Everyone in Arizona knows that Steak 44 is one of THE best steakhouses in all of Phoenix. It’s a rite of passage to go there and has been on my bucket list for… 7 years now! I know some foodie out there wants to throw hands about who has the best steak in Phoenix and I’m all ears if you can find a better, endless selection. Good luck with that!
First, let’s clarify the names of this meaty brand as it can – and does – get confusing. This iconic Phoenix steakhouse is named Steak 44, part of the Ocean 44 and Dominic’s Steakhouse in Scottsdale family. Across the country, they own Steak 48 and one Ocean 48 in Newport Beach, California. The name difference is they founded Steak 44 in Phoenix and it is on 44th Street near Camelback Mountain. As they extended across the country, they added a little nod to the home state of Arizona being the 48th state. The more you know the more you grow!
But I’m on the search for the steak that I can’t get out of my brain that I had in Florida forever years ago! I can still remember tasting it, it melted in my mouth like butter and I’ve been chasing that steak dragon since. So when I got an email about doing a guest post on the blog with Steak 44, citing they loved my write up about Desert Botanical Garden’s Gertrudes restaurant, I was all ears. Except the email address didn’t match up, it was a Gmail and there were like two separate first names attached to it. My spidey sense soon determined that was a lie and a scammer so I CC’d the corporate email I found online asking what is going on?
They were just as surprised as I was and we joked around about what in the world this scammer was hoping to accomplish. After that, the Chief Brand Officer of Prime Steak Concepts, which includes Steak 48, Steak44, Dominick’s Steakhouse, Ocean 44 and Ocean 48, said he loved that story the scammer linked in the email about Gertrude’s and invited me to come try out whichever of the above I liked. I, of course, chose Steak 44 near Camelback Mountain and the trendiest spot in town now that The Global Ambassador and The Bergen set up shop there. Soon we were able to plan a Wednesday early dinner for two but choosing the right power plus one was hard as this was a golden opportunity fitting for someone who I owed the world to… Doug MacKenzie, the former communications director for Visit Phoenix, popped in my head and I waiting for him to get back from Puerto Vallarta to book it. It had been years – almost 4 to be exact, our last outing was going to be Spring Training and then Covid canceled it and we drifted apart since then. I do have to say I smell ageism from that tourism board but we’ll stick to the topic of steak.
I arrived early as usual, ready to take empty steakhouse photos as the bar opens at 4 p.m. and kitchen at 5 p.m. Boy was I wrong! It was jam-packed at the bar at 4:30 p.m. and then lots of people waiting in line, snaking around hallways and where ever they can fit. Apparently this structure extends to many more rooms but it’s kind of put together like Tetris blocks and really needs to expand. Our server, Brenda, said it gets so packed sometimes you have to elbow people to move around and trust when I say she’s not lying as I wove my way to the bathroom a couple of times. They seated us in a gold velvet booth, next to my favorite painting I had spotted while running around taking photos.
The steak place to be is Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain.Very kind and friendly valets await to take your car for $8 at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. You can also park in the plaza parking lot for free.A view of the building that is Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. Mind you, things in Arizona are one floor and spread out for a hot weather reason.This gentleman kept jumping in my shots so I went with it at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. His table of tech bros were seated next to us, didn’t touch a drop of booze but they all tore up the tomahawk steak.Meat cleavers to your right as you enter Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain.And these smiling ladies to your left greeting you with a smile at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. Suited up tech bro almost photobombed this pic too ha!A whole wall is covered in wine from around the world when you first walk in as well at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain.Straight ahead to the bar at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain which is named Bar 44.Dining across from the bar at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain.The rest of the dining across the bar at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain.A little peak into the fireplace room at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain.And looking the other way next to the fireplace at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain.The bar was jam-packed and it wasn’t even 5 p.m. at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. Get there at 4 p.m. sharp!Back over by the hostess station, another hallway leads down to the chef’s kitchen at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain.Across from the lady with a glove, another dining room at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain.A bit down the hallway and to the left, my favorite painting and we were seated directly below her at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain.A private dining room is also available at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain.And a peak at the chef’s kitchen at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. To the right around the corner, coveted high tops to watch the action exist! I’m more of a comfy couch kind of gal so they pegged me well on seating, the gold velvet similar to my favorite couch at home even.Fresh baked bread that was quite addicting with garlic