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Food & Drink / Restaurants & Dining

Where To Find Great, Cheap Steak in Every State

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A plate of food featuring a juicy steak and golden french fries, just like the classic fare served at many cheap steak restaurants.
Randy F. / Yelp

For many of us, visiting a steakhouse is a treat and a luxury. But it doesn’t have to break the bank, as proven by these steak meals that deliver well beyond their relatively modest prices. In an era when a steak can easily top $50 at even laidback venues, these dining establishments go beyond a chain-restaurant mentality, sporting rave customer reviews for their well-priced cuts that often come with generous extras or specials that offer savings off an otherwise hefty bill.  

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Alabama: Santa Fe Cattle Co.

A white plate with grilled steak—like the kind served at cheap steak restaurants—seasoned French fries, and a serving of ketchup sits on a wooden table. Two pink toothpicks are inserted into the steak.
Jennifer N. / Yelp

The most expensive steak at the Santa Fe Cattle Co. is the 22-ounce T-bone for $28, and it comes with one homemade side and a house salad. (The cheapest steak is Bubba’s Sirloin, starting at $14.)  The aged steaks earn positive reviews online, as do the the house-made scratch yeast rolls and homemade sides. This location serves $3 margaritas, beers, and Redneck teas all day long.

Alaska: AJ’s Oldtown Steakhouse & Tavern

A plate with grilled steak, mashed potatoes topped with asparagus spears, and seasoned shrimp—reminiscent of dishes at cheap steak restaurants. A knife rests beside the potatoes on a neatly arranged white square dish.
Amber K. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Homer
  • Address: 120 W Bunnell Ave.
  • Phone: (907) 235-9949
  • Website: ajsteakhouse.com

Don’t let the casual interior fool you. This Homer-based restaurant is highly rated with reasonable prices. Previous customers say standouts are the calamari appetizer and steaks that start at $36 with sides included. Save room for dessert and the after-dinner coffees and cocktails selection. 

Arizona: Rustler’s Rooste

A plate with enchiladas topped with melted cheese and chopped green onions, a grilled steak like those at cheap steak restaurants, and a piece of corn on the cob.
Samantha M. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Phoenix
  • Address: 8383 S. 48th St.
  • Phone: (602) 431-6474
  • Website: rustlersrooste.com

You can beat the heat and enjoy a patio side view of the valley with a cool drink from the rustic saloon of Rustler’s Rooste. Make sure to order the Vaquero ($30), which comes with two enchiladas, or a Wrangler’s bone-in rib-eye that can feed two at 20 ounces for $40.

Arkansas: The Brick House Grill

A plate with a baked potato topped with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and bacon bits sits next to a grilled steak—classic comfort food you’ll find at many cheap steak restaurants—served with kale and a steak knife.
©Tripadvisor

Black tie quality in a blue jeans atmosphere is how The Brick House Grill touts its vibe. There are lots of great customer reviews online of its hand-cut steaks, many running under $36 and coming with one side and a salad, and topping out at $40, while the cheapest is an 8-ounce sirloin for $18.

California: House of Beef

Grilled steak with char marks, baked potato in foil topped with melted cheese and chives, steamed broccoli and carrots, and a side of sour cream—just like the comfort food classics you’ll find at cheap steak restaurants.
Adriana D. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Oakdale
  • Address:  201 N. Third Ave.
  • Phone: (209) 847-5991
  • Website: houseofbeef.net

The deals are legendary at House of Beef, a no-frills, family-owned dining hall. A 16-ounce New York steak seasoned with a choice of garlic seasoning or whiskey peppercorn sauce comes with soup and salad bar, garlic bread, and a selection of two sides dishes for $32. 

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Colorado: Quincy’s Steak & Spirits

Quincy's Steakhouse Filet Mignon with baked potato and horseradish, Leadville Colorado
Dana W. / Yelp

There are multiple ways to score high-end beef for cheap at Quincy’s. Sunday through Thursday are filet mignon nights. There are four cuts of filet mignon on the menu starting $15 and the most expensive of which is $24 for 15 ounces. Friday and Saturday, prime rib dinners start at $18, with the chance to upgrade to a larger portion for a few bucks more.

