Steak house: The words conjure up an image of a fancy place with high prices and snobbish service. The only cheap steak house, it seems, is Ponderosa but there is one steak house in St. Louis that serves great steaks in a relaxing setting for under 10 bucks: The Best Steak House.
Located at 516 N. Grand, directly across from the Fox Theater, is the Best Steak House only a short walk for St. Louis University students who are looking for a tasty meal. The Best Steak House, started by Dean Kases over 36 years ago, is still run by Kases and his family.
When you enter the restaurant, there is no maitre’d waiting to seat you and take your order; you proceed to a buffet line. There you can pick from the many side dishes and desserts. The cook will then personally take your order and throw your steak on the grill directly in front of you.
This is the perfect opportunity to watch a real master as he flips the steak and cooks it to perfection. The only bad part of watching is that it might take a while for the steak to cook, and you have to stand the whole time.
The young woman at the cash register said it best: “You can sit down, but they might sell your steak.”
One of the best things about the restaurant is the prices. A 16 oz. Porter House was only $ 10.88, while a 12 oz. T-bone ran $ 9.70. Both steaks were thick meaty and had an excellent taste. There was hardly any grease or fat on the meat and all of the dinners included a salad, baked potato and garlic toast. This was one meal that left both your stomach and wallet full.
Some of the other specialties on the menu include the Pork Chop Plate ($ 5.88) and the Chicken Plate ($ 6.21). Both dinners are very filling and give the steaks a run for their money.
The Best Steak House offers a wide variety of sandwiches and burgers. Their Steak Burgers ($ 4.31) are much thicker and juicer than Steak N Shakes’ version. The Gyros ($ 6.21) are full of goodies and won’t leave the taste buds in distress.
There is a wide variety of side dishes, including garlic toast, Fried Okra ($ 1.52) and Onion Rings ($ 2.16). If you still have room for dessert, there is a wide variety of pie slices from which to choose. The Best Steak House is one place from which no one walks away hungry.
The Best Steak House is a great place that serves good food for a good price in a friendly setting. It might not be the best place to take a date because you do have to carry your own tray. Please note that The Best Steak House accepts only cash, so please leave the credit cards and checkbook at home.
The Best Steak House is a great place for that quick lunch or for a nice dinner, especially if you are sick of the same old dorm food.
The food is on the heavier side and no low fat menu is available. If you are one of those people who loves meat and potatoes, you will think that you died and went to heaven.
If casual is the way that you want to go, then The Best Steak House is the place. It’s quick and easy, and the food is good.
The next time that dorm food is making your stomach cringe, try taking a walk down the block to a steak house that even college students can afford. B
