2. McKendrick's Steak House

Probably one of THE BEST Steak House Restaurants in the country!!!!!!!!! Great people, great service, GREAT STEAKS!!!!The BEST.

I happened upon this steak house while on business this past week. We were staying at the nearby W Hotel. The hotel recommended McKendricks as an excellent choice for a nearby location for a good steak and promptly booked a reservation. The first impression was a positive one as the bar area was well appointed and the martinis were fantastic. Not only were they exceptional in terms of service (extra blue cheese stuffed olives can go a long way) the staff behind the bar, Chris and Mike, were very accommodating to two out-of-towners whom they normally would never see again. Upon seating our waiter Manny, was extremely professional and approachable at the same time. We indulged in the filet, bone in ribeye (one of the best steaks I have tasted and I have lived in Brazil, Chile and Germany and traveled through Argentina, Europe and the US, sampling the cuisine along the way). In fact, the meal was so wonderful that we booked our reservations for the following evening on our way out. Good thing we did b/c this restaurant's bar begins to fill up by 5 PM and is packed to capacity by 5:30. The dining areas are also packed by 6:15 and there are no empty tables or chairs by 6:30. An amazing fact considering the traffic in Atlanta rivals that of LA or NJ, and is so heavy that one needs at least 30 minutes to get from point A to B during the best of times. In short people are leaving work and meetings, clients early just for the privilege of getting a seat at the bar at McKendricks and enjoying a world class martini or bourbon prior to indulging in a first rate meal. This ritual was repeated a third time (our final night in Atlanta) as we yet again enjoyed the seafood (Oysters Rockefeller, jumbo lump crab), steaks (filet, ribeye, prime rib), flavor-full sides (creamed spinach and corn, mashed potatoes, asparagus), salads (iceberg wedge with maytag blue cheese, beefsteak tomatoes with fresh buffalo mozzarella) and service (Manny took care of us the third night as well). The ultimate compliment to McKendricks is that we have altered our travel plans to attend meetings in Atlanta versus another well known gastronomic delight, Chicago, in anticipation of another week of fine meals at the #8 ranked steak house in the US and one of the best in the world. High marks, and a must try if you are in the Atlanta area. Rich Crow (owner), Kat (mater de) and Manny along with the bar staff could not have been more accommodating and we look forward to seeing them in 2 weeks.

I am a restaurant owner in London and Georgia and I have NEVER tasted better steak nor have I had a better range of sides to choose from. Without doubt my best steakery in the World and I have done restaurant business in London, Germany, France, South Africa and America - this is above average in every way.

I feel compelled to inform you of my dining experience at your restaurant last night since you are rated as one of America's Finest Steakhouses. We had a reservation for 7:00 pm which we arrived for promptly at 7:00, only to be informed by the host that it would be 5 to 10 minutes before we were seated. We ordered a drink from the bar and had to approach the host again after 25 minutes to inquire about our reservation. We were then seated and ordered an appetizer and entree. I asked the waiter for a diet coke that was not served. Bread (very delicious) was brought to the table followed by our appetizers. Upon asking for my diet coke a second time, I then received it. Our entree arrived and we asked for more bread, it was never brought to the table. We ordered a New York strip and a bone-in rib eye. The meat was good but not at the level I would expect from a nationally acclaimed steakhouse…We had to wait 15 minutes after our meal was finished before the waiter showed up to bring a check. I also watched in dismay as 16 people (2 on each end) were crammed into a table that would realistically only accommodate 12-14 and there was another empty table right beside them that could have easily been pulled up for the large group. I hope this was just an isolated dining experience but I cannot recommend your restaurant to my steak connoisseur friends at this time.

McKendrick's is, without a doubt, the best steak house in Atlanta. From the moment I arrived I was treated as if I dined there all the time. The service could not have been more friendly and accommodating. I had several special requests and were all handled with a " no problem sir". As far as the food all I can say is it was the best meal I can remember. The crab cake appetizer was all crab, no filler. The bone in rib eye was spectacular. My wife had the tuna, also great. We will definitely be back soon.