Local man needs some tips
Rob Bellinger is gearing up for a series of local road trips to find the best steak tips in the Boston area. Look at his map; are there places he's missing?
It turns out that steak tips are not well-known outside of New England, or even outside of Boston. I mentioned them on a business trip to LA, and my coworker responded with a "What are you talking about?" I asked a Southern friend if they were served in his state - "Oh yeah, usually smothered in gravy, like a steak and gravy sort of thing." Sorry, buddy, but that’s not what we’re talking about.
We’re talking about delicious hunks of marinated, "fibrous and chewy" flap steak, though some places use tenderloin. The ideal steak tip is char-seared on every side, creating a one-two-three punch of maillard-reaction-fueled, caramelized flavor, plus the sweet infusion of most marinades, plus the carnivorous pleasure of a medium rare center - if you ordered correctly. That last bit leaves no doubt that you are, quite literally, having a cow.
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Some additions via Twitter
Whiskeys in Back Bay
Whiskeys in Back Bay
Newbridge Cafe in Chelsea
Case closed!
Yes, but...
Already on his list.
Big Daddy's
In Lower Allston has really good steak tips.
A little to the north...
LaCascia's Bakery and Deli in Burlington makes some excellent steak tips.
Tips
LaCascia bakery in Medford - best steak tips.
California
Where they're called "tri tips" and are ubiquitous. Not just a New England thing, apparently. But we'll always have frappes. And grinders.
A "tri tip"...
...is the name of a cut of roast, I believe the same as or close to a rump roast.
Tri-tip is not the same cut as NE steak tips
Tri-tip steaks are a cut from the bottom sirloin. Same section as flap steaks, which are sometimes used as a substitute. Both of these cuts are pretty lean and although they have a lot of beefy flavor, they tend to be dry and tough if overcooked or not prepared correctly.
Conversely, traditional New England steak tips are taken from higher up, near where the sirloin/tenderloin tapers into the short loin. This cut is much more tender, but still fairly tasty. And it can be successfully prepared to a wider range of doneness, from rare to medium well, which makes it useful/popular in restaurants.
The Anchor - Just Over The Bridge In Beverly
It's not only the best place for seafood, The Anchor of Beverly also has excellent steak tips. Served with your choice of sides, or as a Steak Tip Salad; large portions for a low price.
Sometimes they'll have a special steak tip feature on their specials board like this one: Topped with grilled onions and bleu cheese, it's hard to tell what a HUGE portion of steak tips it is!
$10.25 - Steak Tip Special w/ Grilled Onions and Bleu Cheese
Located on Route A1A/107 at Beverly harbor; just over the bridge from Salem. It's also just a short walk from the Beverly Commuter Rail. Definitely worth the trip! Note: it's always VERY crowded on Friday nights.
Oh yes, they also have pool tables!
That looks amazing!
On the list it goes. Thanks!
Frank's Suffolk Diner
On 1A north/Burbank Highway in Revere, right at the entrance to Target.
They only have them on weekends as a special, and some weekends they don't at all so it may be worth calling first. Always cooked to perfection, and the marinade...oh man.
Weekend breakfast special =
An obvious start to a North Shore loop. Thanks! I knew there had to be something in Revere or Eastie.
No problem!
It's a relatively new place, only been open for a little over a year, but GF and I became instant regulars after 1 visit. The stuffed french toast and pulled pork benedict are exceptional as well.
Floramo's=amazing
Glad to see Floramo's is already on the list. I have hardly eaten anything else there since I was 10 years old because the steak tips (and steak FRIES!) are so good, I can't tear myself away from them.
second Floramo's
They are good here too! Second to NewBridge in Chelsea.
Yeah Floramo's has ribs that are yummy but the steak tips are just as good.
I am very curious about Floramo's
and to see what cut of beef they're using.
I have no idea but they're
I have no idea but they're delicious. Really any of their grill items are very good--lamb and steak tips, ribs, sausage. Now I want Floramos...
Malden is Steak Tip Central
Pearl Street Station, Malden
What?
No one said Silvertone on Bromfield in Boston Proper?
The horror!
I second Newbridge
Also on Route One in Saugus is Sully's. Really good food and tips. (cheap)
Silvertone's made his list-
Silvertone's made his list--it is part of the "New Standard vs old standard" bracket against The Newbridge :)
Tip Tap
The Tip Tap Room on Beacon Hill has a wide variety (including wild game specials) and great sauces.
