Skip to main content

9 Must-Try Austin Steakhouses — Locals’ Picks

By U.S. News & World Report

It’s no secret that Texas is serious about steaks, from filets to flank and strips to sirloin. And Austin has no shortage of steakhouses where travelers can get their carnivore on. To get to the meat of the matter, U.S. News asked local experts where the best bites are.

ALC Steaks (formerly Austin Land and Cattle Co.)

“It’s been around forever and has a really great reputation,” says Amber Weir, concierge at the JW Marriott Austin. “I’ve eaten there once, and I still say it’s one of the best steaks I’ve ever had.” Since 1993, this west downtown steakhouse with classic Austin charm has drawn locals, legislators and visitors with its cuts, ranging from the 6-ounce filet mignon ($42) to the 30-ounce porterhouse ($48).

[Read: The Best Hotels in Austin.]

Steaks at ALC Steaks come with sides like luxurious truffled bacon mac ‘n’ cheese or standard matchstick fries. There are also nine house steak sauces to choose from, in addition to steak toppers like lobster tail (market price) and Gulf shrimp ($9).

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

Hand-cut steaks reign at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, whose original Fifth Street location that opened in 2000 is still extremely popular. “It’s in a great historic building, and they take great care of guests and Austinites alike,” says Tony Ingargiola, concierge at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin. “The Chilean sea bass is phenomenal, as are the prime steaks.”

Although branching out to locations in eight other states, Eddie V’s maintains quality with high-end steaks like the 12-ounce center-cut filet mignon ($48). Intriguing sides like crab fried rice with mushrooms and scallions ($14) or butter-poached lobster mashed potatoes ($18) are also on the menu, as is the live jazz that permeates the uniquely styled restaurant.

Jeffrey’s

At Jeffrey’s, an Austin favorite for more than 40 years, the uniformed staff, USDA prime beef and caviar service make this spot one of the swankiest in the city. The Black Angus beef from Niman Ranch and wagyu steaks from the Beeman Family Ranch are all-natural. The 24-ounce bone-in strip ($120) and bone-in rib-eye ($130) are dry aged for 32 days. Over-the-top sauces and toppings at this Clarksville spot include marrow-roasted garlic bulb and foie gras butter.

Ranch 616

“One of my favorite places for any type of meat is Ranch 616,” says Katherine Wise, communications manager at Visit Austin, the city’s tourism organization. “It’s got this Austin and Texas feel. There’s taxidermy on the walls and a giant iron pistol [sculpture] on the patio. Whether you’re getting a steak, pork chop, fish or salad, everything there is incredible.”

[Read: 5 Austin Breweries to Visit.]

Ranch 616, established downtown in 1998, draws meat eaters with its Texas Black Angus rib-eye ($34.95) and Texas Black Angus tenderloin and crab ($46.95). Other top choices include crispy oysters ($15.95) and the Ranch Water cocktail, with Hornitos Reposado tequila, Patrón Citrónge liqueur and lime juice served on the rocks with mineral water ($11).

Truluck’s Seafood, Steak & Crab House

[IMAGE]

Both the downtown and Arboretum locations are popular for stone crab and steaks. Truluck’s Seafood, Steak & Crab House only uses seasonal, sustainable and all-natural ingredients. The best dishes include the fresh stone crab claw platter ($59), the prime bone-in filet ($65), and the surf and turf entree, a 7-ounce beef filet and a 5-ounce South African lobster tail ($65). A business casual dress code is enforced at this modern, yet cozy, steakhouse.

Central Standard

[IMAGE]

In addition to the restaurant’s 8-ounce filet mignon ($45), 10-ounce wagyu flat iron steak ($38) and 16-ounce prime rib-eye ($52), David Scheffke, front office manager at the Hotel Ella, says Central Standard offers a “great atmosphere, beautiful bar and outdoor eating area on South Congress.” This spot, which opened inside the South Congress Hotel in 2015, serves a number of other excellent dishes, including the grilled pork chop ($32), deviled eggs ($8) and wagyu steak tartare ($18). A rotating wine list of more than 100 labels is featured as well.

Steiner Ranch Steakhouse

Melissa Crawford, lead concierge and front desk agent at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, says her pick is Steiner Ranch Steakhouse because of its incredible views of Lake Travis. Far west of downtown on a former family ranch, this steak haven not only boasts cuts like the 7-ounce filet mignon ($34) and the 28-ounce porterhouse ($59), but also lobster tails (market price), Gulf Coast shrimp ($28) and wagyu braised beef short ribs ($46).

[Read: 5 Great Austin Shopping Spots.]

III Forks Prime Steakhouse

[IMAGE]

“I’m a 8-ounce filet, Pittsburgh-style guy with a bottle of malbec, and my absolute favorite is III Forks,” says Steven Leigh, chief concierge at the Archer Hotel Austin. “It started in Texas. They’ve branched out to other states, but the consistency and the quality are still my No. 1 favorite.” Right on Lady Bird Lake in downtown, III Forks Prime Steakhouse has bone-in ($52), boneless ($60) and tomahawk ($90) rib-eye steaks, plus 6- to 12-ounce servings of filet mignon ($36 to $41), New York strip ($45) and flat iron ($23). Angus prime beef steaks dry aged for 42 days and wagyu steaks are on the menu, too, as are more than 500 varieties of wine.

The Driskill Grill

[IMAGE]

“We’re known for our steaks, and we dry age our steaks in-house, which is rare here,” Chris Johnson, concierge and greeter at The Driskill, says of his hotel’s restaurant. “We work with Ranger Cattle, a local farm, and I’d get a wagyu steak because they’re delicious.” Locally sourced organic produce and meat are staples at The Driskill Grill, a classy and intimate spot in downtown Austin. Steak aficionados will love the 50-day dry-aged 10-ounce Texas wagyu rib-eye with seared foie gras ($78) in addition to the 10-ounce New York strip ($54) and 8-ounce prime filet mignon ($56).

To experience more of what Austin has to offer, check out the U.S. News Travel guide.

More from U.S. News

7 Austin Parks to See on Vacation — Locals’ Picks

The Best Foodie Destinations in the USA

5 Hotel Restaurants Worth Traveling For

9 Must-Try Austin Steakhouses — Locals’ Picks originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote