7 Best And 7 Worst Steakhouse Chains In The US

When you're craving a steak dinner, but don't want to cook at home, you likely have a number of steakhouses nearby to choose from. Steakhouse chains typically stick to the same formula — steaks, seafood, and an array of sides. But not all steakhouses are created equal. Some offer the best cuts of steak, cook them to perfection, and serve them in stunning settings. Others just seem to drop the ball. From the quality of the food to the service and atmosphere, there are several factors that make some chains stand out from others.

If you're wondering where to indulge in a great steak dinner that won't leave you feeling like you were ripped off, these are some of the top-rated steakhouse chains that are worthy of a special evening out and some not-so-great spots that you may want to skip. We chose these restaurants based on our own experiences, as well as customer reviews and rankings on sites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Reddit. To help you plan a stellar steakhouse outing and avoid wasting your time and money, we give you the seven best and seven worst steakhouse chains in the U.S.

When Mashed took a poll of which steakhouse readers thought had the worst steak, Outback Steakhouse got the most votes. That may be due to the quality of its beef. A former server and restaurant manager explained on Quora, "Outback uses "USDA Choice," while a premium steakhouse uses only "USDA Prime." A prime steak earns that rating based on the marbling of the fat within the meat, which is what makes it juicier and more tender." That could explain why some diners complain that the steak is tough and dry.

Some people also find Outback's kitschy Aussie theme laughable. You might be surprised to hear that the chain is not actually from Australia. Outback was created in Tampa, Florida in 1988. The founders wanted to create a casual steakhouse that was different from the standard Western-themed spots, so they chose an Australian theme. This was shortly after "Crocodile Dundee" had exploded on the movie scene. You might think then that the menu would include dishes from "The Land Down Under." Not so much. Despite having names like the Kookaburra wings and Tasmanian chili, none of the menu items are authentically Australian. And yes, that includes the beloved Bloomin' Onion.

For many of us, Sizzler is a blast from the past. This casual steakhouse chain has been around since the 1950s, and its goal has always been to serve budget-friendly steak dinners that the whole family could enjoy. It's still popular today thanks to its easy-going concept. You place your order at the counter, then grab a seat and a server will bring you your food, along with free cheese toast and drink refills. You can also load your plate up at the all-you-can-eat salad bar.

In terms of the food, Sizzler is not terrible. Just don't expect an over-the-top, super memorable meal. The offerings are pretty standard. Steaks are the focus of the menu, but you can also opt for seafood, chicken, ribs, and a variety of sides. If you're going for the nostalgia factor, be warned that many diners believe the quality of the food doesn't compare to the good old days. For example, one Yelp reviewer said, "Back in the 90s Sizzlers was a great steak restaurant with a great salad bar buffet with all the extra fixings. NOW you just get a small portion of steak, and the salad bar... never mind, save your money."

Back in the 90s, Ponderosa was killing the steakhouse scene. At that time, it had over 700 restaurants worldwide. Now there are just a handful left in the United States. Perhaps it's because the brand never quite moved on from the all-you-can-eat buffet model that seems incredibly dated today. Not much seems to have changed over the years, and in fact, many reviewers comment on how the quality has worsened. Diners often comment on the shabby interiors and poor service. Then there is the quality of the food.

One TripAdvisor said, "Food quality was shocking. Mac 'n' cheese was literally pasta and yellow water, no cheese flavor. Steak tips were undercooked and full of fat, shrimp overcooked." Josh Wussow wrote on The Takeout, "I'd eaten a very good steak the night prior to my visit, so I opted for the sirloin tips as my entrée. This was a mistake ... Shame on me for going against my instincts, but shame on Ponderosa for sullying its own good name. The onions lacked color and flavor, and the half-decent mushrooms were the best part of the plate. The fries were cold and limp, but were saved by their coating of seasoned salt." He followed up with, "You don't come to Ponderosa to eat well. You come to eat a lot, and to straddle the border of too much."

Sirloin Stockade is another all-you-can-eat concept that offers hot and cold buffet options like steak, fried chicken, and salads. There are nine locations across the South and Midwest. While the food is relatively affordable compared to some other steakhouse chains, it may not be worth a road trip. Most locations get poor reviews for the appalling quality of the food, bad service, and depressing interiors. One Yelp reviewer said, "Even if you feel like slumming it, there are better options than Sirloin."

In terms of the food, Sirloin Stockade gets some pretty scathing reviews. One Google reviewer said, "It's time to close this horrible place. The steak was the size of a baby shoe and just as tough, salad bar items (cottage cheese) are spoiled and even after telling them that they left it out, rolls are hard on the bottom as if they have been sitting for a couple of days. All in all, save your hard-earned money and eat anywhere else." Another diner on TripAdvisor called the desserts, "The worst, most fake, foul-tasting, meal-ruining deserts in the state of Texas."

Steak 48 is a high-end steakhouse chain that offers quality meats and seafood in sophisticated settings. So why is it on our worst list? Well, the brand has some rules that many people find off-putting. For one, the strict dress code. As per the Steak 48 website, "​​In order to maintain an enjoyable environment for all of our guests, athletic wear, ... excessively revealing clothing, or exposed undergarments, will not be permitted. We prefer no printed t-shirts, hats or visors and always appreciate collared shirts and/or sports coats."

In addition, Steak 48 caused some controversy when it started implementing a minimum spend of $100 at several of its locations. Chances are you'd likely spend over $100 on a nice steak dinner anyway, but some people found the rule to be overly pretentious. The last straw for some diners is that gratuity is automatically added to the bill. A commenter on TripAdvisor said, "Requiring gratuity no longer makes it gratuity, it is merely a service fee and to then add an additional line item under gratuity to provide an additional "tip" is beyond offensive."

With over 600 restaurants across the United States, there's a good chance you have a Texas Roadhouse near you. The neon signs beckon diners in with the promise of Texas-style feasts at affordable prices. It certainly has a fan following, with many people loving the bang that you get for your buck. The free freshly baked rolls with honey-cinnamon butter also have somewhat of a cult following. But is the steak up to par? In general, most people find it average at best.

One Reddit user said, "If you're trying to go somewhere for a steak that's going to be top of the line, this ain't it. But it's decent enough for the $20 or so you'll spend." Another user on the same thread commented, "Texas Roadhouse is to steak as Chili's is to hamburgers. It's fine, generally speaking, but there is nothing that will really thrill anyone. It's cooked by recipe, which is fine. It's a business, and they cook to please 80% of people. Which means it's generally boring."

Claim Jumper Steakhouse & Bar has the word "steakhouse" right in the name, and it does indeed serve steak. However, steak is only one of the categories on its massive menu. As is so often the case when restaurants have huge menus, the food tends to be all over the map in terms of quality. It stands to reason that if the kitchen is cooking up everything from steaks to wood-fired pizzas, pastas, burgers, tacos, and chicken pot pie, it's probably not excelling at any one particular thing.

That being said, this casual steakhouse chain does use quality USDA Prime beef. Diners also say the portions are substantial. However, many former customers found the food and atmosphere underwhelming. One Yelp reviewer said, "Everything about the experience was average. The service was average, the appetizers were average, and the ambiance was average. Absolutely zero reasons for me to go back (unless my work holds another function there, I suppose.) For the money, you'll get a much better steak at Ruby River."