155891 Tue Mar 14 16:19:36 -0800 2006 13 12 Boston Area 0 838777 Any recs? warnings? words for the wise? I want to celebrate an anniversary, but in a fairly low-key, weeknight out sort of way. My S/O is a big steak fan, but my wallet's still hurting from our Ruth's Chris xmas dinner. Any input much appreciated. TIA! Tue Mar 14 16:19:36 -0800 2006 0 AuDust 1 838779 I know that there seems to be mixed opinion on the board about Frank's, but I love the place. Yes, it's worn and tired in spots, and yes, they haven't seemed to change anything in 40 years. But, every time I've been, the steaks have been delicious, the service attentive, and the prices very reasonable. So, yes, it doesn't rate with S&W, or Grill 23, but you won't spend $200, either. Get the Bourbon St. Sizzler steak, it's my favorite. Tue Mar 14 16:31:51 -0800 2006 838777 0 mwk 2 838780 I've had the bourbon steak there - I ordered it medium-rare. It came out charred on the outside and cold and raw on the inside - the cut of meat was also not very good. If a steak place can't cook steak, it's sort of off my list. Tue Mar 14 16:37:33 -0800 2006 838779 0 Bob Dobalina 3 838790 I generally like my steak rare, or at worst, medium rare. I've had to send back steak at Hilltop, Bugaboo Creek, Outback, Fleming's and The Palm. I've never had to send one back at Frank's. Like I said, there's mixed opinion here, but Frank's is one of my favorite places to get steak in the Boston area. I'd rather go there than almost any of the places I mentioned above (except for Fleming's. That ranks as my absolute favorite). Tue Mar 14 17:29:42 -0800 2006 838780 0 mwk 4 838815 Did a double date there a while ago - 4 beers, a glass of wine, a mixed drink, 4 steak dinners (I think most of us went with the Prime Rib), mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, salads for all, and an apple crumble dessert. It came to less than $100 tip inclusive. The steaks are the size of flinstone steaks. The atmosphere is diner-ish, the service friendly. Is it my favorite place for a steak? No way. But it's cheap for what it is and it's clean and the steak is decent. Wed Mar 15 08:21:01 -0800 2006 838790 0 gini 5 838820 I love Frank's. We go there about twice a month. Tips, if ordering the sizzling sirloin order it less done then you would like, it still cooks on the plate. That is a group favorite. I stay away from any mashed potatoes and get the baked potato. I usually go for the garden salad over the veggies, I haven't had good luck with the veggies. Wed Mar 15 08:50:53 -0800 2006 838815 0 Snowflake 6 838849 I'd recommend Jimmy's in Arlington over Frank's--I have bad experiences with steaks not cooked to order there. But I'm from Arlington and I might be biased! Wed Mar 15 13:41:17 -0800 2006 838820 0 cjohnson 1 838787 I went there recently, and while it is decent and cheap, it exceeds my personal calorie/goodness ratio limit. If I am going to eat food that bad for me, I need it to be better than decent. If your S/O isn't particularly picky, it might fit the bill. Tue Mar 14 17:05:45 -0800 2006 838777 0 Ruprecht 1 838832 Have you considered Jimmy's Steer House a couple of miles north on Mass Ave in Arlington? Similar price and more authentic retro scene/crowd now that Frank's has renovated (someone has to pay for that, right?). The basic steaks and side never disappoint. It's always packed there. Parking is available on the street if the lot is full, and the 77/79 buses from Harvard/Alewife stop nearby. Wed Mar 15 10:52:22 -0800 2006 838777 0 rlh 1 838909 Great bread, cotton soft and warm. Love the onion loaf, a cut up onion, lightly battered and very nicely deep fried. Good peppery kick from the dip. Fried calamari is decent, the dipping red sauce intense but heavy with a tomato paste flavour. Ordinary but competent sides of baked potato (no bacon bits, but comes with sour cream and a dash of chive) and boiled broccoli (plain but boiled just right). Frank's sizzling sirloin, cooked spot on to medium rare as specified, although the sizzling plate did end up cooking the steak a bit more over the course of the next few minutes. Reasonable char on the surface, satisfying flavour on the inside. Doesn't pretend to be fancy dry aged stuff, but does what it sets out to do admirably, and is easy on the pocket. Outstanding, hardworking waitress who handled our large group with plenty of grace to spare. Thu Mar 16 01:26:49 -0800 2006 838777 0 Limster 2 838946 Limster -- that's great. I love being surprised by a positive review of a place I might not otherwise consider. If you don't mind, what was the $ damage? Thu Mar 16 10:51:26 -0800 2006 838909 0 yumyum 3 838964 With 1 diet pepsi, it was around $30. (split the apps with several friends.) Thu Mar 16 12:13:08 -0800 2006 838946 0 Limster 2 838971 Real baked potato, not a foil-wrapped imposter? Thu Mar 16 12:35:14 -0800 2006 838909 0 Aromatherapy 3 838978 Foil wrapped. Thu Mar 16 13:04:34 -0800 2006 838971 0 Limster