Connecticut: Johnny B’s Roadside Saloon

A plate with grilled steak topped with mushroom gravy, sliced sautéed zucchini and yellow squash, a baked potato in foil, a bread roll with butter on the side—just like the hearty meals served at cheap steak restaurants.
Bill W. / Yelp

Pick up 12 ounces of New York sirloin with mashed or baked potato and a side of vegetables for $24 at this recently remodeled roadhouse that locals love. A surf-and-turf dinner starring a 12-ounce sirloin and two stuffed shrimp can be had for $31.  

Delaware: The Reef

Michy's Relaxed Dining in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Courtney V. / Yelp

Top-notch, attentive service makes 8 ounces of boneless New York strip for $23 (with a side) all the more delicious, even without a specialty butter such as rosemary merlot or garlic and herb. It’s one of the rare steak prices that hasn’t risen in the past year, and diners pay just $3 more for a center-cut sirloin at The Reef — which, as the name suggests, has seafood on the menu as well.

District of Columbia: Medium Rare

A plate of steak cooked medium rare, sliced and topped with brown sauce, served with crispy French fries on a white plate—a classic dish often found at cheap steak restaurants.
Hazel C. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Washington, D.C.
  • Address: 3500 Connecticut Ave. NW
  • Phone: (202) 237-1432
  • Website: mediumrarerestaurant.com

Finding steak under $30 in America’s capital can be as almost elusive as solving the national debt. The restaurant Medium Rare comes through with a prix-fixe menu starring a culotte steak (a somewhat overlooked cut of meat) with hand-cut fries, salad, and artisan rustic bread for $29.

Florida: CapoDiMonte Steakhouse

Harold Seltzer's Bone In Ribeye with Mashed Potatoes
Larry C. / Yelp

CapoDiMonte Steakhouse serves a fine menu of food intended for royalty. Each juicy and tender bite of their steak, served how you want it cooked, will melt in your mouth. Grill seared to perfection, seasoned with your choice of succulent seasoning options, and topped with real melted creamery butter.  With every bite of gourmet luxury served by CapoDiMonte Steakhouse, you will feel like you are in a castle. Best of all, they provide royal treatment at costs as low as $6.99 for a complete meal. 

Georgia: Ray’s on the River

A thick, juicy steak topped with sautéed mushrooms sits on a white plate, with a pool of sauce and greens underneath. A knife rests in the background on a white tablecloth. Georgia: Ray's on the River
理恵 / Yelp
  • City / Town: Sandy Springs
  • Address: 6700 Powers Ferry Road
  • Phone: (770) 955-1187
  • Website: raysontheriver.com

If you’re willing to think big, you can net a bargain at Ray’s on the River. Their 24-ounce cowboy rib-eye checks in at $70, but it’s enough to feed three people. It’s the economical way to savor a pricey fine steakhouse for a steal of a deal.

Hawaii: Ray’s Cafe

A thick, juicy steak cooked medium rare, sliced to show a pink center, sits on a white plate with grill marks—just what you'd expect from the best cheap steak restaurants. Some asparagus and roasted potatoes are visible in the background. Ray's Cafe in Hawaii
Paul C. / Yelp

For Hawaii, the cost of the steaks at Ray’s Cafe is incredibly low, with the sirloin at $14, a New York cut for $17, and a T-bone for $24. Yelp, Trip Advisor, and Google reviews are approving, with the common theme that for a no-frills restaurant, you will dine like King Kamehameha for the quality of the meal served. 

Idaho: Sandpiper

A plate with a slice of prime rib, two spears of asparagus topped with grated cheese, a small salad, horseradish sauce, and a cup of au jus—classic fare often found at cheap steak restaurants. A knife rests on the plate.
Tamara T. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Idaho Falls
  • Address: 750 Lindsay Blvd.
  • Phone: (208) 233-1000
  • Website: sandpiperidaho.com

The Idaho Falls location of Sandpiper offers classic steak cuts including a 6-ounce sirloin for $21. Also on the menu is the Steak Sandpiper ($39), a bacon-wrapped filet topped with a mushroom cap and béarnaise sauce. It comes with a choice of a salad or signature clam chowder for an additional $3.50. 

