Cattlemen's Steakhouse — Review by Food Network
Oklahoma City, United States — American Steakhouse
Cattlemen's Steakhouse in Oklahoma City's historic Stockyards City is a legendary 99-year-old steakhouse specializing in aged, hand-cut prime beef. The reviewer praised the perfectly tender steaks, excellent grilling technique, and signature seasoning blend, highlighting standout dishes like the Presidential T-bone and peppercorn-crusted steak.
What was great: Perfectly tender steaks aged and hand-cut for nearly 100 years, excellent grilling technique at 650 degrees, flavorful homemade Cattlemen's seasoning, tender peppercorn sauce with brandy and crème fraîche, Presidential T-bone and porterhouse steaks, consistent quality with needle tenderizing machine
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
Cattlemen's Steakhouse showcases premium hand-cut steaks that have been their specialty for nearly a century. The Presidential T-bone, named after President George H.W. Bush who famously ordered five of them, impressed with its perfect balance of tenderness and flavor. The reviewer noted they sold 120 T-bones the previous night alone. The porterhouse special, featuring both New York strip and tenderloin, proved equally impressive. A prime ribeye cooked to medium perfection displayed the restaurant's mastery of their craft, with the reviewer describing it as super tender with perfect grilling and a nice au jus complement. The peppercorn steak was particularly memorable, featuring a house-made peppercorn sauce prepared with a roux, beef au jus, brandy, fresh cracked pepper, and crème fraîche that the reviewer deemed killer and off the hook.
The Experience
Located in Stockyards City, the historic district of Oklahoma City, Cattlemen's Steakhouse captures authentic Oklahoma frontier atmosphere. Owner Dick Stubbs has maintained the restaurant's original character for decades, refusing to modernize the space despite its age. The kitchen operates with precision military-like efficiency, processing approximately 9,000 pieces of meat weekly through their needling machine to ensure consistent tenderness. The restaurant sold 20 to 30 bone-in loins daily, demonstrating the volume and consistency they maintain. Staff demonstrated deep knowledge of their product and preparation methods.
Value & Pricing
While specific prices weren't detailed in the transcript, the reviewer's enthusiasm and multiple return visits suggest strong value for premium, hand-cut steaks of this caliber and heritage.
Notable Moments
One of the finest steaks you can get in the country.
That steak is off the hook. That is off the hook.
The reviewer was particularly impressed by the house-made Cattlemen's seasoning, created in 50,000 gallon drums daily from simple ingredients: salt, granulated garlic, onion salt, seasoning salt, and black pepper. The precision of their steak preparation, including the specialized needling machine that breaks apart connective tissue through thousands of needle punctures, demonstrated their commitment to consistency.
The Verdict
Cattlemen's Steakhouse is an absolute must-visit for serious steak enthusiasts and anyone traveling through Oklahoma City. The combination of nearly 100 years of experience, premium hand-cut beef, meticulous preparation techniques, and authentic Old West atmosphere makes this a destination restaurant. If you're from Oklahoma or simply love exceptional beef prepared the traditional way with no shortcuts or modern gimmicks, this is the place to come. The reviewer's assessment that these steaks rank among the finest in the United States is well-earned.