Customers’ most-craved beef
By Lizzy Freier on Nov. 20, 2017With 87% of consumers eating beef on a weekly basis, steakhouses and other beef-centric operations can have their hands full, especially during the winter months when holiday roasts, brisket and other beef entrees are favorites at the dinner table. Click through to uncover the 10 chains that recent customers say offer the most craveable beef out of the leading brands surveyed for Technomic’s Consumer Brand Metrics, powered by Ignite. The chains are ranked from 10th to first, in order of the percentage of recent diners who say that brand’s beef is craveworthy and one of a kind.
10. Logan’s Roadhouse
Score: 19.7%
Almost a fifth of recent customers say they can’t get their Logan’s Roadhouse beef fix anywhere else. The traditional casual-dining chain’s filet mignon (dubbed “healthy and hearty” by the chain) and ribeye (a “signature item” available in 12- or 16-ounce portions) are called out by consumers, but its standard “steak” is mentioned the most. Sirloin, New York strip, porterhouse, chopped steak and country fried steak are also available, as well as a number of combos.
9. The Capital Grille
Score: 20.4%
Beef at The Capital Grille is a craveable menu feature that over a fifth of recent customers say they can only get at that restaurant brand. Consumers say the fine-dining chain menus “a perfect steak” and its “beef is the best.” Numerous folks point to the fact that the beef is dry-aged as being a craveworthy factor, and many specifically mention the quality of the steaks. Dry-aged options include the chain’s signature bone-in Kona-crusted dry-aged New York strip with shallot butter, as well as a porterhouse. Other beef options are filet mignon and bone-in ribeye.
8. Sizzler
Score: 20.6%
More than one in five consumers say that beef at Sizzler is a craveable feature they can only get at that brand. The family concept's hand-cut steaks include a tri-tip sirloin, ribeye and New York strip (the latter two are called out on the menu as "Sizzler Favorites"). Quality and consistency are noted by many respondents, with one consumer even stating that its steak has a "dependable (for lack of a better word) flavor.” Numerous beef combos with chicken, pasta or seafood are also available, which many point to as being craveworthy.
7. Charleys Philly Steaks
Score: 21.5%
More than a fifth of recent customers say they can’t get their Charleys Philly Steaks fix anywhere else. The quick-service sandwich chain’s eponymous Philly cheesesteaks are unsurprisingly the biggest draw for respondents. Charleys’ version comes with steak, grilled onions, green peppers, mushrooms and white American cheese, though the chain also has versions with pepperoni, bacon and three cheeses, and barbecue cheddar. Quality is the biggest draw for respondents.
6. Golden Corral
Score: 21.9%
Almost 22% of recent customers find beef craveworthy at Golden Corral. The made-to-order sirloin steak, pot roast and meatloaf all get a nod, as well as the chain's variety of offerings and the fact that it is “all you can eat.”
5. Outback Steakhouse
Score: 24.3%
The No. 1 steakhouse chain by sales ranks fifth on the list of most-craved chain beef items. Respondents point to the brand’s Victoria filet mignon, sirloin steaks, ribeye, prime rib and porterhouse as being craveworthy, with many consumers calling out the preparation of Outback’s beef as being a top element. Responses include, “Ribeye grilled not flat topped" and “prime rib cooked the way I prefer.”
4. Arby’s
Score: 25.2%
Over a quarter of recent customers say they crave the beef at Arby’s. With a company motto of “We Have the Meats,” the quick-service chain delivers: Its classic roast beef is a top callout, but its jalapeno roast beef, roast beef gyro, Reuben, corned beef, beef and cheddar, French dip, Angus beef and brisket all get mentions. Even the limited-time Meat Mountain—which features chicken, turkey, ham, corned beef, smoked brisket, Angus steak, roast beef and pepper bacon—is listed as a craveworthy feature by some respondents.
3. Texas Roadhouse
Score: 27.7%
Almost three in 10 recent customers crave Texas Roadhouse’s beef and say they can’t get it anywhere else. The majority of respondents point simply to generic “steak” as the casual-dining chain's main draw, but many pointed specifically to the bone-in ribeye. Its steak kebabs, New York strip, prime rib, T-bone steak, filet mignon, sirloin and signature Road Kill, a chopped steak smothered with sauteed onions and mushrooms and Jack cheese, all get nods as well.
2. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Score: 35.5%
More than three in nine recent customers say that Fleming’s serves up mouthwatering beef they can’t get anywhere else. Although the fine-dining chain offers fillets, ribeyes and New York strips, the chain’s prime rib has the most mentions. Fleming’s Prime Rib Dinner, available only on Sunday, is a top draw—a 12-ounce prime rib is served with a trio of sauces and includes a salad, side and dessert.
1. LongHorn Steakhouse
Score: 39.9%
Although LongHorn Steakhouse ranks third among steakhouse chains by sales, the casual-dining chain is considered the most craveable beef chain by consumers. Almost two in five rate LongHorn Steakhouse’s beef as craveworthy. Cooking quality is noted by a number of respondents, with at least one saying the steak is “cooked to perfection.” One consumer even calls out the chain’s signature Prairie Dust, a secret seasoning blend that’s featured on steaks and other signature dishes at LongHorn. The chains' other beef options include ribeye, chop steak, fillet, New York strip and T-bone.