Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
After pulling the swap with Reeshard last month, Zee German had some time to ponder my selection for November. Having dined all across this fair city of ours, I realized there is one place I have somehow missed, Joe’s. After booking 4 weeks in advance, the anticipation has been building for some time. Daddy Gimms has also spoken so highly of Joe’s that I was expecting alot.
Arriving at 7:10 pm to an already packed high top of Holingwa, Cizzle, Gimms, and Scotty was a pleasant surprise. Bar service was slow and somewhat painful, but the banter provided ample entertainment. I am of the mindset that all steakhouses should have a wide variety of brown liquor with educated waitstaff. After asking what bourbon they had in stock, I was first given a blank stare, then offered up “High West something, something” or maybe “something with Buffalo in the name”. High West is a rye and they didn’t even have Buffalo Trace on the menu. Oh well. It was Cizzle’s treat for a posting transgression last month, circumstances to be discussed later. The confidence pool and strategies for success were discussed at length, but I remain in the lead. Reeshard and Ole Thorezine strolled in with time to spare, but Glick managed to arrive just past 8pm, which I guess passes for on time in the Glick book.
Upon sitting down at our table, I had the feeling they decided to shoe horn in a table that was actually a couple seats too big for the small area in the back. Service started off pretty well and we were underway. In a steak night first, I handed off appetizer selection to Brad since he speaks so highly of the crab and seemed to know the ropes. A double clawing for all with plenty of their famed mustard sauce. I must admit I was not overly impressed with the sauce, but I think I stand alone on this point. For being first of all relatively expensive and for being the centerpoint of this establishment, I thought the crab was pretty disappointing. It was clearly frozen and somewhat devoid of flavor. The calamari was bland and relied solely on the cocktail sauce for anything memorable. The crab bisque would have been the best bisque I have had, however it came out a touch below luke warm. All of Joe’s shortcomings were immediately forgotten when my filet arrived. It was perfectly cooked to a medium rare with a crust that had a perfect crunch and seasoning. I think this is the best steak I have had on the 1st Thursday of the month. I ran a bit wild with the sides: brussel sprouts with bacon, mac n cheese with mushrooms, hash brown potatoes, mashed potatoes, and creamed spinach. Brad barking across the table that he needed creamed corn despite its lack of being on the menu was not fulfilled. The brussel sprouts should have been roasted instead of steamed. They disappointed Thorezine most of all, but I felt the same way. The mac n cheese barely made it around the table and the couple scraps I had were actually quite good. Both potato sides were adequate but not memorable by any stretch. The creamed spinach won the side competition, but honestly it wasnt a strong field to begin with. We had a couple good bottles of wine, starting out with the Adelsheim Pinot and a Cote du Rhone. To go with the steaks I ordered a 2007 Ridge Cab that was fantastic. The wine will surely be mentioned in other ways in Glicks post so I will leave that to him.
Much of the dinner conversation revolved around a delinquent lead post by Reeshard last month which resulted in Cizzle’s transgression. There are debatable points to both sides, but clearly since I am posting this the Friday morning after Steak night, I am one for punctuality in posts. I still believe the lead post should be up before the following Monday morning, but I have little support in this.
Overall, I would say the main course would have been a disappointment had it not been for the steak. Most steak houses in Chicago do as well with the sides as they do with the steak, not the case here. Dessert is where Joe’s decided to pick it back up again and shine. Key lime pie, pecan pie, an insistent Jevon ordered up pumpkin pie, and a brownie sundae for the birthday boy Brad. I would say each was equally delicious and worth sampling. The credit card roulette was just about to get underway when Brad tried to explain it to our unassuming waitress that somehow included the word “lube” which struck her the wrong way. From there things fell apart with a very upset waitress denying Glick his loyalty points and asking if he knew how to read. More on the points and wine from Glick, I hope.
A strong showing at Alive One for after dinner drinks capped off the evening. Upon entering the bar, Ryan, the bartender immediately recognized Chicago’s finest and said “Must be Steak night huh? What can I get you to drink?”
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6 Responses to “Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab”
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Yeah I can make that happen. Only caveat – coming back from denver at her seafood sans hostility. After delegating apps to Gimms, the wine was ordered and we were on our way.
