Chances are high that, if you’re getting steak from a chain casual dining restaurant, it’s not going to be great.
There’s nothing wrong with going to a casual dining chain like Applebee’s or Chili’s. They offer decent food at (usually) good prices, once you factor in all the specials and deals. Plus, who can complain about the occasional $1 cocktail?
Still, there are a few food items that you know won’t be as authentic or as good as if you had gone to a different restaurant. That said, you’re spending your hard-earned dollars, so the food should still be good, right?
Well, one TikTok user is putting that idea to the test. To determine which restaurant should earn your cash, he’s ordered a ribeye from Applebee’s, Chili’s, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Texas Roadhouse. Which chain will have the best steak?
Which Casual Dining Chain Makes The Best Ribeye?
In his video, which currently has over 6.6 million views, TikTok user Jack Mancuso (@chefcuso) orders a ribeye steak from four different chain restaurants. As noted by Mancuso, each steak costs basically the same, ringing in between $25.49 and $28.99.
The first steak on the chopping block was from Applebee’s, which costs $25.99. While he ordered all steaks medium rare, he claims the Applebee’s steak was served medium well.
“More well done in certain spots, very chewy, not much flavor,” he summarizes, rating the steak a 3.6 out of 10.
The next steak, which was purchased from Chili’s for $25.49, is an immediate disappointment.
“This is feeling like a hockey puck. Not a great sear,” the TikToker says, taking a good look at the steak. He also observes the steak has a tiny ribeye cap—and that it was cooked well done.
“It’s chewy,” he says of the 3.3/10 steak. “It’s seasoned a little better, but it’s nowhere near cooked medium rare.”
Are There Any Good Steaks?
At first glance, the LongHorn Steakhouse steak appears among the best. Costing $28.99, Mancuso is immediately impressed.
“That’s a good steak,” he shares. “Very well seasoned, super tender, giant rib-eye cap, cooked medium rare correctly. LongHorn gets a 8.2.”
Finally, he arrives at Texas Roadhouse, which cost him $27.49. At first glance, it appears to be cooked medium instead of medium rare, though he notes that this could have been cooked more while resting in the to-go box.
“It’s got a little bit of that, like, propane grill charbroil flavor, but I don’t mind that personally,” he states. “Not as much seasoning as LongHorn. Still tender, cooked well, nice big rib-eye cap. Texas Roadhouse, 7.1.”
Which Casual Dining Restaurant Has The Best Steaks?
Mancuso’s results are echoed by others who have explored this question.
In a May 2026 article, Eat This Not That writer Heather Newgen compiled information from several chefs to determine which casual dining chain had the best steaks. LongHorn Steakhouse and Texas Roadhouse were the top 3rd and 4th choices, respectively.
A 2021 article in Mashed was also complimentary of steaks from both LongHorn Steakhouse and Texas Roadhouse. That said, they said that other steak dishes from Applebee’s and Chili’s were impressive—just not the steaks alone.
In a highly-upvoted Reddit thread on r/Steak, users debated which chains had the best steaks. Outback Steakhouse was well-regarded, and many were complimentary of both LongHorn Steakhouse and Texas Roadhouse.
To summarize, if you want a good steak at a reasonable price, it seems that LongHorn Steakhouse and Texas Roadhouse are good options—especially if you’re in an area where steak choices are limited.
Commenters Agree With The Assessment
In the comments section, some users disagreed with the TikToker’s methodology.
“Yeah doing a steak review while letting the steak sit for a half hour should not be taken seriously,” a user wrote.
“They all look cold lol,” offered another.
That said, many users agreed he came to the right conclusions regarding the top choices.
“LongHorn is the best. Next time, try the Outlaw Steak,” a commenter said.
“I’ve eaten at Texas Roadhouse numerous times, looks better fresh out the grill. More like 8.5,” declared a second.
@chefcuso Which restaurant chain has the best ribeye steak? 🥩
BroBible reached out to Applebee’s, Chili’s, LongHorn, and Texas Roadhouse via email. We’ve also reached out to Mancuso via email and Instagram direct message.