Illinois: Tango Sur

A plate with mashed potatoes, a grilled steak topped with herbs and a small Argentinian flag—typical fare at cheap steak restaurants—a cup of dark sauce, water, and lemon wedges in the background.
Cecilia X. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Chicago
  • Address: 3763 N. Southport Ave.
  • Phone: (773) 477-5466
  • Website: tangosurgrill.com

Chicago certainly has its share of high-dollar steakhouses like Morton’s and McCormick & Schmick’s, but Tango Sur is one good place to go for a reasonably priced hunk of meat, especially if you like your meal with a taste of Argentinian flair. Here, a 12-ounce sirloin with salad and potatoes is $32, and a 16-ounce T-bone with mushroom and onion sauce is $38, which isn’t bad as big-city prices go.  

Indiana: Town Club

A large, well-charred steak with a bone, reminiscent of those found at cheap steak restaurants, served on a white paper plate with blue stripes, set on a beige countertop.
©Tripadvisor
  • City / Town: Highland
  • Address: 2904 45th St.
  • Phone: (219) 924-5227
  • Website: townclubon45th.com 

Established in 1947 and still going strong, Town Club is a family-owned restaurant and bar with steaks that come with a salad plus a relish tray. Thanks to an Indiana Smoked Duck and lots of cuts of beef, the mid-century vibe is still intact. Diners can snag a 10-ounce rib-eye for $29 and a 12-ounce New York strip for $31.

Iowa: Archie’s Waeside Café

A seasoned, cooked steak sits on an oval plate with juices pooling around it; silverware and a drink are visible in the background.
Amanda M. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Le Mars
  • Address:  224 Fourth Ave. NE
  • Phone: (712) 546-7011
  • Website: archieswaeside.com

Owner Bob Rand’s grandfather, Archie Jackson, created Archie’s in 1949. The menu boasts 10 cuts of dry-aged, hand-cut mouthwatering steaks such as Archie’s Special Extra Thick ($23) and Val’s Special Sirloin ($17), all sourced from farms in northwest Iowa and northeast Nebraska. Rachael Ray named Archie’s Waeside Café one of the best steakhouses in America, and its wine selection was a semi-finalist for a James Beard award in 2014. In 2015, Archie’s was awarded the James Beard American Classic award.

Kansas: Pete’s Steakhouse

A plate with a grilled steak, two slices of toasted bread, a foil-wrapped baked potato with butter, and a bowl of steamed broccoli on a dark table. Salt and pepper shakers are in the background. Kansas: Pete's Steak House
Lisa M. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Atchison
  • Address: 618 Commercial St.
  • Phone:x(913) 367-7096
  • Website: forpetesteak.com

Heavy on the tasty Greek shareable appetizers, the menu at Pete’s Steakhouse features a 12-ounce top sirloin with a choice of potato, vegetable of the day, Texas toast, and a house, Greek or Caesar salad for just $16, Opa!

Kentucky: Columbia Steakhouse

A plate with a baked potato topped with melted cheese, a medium-cooked steak pat with a pat of butter, a serving of butter in a cup, and a knife; a drink and sour cream are in the background.
Sidney L. / Yelp

For $20 at the Columbia Steakhouse, they offer what they call the Nighthawk Special: an 8-ounce tenderloin with two sides (shown above). Also on the menu are rib-eyes ($24), sirloins ($17), New York strips ($24), and 20-ounce porterhouses ($28).

Louisiana: Gibbons

Fried shrimp, baked potato, and steak from Gibbons Shreveport
David P. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Shreveport 
  • Address: 1714 E. 70th St.
  • Phone: (318) 848-7071
  • Website: gibbonsgrill.com

Great service and freshly prepared food and sauces (don’t miss the “homemade key lime pie made by Ernestina from scratch”) earn Gibbons soaring ratings from customers who review it. And that’s despite prices starting at $16 for 28-day aged steaks such as a sirloin with baked potato and choice of side dish. 

