-in Ribeye, double-cut Lamb Chops, and house-specialty Picanha, the most expensive Brazilian steak. In addition to the full churrasco experience, the restaurants offer a variety of ways for guests to delight in Fogo at a variety of prices and portion sizes including weekday lunch starting at $15, weekend Brazilian brunch, Bar Fogo as well as seafood and vegetarian options.
Fogo de Chão also provides fresh seasonal salads, exotic vegetables, seasonal fruit and berries, imported cheeses, cured meats, seasonal soup, and more.
Logan’s Roadhouse
Logan’s Roadhouse is an American restaurant chain, founded in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1991 and has its HQ in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. The chain operates in 230 locations including 25 franchised Logan’s Roadhouse locations in 23 American states.
Logan’s Roadhouse became a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBRL Group, Inc in 1999 (which also owns Cracker Barrel). On December 6, an affiliate of Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., Canyon Capital Advisors LLC, and Black Canyon Capital LLC acquired Logan’s Roadhouse from CBR Group for $486 million. In 2010, private equity firm Kelso & Company re-acquired Logan’s Roadhouse.
On February 20, 2013, Tom Vogel CEO was replaced by Mike Andres, a former McDonald’s vice-president and former CEO of Boston Market. On January 12, 2017, the leadership of Logan’s Roadhouse changed hands once again; Hazem Ouf, the former CEO of American Blue Ribbon Holdings, was named president and CEO.
Logan’s Roadhouse on August 8, 2016, filed for voluntary bankruptcy and announced plans to scale down operations by the closure of eighteen of its 256 locations that are performing below average. The chain was reported to be struggling with a heavy debt burden and dwindling sales revenue. In September 2016, the closure affected locations in Florida, two in Kissimmee, two in Orlando, and one each in Mary Esther, Tampa, and Tallahassee; one in Macon, Georgia; one in Houston, Texas; one in Lafayette, Louisiana and one in Waynesboro, Virginia.
By December 1, 2016, Logan’s Roadhouse was formally out of the bankruptcy situation and the debt burden which was then at $400 million was drastically reduced to $100 million.
On November 1, 2018, Logan’s Roadhouse made a surprise announcement that it was acquired by CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries.
CraftWorks on March 3 2020 filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection. Within weeks of the filing of bankruptcy protection, CraftWorks closed all open Logan’s locations temporarily in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, the CraftWorks announcement came once again that all Logan’s Roadhouse locations would remain closed for an indefinite period, and that all 18,000 employees would be relieved of their duties.
In another swift move, on June 12, 2020, SPB Hospitality purchased Craftworks restaurants out of bankruptcy for $93 million.
The restaurant chain uses retro style decorations, with the provision of free buckets of peanuts that come at each table with some of Logan’s establishments and have aesthetic locality-inspired decor and artwork. For instance, Detroit areas Logan’s have murals of people who put on Detroit Pistons shirts.
The chain’s menu is largely made up of mesquite-grilled steaks, traditional American fare (sandwiches, soup, salads, and seafood), longneck ice-cold beer, homemade yeast rolls, and unlimited buckets of in-shell peanuts.
Logan’s also serves appetizers, steak, and hamburgers, and offers side dishes such as salad, french fries, homestyle potato chips, rice pilaf, and sweet or baked potatoes, etc.
LongHorn Steakhouse
LongHorn Steakhouse is a restaurant chain, owned and run by Darden Restaurants, Inc. with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. It is founded in the US and it is a casually operated dinner-only restaurant chain. By 2015, LongHorn Steakhouse had garnered over $1.5 million in revenue generation from its global locations.
LongHorn Steakhouse was established in 1981 by George McKerrow, Jr. His father. McKerrow had worked as a manager at Victoria Station. The Victoria Station is a San Francisco based concept and had railroad cars used as areas for dining which was popular in America during the 70’s and 80’s. LongHorn Steaks Restaurant and Saloon, opened on Peachtree Street in Atlanta George was the first to be opened. The location was formerly an antique store and also used as an adult entertainment business. Black paint still covered the walls while some of the booths were divided by recycled black partitions. It featured top-quality steaks grilled in a butter sauce
Harrison’s on Peachtree was a popular restaurant favored by Ron Hudspeth and Lewis Grizzard, an Atlanta Journal and Constitution columnist. It was established that Hudspeth often shared quotes from “Pete the barkeep” at Harrisons’s. Harrison’s menu was so limited that regulars had to cross over to the Longhorn for better quality steak after nights of drink. However, in January 1982, something dramatic happened, the area’s commuter population within the city limits were trapped by a heavy snowstorm and that was the turnaround for McKerrow. It offered a $1 menu and drinks specials to the stranded motorists and Hudspeth had it featured in his column and the struggling restaurant was re-energized.
