The South’s Most Legendary Steakhouses

Photo:
Courtesy of Charlie's Steak House

A good steakhouse is kind of like the perfect pair of jeans; it can be anything you want it to be. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone event with family or just looking for a casual weeknight dinner, our favorite steakhouses across the South are adaptable to any occasion. Some don white tablecloths and give you separate fork salads, while others are a little less buttoned up. One thing they all have in common is their nearness to our hearts. Here we celebrate 30 legendary steakhouses across the South that serve up delicious nostalgia alongside their perfectly pink filets. Did your favorite make the list? Let us know!

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Folk’s Folly (Memphis, Tennessee)

Open since 1977, Folk’s Folly fancies itself “Memphis’ Original Prime Steak House”. Native Memphian Humphrey Folk Jr. converted a small house into a steakhouse 45 years ago, and now his four sons have carried on the legacy as active partners in the restaurant. Like any good steakhouse, Folk’s offers at least seven different cuts, plus more than a dozen ways to enhance your steak. Try the bone marrow butter or crabmeat bearnaise for a real upscale treat.

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Marshall Steakhouse (Holly Springs, Mississippi)

Folks travel from all over to order the burgers and charcoal-grilled steaks at Marshall Steakhouse, a lodge-style restaurant in North Mississippi. More akin to a giant cabin, the restaurant’s interiors are filled with handmade white oak tables, taxidermy, and warmth from wood-burning stoves. If you’re feeling extra bold, take on the Marshall Challenge; finish a 72-ounce sirloin, six breaded shrimp, a large loaded baked potato, a salad, and bread in an hour and your meal (plus bragging rights) are free.

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Cattlemen’s Steakhouse (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

As the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Oklahoma City, it’s no surprise that Cattlemen’s Steakhouse (originally Cattlemen’s Café) would land on our list. After opening in 1910, the Stockyard City staple has slowly expanded its footprint and now the restaurant includes the original dining room as well as a newer South Dining Room and the Hereford Room. The stars know a classic when they see one, that’s why the likes of Gene Autry, John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, and Reba McEntire have visited.

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Pat’s Steakhouse (Louisville, Kentucky)

Housed in an 1800s-era building, follow the giant shamrock marquee into this classic steakhouse. All steaks at Pat’s are aged and hand-cut, and you can choose between filet mignon, New York strip, porterhouse T-bone, and ribeye. All steak dinners come with your choice of two vegetables and hot rolls. What more could you ask for?

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Sperry’s Restaurant (Nashville, Tennessee)

Brothers Houston and Dick Thomas opened the doors to this quaint steakhouse in 1974, naming it after their grandfather Burton W. Sperry. In the near-50 years since, Sperry’s (now helmed by Houston’s son Al and his wife Trish) has become a certified institution in the Belle Meade neighborhood of Nashville and beyond. The steaks are sensational, but the restaurant is also known for its legendary salad bar (rumored to be the first in Nashville) with its homemade dressings like green goddess, French, thousand island, and old-fashioned blue cheese. If you want to dine like royalty, this is the place. Prince William even made a visit in the early 2000s.

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Nick & Sam’s (Dallas, Texas)

This old-school, upscale steakhouse in Dallas has been buzzing with business and plenty of regulars since opening in 1999. Yes, there are prime-aged, marbled steaks in all shapes and sizes, each served with Nick & Sam’s signature steak sauce. But there’s also a huge selection of Japanese Wagyu, an excellent sushi menu, and several tantalizing flavors of Nick & Sam’s famous seven-layer cake. This is a special occasion restaurant that knows how to help its diners celebrate properly.

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Buckley’s Grill (Memphis, Tennessee)

Don’t be fooled by the white-brick façade and neon signage, the moodily lit dining room inside Buckley’s Grill is perfect for date night. Your date will be even more impressed by the fantastic food, and your wallet will leave happy, too. Steaks options are kept simple. Order a signature 6-ounce filet (comes with a prime or signature side) for just $49. A 20-ounce Wild Will’s Ribeye will only set you back $67.