Maine: The Grill Room & Bar

A plate with sliced steak, sautéed broccolini, seasoned diced potatoes, and a small metal cup of sauce. A fork rests on the side of the plate.
Yizhou E. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Portland
  • Address: 84 Exchange St.
  • Phone: (207) 774-BEEF (2333)
  • Website: thegrillroomandbar.com

The Grill Room & Bar is a cozy, warm, and rustic urban steakhouse in the historic Port District. Chef Harding Lee Smith prepares locally sourced prime grass-fed beef like an 8-ounce prime top sirloin ($35) and offers locally sourced seafood for appetizers such as clam chowder, as well as locally grown organic produce. There are nine sauces for dipping and more than a dozen a la carte sides including Maine sea salt fries.

Maryland: Bullock’s Country Family Restaurant

A takeout container from one of the best cheap steak restaurants holds a grilled steak, three grilled shrimp, a foil-wrapped baked potato, and containers of sour cream and butter on a patterned blue and cream tablecloth.
Sue K. / Yelp

Out in the countryside and serving since 1937, Bullock’s is a family-owned market and restaurant that serves a Delmonico queen cut for $22, a king for $24 and a porterhouse for $26. Locals and online customer reviews rave about this casual but satisfying family restaurant with loads of menu options and specials.

Massachusetts: Comeketo Brazilian Steakhouse

Massachusetts: Comeketo Brazilian Steakhouse
Malou S, / Yelp
  • City / Town: Leominster
  • Address: 23 Sack Blvd.
  • Phone: (978) 466-1224
  • Website: comeketo.com

Head straight to the Uruguayan steak offerings at Comeketo Brazilian Steakhouse, which has been sizzling steaks since 2009. Monday through Friday, there’s a steak-filled lunchtime AYCE “rodizio” option starting at $29, and there are lots of South American regional appetizers to add on. 

Michigan: The Stable Inn

A surf and turf meal with grilled steak, lobster tail, and garlic bread on a metal plate, served with mashed potatoes, a glass of beer, and water on a wooden table—similar to what you’d find at cheap steak restaurants. A candle burns in a holder nearby.
Brent B. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Grand Haven
  • Address:  11880 W. Olive Road
  • Phone: (616) 846-8581
  • Website: thestableinn.com

Since 1985, the family-owned Stable Inn has won fans with steak and perch and steak and chicken dinners under $16 on Tuesday, and a Friday and Saturday night steak-and-lobster combo for $29. There’s also a 12-ounce rib-eye for $23, and the homemade bread and rolls are a hit with repeat customers at this Grand Haven institution.

Minnesota: Mancini’s Char House

A grilled steak with charred grill marks and a cut slice is served with sautéed green beans on a white plate—perfect for fans of cheap steak restaurants. A hand holding a knife is visible at the edge of the plate.
Jackie J. / Yelp
  • City / Town: St. Paul
  • Address: 531 7th St. West
  • Phone: (651) 224-7345
  • Website: mancinis.com

Mancini’s Char House turns out prime beef the Italian way, with dry-aged beef grilled on huge open-hearth charcoal pits. This decades-old, family-run business still boasts a cool retro bar and New York strips that earn rave reviews, along with loads of surf-and-turf options, live music, and garlic bread to die for. There’s a petit sirloin for $26, a petit filet mignon for $31, and a sirloin also for $31. Save room for Flute Limoncello dessert or a cannoli.

Mississippi: Cheryl’s Steak House

A grilled steak with sautéed mushrooms and green beans sits on a gray plate, served alongside a baked potato wrapped in foil, butter, and sour cream—reminiscent of meals at cheap steak restaurants. A blue napkin rests on the wooden table.
Richard S. / Yelp

Diners say the steaks and staff here are always on the mark. Customers can enjoy three sizes of rib-eyes at Cheryl’s, starting with an 8-ounce version, which currently sells for $26. The 13-ounce cut (shown above) sells for $32. Also on the menu are sirloin, New York strip, and filet mignon. 

