As a food writer and personality, I’m constantlyasked, “where can I get a good (fill in the blank)?” By far the “blank” that gets asked the most – and is the hardest to answer – is steak. And so, like any dedicated, professional, and responsible foodie, I set out to find this “good steak” inneighborhoods, styles of restaurant, and price ranges all over Tucson. While this is surely no exhaustivelist, it is my first response to the question, “where can one find a great steak in Tucson?”. One of the true OG’s of Tucson’s modern culinary fame. There is only one steak preparation to choose from here, but it is one of my favorite ways to eat a steak: Steak Frites. In this case, they serve their premium Angus bistro filetwith a generous slab of herb butter and housemade fries. Recommendation: More info at 47scott.com. Fancy, fancy, fancy (but not pretentious), Agustin Kitchen features AZ Steak Frites topped with Whiskey del Bac bavaroise sauce. Recommendation: More info at agustinkitchen.com. It’s a chain prime steakhouse inside Omni Tucson National. This one is gonna cost you. Their motto is “Our Steaks Are Prime, Our Portions Big & Our Drinks Stiff.” The deliciously marbled prime beef is served with glazed carrot and choice of baked potato, smashed potatoes or skillet fried potatoes topped with sautéed onions and peppercorn gravy. Full bar and nice wine list. Recommendation: More info atomnihotels.com. This was truly a surprise to me. When looking at potential restaurants to feature, I came across Cattletown, and wondered why I had never really heard of it before. It sits in an unexpected neighborhood of Drexel and Country Club, in all of its old west façade glory, looking really out of place. Once inside they have a nice bar, and I can only best describe the décor as 70’s chic. Seriously, this might have been thespot to hit before the disco. In any event, the mesquite grilled choice steaks were prepared nicely, and were tasty. All steaks are served with a salad, rolls withbutter, and choice of potato. The bar serves standard full bar drinks. Recommendations: More info atcattletownsteakhouse.com. The Flores family of El Charro Café fame opened Charro Steak downtown in 2016. Executive chef Gary Hickey hand trims the steaks with his trusty Butcher Boy and finishes it on the grill, fueled by the piles of mesquite wood from the dining room. Order a steaken Estilo Charro to top it with melted Manchego cheese and roasted chiles. Recommendations: More info atcharrosteak.com. This eatery opened in 1988 and describes itself as “neither hick-ish nor fashionable.” The description fits, as Cody’s stays true to their vision of straight forward cowboy food. The owner Mike Ferren worked as a butcher before Cody’s, so they’re cutting all of the steaks in-house and making their own hamburger meat.47 Scott
47 North Scott Ave.
Agustin Kitchen
100 South Avenida del Convento
Bobs Steak &Chop House
2727 West Club Dr.
Cattletown Steakhouse & Saloon
3141 East Drexel Rd.
Charro Steak
188 E. Broadway Blvd.
Cody’s Beef n’ Beans
2708 East Fort Lowell Rd.
Dinner includes a salad or soup, and a choice of two sides. They have a smattering of beers and wines to select from.
Recommendation:
- Porterhouse with beans and baked potato paired with a Red Diamond Malbec
More infocodysbeef.com.
Commoner & Co.
6960 East Sunrise Dr.
Touted as a comfort food restaurant with foodie twists, Commonerdelivers. There is only one steak on the menu here, but it’s worth the trip.
The cast-iron seared flank steak,served with a beet-parmesan gratin, blue cheese, pickled horseradish salad, and housemade balsamic-raisin steak sauce. Commoner offersa full bar and nice co*cktail program, but their wine selection is amazing, without beingoverwhelming.
Recommendation:
- Get there early for some apps, and order a bottle of Coup de Grâce with your steak
More info atcommonertucson.com.
Daisy Mae’s
2735 West Anklam Rd.
Wood paneling? Check. Dollar bills on the wall? Check. Bull skull? Check. They aren’t trying to wow folks with ambiance at Daisy Mae’s, as it looks like a rough dive bar more than a steakhouse, but they sure do mesquite grill their Certified Angus (Choice or Prime) steaks just right.
Couple your juicy steak – served with salad, beans and bread – with a beer from animpressive selection and you haveall you need.
Recommendation:
- Signature rib eye steak with a Nimbus Dirty Guera
More info atdaisymaessteakhouse.com.
El Corral
2201 East River Rd.
This Tucson landmark has been a place for fancy britches eatin’ for over 75 years in some incarnation. The decor is all cowboy with western murals, cowboy pictures, and wood trim. The select grade steaks are mesquite grilled, letting the meat and fire speak for itself. Your slab of beef is served with a garden salad or soup and choice of one side. They have a full bar for all your libation desires.
Recommendation:
- While their prime rib is legendary and tasty, I still say the bone-in ribeye with tamale pie for the side and a Woodford Old Fashioned
More info atelcorraltucson.com.
