For the past five years, Carla Smith, owner of Memorable Moments Event Lounge in La Marque, and Carter 7 Grand Events, has been planning and decorating weddings and events. Smith worked closely with an event planner for her own wedding in 2014 and wanted to help other brides turn their dreams into reality. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Johnny Smecca holds a bowl of cioppino at Mario’s Seawall Italian Restaurant in Galveston. The hearty fisherman’s stew is loaded with shrimp, fish, mussels and snow crab legs. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Marcus and Yolanda Davis sit on the back patio of their Mediterranean-style home in Friendswood. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
First-time authors Heidi Lutz and Christine Ruiz Hopkins wrote “100 Things to do in Galveston Before You Die,” which was released in April. Courtesy photo
Officially, chili is the state dish. But Texans are nearly 14 times more likely to think steak is, according to trade group Beef Loving Texans, which conducted a survey with the Texas Department of Agriculture to test theories on Texans’ passion for beef. Whether you like it rare or well done, these restaurants know steak.
The 6-ounce tenderloin, clockwise from top, tenderloin medallions with fried shrimp, 16-ounce rib-eye with sautéed mushrooms and onions and the 10-ounce New York strip with blackened shrimp are just some of the options at Dickinson Bar-B-Q and Steakhouse. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
For appetites big and small, this eatery has it all. If you’re really hungry, try the Super Cut 24-ounce rib-eye or New York strip steak, or the petite 7-ounce version with a garden salad or cup of soup.
2111 FM 517 E., Dickinson, 281.534.2500
In addition to its popular Sunday brunch, this island restaurant features some of the most succulent, tender steaks around. Try the ancho-spiked demi-glazed 8-ounce angus filet or the Cajun-inspired angus rib-eye.
2024 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, 409.515-2145
This restaurant’s signature steak is the bone-in Outlaw Rib-eye. But also try Flo’s Filet, a center-cut filet with a buttery texture that’s become a guest favorite. Or try the fire-grilled T-Bone steak.
19019 Interstate 45 N., Webster, 281.332.0840
If you like your steak served with idyllic water views and prepared by artisans, 13 is your lucky number. Celebrate rodeo season with a 28-ounce Cowboy Cut 30-day dry-aged bone-in rib-eye. Steaks are grilled over Texas oak, made-to-order and served in a setting both refined and welcoming.
7809 Broadway, Galveston, 409.572.2650
On the lobby level of the South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center and overlooking the picturesque marina, this new restaurant has fast become a favorite. Pair the made-to-order steaks with such signature sauces as au poivre, truffle butter or wild mushroom.
2500 South Shore Blvd., League City, 281.334.5225
Here they ask you to “savor the experience, from selection to service,” and with that comes some of the juiciest and tastiest steaks this side of heaven. From the filet mignon to the tomahawk rib-eye, the offerings at this fine-dining restaurant are for serious steak aficionados.
700 Baybrook Mall, Houston, 281.286.8800
This wallet and family friendly steakhouse is known for such flavorful offerings as Cajun top sirloin seasoned with blackened spice and topped with andouille sausage, crawfish, grilled jumbo shrimp and Cajun cream sauce, or Maudeen’s center-cut filet with choice of toppings.
1502 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, 409.762.4261; 215 Kipp Ave., Kemah, 281.538.5441; 20241 Interstate 45 N., Webster, 281.338.9778
Islanders and visitors flock here for the floor-to-ceiling views of the Gulf waters and those Moody Garden pyramids, not to mention prime steak. Date night? OpenTable has named Shearn’s one of the most romantic restaurants in America. Try the chateaubriand for two.
7 Hope Blvd., Galveston, 409.683.4554
The prime tomahawk with three sauces — shallot demi, bearnaise sauce and creamed horseradish — at The Steakhouse at the San Luis Resort in Galveston. Photo courtesy of Landry’s
Voted “Best Steakhouse on the Coast” by Texas Monthly magazine and “Best Place for Steak” by readers of The Galveston County Daily News, The Steakhouse serves such favorites as Texas bone-in rib-eye with mustard horseradish crust and the 40-ounce prime tomahawk with three sauces — demi, béarnaise sauce and creamed horseradish. It’s all served in an elegant ambience featuring hand-crafted mahogany woodwork and leather furnishings.
5222 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, 409.740.8606
The tenderloin filet with whipped potatoes and sautéed broccolini at Vargas Cut & Catch in Galveston. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds
The latest venture of island restaurateur Paco Vargas and family, this restaurant in Galveston’s downtown is a contemporary steakhouse revered for both prime and wagyu cuts. Whether it’s New York strip or Texas Akaushi filet, this restaurant does it to perfection.
2102 Postoffice St., Galveston, 409.762.2101