6 Oregon Steakhouses Tourists Swear By & 6 Locals Say Aren’t Worth It
Oregon’s steakhouse scene is as diverse as the state itself, offering everything from sleek, high-end downtown destinations with white tablecloths to casual, family-friendly chains that serve hearty portions without the fuss.
As a Portland native who has spent years savoring ribeyes, filets, and the occasional porterhouse, I’ve noticed that locals and tourists often disagree strongly about what makes a steakhouse truly great.
While visitors may flock to trendy spots, longtime Oregonians often prefer the tried-and-true establishments that have quietly perfected their craft. After countless meals and conversations, I’ve created this honest guide to help you find the real standouts.
1. Ringside Steakhouse – Portland
Walking into Ringside feels like stepping into old Portland royalty. The dimly lit dining room with its leather booths has hosted celebrities and special occasions since 1944.
Their onion rings alone are worth the visit – crispy, sweet, and served in a towering stack that makes neighboring diners envious. I still remember my first perfectly aged ribeye here, when the server explained how they dry-age their steaks on-site for weeks.
While tourists make reservations months in advance, even locals admit this Portland institution deserves its reputation. The service strikes that rare balance between attentive and unobtrusive, making every dinner feel like a special event.
2. Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Portland
The sizzle announces your steak before you see it at Ruth’s Chris. That trademark 500-degree plate keeps the butter bubbling throughout your meal, creating a theatrical dining experience that tourists absolutely adore.
Last anniversary, my husband and I splurged on their tomahawk ribeye. The server ceremoniously carved it tableside while explaining their precise cooking methods. Out-of-towners pack this place nightly, drawn by the chain’s national reputation and consistent quality.
The downtown location offers gorgeous views of Portland’s skyline, adding to the appeal. While the prices might make locals wince, visitors seeking a guaranteed impressive meal rarely leave disappointed.
3. Morton’s The Steakhouse – Portland
Business travelers flock to Morton’s for its predictable excellence and power-lunch atmosphere. The tableside cart presentation—where servers display raw cuts before cooking—creates the kind of theatrical dining experience that justifies expense accounts.
My boss once treated our team here after landing a major client. We watched wide-eyed as the server showcased each massive cut of meat like precious museum artifacts. Their wine list impresses even the most discerning oenophiles, with bottles that pair perfectly with their prime beef.
Located in the heart of downtown, Morton’s caters to visitors seeking that classic American steakhouse experience. The white-tablecloth service and clubby atmosphere deliver exactly what tourists expect from a high-end steakhouse.
4. El Gaucho – Portland
Tableside preparations elevate dinner to performance art at El Gaucho. Servers in tuxedos flambé bananas foster with dramatic flair while live jazz creates a sophisticated soundtrack for your meal.
My parents celebrated their 40th anniversary here, mesmerized by the Caesar salad prepared at their table with such precision it felt choreographed. The 28-day dry-aged steaks arrive with a perfect char that gives way to butter-tender centers.
Tourists seeking old-world glamour find it in spades at this Portland steakhouse. The darkened dining room with its intimate booths transports you to a bygone era when dining out was an event, not just a meal. The hefty price tag feels justified by the complete experience.
5. Sayler’s Old Country Kitchen – Portland
Home of the legendary 72-ounce steak challenge, Sayler’s has attracted daring tourists since 1946. The walls covered in photos of triumphant (and defeated) challengers tell the story of this Portland institution better than any menu could.
Grandpa took me here for my 16th birthday, pointing out his own photo from 1973 when he conquered the massive steak. The red leather booths and wood-paneled walls haven’t changed in decades, creating a time capsule that visitors find charming.
Beyond the gimmick, Sayler’s serves surprisingly affordable steaks in generous portions. The complimentary relish tray and ice cream dessert bookend your meal with old-school hospitality that explains why tourists continue making pilgrimages to this unassuming Southeast Portland landmark.
6. Nicky USA’s Wild About Game – Portland
Food tourists plan entire Oregon trips around Nicky USA’s annual Wild About Game event. This unique culinary competition showcases local chefs creating extraordinary dishes from game meats like venison, elk, and wild boar.
I volunteered at last year’s event and watched visitors from across the country sampling bison tartare and applauding innovative preparations. Though not a traditional steakhouse, this special event offers the most authentic Oregon meat experience available.
