Outback, Morton’s and 13 Other Steakhouse Chains That Are Worth Every Penny

It may be a generalization, but many Americans love steak—and steakhouses. Some are family-friendly with diverse menus, and others offer fine dining, but which ones are truly worth the splurge?

Families are tightening their budgets and seeking ways to stretch a restaurant budget to save money. Customers still want the occasional treat but are becoming more discerning about quality versus cost.

See which steakhouses rank the best with consumers.

Known for its upscale atmosphere, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse is a top choice with over 100 locations throughout the U.S. Customers rave about the steak, generous side portions, and cheesecake, which some say is worth the trip even for those who don’t love red meat.

Ruth’s Chris uses a special broiling method that cooks steaks at 1800 degrees Fahrenheit to get a perfect crust around the meat, which is then served on a sizzling hot plate.

Brazilian steakhouse meets a Texas-inspired influence at Texas de Brazil. Instead of ordering a traditional steak, diners at the all-you-can-eat establishment have many different types and cuts of meat slow-roasted over open flames and then brought around to be sliced fresh at the table.

In addition to beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and sausage there’s also an extensive salad bar with a wide variety of sides and other dishes to fill out the meal. Their house-baked cheese bread and fried bananas are especially beloved.

This causal atmosphere steakhouse has over 550 locations nationwide and has become a go-to spot to satisfy any celebratory cravings. In addition to steaks like porterhouse, t-bones, and more, the menu also includes seafood, chicken, pasta, and salad entrées to satiate every craving.

Longhorn is owned by the same parent company as Capital Grille, which caters to a fine-dining steak experience but has far fewer locations.

Texas Roadhouse is the second-largest steakhouse chain in the U.S. but boasts over a billion dollars in sales over the top competitor, Outback Steakhouse. Customers love the free rolls and honey butter served with every meal and rave about the Cactus Blossom which is their copycat version of a Bloomin’ Onion.

The chain is unique for allowing diners to choose their steak from a display, which is then made to order.

The Australian-themed Outback Steakhouse ranks slightly lower than Texas Roadhouse by customers, but not by much. It has a quieter atmosphere, which can be a factor for those who want a similar quality steak without having the whole staff burst into a line dance.

Outback is the original home of the Bloomin’ Onion, an appetizer that continues to be one of the restaurant’s signature dishes.

There are over 100 Logan’s Roadhouse locations in the Southeastern states. The restaurant is comparable to Texas Roadhouse, however, Logan’s is open for lunch during the week which makes it preferable for business lunches and early-eaters.

Steak prices range from a moderate $20 to $40, but there’s also a wide variety of other entrees in the $20 range which make it a part of many people’s regular restaurant rotation.

Often rated as the best steakhouse in America, Smith & Wollensky is a high-end dining experience with top-quality steaks. The restaurant chain boasts just 10 locations in major cities, ensuring prime accessibility for customers.

The price tag for a steak ranges from $58 to $94 based on the Miami Beach location, so diners can expect to pay a high price tag and expect exceptional food and service.

Only 25 states have access to a Fleming’s, but it gets high ratings for its various cuts of steak, especially their prime rib. There are a total of 65 locations, each uniquely decorated to provide a high-end ambiance.

It’s not just perfectly cooked steaks, but also an excellent wine collection that draws customers to dine at Fleming’s. They offer an eclectic variety of hand-picked wines that pair perfectly with entrées.

Customers love Perry’s aged prime beef, but the upscale restaurant charges a hefty price for butcher-fresh cuts customized to personal perfection with a wide selection of sauces and toppings.

Each steak is served with Perry’s signature seasoning and arrives on a hot cast-iron plate for a peak steak experience. Prices for an entree range from $49 for filet mignon to $99 for their “Primal Flight” which includes Wagyu steak.

The high-end menu also includes vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.

The Chicago-style steakhouse offers some of the highest-quality cuts of prime beef, keeping fans coming back for celebratory occasions. Their bone-in ribeye is widely praised, and steak prices range between $44 and $69.

There are about 60 locations, and customers love that every meal starts with fresh, hot onion bread and that the portions of the sides are all oversized, making them ideal for sharing.

The Brazilian-style steakhouse is gaining popularity, and Fogo de Chão was recently ranked as the seventh favorite restaurant chain in America by Eat This, Not That. The all-you-can-eat churrasco-style grilled meat is served at 70 locations across the U.S.

Like Texas de Brazil, the meat is served by bringing several different types and cuts to each table, but Fogo de Chão is said to have a better selection for those who enjoy a protein-heavy meal and want to skimp on the salad bar options.

Among high-end steakhouses, Mastro’s may just be at the top. The upscale restaurant offers traditional cuts of steak but also has high-end cuts of Japanese Wagyu beef and true A5 Kobe beef—which is touted as the most exclusive beef in the world.

Add in a variety of fresh seafood options, including lobster, and their famous butter cake, and it’s clear why it’s such a special occasion destination—even with celebrities.

Love that campfire-style, open-flame, chargrilled flavor? Saltgrass Steak House offers eight different cuts of Certified Angus Beef steaks, including Wagyu, each grilled to perfection and topped with mouthwatering garlic butter and their unique seasoning blend.

There are over 90 locations in America, and their mid-range prices keep happy diners coming back for more.

This casual dining steakhouse chain is big for its nostalgic diner-style decor, easy-on-the-wallet pricing, and popular all-you-can-eat salad bar—jello and all. The Sizzler concept was meant to be a way for families to dine out and enjoy high-end menu items like steak at an affordable price point.

The prices are better than average, ranging from $19.79 to $29.69 for steak in a more casual setting that won’t make you cringe if any children in your party are being noisy.

Black Angus is known for aging its beef at least 21 days to develop a deep flavor before flame-grilling it to perfection. If you’re not in the mood for steak, options like lobster tail and baby back ribs are also options on their menu.

Their Campfire Feast for Two is a popular choice that includes an appetizer, two entrees, four sides, and one dessert for a price of $69.

Steak is unlikely to be going away any time soon, but chain steakhouses are struggling from the same industry-wide problem all restaurants are facing with fewer people having room in their budgets to dine out.

Customers want to make sure the experience they’re paying for will be worth the extra cost and using hacks like top reward credit cards to rack up points when splurging on the occasional restaurant meal. Just make sure you’re always able to pay the balance off in full before charging.