Flemings
6360 N. Campbell Ave.
Flemings is obviously a chain, so I almost did not include it. After I was assured that it was locally owned and has some great Tucsonans as employees, I caved and gave it a shot. The service isspot on. The steaks are prime and dry aged or wagyu. The ambiance isfancy. The menu is typical steakhouse style, meaning you order your steak and all sidesa la carte. They have a full bar, and nice varied wine list.
Recommendations:
- CAB block-cut craftsman ribeye with a glass of Duckhorn Merlot
More info atflemingssteakhouse.com.
Garrett’s Family Steakhouse
9431 East 22nd St.
This newcomer to the Tucson restaurant scene comes from good stock. Garrett’s dad, Michael is the owner and operator of bothBread & Butter café’s. Garrett’s Steakhouse is a friendly, family restaurant offering up standard steakhouse fare and a full bar.
They offer 9 USDA choice steak variations and they all come with a soup or salad and choice of two sides. The teeny tiny saloon, pumps out some delicious and creative co*cktails, has a modest but eclectic wine list, and a pretty impressive beer selection. It is a welcomed site to steak seekers.
Recommendation:
- Porterhouse, loaded potato and a steakhouse martini
More info atgarrettsfamilysteakhouse.com.
The Horseshoe Grill
7259 E. Broadway Blvd
Mesquite is the star for the beautifully grilled steaks at the Horseshoe Grill. This 2016 newcomer also developed a loyal following for theirGrilled and Chilled Shrimp co*cktail with its house-made sauce.
Recommendation:
- Rib Eye, TGH bacon,and aChileviejo co*cktail
For more information, visitthehorseshoetucson.com.
Jonathan’s Cork
6320 East Tanque Verde Rd.
This Tucson treasure could have been placed in any of these categories other than surprises. Chef Landeen’s menu includes four angus beef steaks, prime rib as well as a bison and ostrich steaks, all are served with garlic mashed potatoes or rice blend and house vegetable medley. The ambiance is southwestern upscale, but warm and inviting. There is a full bar, nice co*cktails, good wine selection and a few beer options.
Recommendation:
- “A cork tradition” Baseball teriyaki with a Macallan 12 year on the rocks
More info atjonathanscork.billfoldbrochures.com.
Lil’ Abners
8501 North Silverbell Rd.
This place is a true staple. It has been around for68 plus years, although the land it sits upon is up for sale, placingthe steakhouse and bar in jeopardy.
The decor is what you mightcome to expect in Tucson’s staple steakhouses, accumulated knick knacks such as Kokopelli dolls and license plates, overall western and cowboy themed and still rough and worn around the edges. The center piece is the big mesquite pit that is situated outside, flaming and smoking, filled with USDA Choice beef.
Steaks are served with Texas toast, all you can eat ranch beans, salsa and a salad. They have a full bar and a cool little beer selection.
Recommendation:
- Bone-in Ribeye with a Oak Creek Brewery hefeweizen – on the patio
More info on Lil’ Abners Facebook page.
Little Mexico Steakhouse
2851 West Valencia Rd.
Not to be confused with Little Mexico Restaurant owned bythe same family, and located on Irvington, Little Mexico Steakhouse was certainly a surprise. It’s a Mexican restaurant-meets-steakhouse, which is perfect when dining with others who do not share your commitment to eating every steak in the city.
They have select or choice beef (depending on the cut) whichis cooked crusty on the outside and perfectly rare in the middle, something you don’t find at most carne asada shops. Steak isserved with choice of refried beans or ranch beans, salad or soup, and bread or tortilla.
Recommendations:
- Steak Ranchero (16oz T-Bone) and a pitcher of house margaritas
More info atlittlemexico-tucson.com.
Maynards Kitchen
400 North Toole Ave.
What can be saidabout Maynards that hasn’t been said? Everybody knows and loves this eatery and market by the train tracks. Maynards featuresthree steaks on the menu, including an in-house dry aged ribeye, a filet, and a sirloin. The atmosphere is full-on hip-upscale withenough elegance and peace for a romantic meal. They have a full bar with enough wine and beer selections to please any palate.
Recommendation:
- Filet with bearnaise sauce and a Maynard’s Manhattan
More info atmaynardstucson.com.
McGraw’s Cantina
4110 South Houghton Rd.
Opened in 1982 when Houghton was just a portal to ranches, it first served as a place for cowpokes to rustle up some suds. McGraw’s has some standard western decor, but feels cozy and inviting all the while hosting great views of the Santa Rita Mountains. They serve up Certified Angus Beef, and do all the butchery in-house.
Steaks are served with a vegetable, salad, biscuit and choice of side – which include the usual suspects of beans, fries, baked potato, etc.
Recommendation:
- T-Bone with a Barrio Tucson Blonde
More info attucsonmcgraws.com.