Missouri: Steak Inn

A plate with a large grilled steak garnished with parsley, seasoned rice, kale, and an orange slice evokes the hearty meals found at cheap steak restaurants, set invitingly on a wooden table with utensils.
©Tripadvisor

Close to the White River in southwest Missouri, the unassuming Steak Inn has a 6-ounce sirloin for $15, an 8-ounce sirloin for $18, an 11-ounce sirloin for $30, and a Kansas City strip for $30. Prices top out at $42 for filet mignon. All steaks comes with a trip to the salad bar and choice of baked potato, rice pilaf, french fries, and fresh baked bread.  

Montana: Victor Steakhouse

Steak at Victor Steakhouse in Victor Montana comes with a wide array of side dish options.
Nick H. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Victor
  • Address: 2426 Meridian Road
  • Phone: (406) 642-3300
  • Website: victorsteakhouse.com

“A real deal steakhouse” and “great atmosphere” are how customers describe Victor Steakhouse, located in a speck of  a town on the far western side of the state. Sirloins start at $18 for a 6-ounce cut and go up to $29 for 16 ounces. Twenty-four ounces of porterhouse will set you back $38, and only the 18-ounce rib-eye tops $40. 

Nebraska: Farmer Brown’s

A large grilled T-bone steak on a plate with a knife in it, next to crispy hash browns—this hearty meal is just what you’d expect at the best cheap steak restaurants. In the background, there’s a small plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce.
Jeremy W. / Yelp

Farmer Brown’s Steak House has been family owned and operated since 1964; its bestseller is the large (8-ounce) filet ($35). Also on the menu is a 10-ounce club steak cut of prime sirloin for $22. All steaks come with three sides and freshly baked bread. Start with some of its popular “dinosaur eggs” (cream-cheese jalapeños) or battered green beans with ranch dressing. The Travel Channel selected Farmer Brown’s as one of America’s “Steak Paradise” spots.

Nevada: Jackson’s Bar and Grill

Jackson's Bar and Grill in Las Vegas Famous 1-Pound Ribeye Steak with Fries
Jay B. / Yelp

Open 24 hours, Jackson’s is a hungry gambler’s ace in the hole. There’s one steak on the menu, only one: Jackson’s Famous Steak (shown above). It’s only $20, and that’s for a 16-ounce rib-eye. Makes you wonder if house really does always win.

New Hampshire: Tuckaway Tavern & Butchery

A grilled steak with sear marks sits on a white plate next to creamy mashed potatoes. Perfect for fans of cheap steak restaurants, this hearty meal is served on a wooden table with a fork and steak knife ready to dig in.
James K. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Raymond
  • Address: 58 Route 27
  • Phone: (603) 244-2431
  • Website: thetuckaway.com

Chef Bobby Marcotte’s fresh prime beef steaks are hand-cut daily in the Tuckaway’s award-winning retail butcher shop and served with two sides. The Tuckaway serves humanely raised and vegetarian-fed Braveheart Black Angus beef from the Midwest. Make sure to order the 16-ounce boneless rib-eye ($32) and its award-winning steak tips ($25). There’s also a 16-ounce New York strip for $28. Finish with Bloo Balls: fried blueberry cheesecake with Gifford’s blueberry ice cream, blueberry jam sauce, and whipped cream.

New Jersey: Charlie Blood’s

A grilled steak with a charred exterior sits on a metal plate, capturing the mouthwatering appeal often found at cheap steak restaurants, with parts of a salad and a white plate visible in the background.
meron R. / Yelp

Opened in 1939 and named after the boxing career of its patriarch, Charlie Blood’s is the opposite of pretentious — and if the name or neighborhood setting didn’t tip you off, the Western-themed menu certainly would: Its most expensive steak is a $30 sizzling sirloin dubbed “The Duke,” 24 ounces of beef that comes with fries and a salad. Enjoy the same sides with a 12-ounce rib-eye for just $19.

New Mexico: Dave’s Valley Grill

Horseman's Haven Cafe in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Lillie C. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Los Ranchos de Albuquerque 
  • Address: 6601 4th St. NW
  • Phone: (505) 639-5807
  • Website: davesvalleygrill.com

Of course the restaurant has plenty of turquoise blue, and of course the hearty, traditional menu is influenced by local and seasonal ingredients. The grilled rib-eye at Dave’s Valley Grill is charbroiled and topped with a bleu cheese and onion butter with homemade onion rings for $22. If you’re not a purist, try the rib-eye steak poutine for $15 — people love it. 

