Best Steak under $20

[BOS_steve]

I have a craving for beef, but as always, I'm on a budget. Any recs for the best place to get a mouth-watering piece of meat for under $20? Suburbs and chains are excluded, of course, but any other restaurants in Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, etc. will be considered. Please refrain from Boston Chowhound favorites (e.g. NO EAST COAST GRILL!) and I'd prefer not to have to dress up, although that shouldn't be an issue at $20/plate.

Thanks!!

[drb]

Cafe Belo (various locations) is a Brazilian cafeteria-like place that has lots of different grilled meats and great sides. Pay by the pound - carnivore heaven.

[kittychow]

Audubon Circle has a steak under $20. I haven't had it in a while but on I always felt it was a good value and I've been pleased because they've always cooked it to order (I have bad luck getting bargain steaks served medium rare).

[hiddenboston]

Tango in Arlington Center.

[Joanie]

The regular steak at West Side Lounge in Camb. was <$20 and looked better than the special I just reported on. Also steak is <$20 at Birch St. Bistro in Roslindale.

[MattyChowder]

Also, check out Tango on Mass Ave in Arlington Center. Great Argentinian place with an extensive wine list. It came highly acclaimed by a chef friend of mine who lives in the A-R-L. The (giant, and presumably Argentinian) chef comes to your table and asks how you're enjoying things (must be the neighborhood-- the chef/owner at La Buona Vita next door does the same) and banters with you. We hadn't finished everything by the time he came over so he busted chops by asking with mock indignation "What, you no like my food?" Good food, good atmosphere. Hold on a sec, let me get the menu. . .

[45 seconds later]

We started with the Champinones Portabella, a sauteed mushroom (Guess what variety? Good guess.) dish with cheese baked on the top and olive oil, garlic, S&P, and balsamic vinegar (quite good, and she doesn't really dig mushrooms, so I benefited.) Also had the Recoleta, a prosciutto, mozzarella, red onion, tomato, and red pepper dish that was pretty good. (Rant: Disappointed that the tomatoes were not late-August/early-September ripe. In fact, they were mealy-- you know the kind-- but, then again, I'm frequently disappointed in the quality of tomatoes served in restaurants and at salad bars. There should be a rule against serving tomatoes that have the consistency of apples. Especially in late summer. Just don't bother, okay? Okay. End rant.)

We shared the Entrana ($18.45), a nice, tasty grilled medium-rare flank steak with Chimichurri sauce,along with the Medallon al Roquefort ($24.95) which came recommended by the waiter. Nice m-r filet mignon with (You guessed right again-- you're smart.) roquefort cheese on top. Delicious. Some nicely-seasoned potatoes on the side. A really delicious bottle of Malbec recommended by the waiter accompanied the meal. I recommend it and plan to go again in the near future.

Had the Steak Onglet Frites at Chez Henri on Friday ($23.95), which was outstanding. Garlic, smoked tomato, and Chimichurri. Great fries, with a nice reduction sauce for dipping. More than $20, but the extra $4 is worth it, in my opinion.

And if I'm not mistaken, Eastern Standard has a couple of steaks for relatively short dough-- I know they have a hangar steak for $20 or $22 and maybe another choice as well. They've always cooked it well (I should say "properly") and I've always enjoyed it.

And for about $26, the steak frites at Central Kitchen is excellent. A ribeye that's properly done, with frites that are the best in town. Again, not sure if these are considered Chowhound favorites (I suspect Chez Henri, Eastern Standard, and Central Kitchen are, but maybe not necessarily for steak), but I really enjoy the steaks there so am offering them as options at or near the $20 price range.

Enjoy!

Matty

[9lives]

I like the Frank's idea. Nicely fits the bill.

I haven't eaten there but did have a drink after a chowdinner.

Matt..hope you post more often..:)

[MattyChowder]

Hey, all. Long-time lurker here-- haven't posted in ages. Just wanted to add Frank's Steak House on Mass Ave in North Cambridge to the list. I'm not sure if it's considered a "favorite" of the posters here, but it really fits the bill. The Big Frank's is an 18-ounce sirloin for about $18 or $19 and comes with salad, starch, and I believe a veg as well. The King Cut prime rib is so big it's almost too much. Great neighborhood place with waitresses who call you "hon." Just a very welcoming place with good people and an enjoyable atmosphere. (Especially if you like plasma TV's, piano, and Keno along with your budget-priced steak.)

Hope this adds to the discussion!

Matty

[mabelm4050]

Also maybe not quite what you are looking for, but the Corrib Pub's steak tips are excellent. Brookline, Brighton and West Roxbury.

[Big Momma]

It's not a steak, but the prime rib at Durgin Park is great.

[upton1039]

PapaRazi at Newbury and Dartmouth

Fileto balsamico with roasted veggies: $19.95

Very good!

Also good bar and wine list.

[BostonZest]

TRATTORIA TOSCANA

130 Jersey St (Fenway), Boston, 02215

Last time we were there this was on the menu.

Tagliata di manzo al rosmarino $18
sliced sirloin steak perfumed with rosemary and
extra virgin olive oil

[enhF94]

Chow about any churrascaria? There's Churrasco in Somerville.

Best yet, Montecristo on Broadway in Somerville. You certainly won't have to dress up.

[Luther]

T-Bone at the Stockyard: $22 and comes with xtra-crispy fries and a very good vegetable of the day. The salad and bread is boring.

Steak offering at Rendezvous: $20-25 for a smaller but perfect cut (skirt this month, usually sirloin). Frites and salad are as good as anything else they make there.

That's pretty much in your price range, right?

And, for good measure, the booby prize: the $11 "rib-eye steak" at R.F. O'Sullivan's. It's a flavorless, waxy, sinewy embarrassment where you get perhaps less than what you pay for. Entirely regrettable, including the cold and grainy mashed potatoes.