Best steakhouse in the Los Angeles area.... Hey Chowsters... Chime in!

[Hammer19]

Ok tired of eating sushi this week so I'm ready for some major beef consumption... Who has the best steak in town?

[andrew_eats]

I like the steak, pork chop, and other grilled meats/fish at Salt's Cure.

[A5 KOBE]

Dry age, wet age, or wagyu?

[ipsedixit]

Ribeye Cap at Totoratku.

[Dirtywextraolives]

Is that the Japanese place next to the west side pavilion, by any chance?

[BrewNChow]

No, it's the dingy little hidden "teriyaki house" on pico, near overland that you'd never think was a $$$$ restaurant from the outside..,,

You need to have an "in" to get in.

No mention of Cut in this thread? I don't have enough love of steak to throw down the bills for that, so I haven't tried it.

[Servorg]

I think he was getting it mixed up with the "fancy" rice place: http://www.torafuku-usa.com/

[J.L.]

Kamado rice is common in Japan, but I suppose it's "fancy" here in the states.

[Dirtywextraolives]

Why bother to recommend it if it's a place that you need to have an "in" to get in?

[J.L.]

'Cuz the food is incredible. And some Chowhounds have that "in".

Cultural note: Many restaurants in Japan have an "invitation only" dining policy. Your first visit is as a guest of "a regular". After the initial visit, the owner may give you a business card with a reservation line. From that point on, you can make your own reservations.

[Dirtywextraolives]

But that begs the question, how is the OP supposed to get in, unless one of you regulars invites him/her?

[J.L.]

... And therein lies the rub. But see, if you don't know about it to begin with, you'll never even get the opportunity to taste this incredible beef.

I got my "in" because I heard about Totoraku, AKA the "secret beef house" from Chowhound, and a few other online sites. I then asked all my friends if any of them were "regulars" at Totoraku, and lo' and behold - one of my good friends was indeed a proud cardholder of the secret business card! (we had just never talked about it before then...)

The next time he made a reservation at Totoraku, I was invited as a guest. The meal was fabulous, I brought a great bottle of wine to share with Oyama-san, and at the end of the meal, I was offered a business card as well!

Moral of my story: Be persistent. Ask around. Yes, it's a lot of work to a mere restaurant reservation here in the states, but it is what it is.

... That's my story, and I'm sticking to it...

[Dirtywextraolives]

Lucky you!! Seems to me, then, you should be extending an invitation to the OP to dine with you at the secret beef house, so that you can share your wisdom with him or her, and they, too can be invited back by the house. Then when we get the OP's opinion as to whether it is " all that", we can then know it is the real deal. Otherwise, it just sounds like you, and the other lucky CHers who have been, are just talking smack.

[ipsedixit]

J.L.'s point is totally valid.

Unless and until you know that you cannot get into a place, you may not even know that it exists.

[Dirtywextraolives]

Nowhere in my post have I stated that his point wasn't valid. Just making the point that to recommend a place that is exclusive in its availability isn't really helpful. It's like recommending a private club for its wonderful steak. You may be right in that the dish is the best and worth bragging about, but you cannot get in to verify it unless you are a member or invited guest of that club. Hence the suggestion to invite the OP so he/she can experience it firsthand and form an opinion on his/her own.

[Servorg]

Some people will be motivated to see if they can't wrangle an invite. Some people will be totally turned off by the whole phony "exclusivity" thing and decide they don't want to go even if they have an in. Some just like reading along and living vicariously. And on, and on and on with all the reactions we can come up with.

Since this whole site is dedicated to not only the active posters but the lurkers and the future finders of CH then it can't be a bad thing to make places "known" - even if they may never be within the reach of most of us here...

[Dirtywextraolives]

Now, there's an explanation I can live with.

[J.L.]

Agree.

[Porthos]

+1 on the ribeye outside cap.

[Ernie]

Yes, rib eye at Totoraku is great. Great tongue too

[wienermobile]

Park's BBQ has some of the best cuts of meat in town with wonderful Korean flavors. One of my favorites in LA,
http://www.parksbbq.com/

[wienermobile]

Fogo de Chao to put any steak lover into a wonderful meat induced coma (plus the best salad bar in town to wet your appetite first),

[Dirtywextraolives]

I really need to try that place. Plus I have two growing boys with hollow legs that could do me proud. Think we'll go this weekend, thanks for reminding me!!

[J.L.]

Don't forget the awesome creme de papaya dessert afterwards to help you digest all that protein!

[Dirtywextraolives]

Thanks for the advice!!

[wienermobile]

Fogo de Chao is part of this summer's DineLA July 16th-27th.
http://discoverlosangeles.com/restaur...

[Dirtywextraolives]

Great to know, thank you.

[downastro]

I went for dinner last go around and it was just a massive crush of people. Unless there is no other way you can afford to visit, I would avoid during DineLA.

[Dirtywextraolives]

Good point. Thank you.

[J.L.]

Agree. DineLA is to be avoided.

[Dirtywextraolives]

You know, I've never tried it before, always had a bad feeling, glad you both have confirmed it. I will go on our own, thanks for the insight.

[foufou]

I have had great DINELA experience(s) including a DINELA lunch at Fogo......

[wienermobile]

So have I and at DineLA you get the same meal at dinner for $45 instead of $58. Excellent service even with the crowds.

[chrishei]

Agree that Fogo is the one truly good deal for DineLA, since it's the same meal for less. But yeah, waiting time can be 1+ hour even after your reservation time...

[foufou]

Consider lunch rather than dinner for DINELA.....we were seated immediately and had noon reservation

[attran99]

I've done Fogo for DineLA three times...and never had to wait long for my reserved table at all. Albeit, my reservation is usually earlier during dinner service.

[Johnny L]

When they use to do lunch on weekends I went for DineLA on a Sunday and it wasn't packed, moderately busy. Too bad they stopped lunch service on weekends. I may have to find friends willing to go on a weekday this year.

[allyoucanet]

Best place without emptying your bank account is Taylor's.

[LA Buckeye Fan]

I like Mastros too. But on someone elses dime. :(

[Thor123]

My choice would be Dan Tanas. Sit in the bar room. Maestros is a good choice too.

[Dirtywextraolives]

Love Dan Tana's. Never get the steak though. Can't resist their veal chop or parm. Will have to break out of my habit next time, thanks!

[estone888]

A lot to chew on in this fairly recent thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/794178

[Hammer19]

Thanks estone888 didn't see the post from July..... I'll take a look at it!