New York: Kennedy’s Cove

A plate from cheap steak restaurants featuring a grilled steak, a twice-baked potato topped with piped mashed potatoes and paprika, a slice of bread, and a wedge of cantaloupe with a toothpick.
Courtney M. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Clarence
  • Address: 9800 Main St.
  • Phone: (716) 759-8961
  • Website: kennedyscove.net

In business for more than 30 years and with loads of excellent reviews, Kennedy’s Cove boasts not-to-be-missed daily specials. Tuesdays are when two New York strip steaks plus a bottle of house wine with baked potato, fries, or tots, a house salad or a cup of steak vegetable soup cost $75.

North Carolina: Johnny Bull’s Steakhouse

A cooked, grilled steak sits on a white plate, glistening with juices. The steak has visible grill marks and a browned, seared surface—just what you'd expect at many cheap steak restaurants. A menu and a piece of clothing are in the background.
Laurie M. / Yelp

Owned by native son Johnny King, the restaurant offers a homey place to enjoy their well-priced steaks. The 6-ounce sirloin (shown above) costs $19, and the 8-ounce version goes for $21.  Eight-ounce rib-eyes go for $26, and an 8-ounce filet mignon will cost you $40.

North Dakota: Jack’s Steakhouse & Saloon

Jack's Steakhouse & Saloon in Bismarck, North Dakota
©Tripadvisor
  • City / Town: Bismarck
  • Address: 1201 S. 12th St. 
  • Phone: (701) 221-9120
  • Website: jackssteakhouse.net

Jack’s Steakhouse & Saloon is still the one in Bismarck for cheap dinner deals, such as steak and all-you-can-eat shrimp on Tuesdays, and parmesan steak and shrimp for $21 on Friday and Saturday. Sirloin dinners start at $18 for a 9-ounce steak. 

Ohio: Wild Eagle Steak & Saloon

A plate of food from one of the best cheap steak restaurants featuring a baked potato, golden onion rings, sautéed onions, a cooked steak, and a piece of bread with a knife at the bottom edge of the plate.
Stephanie S. / Yelp

There’s live music and libations, and all of the Wild Eagle Steak & Saloon’s steaks are certified Angus beef. All steak entrees come with a salad, one side, and its house steak sauce. An 8-ounce sirloin is $16 and a 12-ounce New York strip is $28. Happy hours run 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and offers $2 off all appetizers. 

Oklahoma: Claremore Hammett House Restaurant

Oklahoma: Claremore Hammett House Restaurant
Casey V. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Claremore 
  • Address: 1616 W. Will Rogers Blvd.
  • Phone: (918) 341-7333
  • Website: hammetthouse.com

This place has something for everyone, from burgers to steaks. A 10-ounce rib-eye served with your choice of one side plus a cup of soup or a tossed green salad is $32, and, of course, there’s an Oklahoma-style, flat-iron thin-cut sirloin for $26.

Oregon: DelToro Steak

Del Toro Ribeye with Chimichurri Sauce and baked potatoes in Portland's French Quarter
Victoria T. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Portland 
  • Address: 3530 SW Multnomah Blvd.
  • Phone: (503) 267-6533
  • Website: deltorosteak.com

DelToro promises unique food, and it delivers the goods. Located in the cute French Quarter shops of Multnomah Village, this food truck offers cheap steaks with flavorful twists you wouldn’t expect. There’s a chimichurri New York strip steak and a New York strip seasoned with “Cowboy Butter,” each for under $20. There’s also a chimichurri rib-eye (shown above) for $28.50. 

Pennsylvania: The Glass Lounge

A plate from cheap steak restaurants features grilled steak, a savory crab cake, a cup of creamy sauce, a lemon wedge, an orange slice, and a garnish of leafy greens.
Scott F. / Yelp

Still the one everyone raves about, and considered a true landmark in the Harrisburg area, The Glass Lounge gets high marks for numerous cuts that start at $30. Customer reviews rave about the size of the portions, the quality of the food, and the unpretentious vibe the tavern has to offer.