Pinnacle Peak
6541 East Tanque Verde Rd.
A fun and family friendly, steakhouse and saloon, that has been serving Tucson since 1962. No frills, they cook their choice or select (depending on the cut) beef over mesquite and serve it with ranch beans, a salad, and basket of white bread. Pinnacle Peakhas a full bar and a few creative and tasty “house margaritas,” as well asother co*cktails.
Bonus: The old west atmosphere and shops at Trail Dust Town make it an event as well as dinner.
Recommendation:
- The good ol’ original “cowboy steak” (T-Bone) with a Pistolero Punch
More info atpinnaclepeaktucson.com.
PY Steakhouse
Casino Del Sol, 5655 West Valencia Rd.
This is a crème de la crème type joint. Prime beef, gorgeous ambiance, full bar, cool co*cktail program, stellar service, the whole nine! It’s in the casino, so if you can take a break from the kino machine or hit a hot streak in blackjack, this is a must try!
Recommendation:
- Go all high-roller status, get the 28 day dry aged prime ribeye, go nuts in the “Enhancements” section with a lobster tail or crab legs add on, truffle butter or foie gras and order a scotch flight with that bad boy. Hey, you only live once.
More info atcasinodelsolresort.com.
Saddlehorn Saloon
6300 East Tanque Verde Rd.
Wednesday Night is steak night at this little cowboy themed dive bar located on the outskirts of ol’ restaurant row. Wednesday night only for $10 you get a 12oz sirloin, ranch beans, bread salad, and a baked potato. This fully stocked bar has a fun, no nonsense atmosphere and family friendly until 8pm.
Recommendation:
- Well, there’s the dinner above, with a jack and co*ke. Act like you are a regular.
More info on Saddlehorn Yelp Page.
Shooters Saloon
3115 East Prince Rd.
This little gem of a bar is located at the end of Country Club on Prince. It looks like a palace out of Aladdin due to it’s Middle Eastern restaurant past. The décor is nothing new or exciting, and the menu is typical bar fare, with the exception of the mesquite grilled steaks. They are cooked to order, perfectly and served up with a salad and some ranch beans, with the option to order sides.
It’s definitely a full bar, but are not breaking any new ground as far as drinks are concerned, but there will usually have regulars imbibing at all open hours.
Recommendation:
- The ribeye and a Maker’s Mark and 7up
More info on Shooters Yelp Page.
Silver Saddle
310 East Benson Hwy
Quite possibly a personal favorite of mine on this list (and Adam Sandler’s too, apparently) It’s another open pit mesquite grill set in the center of the restaurant, you get to watch them as they lower and raise the grate, with the flames ever so slightly licking their USDA Choice beef.
They serve up steaks or prime rib with a tasty french roll, bowl of soup or trip to the salad bar, cowboy beans and choice of french fries or baked potato. There is a beautiful full bar with a decent wine list.
Recommendation
- New York strip with a glass (or bottle) of Francis Coppola – pinot noir
More info atthesilversaddlesteakhouse.com.
The Grill at Hacienda Del Sol
5501 North Hacienda Del Sol Rd.
The Grill is a fantastic restaurant located atHacienda Del Sol resort. The restaurant and its chefs are highly decorated with both local and national awards. It is not, however, a steak house. They do have two steaks on the menu, a filet and New York strip as well as a tartare appetizer. They have a unique co*cktail program and full bar, but the real star of the show is the extensive, magnificent if not imposing wine list, boasting over 900 labels. If you enjoy a good glass of vino with your steak, this is the place.
Recommendation:
- Filet. We settled on a bottle of Ferrari-Carano “Siena” red blend, but we were so overwhelmed with the list, we almost settled on a chipotle-cilantro margarita.
More info athaciendadelsol.com.
Tiny’s Saloon & Steakhouse
4900 West Ajo Hwy.
This saloon and steakhouse located on Ajo and Kinney will remind you of the wild west, if not for the wagon wheels on the wall and super old furniture, but for the outlaws you are sure to see if you spend anytime here. That being said, I found it a fun crowd, friendly service and a decent steak. They offer four cuts of beef (grade unknown) and serve it with dinner salad, baked potato, roll and beans. They have a full bar, with your standard beer and co*cktail offerings, and they also have a few wines to choose from.
Recommendation:
- In an attempt to blend in, I had a top sirloin, bud light and shot of Jack Daniel’s
More info on Tiny’s Facebook page.
Union Public House
4340 North Campbell Ave.
The food and atmosphere are awesome, with it’s modern gastropub vibe and foodiemenu. However, I am just here for the steak. They only have one to choose from, a New York strip served with grilled asparagus, Chipperbec fries, compound butter.
Recommendation:
- Bring extra money for this super impressive whiskey list
More info at uniontucson.com.