During the 1990s, the franchise moved further south and increased its presence throughout the Eastern United States. It also has a scanty presence in the Midwest, Southwest, and Puerto Rico.
In August 2007, Darden Restaurants, Inc. became owners and operated LongHorn Steakhouse after acquiring it from RARE Hospitality International Inc.
LongHorn Steakhouse was decorated with the Western/Texan theme, while each location is glazed with oil paintings, adorned photos, and selected Western memorabilia that support this theme
The restaurant served the selected kinds of steak of best quality including its “Flo’s Filet”. The menu includes appetizers such as “Texas Tonion” and Wild West Shrimp”, while the main menu includes ribs, chicken, salmon, lobster, shrimp, and salads. Side dishes are also part of the menu served.
The restaurant also offered a full bar with draught and bottled beer, wine, and several signature margaritas. It also served a lunch menu that includes among other things soups, salads, sandwiches, and hamburgers.
Mastro’s Restaurants
Mastro’s restaurants are American based steakhouse of classy collection and Ocean Club Seafood located across the US. It is reputed for its combination of highly acclaimed cuisine, world-class, and live entertainment in a robust and yet lively atmosphere. Mastro’s experience is truly unequaled.
Landry’s Inc. the Houston-based restaurant chain of hospitality and entertainment conglomerate with 11 upscale steak and seafood entrees wholly owns Mastro’s restaurant.
Mastro’s journey began from a humble beginning in 1964 when it opened its doors on a dusty undeveloped Wilson Avenue with one goal – to provide quality, authentic Italian cuisine with great emphases on their regional Abruzzese roots. 50 years on, their goal remains unchanged.
Mastro’s menu consists of 28 days of wet-aged USDA Prime steaks cooked in 1,500-degree broiler served sizzling hot with spelled-out butter on plates heated to 450 degrees. The steakhouse features an array of the freshest seafood selection, such as the 2-foot-tall seafood tower of chilled crab legs, shrimp and oysters served over a cloud of dry-ace. Cocktails of bespoke is in a special way presented in a haze of dry-ace, with a long list of world-class wine, and a special selection of premium beer on offer.
There is also live entertainment at the bar every night while holding a grass and sipping a hand made cocktails and eclectic wines. It has been observed that Mastro’s is highly committed to delivering a matchless dining experience, on every visit.
Today Mastro’s Restaurants are located in some other prominent cities across the U.S., including Houston, Beverly Hills, Thousand Oaks, Costa Mesa, Malibu, Palm Desert, Chicago, Scottsdale, New York City, Las Vegas, Newport Beach, and Washington D.C.
There is no special dressing code, but customers are expected to dress properly and avoid such attires as tank tops, cargo athletic shorts, excessively ripped or baggy jeans, athletic sneakers, flip-flops beachwear. All other hats and shoes however will be allowed but only at the discretion of the door host.
Mastro’s welcomes comments from fans posted to the Mastro’s fan page but warns that such postings should represent the fan’s opinion and not that of the Mastro’s. Mastron’s therefore advises fans to exercise caution and ensure that all postings should meet with Mastro’s guidelines and philosophies.
Morton’s The Steakhouse
Morton’s The Steakhouse is an American chain of steak restaurants with headquarters in 1510 West Loop S, Houston, Texas, United States, and other locations in the United States and franchised abroad. Morton’s (“The Best Steak Anywhere!”) was founded in Chicago in 1978 by Arnold J. Morton and Klaus Fritscht. It has 73 locations in the United States, 8 overseas, and 12 franchised. The key people include Tilman J. Fertitta, President, CEO & sole owner; Gary Bullers, Regional Director of Operations; Ralph Cook, Regional Director of Operations; Richard H. Liem, Treasurer, and Vice President, and Steven L. Scheinthal Esq., Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary. Morton’s The Steakhouse is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Landry’s, Inc.