Stone crab is one of my favorite foods but this episode of them sure wasn’t. Shame too, since I find the mustard sauce that accompanies the crab to be quite dee-lish. As previously noted the crabs were frozen and poorly cracked for the group. Note that i skipped the bisque and won’t do that again. Looked scrumptious.
Steaks arrived with mine being the bone in filet, perfectly cooked with some bleu cheese crusted on top. Enjoyed the sides and they fit the steak well. The Ridge cab was a nice but thankfully not Holinger esque when it came to price.
The meal finished with some arguing as usual and maybe some feelings being hurt both within the group and that of the restaurant staff. Rick Ray got a lift on via a cc roulette win, I again in the final 3 only to come up short.
Out into the night we went. Props to German for putting up the commentary so quickly – following my lead from two months ago. Take note fellas.
Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steaks and Stone Crab – The lube edition. I love this place; it has the best steaks in the city, hands down. As you will ascertain from other posts, I am super bullish on Joe’s and let the group know. It is however, not without its shortcomings.
I met up with holinger pre cocktails for quick beer. Have not seen the lad in a while and it was great to get some catch up time. We arrived at Joe’s on time and I grabbed an Oban, holinger a vodka and 2 limes (non muddled, that was my miss on the order). One of the shortcomings of Joe’s, as I have always maintained, is the Bar area. Not a lot of seating and pretty cramped. We were fortunate to get a tabletop. I was unaware J-Cizzle was buying cocktails. If I knew I would have shown up at 5 and ordered Macallan 25 across the board.
Hans punted apps to me and I went with the medium stone crab – 2 per person. Holinger wanted 4 per person, which was a bit much, so we settle with the 2 per in addition to some calamari. I like the stone crab although it is not the season. That means they are cryo-frozen which truly does impact the taste and flavor. The accompanying mustard sauce is divine – I would drink by the gallon.
Had some wine pre-steaks. I think a Pinot and a Cote de Rhone, which I was not crazy about. The cab with the steak was very nice, however. Ordered my rib eye, rare plus. It was exceptional. Cooked perfect and seasoned in amazing fashion. Joe’s keeps its title of best steak in the city with ease.
I agree with the previous comments on sides, they lacked. They used to have this creamed corn that was amazing – apparently they didn’t have it and I wanted it anyway. Mac and cheese was ok, potatoes were average and the creamed spinach was pretty good – although not city leading like the steak.
I was the birthday boy as I turned 34 the week prior. Even at that age I make inappropriate comments. I used the term lube when explaining credit card roulette, If you lose, you don’t have to pick up the entire tab. So, you still get fucked….just not in as bad a way. You know…with lube. Whatever, I lost roulette, again, up against reeshard and glick used my lube comment as a scapegoat for not being able to get his assistant dining points.
After dinner drinks at alive one were a good choice had not been there in a while. Good night and great foresight by zee German to get a reservation. Still the best steak – However Joe’s could lend its attention to some of the side choices.
Steak Night notes
After a 2 month hiatus, it was fantastic to be in the saddle again with the fellas.
In previous visits to Joe’s, the stone crab, steak and celeb sightings (Ken Griffey Jr and Israel Idonije) contributed to “top 5” accolades; the bar was high. But that does not excuse the performance: sub par in the all-around however there were highlights.
The bar area leaves a lot to be desired as it is crowded with few seats and elusive wait staff. The company, as always, was unparalleled. Thanks to Mr. Crenshaw for treating the group to drinks and living up to his commitment without a word of dissent.
Shoe horned between several other tables with the waiter station to my back, auspicious beginnings they were not. The wine was great. And the mustard sauce was ready for action. “Premium” stone crab claws, sub-par. On this I will defer to my brethren as I do not have the data points to support. However, according to Wikipedia, they should have been exceedingly fresh: “Florida stone crabs are legal for harvest from October 15 until May 15.” What happened? Other appetizers weren’t worth a comment.
The Joe’s experience was almost completely redeemed by the bone-in rib eye: nothing short of transformational. Sides were nothing special, unfortunately.
