The Best of Arizona Steakhouses—Hands Down!

by MichaelJon  -  April 14, 2008

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The American passion for steak is very apparent in the many steak and chop houses that fill our cities. But in the Wild West (Arizona) slaughterhouses and cattle ranches still decorate much of the valley. In turn, this provides for some of the best and freshest cuts of steak available, and all at the best prices because it comes locally. So it should not be surprising that outside of New York, Boston or Chicago, Phoenix rates in the top five states to go and grab a steak. I happen to be a steak lover myself, and have had the cordial pleasure of dining at some of the Valley’s best steakhouses. Without further ado, here are my top four and some more; all for your eating pleasure!

Ruth's Chris Steak House

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Ruth’s Chris Website

Ruth's Chris Steak House

7001 N Scottsdale Rd, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

One of best-known and finest steakhouses in the state is found inside the ample interior of the world famous Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. Originally an undertaking of restaurateur, Paul Fleming, who divulged his oil fortune into restaurants, this place was bought out about five years ago and guess what, they actually managed to somehow improve on perfection! When you choose to dine at Ruth’s Chris, you are choosing to dine at one of the very best steakhouses in the country. So it obviously goes without saying that you should make sure your bank account has ample room before heading out to that reservation.

All of their locations are designed to look and feel the same inside and out; so no matter where you are, this steakhouse always seems the same. The ambience inside is that of mahogany finish and uppity class, nice tables with plenty of settings and plenty of room between the other tables. Dim lighting and romantic music saturate an already winning ambience. The service is unlike service you have ever experienced anywhere else, that is unless you have eaten at this place before. Make sure to call ahead and book a table, otherwise you might find yourself waiting forty minutes or longer, due to the immense popularity of this place.

Their meats are delivered daily and are of the very best of quality. All of them are then hung in their meat humidor to age, where you can even select your own cut if you so choose. Once you have decided on what type of steak that you want, their top-rated chefs grill it to perfection. I recommend the prime rib, although pricey, it is of the best I have ever had; comparable to Gallagher’s famous steakhouse in Times Square, NY. Rating based upon personal experience: ****** six stars is not enough to adequately rate the service, food, drinks, class and experience that you will receive when dining at Ruth’s Chris.

A cut of prime, aged NY Tenderloin at Ruth’s Chris

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The quality of their meat is some of the finest to be had. Combine this with amazing service and a decadent and romantic interior, and you have the magical recipe for this amazing steakhouse.

Fleming's

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Fleming's Website

This place is simply put, fantastic. Paul Fleming and his beautiful family happen to be longtime friends of mine, and to say it lightly, this restaurateur knows how to make a great eateries; especially when it comes to fine steaks and wines. Formally an oil tycoon, Mr. Fleming divulged his fortune into steakhouses in the mid-80’s and the result was some of the very finest steakhouses in the country being introduced to Phoenix, Arizona. When you eat at Fleming’s you get what you pay for—and what you get is the ultimate steak and dining experience!

Fleming’s Steakhouse and Wine Bar in Scottsdale, Arizona is one of the nicest joints you can eat at in the state. The restaurant features a world-class wine bar that frequently hosts tasting and has more than 50,000 bottles of the best wine in stock—not to mention one of the largest steak freezers in the back, all being prepped by five star chefs. The interior is posh to say the least, so expect to spend big bucks when dining here. But for your money you will get some of the best service you have ever gotten, one of the best steaks and the finest wine to be drank.

The average dinner for two here will run you about $150 with tip, all depending on what type of wine or champagne that you order; they have bottles that are $2000 and up. Guests’ every whim is catered to by their amazing servers who assure that every need is met. Rating based upon personal experience: * five stars, easily. Steakhouses strive to meet the perfection, elegance, presentation and class that this place exhibits.

A choice, aged, T-bone steak at Fleming’s

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This cut of a T-bone steak at Flemings depicts the quality and savory juiciness that all of their aged and marinated tenderloin cuts have. Your mouth will water but your wallet may yell at you.

Rustler’s Rooste

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Rustler's Rooste Website

Rustler’s Rooste Steakhouse

8383 S 48TH ST PHOENIX, AZ 85044

If you are looking for a well-priced steak that will not break your bank account when you leave the place—albeit your tummy will be full—then head to Rustler’s Rooste in central Phoenix, Arizona. The place is designed to look like an old-time saloon and eatery, and brandishes all things western that you have ever seen in old cowboy movies. However their food is of a different fare, and features high-quality beef cuts that are prepared exactly the way that you want them to be. You can even buy aged cuts of steak, although you will pay a bit more.

Rustler’s Rooste has been open for business in AZ for years. They are the place to go if you want to eat at a Western-themed steakhouse that hails to the trodden old cowboy way. Their prices are fairly decent; two people can dine here on steak and BBQ chicken for about $80 before tip. The service is semi-decent as well, although they can get really crowded, which makes for a lag in both their service and their food. However, if you are looking for great eats, fresh meats and cowboy beats, you will find it here. Rating based upon personal experience: * three stars for food, prices, quality and service, but they could use some improvements in the way they handle high-occupancy days and their drink selection is fairly limited. 