Rhode Island: Twin Oaks Restaurant

Rhode Island: Twin Oaks Restaurant
Tami C. / Yelp

Twin Oaks, a landmark Cranston restaurant that has been family-owned for more than 80 years, thrives thanks to its large portions and daily specials. Steaks start at $22 for a 12-ounce Black Angus sirloin. 

South Carolina: Harold’s Country Club

A classic plate from cheap steak restaurants: grilled steak, baked potato wrapped in foil, a fluffy bread roll, savory cooked onions, and two containers of sour cream.
Julianne C. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Yemassee
  • Address: 97 Low Country Highway
  • Phone: (843) 893-8802
  • Website: haroldscountryclub.com

Built-in the 1930s, Harold’s Country Club was a Chevrolet dealership, old-fashioned garage, and gas station before Harold Peeples bought it in 1973. During its Steak Saturdays, customers can reserve in advance meals that include a 12- to 14-ounce steak with baked potato, sautéed onions, salad, roll, and iced tea for $25.  

South Dakota: T.C.’s Referee

A slice of prime rib with au jus in a small cup on a red plate, accompanied by a knife—classic fare at cheap steak restaurants. Next to it, mashed potatoes with brown gravy and a warm dinner roll with butter on a green tray.
©Tripadvisor
  • City / Town: Sioux Falls
  • Address: 5322 26th St. (in Silver Valley Plaza)
  • Phone:  (605) 361-2208
  • Website: tcreferee.com

Hailed for its friendly service and welcoming atmosphere, T.C. Referee’s serves up what locals love. Try an 8-ounce top sirloin for $20 or a rib-eye for $25. Thursday is prime rib night at T.C.’s, where $26 will snag a 12-ounce slab with soup or salad and the choice of a potato or side.

Tennessee: Franklin Chop House

Franklin Chop House Steak and Potato Sprinkled with Parsley in Franklin, Tennessee
Carmen A. / Yelp

Travelers will want to remember this restaurant, located not far from Interstate 65. The Franklin Chop House is roundly praised for its consistent quality and friendly service. A hand-cut, 8-ounce top sirloin sells for $22 and a 10-ounce cut will run you $24. A 12-ounce New York strip is listed for $28, while a 12-ounce rib-eye can be had for $30.

Texas: Xochi

Grilled steak topped with dark sauce and edible flower petals, served with sautéed mixed mushrooms, fresh greens, and striped beetroot—an elevated dish inspired by top cheap steak restaurants.
Jasmine O. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Houston
  • Address: 1777 Walker St., Suite A
  • Phone: (713) 400-3330
  • Website: xochihouston.com

Xochi is one of four restaurants from James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega. The restaurant, focused on the cuisine of Oaxaca, Mexico, has a Tlayuda de Res grilled steak for $24 and a “powerful plate” that only starts with a grilled, rolled steak for $35. 

Utah: TRUreligion Pancake & Steakhouse

A plate with a grilled steak from one of the best cheap steak restaurants, topped with herb butter and garnish, two fried eggs, and a large serving of crispy hash browns. A steak knife rests on the plate.
Ryan F. / Yelp

If the combination of pancakes and steaks wasn’t a tipoff, TRUreligion is a conceptual mishmash, also combining art deco furnishings with a rich Utah history — one of its largest table was reserved daily by The Salt Lake Tribune for more than a half-century, the owners say, and the other “sat an infamous Utah document forger and murderer” — with a mission to minister to the homeless. (No one’s actual religion matters, they note.) None of this would matter much if the food weren’t also so enjoyed by customers, but they’re very happy digging in to a 7-ounce petite sirloin for $19 or prime 10-ounce cattleman sirloin cut for $24. Steaks top out at a pound of New York strip for $28, and it comes with bacon.

