Ok, so this my first blog post in a while, and its not about music (sorry). Those of you who know me know how much I love food, so here goes my first restaurant review. Forgive me if it sucks.

I want to talk about one of the best eating experiences I have had since moving to the Twin Cities. I’m not an expert, but I have worked in the food industry for several years as a server, both in fine dining and in a burgers and shakes joint, so I kind of know what I am talking about. Plus, I REALLY love food.

Ever hear of The Best Steak House? Me neither, until yesterday. Its on University ave just near Lexington in Saint Paul. After picking up a friend from the airport around noon, he suggested we go get some steak.

We parked on University and walked about a blocked til we reached the door. We passed a couple of smiling faces walking out with to-go boxes and were greeted by a couple of guys behind the counter with some “heys” and “Whats ups.” They were sporting some classic red T-shirts, straight out of the 60s, with chest hair popping out and everything.

I took a quick glance at the menu and ordered a New York Strip Steak. I forgot to mention how to have them cook it, but these guys are pros. It came out medium rare.

The line is designed like your typical lunchline at school. You pick up a tray and some silverware, order your food, pay at the register, and then take your seat. I noticed a sign that read “Desserts $1” - I was like “say whaaaaat?!” and quickly scooped up the most chocolaty little delight I could find.

Behind the counter is the grille, where all the magic happens. They cook that stuff up right in front of you, in a real “Als Breakfast” (review pending?) sort of way. I noticed the guy behind the counter throw on a couple of steaks and remember thinking they must have been for more than just me and my buddy. Lots of meat.

We sat down and waited an excruciating 5 minutes for our steak. Smells were unbelievable in there. I couldn’t wait to start eating so I attacked my chocolate dessert without hesitation. It was a chocolate volcano cake-like thing with some chocolate mousse in the middle. Fantastic. Moist at the bottom, fluffy at the top. I didn’t have them warm it up cause of the mousse, but it was still delectable.

They brought out our steaks once ready, complete with a baked potato, two slices of perfectly buttered and toasted (I think grilled) texas toast, and about 20oz of tasty New York Strip. With my dessert and drink it cost me a whopping 13 bucks. Thats what Im talking about.

After enjoying about half of my meal, I was ready for a to-go box of my own. If you’re not surprised, you should be. I’m not really a to-go box kind of guy. Its my way of being able to order my own meal when Im out with my wife. If I don’t finish it all, she says “see, we could have split an entree.” So I’ve become accustomed to eating large portions in one sitting. Needless to say, a to-go box was filled, and my dreams of a steak and eggs breakfast for the 1st of the year were in tact.

While we ate I noticed something that I believe is important to note, and is one of the reasons I chose to write this blog. These guys behind the counter knew every single person who walked in to that place (other than me and my buddy, of course). Everyone who walked in was greeted by name, and even once they called out a guy’s regular order when he walked in. And it wasn’t contrived. I know the difference, you see it when you work in restaurants all the time. We had regulars at Hudsons (the burgers and shakes place mentioned earlier), and we knew then by name, but every single interaction was insincere. It was different at The Best Steak House. Those guys were just having a good time.

As we got up to leave, I looked over at the guy who cooked our steaks and was now over cleaning up our dishes and thanked him for the great food. This of course, prompted a shit-giving frenzy. First they wondered how it was I had never been there. I told them my buddy was holding out on me. That then prompted a very large patron mid-order to threaten that he would “Green Bay Packers sack” my buddy for holding out. I was, as I always am, wearing some Steelers gear, which automatically catapulted the conversation to an argument over my boys beating the Pack and the Vikes this year (man I love this stuff).

We walked in to the cold weather with a warm family feeling and smiles on our faces. What else can you ask for in a restaurant? A 20 spot says they remember my name and my affiliation with the Steelers next time I walk in.

Needless to say, they lived up to their name.