The Cowboy Steak Dinner at Rustler’s Rooste

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This restaurant’s specialty is with cowboy cooking, as is depicted in the above picture featuring their cowboy dinner—real steak, the way that the cowboys ate it, delivered fresh daily from a local slaughterhouse.

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Donavon’s Steak and Chop House

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Donavon’s Website

Donavon’s Steak and Chop House

3101 E CAMELBACK RD PHOENIX, AZ 85016

Situated off Camelback road near the Phoenix/Scottsdale border, and servicing the uppity and high-class Biltmore District, does come Donavon’s Steak and Chop House. Newer to the valley than many of the other more established joints, Donavon’s is quickly making a huge impact with the locals. This restaurant is housed on its own plot of land and features easy roadside access and a brilliantly and elegantly designed exterior and interior that screams, “Wow I am really nice, inside and out!”

You can choose to park in their enormous parking lot, or hand the keys to a valet. Once inside you will be treated by a dimly-lit and romantic interior that is perfect for dating. Five star customer service and professionally trained waiters will beckon to your every food and drink needing whim. But all of that aside, what really draws hungry patrons with deep pockets to this steakhouse is their fine wine and of course, some of best damn steaks you can sink a fork into.

They have their own steak humidor that has freshly cut hunks of meat shipped in each and every day. They are then aged 14-21 days, depending on the cut, and you can even hand-select your own cut of meat from their humidor. It is then prepared to perfection by their gourmet chefs in the kitchen, and promptly delivered to your table with a smile and class. Rating based upon personal experience: * five stars: this place easily defines what separates a great restaurant from an average restaurant. Their food, the service, the splendor and the experience are all bar-none, even if pricey.

World Famous Filet Mignon Dinner at Donavon’s

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Filet Mignon does not get any tastier than this, as the dinner shown above from Donavon’s steakhouse in Phoenix depicts. They hand-select the finest cuts and have their five star chefs prepare them for patrons.

Where to buy the best steak in AZ:

Omaha Steaks

15425 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

This national brand has some of the best steak cuts around. Although they can be pricey, such is the nature of great steak.

This national brand has some of the best steak cuts around. Although they can be pricey, such is the nature of great steak.

Whole Foods Market

5120 S Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ 85282

This place has a meat humidor where you can buy locally-raised, free-range and aged steaks of the finest cuts. But be prepared to spend a pretty penny.

This place has a meat humidor where you can buy locally-raised, free-range and aged steaks of the finest cuts. But be prepared to spend a pretty penny.

Scottsdale Kosher Market

10211 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253

If you are looking for the highest quality, Glatt kosher steaks, you will find them here. But be prepared to spend about $25 per half pound, this is the going rate of good kosher steak.

If you are looking for the highest quality, Glatt kosher steaks, you will find them here. But be prepared to spend about $25 per half pound, this is the going rate of good kosher steak.

Cool videos:

Learn how to grill the perfect rib-eye steak

A recipe provided by Barbecue Web on how to prepare and cook the perfect steak using a small charcoal grill.

Learn how to make Southern country fried steak

A top meat fabrication chef demonstrates how to cook and prepare this southern specialty.

Other great steakhouses in Arizona:

Sullivan's Steakhouse

1785 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718

A niche steakhouse that has fresh meat delivered daily from the local slaughterhouse. Due to the fact that there is a slaughterhouse nearby, steak does not get much fresher than this.

A niche steakhouse that has fresh meat delivered daily from the local slaughterhouse. Due to the fact that there is a slaughterhouse nearby, steak does not get much fresher than this.

T-Bone Restaurant

10037 S 19th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85041

A nicely-sized and well-priced steak restaurant—where you can enjoy the finer aspects of eating steak without choking when you get the bill at the end of the meal.

A nicely-sized and well-priced steak restaurant—where you can enjoy the finer aspects of eating steak without choking when you get the bill at the end of the meal.

Featuring the all too sought after and world famous Japanese Kobe steak. Not for those who are on a trim budget; these steaks will run about $100 per plate but they are oh’ so tender and delectable.

Featuring the all too sought after and world famous Japanese Kobe steak. Not for those who are on a trim budget; these steaks will run about $100 per plate but they are oh’ so tender and delectable.

The perfect steak is hard to find

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The steak cut shown above demonstrates what is known amongst industry insiders as the perfect marbled cut. Meaning that there is minimal fat and it trails throughout the cut, much like marble, melting when cooked and adding to the flavor of the meat.

Map of the best places to eat steak and buy fresh steak in the great state of Arizona.

The finest steak is aged, like wine.

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A meat humidor ages some of the finest cuts of beef at Whole Foods Marketplace in Tempe, Arizona.

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About The Author

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MichaelJon Rss 

Tempe
Let’s see…I am 28, I love playing music (live performing; entertaining), and I am the lead singer for an Arizonan rock band. I enjoy spending time with my friends…playing with my Timber Wolf and Rotty, not to mention watching a little bit of South Park and Family Guy. But, mostly, I just love hav...