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A bunch friends are returning from an arduous SCA event. I wont go into the particulars of the event. Let's just say some of the authorities lost creditability in my eyes. Disillusionment is often disappointing.
Through a series of unfortunate events, we find our way to a restaurant called Applebees. These kind of generic places are good for crowds because they can usually feed everyone something. All the entrees are about the same, prices wise. Three people, myself included, order a steak. The two other guys order medium rare; fearing the worst, I ask for rare.
My steak ultimately has a much in common with rare as a Salem witch trial has with a sunburn. The doggie is toast. I notice the medium rares have identical doneness to me. Conclusion, there is one level in done in an Applebees steak; dead.
Now, to be far, it wasn't that bad and I'd recommend it to all the philistines who insist on beef cooked "well done". They had marinated it in something and I suspect froze it after a brine bath in the flavoring. The result was something abnormally moist and tender for the cut and level of cooked.
Curiously, they were touting their steaks and they were on special. Presumably trying to raise awareness that they offered good steaks. I'd had a steak at the chain before that was also horrid, but I figured I'd give them another chance with the new promotion. I'll never order a steak from these folks again.
Am I just bashing chain restaurants that sell steaks? Well, for a good steak I'd go to a specialty haunt, but some of the chains do a good job. Longhorn is top of the list. Outback can be good, but they've slipped in other respects. Lonestar can be good for steaks only, the rest of the menu is amazing bad. I think everyone goes to Sizzler or Ponderosa for the buffet anyway, but the steaks are at least done to order.
The best steak I've ever had? I probably cooked the thing myself. Sad really.
Through a series of unfortunate events, we find our way to a restaurant called Applebees. These kind of generic places are good for crowds because they can usually feed everyone something. All the entrees are about the same, prices wise. Three people, myself included, order a steak. The two other guys order medium rare; fearing the worst, I ask for rare.
My steak ultimately has a much in common with rare as a Salem witch trial has with a sunburn. The doggie is toast. I notice the medium rares have identical doneness to me. Conclusion, there is one level in done in an Applebees steak; dead.
Now, to be far, it wasn't that bad and I'd recommend it to all the philistines who insist on beef cooked "well done". They had marinated it in something and I suspect froze it after a brine bath in the flavoring. The result was something abnormally moist and tender for the cut and level of cooked.
Curiously, they were touting their steaks and they were on special. Presumably trying to raise awareness that they offered good steaks. I'd had a steak at the chain before that was also horrid, but I figured I'd give them another chance with the new promotion. I'll never order a steak from these folks again.
Am I just bashing chain restaurants that sell steaks? Well, for a good steak I'd go to a specialty haunt, but some of the chains do a good job. Longhorn is top of the list. Outback can be good, but they've slipped in other respects. Lonestar can be good for steaks only, the rest of the menu is amazing bad. I think everyone goes to Sizzler or Ponderosa for the buffet anyway, but the steaks are at least done to order.
The best steak I've ever had? I probably cooked the thing myself. Sad really.