Held each fall in the gorgeous Mt. Hood area, the festival combines stunning views with access to game meats rarely found on regular menus. Tourists who time their visits right consider this the crown jewel of Oregon’s meat scene, worth planning an entire vacation around.
7. Stanford’s – Multiple Locations
Airport-adjacent and shopping mall locations should have been my first clue. Stanford’s represents that awkward middle ground—too expensive for casual dining but lacking the quality to justify special occasion prices.
My cousin visiting from Chicago insisted we try it after seeing ads in her hotel. The steaks arrived overcooked despite our medium-rare requests, and the signature bourbon sauce couldn’t mask the meat’s mediocrity. Locals know the chain has declined steadily over years while maintaining premium pricing.
The restaurant survives on business travelers and shoppers who appreciate the convenient locations and familiar menu format. Oregonians, however, drive right past Stanford’s to reach locally-owned steakhouses that deliver better value and quality at similar price points.
8. Black Angus Steakhouse – Beaverton
The plastic bull greeting visitors outside Black Angus promises authentic Western steakhouse vibes. Unfortunately, that’s where the authenticity ends.
My neighbor’s retirement dinner here became a running joke in our friend group after we all received steaks that somehow managed to be both overcooked and undercooked in different sections. The unlimited garlic bread keeps tourists coming back, but locals know better alternatives exist at similar prices.
The dark, windowless dining room feels trapped in the 1980s, much like the menu offerings. While the restaurant fills with out-of-towners drawn by name recognition and generous coupons, Portland-area residents typically only end up here when outvoted by visiting relatives seeking familiar chain comfort.
9. Outback Steakhouse – Multiple Locations
The Bloomin’ Onion deserves its legendary status—I won’t argue with that perfect appetizer. Everything else at Outback, however, leaves locals wondering why tourists form lines outside on weekends.
My Australian friend nearly had a breakdown over their so-called “Aussie” themed decor and menu items that have zero connection to actual Australian cuisine. The steaks arrive consistently overcooked and overseasoned, masking the actual flavor of the beef.
Strip mall locations throughout Oregon attract travelers seeking familiar comfort food. Meanwhile, locals drive past multiple Outback locations to reach authentic steakhouses with higher quality meat and more interesting preparations for just a few dollars more per entrée.
10. The Old Spaghetti Factory – Portland
Trolley car seating and Tiffany lamps create undeniable charm at The Old Spaghetti Factory. However, locals know this pasta paradise should be the last place you order a steak.
My daughter’s theater group celebrated here after their spring performance. While the kids happily twirled endless spaghetti, the adults who ordered steaks exchanged knowing glances of regret. The thin, gray cuts arrive without char or flavor, seemingly steamed rather than grilled.
Tourists love the historic building and family-friendly prices that include bread, salad, and ice cream with every meal. Oregonians appreciate these aspects too but know to stick strictly to pasta dishes. The steaks remain an unfortunate afterthought on a menu focused on more successful offerings.
11. Shari’s Cafe & Pies – Multiple Locations
Those glorious spinning pie displays lure hungry travelers into Shari’s 24/7 locations across Oregon. The late-night pie slice absolutely deserves its reputation—the steaks, however, do not.
After a concert last summer, my friends and I stopped at the Beaverton Shari’s at midnight. While my marionberry pie satisfied completely, my friend’s steak arrived resembling a sad hamburger patty—thin, gray, and lacking any characteristic of quality beef.
Road-trippers appreciate Shari’s consistent hours and pie selection when passing through small Oregon towns. Locals, however, know to bypass the steak section entirely, heading straight for breakfast classics or that legendary pie menu. When craving red meat, Oregonians drive past Shari’s to reach restaurants that specialize in proper steaks.
12. Roadhouse Grill – Gresham
Peanut shells crunch underfoot at Roadhouse Grill, creating a casual atmosphere that promises unpretentious dining. The complimentary peanuts might be the highlight of the experience.
My softball team stopped here after a tournament in Gresham. We watched our steaks arrive with those distinctive machine-pressed grill marks that never quite fool locals into believing they’re getting freshly grilled meat. The sweet bourbon sauce drowns every entrée, masking the quality and flavor of the actual beef.
Out-of-towners appreciate the generous portions and roadside convenience. Meanwhile, Oregonians recognize the telltale signs of pre-packaged, mass-produced steaks that spend minimal time on actual grills. The free peanuts remain the most memorable part of most local visits.