After checking out the Fort Worth steakhouse scene over the past few years, we decided to descend upon the Dallas dining scene and see why Al Biernat's steakhouse, is ranked the best in Dallas and possibly after we finished dining, one of the best in the United States.
So what makes this place an award winner, when there are so many great steakhouses nationwide? Well it all starts with the proprietor Al Biernat.
Not only has Al combined his 22 years of experience in the restaurant business, in which he helped propel several of the well known Palm restaurants to their current status, he combines his attitude towards customer service and commitment to have the best dining experience possible and puts that out every night in his restaurant.
Things such as Biernat coming into the restaurant on his day off to sat down with our staff, told us about why this place ranks where it does, we had no further questions as to why this place is what it is. There are just three words to describe the dining experience, “Off the Hook.”
Before you even enter the restaurant, you will see why Al Biernats is our number one choice in Dallas for steak. Just like the Porsches, Bentley’s and Rolls Royce’s that sit next door at Dallas’ most prestigious car dealership Park Place, this steak house says prestige from the outside. Sitting by itself, the décor of the restaurant doesn’t stop on the outside.
Once you have arrived, Valet Parkers will promptly greet you, taking your car and leading your to entrance. Once inside you will see what Al has done to make this place unique, which starts with one of the hottest bar designs we have seen in a long time greeting his patrons. It will capture all with its artwork that was created by San Antonio artist Larry Brooks. It is just a piece of work to look at. It’s hidden faces and characters and the vibrant colors make this one of the best greeting we’ve had entering any restaurant. After looking, the staff will continue your enjoyable experience.
Speaking of staff, this brings us to the second feature of the restaurant that will capture your attention, the attentiveness of the staff. We thought the staff at the Palm catered to its patrons, but Al Biernats does one better by hiring only the best in the business. Our waiter has been serving up steak for over 30 years and knows the meaning of customer service. You don't have a college age kid waiting your table and treating you like one of his friends. If you need it, guaranteed it will be there. Like a fine watch that needs no tuning, the staff is exactly that.
As you are seated, another feature of Al Biernat's that will continue to set this place apart from the others, the napkins. Okay this might sound a bit ridiculous that we are talking about napkins, but the black napkins were introduced as a way to have patrons leave the restaurant lint free and sure enough we checked our pants and no lint. It’s no fun going out for an awesome dinner and then having it ruined moments before a big outing when you are left searching for a lint brush. In some restaurants, how you leave is not even a thought, at Al Biernat's, its a reality.
Since we have talked so much about what the restaurant has offer, we might as well tell you that Al has built such a great reputation as the best in Dallas, that A-LIST celebrities pour into the restaurant on a regular basis. Many have left their individual mark, some of which you can see lining the walls.
From Troy Aikman to Angie Harmon, Al has developed a client list that knows him by name, we even spotted Dallas Stars million dollar man Mike Modano having dining in the private room behind us. “ I do a lot with these guys during the season. They come in after the games and have dinner. They are my personal friends.” We give them what they want and what the others can not offer,” said Biernat.
Some of the extra amenities found at this steakhouse that you will not find anywhere else are features like the special sound system Biernat had installed featuring separate channels for each part of the restaurant and bar area. “ We can have people in the private area listening to music of their choice at full blast that will not disturb any of our other patrons or we can turn it up in the bar area, what ever sets the tone. “These are things you do not find anywhere, especially in a steakhouse.”
If you thought Al Biernat's sounds cool after all we have described, wait until you taste their mouth watering appetizers, entrees and homemade desserts prepared fresh by their in-house pastry chef. No matter what you choose it will be something not to forget and something to keep you coming back.
We started the evening with the appetizer sampler, which looked more like a meal of its own when it hit the table. Complete with three huge crab cakes, three jumbo shrimp and fresh calamari, if you like seafood any of these appetizers will be for you.
The crab cakes, which had almost absolutely no fillers and the lump crabmeat, could be seen the minute it was placed on the table. If you like shrimp, these Tempura Jumbo beasts along with Field greens and Honey Dijon can not be missed. Nothing less than spicy and filling with the shrimp. After the shrimp, grab a hold of the Potato Crusted Calamari and dip it into the Red Wine Diablo Sauce served on the side and all you will be able to do is ask for more. It's spicy as well, but has the kick that keeps you asking for more.
The appetizer sampler was specially prepared for us and it allowed us to give patrons a chance to see what was the appetizer menu was all about. Any of the three options are very enjoyable and if you like it as much as we did, you may opt for all of these three on their own in case you do not want to share. We will admit, sharing is very difficult because nothing will be left on the plate long enough to.
With appetizers such as the ones offered at Al Biernat's, they are just a perfect warm up for what is next. They are a great warm-up to any meal, because entrée are just as delicious if not better.
Our first selection from the dinner menu was the Porterhouse Steak, which unlike some steakhouses, give you more strip then filet, this steak came with enough beef to share. Each steak that you will be cutting into is some the worlds best beef coming directly from Chicago’s Allen Brothers Stockyards.
Even while aged steaks are extremely short to come by right now due to the overwhelming demand and cows coming in a bit smaller than normal, Al Biernats excepts no substitutes when it comes to your satisfaction in the steak department, he will always have the best beef found any where in the USA.
Next, we were almost swept off our feet by the Colorado Lamb Chops, which were so tender a knife wasn’t even needed to slide the meat off of bones. Your proportion will once again be more than average and more than filling. The chops are available for $31.95 and highly recommended. If you like wine with your meal, then if you happened to miss the bottles as you walked in, then a list that is sure to delight is available for you to select from.
Lastly, if the seafood from earlier left you eager for more. We highly recommend the Pan Seared Sea Bass, which looked more like an entire fish than just a piece of it. It is complimented with wild rice and served over Lobster Risotto and the Basil Infused Olive Oil makes this selection out of this world. It was a tough match-up against the Salmon for $23.95, which is once again covers the entire plate from side to side.
While all of the dinner selections are unbelievable, what is more amazing then anything on the menu is the extensive selection of wine on hand. Nationally recognized sommeller Todd Lindcome has put together a list of wines almost as grand as the State Texas itself, which includes 650 different selections and approximately 10,000 bottles of wine, some so rare they don't even want to part with them. Todd will be more than happy to make a selection that is right for you, just another feature of having a great dining experience at Al Biernats.
After a complete meal from Al Biernat's, there will barely be any room left in your stomach for dessert, but these homemade choices are well worth saving space for.
From Cheesecake to the fresh Key Lime Pie with Berries, there is a dessert for everyone. Do not miss the Texas Pecan Pie a la mode with Chocolate and Caramel sauces, the presentation alone is almost ordering them to check it out. The sauces with the Pecan pie are simply mouth watering.
As we finished our meal, we were once again greeted by Biernat, just as he does with most of the patrons. Most of his customers he knows on a personal level after they have eaten here just once. This is a place that will have you hooked like a fish and the food is like a pheromone, it will keep you coming back time after time.
Al Biernat's is located just minutes from Downtown Dallas and reservations are strongly recommended, because even with the open area seating they can fill the place quickly and with the selections available, no one is quick to leave.
Al Biernat's Steakhouse
4217 Oaklawn Ave
Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 219-2201
www.albiernats.com
