No Comparison

     Growing up on the east coast I have a difficult time comprehending exactly what constitutes an acre.  I can better understand things in terms of square miles.  So when I heard that the Steiner Ranch in Austin was 5,200 acres to appreciate that size I needed to convert it into something I could grasp.  And when I did I realized that it was 10 times the size of my hometown, over 8 square miles!  Beginning with T.C. "Buck" Steiner it was for over a century a place for horses, bronco bulls, and rodeo.  It was where his son, Tommy, oversaw the Steiner Rodeo Company and where his son, Bobby, became a champion bull rider.

     Today on a promontory overlooking both the Travis and Austin lakes, the Steiner Ranch Steakhouse sits as both a testament to the hard work and success of the Steiner family and also the role that beef plays in almost every aspect of Texas life.

     Just as the Steiner family is larger than life, so is the restaurant that carries their name.  I was afforded a personal tour through the facility before dinner there one evening and was amazed and impressed at the size and detail devoted to each of the dining areas on all 3 floors.  From the first floor Great Room to Buck's Loft on the third floor it was a thoughtful blend of form and function.  

     And as you might expect, it's all about the beef.   That is plainly evident as soon as you open the self-illuminating menu.  From the petite 7 ounce filet mignon to Kelly's 24 ounce porterhouse each hand selected beef cut is seasoned and broiled to order.  There are other options in addition to steak, too.  There's a rib appetizer, and elk, too.  Our waiter also pointed out that it is also possible to order chicken, tuna and quail, but then quipped, "But why would you want to?"

     It was difficult for me to decide so as I gave it considerable thought I began with the Ranch Hand Salad.  The roasted jalapeno lime vinaigrette gave an assertive tang to the spring mix with roasted corn, tomatoes, avocado, cucumber and red onion.  I shied away from the larger cuts of beef in favor of a mixed grill: twin skewers of bacon wrapped tenderloins and similarly wrapped jumbo Gulf shrimp topped with chimichurri butter.  The taste was amazing!  Everything about the meal was exemplary.  The food, the service, the setting were all beyond compare.



     The legend and legacy of the Steiner family lives on in their larger than life steakhouse.