91296 Wed Mar 31 12:56:08 -0800 2004 6 5 Texas 0 501796 I am planning on suprising my wife tonight on her birthday and need some advice. We always go to Bobs for steaks and I want to know if I am missing something by not going to Pappas Bros or Smith and Wollensky. We have been to Del Frisco, III Forks, etc. and always end up liking Bobs more. What are the differences in these three? Don't they all dry-age their steaks? Wed Mar 31 12:56:08 -0800 2004 0 Ben 1 501798 Pappas Brothers is dry aged prime (and I think that S&W is also). I'm pretty sure that Bob's is wet aged prime. If dry vs wet aged doesn't matter to you, then it is just a matter of whose atmosphere that you prefer. Also, I believe that Pappas Brothers has the best wine program of the 3 (if that matters to you). Dave R Wed Mar 31 13:24:36 -0800 2004 501796 0 Dave R 1 501799 Ben, I tend to recommend Pappas Bro's over Bob's (and most of the competitors you mention) for three reasons. First, as Dave pointed out, they use dry-aged Prime beef. Second, I've found their quality to be more consistent. Third, and most importantly to me, they have the best sides and desserts of any steakhouse in town. Your overall check will probably be lower at Bob's, since you get sides (for what they're worth) with your entree, rather than having to order them ala carte. But paying a little more is worth it for a better rounded meal. With that said, I think Bob's has the better ribeye. If that's your cut and if sides aren't critical to you, Bob's is the way to go. Scott Wed Mar 31 15:13:02 -0800 2004 501796 0 Scott 2 501806 For Ben's benefit: the sides Scott is referring to are a choice of baked or "smashed" potato, and a single, whole candied carrot. Other available sides are a la carte. Thu Apr 01 11:53:14 -0800 2004 501799 0 Kirk 1 501800 Pappas, although good, is very expensive. If you enjoy Bob's, then you owe it to yourself to try AL Biernat's. I've eaten there many times and never had a bad meal. Wed Mar 31 15:26:56 -0800 2004 501796 0 Scagnetti 1 501807 I know I'm too late for the birthday dinner but I too am a frequent customer of Bob's (Plano) but that is because it is two minutes away. I prefer Pappas, Al Biernet's and Perry's by far. We had a dreadful dinner (6 of us) at Smith and Wollensky. What I like about Al Biernet's and Perry's aside from their food is the personality of the staff: very friendly, accomodating, and efficient. I like the atmosphere at Pappas. Thu Apr 01 12:34:20 -0800 2004 501796 0 raynickben 1 501832 Just did Bob's last night. First time in over 10 years and last time ever. What a ripoff. $45 dollar steaks that were not prime, were not tender and were over done. I had the bone-in strip and my wife had the "speciality of the house" the bone-in ribeye. I can tell you that the "smashed potatoes" were good and that I now have one happy dog. Otherwise, it was a huge waste of money. Sun Apr 04 22:18:03 -0700 2004 501796 0 Donnie C