Now that baseball season is back, and the Yankees are playing, the crew is back in rotation. That means I finally get to bring people to all the spots I have been hyping up like a lunatic.
First stop, obviously, Golden Steer Steakhouse.
I locked in that reservation over a month ago. Minor heart attack when SevenRooms started sending notifications that looked like they canceled the table, but we survived and secured the table. Priorities.
I have been talking this place up for a while, sending food pics like I am on payroll. So expectations were high. Dangerous territory.
The Vibe: Old School Vegas Energy Done Right
They walked in and immediately got it.
The decor hits you with that old-school Vegas feel. Not cheesy, not overdone, just smooth. Each room has its own personality. Leather seats, low lighting, people actually enjoying themselves instead of staring at their phones.
It feels like a steakhouse should feel. Relaxed, confident, and just a little bit indulgent.
Service: The Sweet Spot
From the second we sat down, service was locked in.
Friendly, funny, attentive without hovering. That balance is rare. I do not need someone checking on me every 30 seconds, but I also do not want to feel abandoned, as if I were on a deserted island with a stake.
The staff knew the menu, gave real opinions, and actually sounded like they believed what they were saying. The manager even came by, cracked a few jokes, and kept it moving.
That is how it should be done.
The Game Plan: Bring Friends, Order More
Since I had backup this time, we expanded the order.
Martinis were flowing, obviously. That part is automatic.
Starters
- Filet Mignon tartare
- Butchers cut Meatballs with polenta
- Shrimp de Jonghe
- Tableside Caesar salad
- Braised Spanish Octopus
The Filet Mignon tartare still has that signature kick. Everyone loved it. It never misses.
The Butcher’s Cut Meatballs were dangerously close to grandma-level. That is a serious statement. The polenta was so creamy, we thought it was melted cheese. That is not normal. That is skill.
The Shrimp de Jonghe were good, but going up against everything else on the table, they were the quiet kid in a room full of loud personalities.
The Braised Spanish Octopus with shishito peppers had great flavor and a nice little bite. Solid addition.
The tableside Caesar is non-negotiable for first-timers. Yes, it is a show. Yes, it actually tastes better. Science probably cannot explain it, but it is real.
The Mains: Big Plates, Bigger Energy
We went in.
- Veal
- Massive lobster tail
- Kansas City strip, dry aged
And now the part that deserves its own spotlight, the sides.
The seasonal carrots were surprisingly one of the stars of the table. Perfectly cooked, great flavor, and somehow held their own next to steak and lobster. That is not easy to do.
The french fries with their signature onion seasoning are straight-up dangerous. Crispy, loaded with flavor, and borderline addictive. No notes. Just keep eating.
And the twice-baked potato was rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, with that salty bacon pop cutting through everything in the best way possible. This is the kind of side that quietly turns into a main event if you are not paying attention.
The Kansas City steak was cooked right and packed with flavor. Exactly what you want from a proper steakhouse cut.
The lobster tail was enormous. I am talking cartoon level large. Everyone cleaned their plates. No survivors.
Everything hit. No weak links.
Dessert: Banana Foster Is Not Optional
I am not a big dessert person.
That being said, the banana foster might be a problem. They make it tableside, it smells incredible, and somehow you end up eating more than you planned.
It is sweet, rich, and borderline addictive. I am not saying it is magic, but I am also not saying it is not magic.
Final Verdict: Still One of the Best
At this point, I have been here multiple times and it just keeps delivering.
I know there are mixed reviews out there, but I have not experienced any of that. Every visit has been consistent. Food on point, service on point, experience on point.
It reminds me of the whole Peter Luger Steak House debate. Some people love it, some people hate it. I fall firmly on the love side here.
Golden Steer just works.
Pro Tip
Grab one of their collectible pins every time you go.
It is a small thing, but it is fun, and it gives you a little souvenir to remind your friends that yes, you made the right reservation.
Would I Go Back?
Already planning the next one.
Think this meal was wild? This wasn’t even my first rodeo at Golden Steer Steakhouse…
👉 Read my original review where the obsession started”
“I went back, ordered more, and learned absolutely nothing about restraint.
👉 See the damage from round two”
As always, what do I know? I’m just a fat guy from Brooklyn trying to survive the week, one martini at a time. If you want more Top 10s steakhouses, burgers, restaurants, you name it, click the words and keep going.
On the top of my list, can’t wait to eat that lobster 🦞