Mmmm
Mission bar and grill in mission hill
Gregs in Watertown
To grill at home mckinnons in davis sq!
Bob's on Main in Medford
Might as well head there if you are in the area and want some to grill at home, or get some hot to take out from their deli/grill. We get tips in the grill packs in the summer.
LaCascia's is just up the road, too.
Watertown
You might try Donohue's on Bigelow Avenue in Watertown. One pound, with two sides, $16.95, and it's a good place to enjoy a brew or two, also.
Nothing to do with tips, but it's also a great place for a full Irish breakfast on Saturday or Sunday. Huge fry-up, if you like that sort of thing, and never a line to get in (which I can't understand, given that a diner just down the block always has a huge line. IMHO, Donohue's breakfast is better.)
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
Thanks, Jim.
Have heard enough good things about Donohue's that we will definitely have to check it out (perhaps more than once).
Putterham Grill in Brookline.
Putterham Grill in Brookline. They are the best!
Best Steak Tips
Galway House. JP.
Here's his list
For all those folks who are apparently unable to look at Mr. Bellinger's list, here it is. He's looking for suggestions of places that are NOT already on the list.
The Boston Old Guard:
Tip Tap Room, Beacon Hill
J.J. Foley’s, South End
The Old Standard vs. The New Standard:
NewBridge Cafe, Chelsea
Silvertone, Downtown Crossing
Jamaica Plain:
Galway House
Doyle’s
Somerville:
Casey’s
The Pub (formerly Powderhouse Pub)
Eastern Camberville:
East Side Bar & Grille
La Hacienda
The North Shore:
Champions, Peabody
Lazy Dog, Lynn
The South Shore:
Cronin’s Public House, Quincy
Southside Tavern, Braintree
Steakhouses:
Floramo’s, Chelsea
Stockyard, Brighton
Wild Cards:
Stewart’s, Everett
Donohue’s, Watertown
White Horse Cafe, Allston
Huh...
I could have sworn Donohue's wasn't on the list when I went there. Maybe he added it since the time I suggested it over there?
If not, my apologies for a poor job of reading.
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
North Shore
Since he's willing to trek all the way to Peabody for Champions, swing over to Salem for the tips at Major Magleashe's. A word of caution: the kitchen is small, so if you go at supper time (especially Friday), it can be a long wait. Not only do they have great tasting tips, you cannot beat the portion size for the price.
Learn something new every day
Southside in Braintree huh? Having grown up and lived in Braintree most of my life (and having tried most of the previous places that were in that spot in my lifetime), you'd think I'd have been there by now, but I have not, had no clue they were known for steak tips.
Guess I'll have to add it to the mix sooner or later.
Re: Southside
This is actually the *one* original rec that didn't come from a message board. While celebrating my brother's engagement with steak tips at the Stockyard, his fiancee's cousin mentioned that she'd "drive a half hour to Southside" for the steak tips. She didn't know if the Quincy location was as good as the one in Braintree, though.
You guys are too kind.
Thanks for the assist, though I love when places are seconded, thirded, etc. It helps decide where to go first.
I'm updating the map "live" but probably won't be able to update the article on manicamerican.com 'til this weekend. I am also hoping to get the first post in the series up this weekend.
New fucking Bridge... Only
New fucking Bridge... Only thing I miss about living in Revere
12 Bens....Blasi....no more
Dorchester
12 Bens Tavern Adams St
The 99 in Charlestown
As Adam has previously noted, "The steak tips here are to die for.".
CONRADS IN NORWOOD ARE THE
CONRADS IN NORWOOD ARE THE BEST HANDS DOWN!!!!! Bobby Conrad has it down when it comes to steak tips GOOD JOB BOB!! NEWBRIDGE IS DISGUSTING AND NOT WORTH THE TRIP UNLESS YOU LIKE THAT BIG WEDGE OF ICEBURG THEY CALL SALAD JOKE
two more...
Harp & Bard on Dorchester Av
Brothers Roast Beef on Hancock Street in Quincy (if you want them on a sub)
actually...
it's a steer, not a cow.
Porter's Bar and Grill on
Porter's Bar and Grill on Portland in Boston near the Garden