Food: Porterhouse Steaks

Porterhouse, Oscar Style

It is no secret I love a good steak.  Back in the Fall, over F1 weekend, a friend and I engaged in a long talk about the hilariousness that is the Big Texan Challenge.  For those who are unaware, this involves going to a steakhouse in Amarillo and eating a 72oz slab of beef along with sides.  Having recently driven through Amarillo, I can attest there are signs everywhere offering the chance to "win" a free steak (if you can't finish the steak and sides you lose the challenge pay $72; if you do finish the steak and sides within the hour the meal is free... but do you really "win"?).

Anyway, while sitting in the stands for the better part of a day I learned of said friend's attempt to beat the Big Texan Challenge.  He had been playing rugby at the time and was constantly hungry for protein.  I had been lifting weights for most of 2018 and was also constantly hungry for protein.  Thus, I indicated I thought I'd easily take down 72oz.  He was dubious about my levels of confidence, and thus challenged me to try the largest steak on the menu at ALC Steaks.

The largest steak ALC sells is the 30oz porterhouse (pictured above; at the time $50 but now $56).  In case you aren't a steak aficionado: the porterhouse is basically a larger version of the T-bone, which is a cut that includes a strip steak on one side and a tenderloin on the other (according to the USDA, the filet must be 1.25" thick).   We both ordered these, Oscar style (i.e., with lump crab and bernaise sauce on top). 

All I can tell you is that while it was delicious, there is no way of which I can currently conceive that I'll be eating 72oz of steak in one sitting (let alone the potato, shrimp, salad, and roll which come with the Big Texan).  It was a challenge to finish the 30oz porterhouse, though it was a great cut of beef, along with the crab and asparagus.  I don't think even a long ski or backpacking trip could make this possible.   Maybe you can (and if you want to try, there is of course an online guide for steak challenges). 

However... if you feel the need for 30oz of delicious prime beef while in Austin, the ALC porterhouse delivers size and flavor.   Another one of my favorite steakhouses, Bob's Steak and Chop, has a 28oz porterhouse on the menu.  I haven't tried it yet, but every steak I've had at Bob's (here and in Dallas) has been good (I'm partial to the "cote de beouf" bone-in ribeye).

As for Amarillo: why might you find yourself there?  If you aren't going there on purpose, you may find yourself in the area if you are driving to northern New Mexico, Colorado, or staying in the vicinity to enjoy Texas' own Palo Duro Canyon.