The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille is as traditional as they come, and it’s always a good choice for a classic steakhouse experience. This Center City chain has been around since the ‘90s, so it feels like stepping into a time capsule (albeit a charming one). It’s covered in red carpet, busts of rams and eagles, and gold-framed oil paintings. It draws everyone from corporate types and couples celebrating their anniversaries to cargo-short wearing tourists and kids of all ages who occasionally run amok. Don’t get it twisted—you’re not here for an intimate, fine dining experience. You’re here for the steaks. 

photo credit: The Capital Grille

photo credit: The Capital Grille

photo credit: The Capital Grille

Whatever you order—from the dry-aged NY strip and the bone-in ribeye to the Tomahawk veal chop with sage butter and crispy prosciutto—will be cooked perfectly, and served alongside generous, faultless sides (you can’t go wrong with the parmesan truffle fries or potatoes gratin). Steer clear of the overdressed salads and non-traditional starters, especially the soggy fried calamari. But the dishes that pop up in a top search result for “Steakhouse,” like the icy shellfish tower, creamy lobster bisque, and the enormous mound of cheesecake, are all standouts.

Kona-Crusted NY Stripphoto credit: The Capital Grille

Filetphoto credit: The Capital Grille

Lobster Mac and Cheesephoto credit: The Capital Grille

Cheesecakephoto credit: The Capital Grille

You’ll never have an earth-shattering meal at The Capital Grille, but you’ll never have a bad meal here, either. It’s friendly, familiar, and works for (almost) any occasion—even if it’s just popping in for a dirty martini, another relic that they’ve perfected.