Arnold J. Morton and Klaus Fritsch who jointly founded Morton’s in 1978 became friends and are restaurant entrepreneurs. But before they became friends, Morton and Fritsch were co-workers at the Playboy Club in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. As the story was told, while the club was in the process of changing its menu, Fritsch prepared a hamburger and offered same to Morton. Morton on tasting the burger commented that it was the best he’d ever eaten. In 1978 together they opened Morton’s of Chicago in Newberry Plaza in Downtown Chicago. The original location remains open to date.
In 1987, Morton’s which had generated $15 million annual sales and had nine restaurants well established across the United States, was disposed for $12.4 million to the venture capital firm Quantum Restaurant Group, Inc. Quantum Restaurant Group was then in partnership with the Baltimore brokerage house, Alex. Brown & Sons, had Fritsch held on to his job as the restaurant president.
In December 2011, an announcement came from Tilman Fertitta, President, CEO, and sole owner of Landry’s, Inc., that his company Landry’s Inc.had acquired all shares of Morton’s, and therefore assuming complete ownership. One year on, Landry’s completed the acquisition process, and indeed in 2012, Landry’s business operations were moved to its headquarters in Houston.
Morton’s The Steakhouse was famous for its specialized offering of Steak, Wine, and Seafood, and had generated an estimated revenue of $66,029 million. The September 3, 2017 figures show that it had 4154 employees.
Some locations of Morton’s The Steakhouse host ESPN’s “Lunch with a Legend” series, whereby guests eat and interact with athletes, current and former. Those that have been featured in the program include Dwyane Wade, Bobby Hull, Derrick Rose, Dick Vermeil, Tony Stewart, Elgin Baylor, and others. Morton’s also hosts “Celebrity Server” events to raise funds for local foundations and charities. Local champions such as Larry Fitzgerald, Jim Furyk, Jack Nicklaus, and Jonathan Vilma. had acted as waiters at these special events.
Morton’s The Steakhouse has affiliated with Bubba Gump Shrimp Company; Cadillac Bar; Landry’s, Inc; Landry’s Seafood; and Rainforest Café.
The following are some of the dainties found on the menu of Morton’s The Steakhouse that make Morton’s (“The Best Steak Anywhere!”) include:
Appetizers: Colossal Crabmeat Cocktail; Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail; Bacon-Wrapped Sea Scallops*; Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarellal; Nueske’s Bacon Steak*; SRF Wagyu Meatballs; Jumbo Lump Crab Cake; Baked Escargot; Soup & Salads; Lobster Bisque; and Wedge Of Iceberg.
Vegetables: Sautéed Spinach & Button Mushrooms; Jumbo Asparagus; Creamed Spinach.
Potatoes: Jumbo Baked Potato
Desserts: New York Cheesecake; Morton’s Legendary Hot Chocolate Cake; Key Lime Pie; Crème Brûlée.
Outback Steakhouse Inc.
Outback Steakhouse, Inc. is an Australian-themed American casual cuisine, was founded in March 1988 by Bob Basham, Chris T. Sullivan, Trudy Cooper, and Tim Gannon. Outback Steakhouse Inc. is reputed and operated as a casual steakhouse chain and one of the largest in its genre, in the United States,. The chain covers 47 states in Australia and is made up of more than 600 themed restaurants.
The dinner-only restaurant chain which serves affordable American cuisine is based in Tampa, Florida, is now in 23 countries, and has over1,000 locations in North and South America, Asia, and Australia. The restaurant was originally owned and operated in the US by OSI Restaurant Partners until sold to Bloomin’Brands, and by other franchise and venture agreements internationally.
Outback Steakhouse, Inc. extends its tentacles and became involved in two evolving restaurant chains: an upscale steakhouse named Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, together with another upscale chain called Roy’s Restaurants, which is characterized by ‘east-west’ cuisine and indeed were established by celebrated chef Roy Yamaguchi.
Canadian Outback Steakhouse restaurants began in 1996. Suddenly in March 2009, the Canadian restaurant closed all the nine locations in the province of Ontario, giving poor economic conditions as reasons for its action, but in June 2009, Outback Steakhouse had another location opened in Niagara Falls, Ontario. A second restaurant followed in Niagara Falls, and this makes it the only two Outback Steakhouse restaurants functioning in Canada.
On June 14, 2007, OSI Restaurant Partners re-negotiated a takeover bid, and the restaurant was successfully transferred and became a privately owned restaurant. In April 2012 however, Bloomin’Brands, the present owners of Outback Steakhouse, went to the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) to raise capital to the tune of $300 million in the first appearance as an incorporated company.
