I’ve been eating for a living for nearly a decade and a half. In that time, I’ve had the good fortune of trying (and very much enjoying) a great many things and cuisines that I didn’t venture into before it all became “work.” For example, with a straight face I can share that in that time I’ve gone from not liking sushi at all to becoming something of a sushi snob. There’s a lot of supermarket sushi out there that I choose not to give the time of day. There are many such examples, of course, but we are not here for that today.
I share all of that from the standpoint that one of the few cuisines on which I could go toe to toe with anyone before we started documenting my eats was the steakhouse. I’ve spent a lot of my adult life enjoying (or not) some of the best steakhouses in America: Keen’s in New York City, Gibson’s in Chicago. There was Nick and Sam’s in Dallas and, of course, Bern’s in Tampa. I could probably list 20, but I will only add that Brooklyn’s Peter Luger may have been something once upon a time, but I found it to be the most overrated restaurant in America. Yeah, I said it.
So, imagine the smile on my face when the text came in from CH2 headquarters: “How about best place for dad to get a steak for June issue?” I was giddy, I tell you.
When I started my gig a teenager ago, I remember when Hilton Head Island didn’t have a major player steakhouse of note. Now we have two. I like progress. Most of us do. There’s your backdrop. Where am I sending someone for steaks on Hilton Head Island? I will share my list as long as we understand that this is not a ranking. It never is. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads!
The Sage Room, Pope Avenue
A few years ago, I took an informal poll of locals asking what was regarded as the best steak on the island. A good majority of the respondents said The Sage Room. I’ve since had it a couple of times and would very much agree that it is fantastic. If you can sit at the Chef’s Counter in this restaurant, you are in for a treat. I love everything about it.
Chophouse 119, Shelter Cove Towne Centre
One of the great ironies of life on this island is the fact that people move here from the big city for the weather or the lifestyle, but then live their lives here in relentless pursuit of those elusive big city eats. The vibe at Chophouse 119 is the closest you are going to get to a cosmopolitan feel on the island. It’s beautiful, but you will pay for it. No matter, the selection of steaks might be the island’s best. Our experiences there have been everything you would hope them to be.
Links American Grill, Harbour Town
If you follow my work here on the regular, then you are not surprised to see Links listed here. I’ve made no secret of how much I enjoy the food at this restaurant. The atmosphere is polar opposite from Chophouse 119, but wonderful just the same. They have an excellent selection of beef (prime strips and ribeye are almost a must for me to choose from). You can count on A5 Wagyu to be on the menu practically year-round and the execution is always flawless.
Fabulous Frankie Bones, Main Street Village
A little more budget friendly offering you will find at Frankie Bones is their Coffee Marinated Ribeye. I wasn’t sure what to expect, I was skeptical because the menu is so large. How can everything be great? I took a chance and was rewarded. I enjoy Frankie Bones on occasion with a group of friends. I don’t always get this steak, but it is a good call whenever someone does. One other ribeye on the island that is world famous is at Santa Fe Cafe. It comes highly recommended, but I have never tried it. Wiseguys also does a nice job.
Stone and Webster Chophouse, JW Marriott, Savannah
I am hereby guilty as charged of breaking my own rules. This list was intended to be on the island. But if you’ve not made it to Stone and Webster in Savannah, it is worth a Sunday drive for a great experience. S&W has been making a steady progression toward excellence for a couple of years now. Every time I go, it’s better than the time before. If you love a good steakhouse, this should be on your shortlist – as should the River Room at Palmetto Bluff.
Did I miss one? Holla at cha boy: tips@eatitandlikeit.com.