Who Sells Best Steak in Lexington

JPFisher

Heisman
Jul 24, 2013
6,131
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Columbia Steakhouse. Anyone who tells you different has not eaten at Columbia Steakhouse. Get the Nighthawk Special. Tony's, for being ~3x more expensive, is not as good. Malones would be my #2.
 
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ORCAT

Heisman
Jan 6, 2003
24,489
11,591
113
Columbia Steakhouse. Anyone who tells you different has not eaten at Columbia Steakhouse. Get the Nighthawk Special. Tony's, for being ~3x more expensive, is not as good. Malones would be my #2.

I've eaten at both and am not real impressed with Columbia and the last time I had the Nighthawk Special it was very tough and chewy. Malone's, much more expensive, but definitely a case where getting what you pay for is the key. Love Malone's, just can't go as often as I like because I have to watch budget a little bit. But, it is the best steak I've had, by far, in Lexington.
 

Nuke99m.

All-American
Aug 30, 2002
8,616
7,675
113
 

svoils

Sophomore
Feb 25, 2010
326
190
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Columbia Steakhouse. Anyone who tells you different has not eaten at Columbia Steakhouse. Get the Nighthawk Special. Tony's, for being ~3x more expensive, is not as good. Malones would be my #2.

Haha, haven't heard the Nighthawk Special mentioned in a while. Brings back a lot of memories. Better eat that meal with a side of Lipitor!
 

BARRYBLUE1

All-Conference
Feb 1, 2013
2,105
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Best part of the Night Hawk Special is the baked potato. I thought the steak was granular.
 

macsauce13

All-Conference
Jul 6, 2010
1,952
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Go to Malone's. Columbia's is good, and used to be THE place, but no longer. You'd be mistaken to go anywhere but Malone's and get an incredible filet, Oscar style is my preference.
 

Robcatt24

Heisman
Sep 17, 2005
18,013
17,025
113
I've eaten at both and am not real impressed with Columbia and the last time I had the Nighthawk Special it was very tough and chewy. Malone's, much more expensive, but definitely a case where getting what you pay for is the key. Love Malone's, just can't go as often as I like because I have to watch budget a little bit. But, it is the best steak I've had, by far, in Lexington.

Dine and dash, brah.
 

UKat51

All-Conference
May 9, 2003
2,456
1,932
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At any price?

Value for the money?

Tony's is the best for steak, priciest, best service

I would also recommend J.W.'s at the Marriott Griffin Gate. Good atmosphere, good atmosphere, pricey, good service
 

StubbornPenny

All-American
Nov 2, 2009
10,562
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Columbia Steakhouse. Anyone who tells you different has not eaten at Columbia Steakhouse. Get the Nighthawk Special. Tony's, for being ~3x more expensive, is not as good. Malones would be my #2.

I can tell you for a fact that the Nighthawk special comes in a frozen package, and is reheated. I'll admit I haven't eaten there in ages, but this is what an ex-employee says (also my best friend). He did say people love it though.
 

Jdhays21

Heisman
Jan 16, 2013
16,085
22,664
108
If you're looking for a filet then Tony's and Malone's. If you're looking for Prime Rib then go to Merrick Inn.
 
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Mar 4, 2008
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Tony used to be a chef for Jeff Ruby and then started his own down here.

If they ever get the downtown hole situation fixed Jeff Ruby's may come down here.

I was told Jeff Ruby is opening a restaurant in the old Coba Cacina spot on Richmond Road. By the way I forgot about The Merrick Inn's prime rib.
 

JPFisher

Heisman
Jul 24, 2013
6,131
10,892
113
I've been to both Columbia's and Tony's once.

Columbia's steak, if frozen, was still more flavorful, juicy, and tender than what I got at Tony's just a week later. Medium rare at Tony's means raw in some spots and well in others.

The Nighthawk I got didn't cause any gastro problems.

Malone's, for the best of both worlds (good steak, price, atmosphere), is probably your best bet.

Maybe chefs switched. Who knows?
 
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Kai Slater

All-American
Jan 30, 2015
1,762
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At any price?

Value for the money?

Wow!!! This is an unbelievable question.....Out of all the steaks I've had in Lexington, I'll have to go with Malone's. I have not yet made it to Tony's, but I have had Columbia's and Malone's, Outback, Logan's, Texas Roadhouse, etc.....and I have to give Malone's the top spot. Service and environment were excellent at Malone's.
 

tntuk

Heisman
Jan 17, 2002
11,497
10,966
113
I was told Jeff Ruby is opening a restaurant in the old Coba Cacina spot on Richmond Road. By the way I forgot about The Merrick Inn's prime rib.
Interesting and good news. I knew they were interested in a potential spot at whatever they build dtown where the big crater exists.

Seems like the Coba building is too big and a weird location for a restaurant to survive long - at least Ruby and his restaurants have a good name and product.
 

notlifeordeath

Freshman
Dec 3, 2007
1,120
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Coles on Main, then Tony's, then Malones. Have done them all multiple times and Coles is consistently the best. They also pour the most generous drink in town and atmosphere is much quieter than either Tony's or Malones.
 
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Apr 13, 2002
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Blows my mind that anyone thinks Malones is the best anything in lex, except maybe sports bar.

What's sad is, even if not the best, it's close to the best. Doesn't say much for lexingtons food scene. Although I'd venture a solid guess that middlefork and 21c are both far superior steaks. I know both are far superior at everything else.

I don't see Jeff Ruby taking that coba building. Doesn't seem like his typical spot.
 
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rudd1

Heisman
Oct 3, 2007
14,419
21,101
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Big blue insanity,

-i dont get the hate for lex food scene. For a town its size it has alot of good food.

-coles, nat. provisions, table 310, le deauville, sabio, jean farris (outstanding...only rub for some folks is they only serve their own wine), heirloom(midway), holly hill inn(midway), village idiot, brassabana, nick ryans, middlefork, lockbox (21c), tonys, portofino...off the top of my head...sure i missed quite a few.

-of those lockbox is the weakest foodwise...and middlefork was underwhelming (but solid). the two you are pimping most. Go figure.
 
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rudd1

Heisman
Oct 3, 2007
14,419
21,101
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Coles on Main, then Tony's, then Malones. Have done them all multiple times and Coles is consistently the best. They also pour the most generous drink in town and atmosphere is much quieter than either Tony's or Malones.


-cole will also order wagyu by request.
 

Jdhays21

Heisman
Jan 16, 2013
16,085
22,664
108
Nick Ryan's used to do a good job with their filet but their service has been so atrocious that my group has moved on. On a side note, they had hot brown oysters as special one time and they were some of the best oysters I have had.
 

CB3UK

Hall of Famer
Apr 15, 2012
62,962
103,642
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It's rare I ever order a steak dining out because most places just don't ever get it right.
 

Jdhays21

Heisman
Jan 16, 2013
16,085
22,664
108
It's rare I ever order a steak dining out because most places just don't ever get it right.
I always ask the server if the current cooks tend to under cook it just a little or over cook it a little. Of course most of the time they say cook it spot on but I keep prodding.
 
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WildCard

All-American
May 29, 2001
65,040
7,390
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When the kids were in school down there we occasionally had to take 'em out for a good meal. I had no experience with Malone's or Tony but thought Merrick Inn was quite good. Ate at Columbia a number of times; good value but hardly a top end steakhouse. IF Jeff Ruby's opens a place down there the "best steak" discussion is over...but be ready for a BIG check. :cool:

Peace