The drama that occurred at the end of the evening was also unfortunate but the gentlemen of Steak Night completely redeemed themselves at Alive One: still my favorite bar in Chicago.
Who knew there could be such offense paid to one poor waitress. Ole Gimms was in good form at his favorite joint in Chicago.
Joe’s while populated by a bit too many tourists for my taste is an incredible establishment. Good vibe, great taste, solid service. All that said, it is the manner of the group that makes the evening. Hurricane Sandy, while terrible left Scotty and Chris in town, so we were at near capacity, sans Mr. Cole. A round table with 8 of us in good form made for an evening of joy and merriment. Add a few quality steaks, tasty sides and some over priced crab legs and you have the fixings for success. My filet was tremendous and a pumpkin desert was out of sight.
Hans – All around good stuff – on to the Holiday edition
Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steaks, and Stone Crab has always been one of my favorite places in the world. I remember as a young kid in South Florida, the trip to Joe’s South Beach was about the only time I actually welcomed a car ride with my parents. Joe’s Chicago is only a short cab ride away now and I just don’t come enough. Every time I leave I wonder why it took me so long to come back.
This steak night November edition saw almost a full boat, sans Mr. Cole thanks (or not) to Hurricane Sandy which stranded a few old mainstays in town.
Cocktail hour was a little longer this time due to the reservation time, and Glick’s arrival time as usual. And go figure since yours truly was responsible for the tab.
Appetizers were stone crab obviously. I think we were too early in the season. They tasted frozen and you really have to go with the larger claws so you get more bang for your buck. The mustard sauce was amazing as usual. You lika da sauce? If you don’t know about Joe’s fried chicken, then you’re missing out. We should have gotten that as an app. It’s the best friend chicken you’ve ever had. I’m pretty sure my dying mean will be Joe’s fried chicken, and stone crab (in season). The poor man’s surf and turf if you will.
Jamie the server was actually great, regardless of the situation with Jon Glick’s assistant’s points card. She gave us a lesson on veal, and it whether it was considered a steak or not. It’s the cut -vs- the cow argument. And no one still believes it’s considered a steak.
The sides were okay. Everyone poopoo’d the brussel sprouts and I’ve had better ones, but nevertheless they were still great. The crunchy potatoes rocked the house.
Wine – a Pinot and a Cote, both above average but nothing to rave about.
The steaks were what to rave about. Best in the city, hands down. Perfect temperature, perfect seasoning. Nothing else to say here.
It was Lube Daddy’s birthday. The pie’s were A+. Some pecan pumpkin thing was motor boat worthy.
We also voted on required post times butI can’t remember the outcome. Anyone?
All in all a great steak dinner followed by a few cold ones at Alive One.
Bring on the holiday season!
I have said it before but I will say it again, in a city filled with great steak places Joe’s stands out. One of my favorite places maybe my favorite.
If there is one knock on Joe’s it’s the bar area, kind of small and crowded. Luckily when I arrived some of Chicago’s finest had secured a table and were sending cocktails down their respective gullets. Thus the bar was less of an issue on this particular visit. Drinks were on Crenshaw for his first posting violation as a member of the group.
My head was on a swivel as we strolled through the dining room to our table, as Joe’s is a known favorite of many local athlete’s and celebrities. Unfortunately the only one we saw tonight was that quirky, curly haired guy on Fox News and he was seated with us.
While I like stone crabs and could do shots of the mustard sauce all night I’m not sure they are worth it. When you consider the cost, the effort it takes to get some meat and how little meat is actually in each claw I do think they are overrated. Clap, clap, clap clap clap overrated. That cheer was inspired by Crenshaw’s Halloween costume. Perhaps bigger claws would be more satisfying.
The cram bisque was tremendous. The steak perfectly prepared, the best steak in the city. I thought the sides were fine, not sure why everyone is shitting all over them.
I don’t know what the hell happened at the end of the meal when the manager came over, what I do know is we did not deserve to have the wine comped. It felt wrong, unnecessary and kind of petty that something like this happened in a nice place.
I won at credit card roulette, which happens about as often as the Charlotte Bobcats win. On to December.