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All Steak Restaurant (Cullman, Alabama)

Alabamians know this Cullman institution as the “Home of the Orange Roll” (we guarantee you down an entire basket of the buttery, pull-apart bread before your steak arrives to the table), but there’s another reason All Steak has been around since 1934, and it’s their unrivaled steaks. All Certified Angus Beef, you can’t go wrong whether you order a T-bone or gorgeously marbled ribeye.

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Nick’s Original Filet House (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

You may mistake this steakhouse for a side-of-the-road shack, but once you try a bite of their signature bacon-wrapped filet, we promise you’ll never make the error again. Housed in a tiny cinderblock building in the middle of nowhere (hence the nickname Nick’s in the Sticks), Nick’s Original Filet House is an unassuming anomaly. There are only a dozen tables inside, so be prepared for a wait. Order one or two of house cocktail The Nicodemus (we don’t recommend more than three), and prepare for a simple but delicious steakhouse meal: iceberg lettuce with the best blue cheese dressing you’ll find anywhere, hot buttered rolls, a baked potato, and a juicy bacon-wrapped filet.

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Angelo’s Steak Pit (Panama City Beach, Florida)

A steak might not be the first thing you think to eat when visiting the coast, but the steaks at Angelo’s are definitely worth the landlocked pivot. Big Gus, a 20,000-pound fake bull, welcomes guests into the Western-inspired eatery where you can order anything from choice top sirloin to ribeye. Around for more than 60 years, Angelo’s is also well loved for its hickory pit ribs and fried red snapper.

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The Big Texan Steak Ranch (Amarillo, Texas)

The Big Texan Steak Ranch and Microbrewery, Amarillo, Texas — The Big Texan Steak Ranch and Microbrewery. Old Line Photography

There are lots of great places to stop and see on Route 66, but perhaps none is more delicious as The Big Texan Steak Ranch. You can’t miss the giant lemon-yellow building on a seven-acre property that also includes a brewery, ranch, RV park, 300-person banquet hall, arcade, gift shop, and motel. The Big Texan is best known for its world-famous 72-ounce steak challenge. If you’re feeling extra hungry, give it a go. All you have to do is finish a shrimp cocktail, baked potato, salad, roll, and 72-ounce steak in one hour. Out of more than 90,000 competitors, only 10,000 have left victorious.

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Perini Ranch Steakhouse (Buffalo Gap, Texas)

A converted hay barn has been serving up some of Texas’s best beef since 1983. Honored as an America’s Classic by the James Beard Foundation, owner and founder Tom Perini has come a long way since he started out catering ranch events in the early 1970s. Inside the rustic but cozy eatery, you’ll have a hard time choosing between two of Perini’s most-lauded dishes: the Ranch Burger (a half-pound of 100% ground chuck with cheddar cheese, grilled mushrooms, green chiles, and onions) or the famous Peppered Strip (a 12-ounce center-cut lean strip crusted with black peppercorns).

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Ye Old Steakhouse (Knoxville, Tennessee)

Flame-grilled steaks are the name of the game at this Smoky Mountain favorite. Bunt King opened Ye Olde Steakhouse in 1968 and today the local favorite and legendary eatery is run by his three children. The restaurant has special early bird and nightly specials, so be sure to check those out before heading over. Whatever you do, don’t leave without trying the Woodshed Potatoes. They’re the perfect spud companion to a juicy steak.

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Bones (Atlanta, Georgia)

This old-school steakhouse includes all the heavy hitters when it comes to the nostalgia of dining out. Think plates with the restaurant’s name scripted on them, an enforced dress code, white tablecloths, and red leather seat backs. Bones offers a hearty list of steak and chop cuts, including a Mixed Grill that gives you a sampling of filet mignon, lamb, and pheasant sausage. The wine list here is also extensive, so ask your server for suggestions if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the endless choices.

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Hal's (Atlanta, Georgia)

Hal's The Steakhouse — Courtesy of Hal's

Another celebrated Atlanta steakhouse, Hal’s (also known simply as “The Steakhouse”) brings New Orleans flair to traditional steakhouse fare. You’ll find Shrimp Remoulade and fried Crawfish Tails on the menu, alongside steakhouse favorites like carpaccio, Caesar salad, and Lyonnaise potatoes. The food and the vibes at Hal’s are upscale, so come in your dinner best and prepare to be treated to a fine dining experience.