All areas covered include Canada, United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Brazil, China, Chile,Costa Rica, Argentina, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, and Ecuador.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Ruth’s Chris Steak House is a steakhouse chain spread across the US, Canada, and Mexico. The well over 100 steakhouses, on May 22, 2008, was involved in a major rebranding and came to be united with Ruth’s Hospitality Group after acquiring Mitchell’s Fish Market; the group has its HQ in Winter Park, Florida.
The original Chris Steak House (1927–1965) was founded on February 27, 1927, by Chris Matutich. The Steak House was located at 1100 North Broad Street near the Fair Grounds Race Course, with a capacity of 60 seats and without a parking lot. During Matulich’s 38-year leadership, the business changed hands six times, and each time was re-acquired by Matutich at a much cheaper price than he sold it
Ruth Fertel, a single parent mother who at the time needed money to send her two teens to school. Brushing aside the advice of her lawyer, bankers, and friends, Ruth bought the restaurant in 1965. She used Siq’s Antique Restaurant, her brother’s restaurant located at Port Sulphur, Louisiana, to set the ball rolling. She laid the foundation of the restaurant with the family recipes. Surprisingly, on her first day being May 24, 1965, she sold 25 steaks at $5 each.
Fertel personally managed Chris Steak House with all-female wait staff for many years which happened to be the only upscale restaurant in New Orleans
In the early period of 1976, soon after Fertel extended the lease for the restaurant for another ten years, a fire destroyed the building. Fortunately, Fertel had recently purchased a second property close by to rent out as a party space. Within one week, she converted the second property to a restaurant which was at 711 North Broad Street, and expanded it to 160 seat capacity. She could not use the original name in the new location because of the clause in the sales agreement she had with Matulich, so she named the new restaurant Ruth’s Chris Steak House to maintain some level of continuity with the previous location. This is a name she admitted she never liked but had to work around it for continuity’s sake.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House in 1977 gave out a franchise to Thomas J. T. T Moran, a loyal customer in Baton Rouge Moran then opened several more franchised Ruth’s Chris locations, TJ Ribs, and Ruffion’s restaurants. Fertel later said that all the franchisees were people who had eaten at one time or another in one of the Ruth’s Chris Steak House. She claimed that they never went to the franchisees; rather the franchisees came to them. Since then the restaurant rapidly increased in number and within two decades, it had over 66 locations in the US and overseas and generating over $200 million annual sales revenue.
Saltgrass Steak House
Saltgrass Steak House is an American restaurant chain with over 80 locations up and down the country. The restaurant chain has its headquarters in Houston, Texas, and is wholly owned by Tilman J. Fertitta, President/CEO, Landry’s, Inc.
Houston was the home of the first Saltgrass Steak House which was opened in March 1991 on the Katy Freeway. It is sited on the historic trail where cattle herders would drive their livestock south to graze on the salt grasses of the Texas Gulf Coast. Every year, as teams of riders, converge before the opening of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, they travel pass by the original Saltgrass restaurant.
In September 2002, Landry’s Inc. acquired Saltgrass Steak House, at the time a 24-unit chain, for $75 million. The announcement came from Tilman Fertitta, president, CEO, and sole owner of Landry’s, Inc. The restaurant’s operations were immediately transferred to Landry’s headquarters in the Uptown area of Houston.
But Saltgrass Steak House, a smaller chain with 84 locations, which is owned by Landry Restaurants, has been seen growing rapidly. Saltgrass was listed in Technomic’s list of the 500 largest U.S. restaurant chains; its revenue showed a healthy 16.5% in 2018.
As a matter of fact, in 2018 it grew even larger when it opened 10 new steakhouses and another10 or 12 in 2019 were in the offing. Its locations currently span 10 states, mostly in the South including Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, and Florida but also in the West in Colorado and Nevada.
Saltgrass Steak House is owned by Landry’s Restaurants, as a private limited liability company since 2010 but was formerly a public limited liability company from 1993 until 2010. Landry’s is the owner of a host of restaurant chains including Landry’s Seafood, Chart House, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Morton Steakhouse, and Rainforest Café.
The CEO Tilman Fertitta is also the owner of casinos and he is the spokesperson on several of its Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino TV co.
