Ask any Dallasite where to go for a steak and you’ll hear an array of opinions presented as cold facts. If there’s one thing this city has no shortage of — and one thing Dallas diners are passionate about — it’s steakhouses. Whether you’re a connoisseur interested in exactly what the cattle grazed on and how long the dry-aging process took; or simply celebrating something special that calls for a rare bottle of wine and melt-in-your-mouth meat, this list has you covered. Here are six of Dallas’s top steakhouses.
Knife Steakhouse Plano
The world met celebrity chef John Tesar more than a decade ago when he was a contestant on Bravo’s Top Chef, and his career exploded from there. Everything about Knife Plano, an offshoot of Tesar’s original steakhouse Knife, is understated. For one thing, it’s located in a mall, and it’s not likely you’ll witness guests dressed to the nines or putting on airs. Upon entry, the open kitchen offers the only clue that you are in a fine-dining mecca. While steak is the main draw, Knife is one of those places where you simply can’t order the wrong thing. 6121 W. Park Blvd. RS9, Plano, knifeplano.com
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
What speaks volumes about Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is that much of its staff has been there since it opened in 1998 — and they have no plans to leave. Spend an evening there yourself, and you won’t want to either. From the coziness felt from dining amidst the roaring fireplace to the warm hospitality and epic wine program, Pappas Bros. holds a place on most Dallasites’ favorite steakhouse list. The menu is simple, but strong, listing filet mignons, rib eyes, and strips, alongside a couple of seafood options for those who are less red meat-inclined. Desserts are Texas-sized and well worth it. 10477 Lombardy Ln., Dallas, pappasbros.com
Bar-Ranch Steak Company
Steak nerds unite and rejoice at this 900 square-foot butcher shop that transforms into a six-table steakhouse after dark. The owner keeps the operation small to ensure a top notch experience delivered at the highest quality. Steaks are dry-aged on site for at least a month — and in some cases, close to a year — in a Himalayan salt chamber, in full view of diners. Steakhouse aficionados who really know their beef consider this place the best in the city. 1016 E. 15th St., Plano, barranchco.com
Trick Rider
The bar of this restaurant inside the Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa deserves just as much praise as its steak program. A 16-foot-long horse made of 4,000 crystals hangs suspended from the ceiling, demanding the attention of guests. It’s strangely beautiful, and could not be more on brand with Dallas. Belly up to the horse-shoe shaped bar, and order a martini and oysters on the half-shell. Take in all of the cowboy-chic touches, like salt and pepper shakers topped with silver horse heads, before exploring the meaty section of the menu, naturally designated as the Stable of Meats. 4341 PGA Pkwy., Frisco, omnihotels.com
B&B Butchers & Restaurant
Any steak program in Fort Worth has fierce competition, but B&B Butchers stands out, in part because it’s one of a few dozen restaurants in the country that has Japan’s Kobe Beef Association’s prestigious certification. True Kobe Beef is made purely of Tajima cattle, and it must meet a strict set of criteria to determine its quality, including its marbling score, and when and where it was slaughtered. Because B&B specializes in this exclusive, world-renowned beef, every steak tastes like a special occasion. Sip a robust red while you await your ribeye with a side of lobster-whipped mashed potatoes. If you’d like to try your hand at cooking these choice filets, pop into the adjacent butcher shop. 5212 Marathon Ave., Fort Worth, bbbutchers.com
Al Biernat’s
With a wine list as long as the Bible, Al Biernat’s has been a go-to for special occasion meals since the Oak Lawn location opened in 1998. It has classic-steakhouse charm, with white tablecloths, luxurious leather furniture, and understated wall art. The elegant design pairs well with filet mignons and rib eyes sourced from a carefully selected collection of ranches. And, if having a steak is just an excuse to order sides, Al Biernat’s most definitely delivers. Don’t miss the lobster risotto. 4217 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, albiernats.com/