RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesI compared the cheapest cut of steak at Papi Steak with the most expensive at Gordon Ramsay Steak. Erin McDowell/Business Insider
I visited two high-priced steakhouses and thought one offered a better value on the main event.
Gordon Ramsay Steak's wagyu filet was one of the most expensive cuts on the menu.
But I preferred the cheaper steak from Papi Steak in Miami.
It's easy to assume that the most expensive steak on the menu at a famous steakhouse will be the best.
After trying the most expensive steak at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Atlantic City and the cheapest cut at Papi Steak in Miami, I found that's not always the case.
Although both steaks were delicious, I thought the less expensive steak delivered a much better overall value. It was buttery and tender, leaving me wanting more.
Here's how two steaks compared at Gordon Ramsay Steak and Papi Steak.
Gordon Ramsay Steak has locations across the country, from Las Vegas to Atlantic City.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Gordon Ramsay , the British chef who's reached great success from his television series like "Hell's Kitchen" and "MasterChef Junior, operates more than 100 restaurants around the world.
Gordon Ramsay Steak, his namesake steakhouse concept, has seven locations: Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Vancouver, Baltimore, and Kansas City, as well as Westlake, Louisiana, and Elizabeth, Indiana.
On a weeknight, Gordon Ramsay Steak was noticeably quieter than Papi Steak.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Located inside Harrah's Resort, the Gordon Ramsay Steak location I visited felt far more understated than other Ramsay restaurants I've dined at in the past. There were no crowds posing outside or buzzing with excitement, and after a brief wait, I was escorted to my table.
With candlelit tables, leather booths, and elegant decor, the restaurant felt like a welcome escape from the bustle of the casino outside.
Its menu offered a range of cuts, from New York strip to a bone-in ribeye and wagyu.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
I ordered the wagyu filet, which was one of the most expensive items on the menu.
Wagyu beef is among the priciest cuts of beef at many steakhouses, thanks to its exceptional marbling and specialized breeding standards.
Still, $120 felt steep for a steak without any sides.
This steak was undeniably tender, but not what I expected from a wagyu cut.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
I was initially surprised by the filet's relatively modest marbling, especially considering its $120 price tag. However, my skepticism faded after the first bite.
The steak was cooked beautifully, with a deeply peppery crust that gave way to a rich, buttery center and plenty of beefy flavor.
Even so, I couldn't help compare it to the filet mignon I would end up ordering at Papi Steak. Despite costing nearly twice as much, Gordon Ramsay Steak's wagyu filet arrived with little more than a swipe of jus and whole-grain mustard, and it was ever so slightly less tender than Papi Steak's version.
It was an excellent steak, but I wasn't convinced that the premium wagyu cut was worth the significant markup. For the price, I expected a more memorable dish.
Papi Steak, helmed by restaurateur David Grutman and entrepreneur David "Papi" Einhorn, has locations in Vegas and Miami.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Both Papi Steak in Miami and Gordon Ramsay Steak in Atlantic City were easy to book on a weeknight, though weekends tend to be busier.
The experiences between the two steakhouses diverged as soon as I arrived. Outside Papi Steak, velvet ropes, a doorman, and groups of guests posing for photos created an unmistakably glamorous atmosphere.
Since opening in 2019, the restaurant has become known for its over-the-top presentations and celebrity clientele, including Drake, Bad Bunny, and Kim Kardashian.
Papi Steak had a high-energy atmosphere that made dinner feel like an event rather than just another meal.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Between the lively music, stylish crowd, and theatrical presentations, the restaurant embraced Miami's flashy personality.
Papi Steak has become one of Miami's biggest see-and-be-seen dining destinations thanks to these presentations, from its viral golden "beefcase" tomahawk steak to a Birkin bag cocktail served with caviar and a "Sex and the City" backing track. Diners come as much for the spectacle and photo ops as they do for the steak.
While Gordon Ramsay Steak offered a quieter, more traditional steakhouse experience, Papi Steak felt like a place where the atmosphere was just as much a draw as the food.
When it came down to steak, Papi Steak had Gordon Ramsay beat.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Despite all the theatrics — some of which felt a bit over the top — Papi Steak's food lived up to the hype.
I ordered the 8-ounce USDA Prime filet mignon ($69), the least expensive steak on the menu. It arrived perfectly cooked with a deeply flavorful crust and an incredibly tender center.
The steak was served simply, with no sides and just a sprig of rosemary for garnish, but it didn't need much else. The Gordon Ramsay steak also didn't come with any sides, but at $69, I was more willing to overlook that at Papi Steak than I was with the $120 steak at Gordon Ramsay Steak.
Even without the flashy presentations that have made the restaurant famous, this steak could easily stand on its own.
I found that even the cheapest cut on Papi Steak's menu outperformed the most expensive at Gordon Ramsay Steak.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Despite costing nearly half as much, it was more tender, just as flavorful, and delivered a better overall value.
The filet was cooked to a perfect medium-rare, with a deeply charred crust and an incredibly tender, buttery center. It was rich, smoky, and so easy to cut that I barely needed a knife.
At nearly half the price of Gordon Ramsay Steak's $120 wagyu filet, I thought Papi Steak's filet delivered the better overall value. It was worth making...
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