Best steak in town?
My friend is coming back from a two year mission trip in Haiti and is requesting I find the BEST steak in the area (she hasn't had a steak or chop since she left). It can be a BYOB. She is also somewhat of a health foodie, interested in grass-fed, organic, locally sourced food, but it doesn't have to be. For this first dinner back she would like to stay somewhat close around here (Warren, Sussex, Morris counties), not in NY or PA. Any suggestions?
Laurel 
jdem 
Calico696 Does James on Main always have steaks on the menu? I just don't want to get there and they are not having steaks that night. If they do, I think that's the place.
Heidi 
Walking Girl They always have a NY Strip and usually a special as well . Once was a cowboy steak and another a Rib Eye when I was there. They are grilled over the wood.
susanc Its a little further than immediate Hackettstown, but Red Wolf outside of Belvidere always has a great steak. Have never been disappointed.
WashingtonTswp
just saying is all Best Price:
Pub 517 or pub 199!
If you want locally sourced, grass fed, I think i would go with James on main, but you will pay MUCH more
Darrin If you have have to stay in town then James on Main is the best. But as other have said if you are willing to drive a little than Red Wolf is the place to go. James on Main is a distant 2nd to Red Wolf.
LenaK I still get surprised at all of the Red Wolf recommendations. I don't eat beef, but my husband loves a good cut of meat. We have tried the Red Wolf on three different occasions and haven't had a good meal or decent service yet. Go figure.
I have never eaten there myself, but I'm surprised no one mentioned the Walpack Inn yet. I know of several people that are huge fans of their beef, the prime rib in particular.
GC I'm even more surprised that someone mentioned Pub 199/517.... I haven't had a worse steak since the Ponderosa at the P'burg Mall closed its doors. Such a gristly mess... I swear that it got tougher the more you chewed it.
Now the clams at 199/517 are a completely different story. But the OP doesn't want clams... and if she takes her friend there for a steak, the friend is liable to jump on the next plane out of town for another two year mission, lol.
ianimal Walpack Inn is an hour away. If were talking about that distance, we can also include NYC steakhouses.
ThaiMaster18 
Lili Ian took the words right out of my mouth. I had exactly the same issue with the steak there as well (Pub 517). I was only there because a Musician I enjoyed was playing and hoped for a decent steak, but it was a horrid mess.
If not James on Main then I'd go with the steak at the Longhorn at the ITC. I almost always go for the "Flo's Filet" in various sizes in medium rare and have never had one I considered to be marginal even. I don't use "steak sauce" on good cuts so I can taste the flavor of the beef itself. My only issue is that they sometimes seem to be peppered a bit heavily.
Phil D. Thank you everyone! I am calling James on Main to make the reservation! I can pick up a nice bottle of wine to go with the steaks.
Benn4 
LAS "I'm even more surprised that someone mentioned Pub 199/517.... I haven't had a worse steak since the Ponderosa at the P'burg Mall closed its doors. Such a gristly mess..."
At $20 bucks can you get a bigger steak anywhere else? $29 bucks for a t-bone and 2 dozen clams.....like I said, best price
I personally like the fat and grizzle...some may not, personal preference, nothing to be surprised about
Botheredbyuu2 
Realist 30 dollars for a NY Strip at James on Main? And no sides like clams, only fries, greens, mushrooms and onions. Is it really all that good?
DannyC Oh yeah, James on Main is very good, never had their steaks, but have had their schnitzel.
Danny,
James on Main is good. It's not life changing good. Lol. I have had dinner there a few times and have always left happy. The staff is very nice. The food is good. The nicest thing about it is the menu is very unique. If you are doing a direct comparison between Red Wolf and James on Main then James on Main would win on creatitivity, presentation, staff, and ambiance. Red Wolf would win on the Steak.
Branda's in Budd Lake has a good steak. My partner is a "steak snob". He orders it everywhere and is always dissatisfied. He's always happy with Branda's steak.
