Austin on the Hoof

Sullivan's Steakhouse

Lunch: Monday-Friday, 11am-2pm;

Dinner: Monday-Friday, 5:30-11pm; Saturday, 5-11pm; Sunday, 5-10pm

The moment Sullivan's opened in Austin, it became the place to beat for great beef. Over the years, they've had their ups and downs, but they still make a great steak. We started with a couple of appetizers to check the kitchen's prowess in other areas. The escargot ($10.95) was tender and rich with garlicky butter that tasted great with their sourdough bread. Their calamari ($8.95) was even better, with its delicate crunch and tender texture. Next up was their justifiably famous Wedge of Iceberg, slathered with a decadent blue cheese dressing. We were already getting full by the time the meat arrived, but soldiered on. This was where we hit the low spot of the evening. We ordered Short Ribs ($19.99), and they were cold, gelatinous, and unappetizing. If we hadn't been on the run to hit a show at Esther's, we would have returned it. Luckily, the 24 oz. Cowboy Ribeye ($28.95) was superb and could feed two. It arrived at the table medium rare, exactly as ordered, with the kind of crisp, caramelized exterior you can only get from having ovens operating at more than 1,000 degrees. Served on a sizzling plate, it was delicious to the last bite.