Gastronomic Musings: It's the beef, why is it better and how much do you pay?

 The Midwest is known for its beef. Having come from out East originally, I became enamored with the beef and its taste because it seemed so much better for some reason. There are so many steak houses all around the Kansas City area ranging from reasonably priced to expensive. Hereford is one of the ones that is the class of the latter. At this Leawood restaurant (as well as the other two), a wide array of choices also include chicken, salads and more. But if you come to this restaurant or one of the other ones, you have to go with a signature meal that comes from a steer, not a bird, fish or a set of greens. I mean its just heresy if you get something other then steak.
This place is relaxing and has a fine ambiance. The steaks are broiled over a hickory charcoal fire, which give it a nice flavor. Maybe that's what makes the beef better here, or one of the reasons? I had the small 5oz Top Sirloin. ( l love Prime Rib but I wanted to try "real steak"). At $12.95, its one of the lowest priced meals as well as the smallest steak. Twice baked potato with it is fine. The rest of our family and friends had the chicken and the higher prices steaks.
But the prices are much higher when you go about the small salmon steaks, grilled chicken and others. I guess there is something to be said for ambiance. But when do you choose a much higher priced entree in a restaurant ? Lately we've eaten steak at Ruby Tuesdays, Grill 54 and Outback and the steaks, like the one I ate here, have been flavorful and fine and were bigger pieces of steak for the price. I guess you could say " that's when bigger is better".
It is truly amazing to see the prices that people pay for higher priced steaks. I just can't do it though. If we go for steak, more "bang for the buck" is what I aim for . Still it was nice to try this venerable restaurant. Beef is where this place is at!





Outback has good beef

I come from out East originally. Beef here in the Midwest just tastes better for some reason. Went we go to restaurants, it is usually for ethnic, not beef and usually not chains. If it is beef (I like Golden Corral and I did like Fire Mountain before it changed to Ryan's), certainly not a pricey steakhouse. But when we get a coupon, we use it. This was the case to try Outback again for dinner. This chain has been pricey but the meals have been good. I really wanted to try a "Bloomin Onion" appetizer but since I heard the cholesterol and calories are "sky High", I passed on it.I was not going to go for the salads, fish, appetizer. My wife tried the small prime rib. It was succulent and she enjoyed it. I chose the Outback special the 12 oz center cut sirloin which was sensational. My wife liked her steamed veggies while I went for the Caesar salad (which I love). I went for the back potato and she did. The portions were generous and we even had some to take home. I mean this makes "a good thing" last for the next day. And it was still tasty. Like I said we don't go here often but when we do it is good.