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Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse (New Orleans, Louisiana)

steakhouses new orleans — Courtesy of Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse

As one of the country’s most celebrated culinary cities, there are plenty of exceptional places to eat in New Orleans. But for the best classic steakhouse experience, it’s got to be Dickie Brennan’s. Every cut of beef here is prepared differently based on what’s best for the cut. Strips are seared, chops are grilled, and filets are broiled. For a Cajun flair, start your meal with a bowl of turtle soup or seafood and andouille gumbo.

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Prime 112 (Miami, Florida)

Prime 112 Steakhouse at Hilton Bentley Beach in Miami Beach. Image courtesy Hilton Bentley Miami Beach

The vibes are more modern than nostalgic at this sleek Miami steakhouse, but that doesn’t make it any less of a classic. Even still, this chef-driven boutique steakhouse has been around for nearly 20 years. Sit under a canopy of leaves in Prime 112’s magical courtyard, while you munch on Kobe beef sliders and lobster mac and cheese. Then, get ready for a write-home-about steak in amidst the high energy of South Beach.

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Bern’s Steak House (Tampa, Florida)

Bernâs Steak House — Amy Pezzicara, Pezz Photo/Bern's Steak House

The experience you’ll have at Bern’s is unlike any other. From the minute you enter the restaurant, you know you’re somewhere special. There’s a literal red carpet underfoot and booths are upholstered with gold thread. Classical busts and sculptures are nestled into cubbies in the wall and every table is lit with candles. If those details alone didn’t spell luxury, perhaps the cut-to-order steaks, world-famous wine collection, or Harry Waugh Dessert Room will. The dessert room features 70 private booths made of wine casks where diners can choose from 50 decadent desserts to sample with a hot drink or dozens of dessert wines and ports.

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George’s Steak Pit (Sheffield, Alabama)

There may be fewer than 10,000 people who call Sheffield home, but people come from all over to snag a table at their legendary fine dining restaurant George’s Steak Pit. The secret to their enduring success (the restaurant was founded by George and Vangie Vafinis in the mid 1950s), is the famous open pit where everything from freshly cut steaks to fish and chicken is cooked over hickory logs.

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Angus Barn (Raleigh, North Carolina)

This sprawling campus started with a simple red barn restaurant in 1960. Today, Angus Barn’s operations have expanded to include a Wild Turkey lounge, smoking lounge, banquet rooms, and two private dining venues. One thing that hasn’t changed? The quality of the food. Choose from a bone-in, classic, or specialty cut. The $109 42-ounce tomahawk is a great option if you’ve got someone to share with. Every meal is served with a choice of salad or soup, plus a side, and homemade bread.

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The Wonder Bar Steakhouse (Clarksburg, West Virginia)

West Virginia’s premier chophouse, The Wonder Bar started as an intimate dance hall and restaurant in 1946 and remained in the same family until 2012 when it was turned over to new ownership. In the decade since, the restaurant has undergone an interior and exterior facelift while maintaining its original menu and excellent standards. All steaks are aged for a minimum of 21 days. If you bring along any diners who aren’t so into steak, the restaurant also offers a menu of Italian specialties and an award-winning wine collection.

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Jess & Jim’s Steakhouse (Kansas City, Missouri)

steakhouses kansas city — Courtesy of Jess & Jim's Steakhouse

Find the black bull in the sky and you’ve found Jess & Jim’s, a traditional steakhouse that’s been in business in Kansas City since 1938. Fourth generation owners run the iconic spot today. One thing to note: Don’t expect to have your steak cooked well done, Jess & Jim’s scale stops at medium well. And unlike most steakhouses that are only open in the evening, Jess & Jim’s serves lunch Monday through Saturday.