Vermont: Derby Cow Palace

A plate with a thick slice of rare prime rib being cut, served alongside creamy mashed potatoes topped with butter, evokes the hearty comfort found at the best cheap steak restaurants, all set on a rustic wooden table.
Jessica S. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Derby
  • Address:  3111 US-5
  • Phone: (802) 766-4724
  • Website: derbycowpalace.net

You’re not going to find a lot of bargain steaks in Vermont, which is what makes the Cow Palace such a find. You’ll pay $24 for a 16-ounce Delmonico smothered with mushrooms, onions, peppers and melted cheese.  

Virginia: Clarence’s Steak and Seafood

T-Bone Steak at Clarence's Steak and Seafood in Ridgeway, Virginia
Lucy P. / Yelp

Steak dinner here are among the most affordable on the list: 8- to 10-ounce rib-eye, $20;  6-ounce filet mignon, $20; and 16- to 18-ounce T-bone (shown above), $22. What’s more, since this is the South, diners can pair their steak with a baked sweet potato instead of the usual russet. 

Washington: Wedgwood Broiler

A dinner plate with a large slice of prime rib, like you'd find at cheap steak restaurants, alongside a baked potato topped with sour cream, bacon bits, chives, and a side of steamed broccoli and carrots.
Susan W. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Seattle
  • Address: 8230 35th Ave. NE
  • Phone: (206) 523-1115
  • Website: wedgwoodbroiler.com

Since 1965, the Wedgwood Broiler, a Seattle landmark, has served up choice steaks such as a filet mignon in various sizes and prices, starting at $28 for a 6-ounce cut and up to 12 ounces for $36. Their New York cut is listed at $25 for 6 ounces and top out at $31 for 12 ounces.  

West Virginia: The Char

A plate featuring fettuccine Alfredo in a bowl, a grilled steak with char marks from one of the best cheap steak restaurants, a slice of grilled pineapple, and a piece of leafy lettuce on the side.
Cris M. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Beckley
  • Address: 100 Char Drive
  • Phone: (304) 253-1760
  • Website: the-char.com

Consistently The Char is a solid pick for West Virginia. For 50 years, this family restaurant has served up good steaks with a lake view. Prices for their steaks start at $38 for a 6-ounce filet mignon and go up from there.  

Wisconsin: Suzy’s Steak & Seafood

A grilled steak served on a white plate with a small metal cup of dark sauce and a side of mashed potatoes topped with melted cheese in a red bowl, just like you'd find at cheap steak restaurants.
Runzer W. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Portage 
  • Address: 2711 County Road CX
  • Phone: (608) 742-8400
  • Website: suzysportage.com

This homey spot not too far from the Wisconsin Dells welcomes diners with a warm ambiance (complete with fireplace) and hefty portions. Sirloin starts at $20 for 8 ounces, and for another $10, customers can make it a 16-ounce cut. A center cut New York strip sells for $27. Thursday is prime rib night at Suzy’s, where $17 will get you 10 ounces of prime rib.   

Wyoming: Buffalo Jump Steakhouse

A cooked steak with a pat of herb butter on top sits on a plate next to mashed potatoes flecked with herbs—a classic dish you might find at cheap steak restaurants. A knife rests under the steak.
Deanna N. / Yelp
  • City / Town: Beulah
  • Address: 5877 Old U.S. Highway 14
  • Phone: (307) 643-7173
  • Website: buffalojumpsteak.com

The generous portions and tantalizing appetizers at the Buffalo Jump Steakhouse are on the menu in this under-the-radar gem. All of its premium steak entrées are served with a side dish and choice of salad or soup, starting with an 8-ounce sirloin at $26. The aged, bone-in rib-eye is the popular choice, based on online customer reviews.

Still Hungry? More on Cheapism

A grilled steak with a small American flag on top is served on a plate with French fries and two containers of ketchup on the side.
©TripAdvisor / Jpjarami

Meet the Writer


April Neale

April’s a diehard thrifter and consignment shopper who laughs monthly as she pays her credit cards off in full accruing free miles for very cheap trips. 

Neale is also an accredited entertainment writer and television critic. A member of the Television Critics’ Association (TCA), Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (GALECA) and Broadcast Journalist Television Association (BTJA). Neale has read her original work both on NPR and ‘Spoken Interludes’, and has previously written for various industry trades and entertainment websites.