sea salt at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. Pro tip: eat the tiny middle piece out to save space for all the meats!My power plus one started with a stiff martini that was pretty much high-end vodka in a glass taste to me at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. I’m more of a dirty martini by the ocean kind of gal!We had to try the wagyu beef tartar topped with deviled egg mouse at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. It was fresh, creamy and we found eating it just with a fork was delightful.The King Crab and avocado stack because my guest was not a fan of raw fish at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. We were unimpressed with the structure of this stack as the crab should have been more evenly covering the green but it was light, fresh and tasty.I started off with a glass of sparkling Mumm Napa rose and soon moved on to this Albert Bichot Chardonnay at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. There was this section of Interesting Reds and Interesting Whites that I did tastes of but found a little too curious for my tastebuds.Of course we had to try the seafood tower at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain with all the fresh catches. Malpeque oysters from the East Coast were the only ones available but hit the spot. Everything was fresh, crisp and tasty but a bit messy when you’re not a seafood cracker… wait that sounds wrong! A nice perk between flavors, they offer you a hot towel infused with lavender to clean your paws between courses.The sauces for the seafood included the usual lineup and I pretty much used up all the fresh butter at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. Is there anything better than seafood dipped in butter? OK, maybe some cocktail sauce and champagne mignonette… and a little horseradish too!The beet salad at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain was a nice break in the decadent flavors but held its own ground and could be a nice girl dinner with the fresh bread and some champs.The delicious course changing towel our server spoke of at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. Yes, it was that dark inside the restaurant!I switched up to a still French Peyrassol rose at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. It was clean, slightly dry and fresh for the palate.I am not a fan of caviar… I know, I know how dare I not like eating “fancy” fish eggs?! But this concept is a new favorite at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. These two tiny little Caviar Cones packed a delicious, creamy punch with the perfect amount of light crunch. With Siberian Osetra, horseradish creme fraiche and gold leaf, it was delightful.We were warned that the plates came out sizzling hot and they were not kidding at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. Mine was literally spewing meat juice at me! I ordered the off menu Butcher’s Cut, 12 ounces of domestic wagyu from Snake River Farms.All of the sudden staff was surrounding us, putting our sides onto the plate and it was slightly chaotic at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. The plate was sizzling, foods were sizzling and I was trying not to get burnt! The steak was perfectly cooked but I fear it then stuck to the plate, further cooking it. Still delicious but not as much juice and buttery flavor as my guests medium cooked, juicy filet that was not photographed but demolished in minutes. I was lucky to ask for a bite first!I realized in the heated chaos I almost forgot to photograph our sides like these adorable truffle fries at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. Then again, I was trying not to sizzle my arms!Brussel sprouts with huge pieces of bacon was decadent at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain.We even ordered more fresh bread so my guest could soak up his juicy filet at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. Yes, it’s that good.Creamy spinach was a fan favorite of my guest but a little too much for me at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. Just give me the spinach!The best side of mushrooms I’ve ever had at a steakhouse as they were not too buttery or greasy, just right at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. And a wild variety at that!At this point, we were both enjoying reds with our steak at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. I enjoyed the French Remoissenet Père et Fils, but things get a little hazy here… as hosted dinners do. I took photographs to remind myself which is like reading grail right now!And for dessert, the tastiest Old Fashioned I’ve had in a while at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain.So much so I may have had two night caps at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain!My guest was in love with his Porto from Portugal at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain, taking him back to recent travels. Look at the legs on that sexy stem!For desert, the beignet tree at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain. We assumed if the bread was that tasty, this would slay!The sauces made the tree come to life with chocolate and some sort of sweet custard at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain.Regardless if you order dessert, you always get cookies as well at Steak 44 at Camelback Mountain.
Overall, this was a great experience however I wish I would have stuck to my favorite styles of steak and tried that instead of getting overwhelmed by the endless list! I am still on the hunt for that butter like steak bite but do have a feeling my guest chose right as his was a close call. If this place is too pricey for you, try arriving at 4 p.m. sharp and enjoying shared plates at the bar. Once upon a time there was a happy hour 4-6 p.m. but good luck finding a seat!