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Okeechobee Steakhouse (West Palm Beach, Florida)

Credited as the oldest steakhouse in Florida, Okeechobee Steakhouse has been delighting South Florida diners since 1947 when it was known as Okeechobee Drive-In. Now run by third-generation owners, the family business is more successful than ever. In 2018, they added a butcher shop and meat market. In 2019, they opened a barbecue restaurant, and in 2022 and 2023, they opened two additional restaurants. Most come for the cut-in-house, dry-aged steaks that range from a bone-in filet mignon to their trademark Palm Beach Sirloin cut.

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Old Hickory Steakhouse (Columbus, Mississippi)

With its red-and-white checkered tablecloth, single-manned grill, and sparse digs, Old Hickory is as simple and no-frills as a chophouse can be. Drink options include soda or canned domestic beer and dinner consists of four components and four components only: a steak, baked potato, garden salad, and hot garlic bread. The quality doesn’t waiver, and you know you’re going to leave full and happy. That is, of course, unless you order your steak well for which the menu notes that the restaurant is “not responsible for tenderness or flavor”.

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Charlie’s Steak House (New Orleans, Louisiana)

The oldest steakhouse in New Orleans, Charlie’s opened its doors in 1932 and has been doing things their way ever since. At Charlie’s, you don’t order. In fact, there’s not even a menu. The neighborhood gem is known for servers who tell you what you want to eat rather than the other way around. Our best advice? Trust them. If you really need to see your options, check out the back of the drink menu where they’ve cleverly listed “drinking accessories” for diners who want to know what they can have alongside their sizzling steak.

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Beef ‘n Bottle (Charlotte, North Carolina)

Outlined in red neon lighting, Beef ‘n Bottle’s identity can be slightly misleading from the outside looking in. When you walk through the front doors, you’ll be greeted by a warm but upscale dining room marked by white-linen tablecloths and cozy candlelight. A staple since 1958, the restaurant is open for dinner seven days a week. The thing to order here is a surf and turf combo that could pairs filet mignon with a variety of seafood from shrimp and scallops to oysters or marinated salmon.

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Rainbow Lodge (Houston, Texas)

Beef isn’t the star of the show at this non-traditional steakhouse known as Rainbow Lodge. Instead, wild game like bison and elk take center stage in a log cabin-inspired dining room on the banks of the White Oak Bayou. The expansive restaurant has been open in Houston since 1977 and is a popular spot for celebrations. There are four private rooms that can host large groups and fans have even been known to rent out the entire lodge for even larger parites.

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H.D. Gibbes & Sons (Learned, Mississippi)

Make sure you’ve got cash (or a check) on hand if you go to this 1800s general store near Jackson. H.D. Gibbes & Son’s motto, “What’d ya expect form an old broke down store?” perfectly encompasses the experience eating here. Yes, your food will be served on a paper plate with blue cheese crumbles to top your steak out of a Dixie cup. And yes, it will also be one of the best meals you’ve ever had. Protein options include a filet, ribeye, or New York strip, as well as an entire rack of New Zealand lamb chops or a thick-cut pork chop.

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The Beefmastor Inn (Wilson, North Carolina)

Another teeny, tiny under-the-radar steak spot, The Beefmastor Inn has 10 tables and a whole lot of heart. Be prepared for a wait, but use that time to tailgate with other expectant diners in the parking lot. Once you’re in, you won’t have to wait long. The restaurant serves only ribeye, so menus aren’t necessary. You do get to specify how you’d like it cooked and exactly how much you want. (They'll bring a giant slab of beef to your table and let you choose your portion to cut from it.) Your finished cut will come served with Texas toast, a baked potato, and a trip to the salad bar.

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Jimmy Kelly’s Steakhouse (Nashville, Tennessee)

Jimmy Kelly’s was founded in 1934, just one year after Prohibition and in the midst of the Great Depression. The owner had three goals: to serve a great steak, always pour a generous glass of whiskey, and provide great service. Today, the third generation of Kellys are still making good on that promise. Housed in a grand Southern mansion, you’ll be wowed by the restaurant’s exterior and continue to be awed by the rich ruby and gold interiors. Steaks here are hand-cut by an in-house butcher and aged for a minimum of 28 days.

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