PT123 Arthur's in Morris Plains. Depending on the schedule, you can take the train from Htown. Arthur's is right across the street from the Morris Plains station.
JellyB Most interested in steak, wherever it is. Sides are nice, but steak is the real meal.
Best price isn't best quality pub 517 food is terrible. You order clams and they come out in a minute at least fool us and wait a little longer and their steak is Not good quality at all. The best steak for the money is Arthurs in Morris Plains.
Emosewa I simply don't understand the attraction with Arthurs. If you like dining on plastic picnic tablecloths and massive meat for cheap, I guess it fits the bill.
If you're going to go out for steak (something that could easily be made well at home), then go all out.
Morris county - Roots steakhouse in Morristown
If you're willing to drive to Morris county, then don't ignore PA (even though your friend says she doesn't want to go.)
Top Cut in Center Valley at the Promenade or Emerils in the Sands.
emaxxman Roots rules, but of course that's not in town.
We have yet to get to James on Main, due to reservations being required WELL in advance. We'll get there hopefully soon.
Belle's Mansion does have one nice steak on the menu, I forget what it's called, but it comes out sizzling on a hot rock LOL. It's good.
Have only been to Red Wolf once, and can't remember what I had, but after reading this thread, would like to go back and try the steak. Part of me doesn't want to patronize the place because of the animals left outside 24/7. But I think I read here they no longer have the animals at Red Wolf? That would be good.
JeffersonRepub I just remembered that a bunch of people were raving about Oak Steakhouse in Easton. I wanted to take my husband there for his birthday back in October, but couldn't get in due to all of the reservations being booked up. It's a fairly new place and has pretty good online reviews.
JrzyGirl88 Not in town we went there for our 25 anniversy Buck Hill corner of RT 521 And RT 94 in Blairstown was very tasty and they make there own beer give it a try
Caged Animal 
2 cents Roots is very good. One of the best steaks I've had. And I also second the Black Forest, their beef is always good.
But the best I've had in the area is at 90 Acres in Gladstone. It's pricey, but I'd rather have one steak there than 3 at Pub 199. Porterhouse for 2 fantastic.
I've never understood Arthur's either. Way over-seasoned and Delmonico is a meh cut.
MeisterNJ 
EVV 
SL I've been to Sammy's once. Didn't think it was all that great. Black Horse Tavern has a better steak.
John C Red Wolf Inn - Belvidere NJ on Route 519. Hands down BEST in the area. Unless you drive to the city and go to Sparks Steakhouse NYC - 210 E 46th St, New York, NY 10017 - Absolute best steak I have EVER had.
Joe -1 for Sammy's. I wasn't impressed with the steak AT ALL. I hear their seafood is really good, but I've had better steaks at almost every place mentioned in this thread. I can easily make a better steak myself, bought at Shoprite.
I do dig Sammy's bar/lounge downstairs, but the upstairs dining area, honestly it felt like a country diner or midwest "family restaurant". I doubt we will be back.
Spark's Steak House - Yes, the food is to die for...
Oh wait - that was a mob hit 30 years ago.
There's really no right or wrong answer. I'm not a big steak eater, but I know a great steak when I see one. A chef I worked for a while back told me (in regards to steak dinners) "Don't go to a restaurant for a great steak, and don't go to a steakhouse for a great meal"...
Also to consider, what cut of steak does your guest like best. I personally find filet mignon to be relatively boring and bland, am not wild about strip steak unless it's USDA Prime, could take or leave a porterhouse. Give me a bone in ribeye and I'm ecstatic.
That being said...
Warren County- I wouldn't bother...
Morris County- Roots
Somerset County- Rudolph's in Bernardsville or Char in Raritan
Localchef Did not enjoy my over priced meal at James on Main.
Grew up eating at Sammys and seafood is amazing
Pub 199 was terrible when it came to steak. No taste and hard to chew. Tons of fat. Great lobster there.
Long horn is where we go when we want a good steak and don't want to drive too far.
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