Texas de Brazil
Texas de Brazil is a family-owned churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse) restaurant chain with locations across the US and abroad. It made its debut on October 13, 1998, in Addison, Texas, a district of Dallas. The restaurant is a Brazilian-American “churrascaria” or steakhouse that combines the cuisines of southern Brazil with Texan style meats. To prepare the meats, they are held over an open fire on specially designed skewers. Customers who want to receive meat turn a piece of paper green side up or red side up to no longer receive meat. Historically, Texas De Brazil chain of restaurants has made popular this method of cooking with Brazilian style skewers across America and beyond..
Texas de Brazil originally opened the first location in Addison, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. In 1999, the second location in Texas was opened. The number of locations in America has gone up to 46, with another 6 restaurants located abroad. With what they can boast of, Texas de Brazil chain of restaurants is raising the increasing interest in Brazilian food. With the World Cup and Olympics coming up in Brazil in the same year, they have the advantage of being included as part of this upward trend.
One of the things that set Texas De Brazil apart from its rivals is the menu. Like all churrascarias, the meats at this restaurant are made up of roasted and seasoned cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and Brazilian sausage. The meats are cooked over an open flame grill, a technique that is used in southern Brazil, where gauchos dressed as cowboys, bring meats individually to tables. Texas de Brazil does not prepare and serve chicken hearts; it is usually considered a traditional food found at many other churrascarias. The restaurant also does have to offer several types of desserts.
Texas Roadhouse
Texas Roadhouse was founded by W. Kent Taylor on Feb. 1993 at the Green Tree mall in Clarksville, Indiana. W. Kent Taylor who at the time lived in Colorade and worked at night clubs and restaurants, and later as a Kentucky Fried Chicken manager had a dream to set up Colorade-themed restaurant. Taylor was lucky to be assisted by John Y. Brown, the then Kentucky Governor with the sum of $80,000. Taylor realized his dream when he set up Buckhead Hickory Grill in 1991 and became his executive chef. Brown put in more money and did try to expand the restaurant to Clarksville, but the partnership couldn’t materialize as a result of complications arising from the formation agreement.
Meanwhile, Brown decided at the fallout of the partnership to chart a new course for himself without Taylor. He (Taylor) found a new business but was unable to realize it because of a lack of funding and no serious investor was forthcoming until he met someone, Dr. John Rhodes at Buckhead through Scott Canfield. Taylor was able to convince Dr. Rhodes after the long process of trying to defend his proposal. Eventually, in 1992, Dr. Rhodes and his partners each invested the sum of $100,000 to Taylor’s new steak restaurant. In 1993, barely a year later, the very first Texas Roadhouse in Clarksville, Indiana was born and opened its doors to the public in 1994. After the opening of the first Texas Roadhouse, Taylor sold his interest in Buckhead Mountain Grill to concentrate on Texas Roadhouse.
In 1994, he opened a branch of Texas Roadhouse in Gainesville, Florida, and three more restaurants were successfully opened in Cincinnati, Ohio, Clearwater, Florida, and Sarasota Florida. However, the last three restaurants could not continue as a result of multiple challenges that could not attract customers. These challenges include weak management support, unattractive food quality, and poor building location. Consequently, Taylor swung into action and began working to revamp the three restaurants that were not doing well, while giving attention to the first two restaurants in Clarksville and Gainesville.
He decided on in-store training, interior décor, and better building designs that would do the magic of improving Texas Roadhouse’s growth. The reorganization worked well for him, he then hired Jim Broyles from Louisville Kentucky, and made him the director of food and beverages, who then facilitated the work of making the restaurant what it is proud of today. He did this by improving the way Roadhouse prepared and served food.
From then on the chain expanded rapidly and opened more restaurants in quick succession in the late 1990s and close to the end of 1999 67 new restaurants had been added to the chain. In September 2011, Texas Roadhouse was incorporated as a public limited liability company, and its first international expansion began with opening a restaurant in Dubai, UAE
In April of the current year 2020, Kent Taylor, CEO announced he would donate his salary for the remaining part of the year to be used to pay “front-line” employees in the wake of COVID 19 pandemic. Kent Taylor’s donation should be a little less than $1 million.
Other Steak Restaurants
You should please note that there are other steak restaurants or steak houses that are actually doing very well in the United States. That implies that the ones mentioned in this articles are just selected few steak restaurants that we can consider to be top fourteen. If you know other vibrant steak restaurants around you, don’t hesitate to let our readers know about them by dropping their names as comments below.
