Brown Derby Wood Fired Steakhouse — Restaurant in Streetsboro

We ate at this Brown Derby on Wednesday 11/27/24 at 7 PM (day before Thanksgiving). Both the food quality and service were EXCELLENT, with reasonable pricing.

We made reservations (party of 3) earlier on the same day. We arrived at 7 PM and were immediately seated. Our server was at the table in less than 5 min, warmly greeted us, talked about specials, and took drink orders. Menu was uncomplicated and well laid out with a variety of options and pricing.

Others in my party had wine and soft drinks. I had the “large” beer. They weren’t kidding. It was HUGE (Great Lakes lager, very good). One beer lasted the visit. Drinks arrived at the table about 5 min after ordering. We then ordered both appetizers and meals.

Appetizers (with fresh rolls) arrived in less than 10 min. I had the French Onion soup and our table the house salad. The soup was OUTSTANDING - perfectly done. Salad was served in a large bowl, plenty for all, and EXCELLENT. Salad plates were pre-chilled. Dressing was excellent. Rolls were served warm and also EXCELLENT. We had just finished appetizers when the food arrived, very HOT.

I had the 16 oz ribeye, medium rare, served butter finished, with the loaded baked potato. The steak was well cut, wood fire grilled (you could taste the flavor) and cooked right. The potato had all the fixings, including real crisp bacon bits. Very flavorful.

One in my party had the T-Bone, also medium rare, with rice pilaf. Another in my party had the smaller filet, medium, with baked potato and mushrooms. Meals were served with two sides (one of which was the salad). All of us agreed the steaks were VERY GOOD. For me, the steaks were slightly thin (I like thicker) and a little more done than expected (not unusual). Regardless, the beef quality was VERY GOOD and delicious.

Keeping with its name the Brown Derby was mostly “brown” inside the restaurant. Lighting was low, seating was booths and tables. The kitchen area and grill were visible from dining. A bar was set opposite to dining. Comfortable seating for 50 to 75.

Service was EXCELLENT. Our server routinely checked on us, drinks were NEVER empty, she was both friendly and personable. The restaurant service “work flow” was obviously well planned with NO delays. During our visit, they were at about 50% capacity.

Overall, an EXCELLENT dining experience. Appetizers, meals and drinks for 3 totaled $148 without tip, reasonable for the food quality and portions. I’d recommend the Brown Derby in Streetsboro for family and...

Above and beyond 5-Stars! Excellent place to get a super tasty thick but very tender 12-oz steak (that was aged nicely and wood fired, and cooked to absolute perfection—rare is my preferred temp), plated with a super hot and perfectly cooked baked potato with whipped butter and sour cream…all accompanied by delicious all-you-can eat rolls and honey butter with a generously large side salad of mixed greens, tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, hard boiled egg, homemade croutons, and shredded cheddar topping it all, with superb ranch dressing…washed down with a Coca-Cola with Grenadine (old fashioned Cherry Coke) that also had free refills…

An astonishing price of $29.97 for everything, including tax —an amazing steak of this quality, with a big baked potato and a large side salad with lots of toppings and fresh rolls/butter and free refills soft drink…

And the service by Ariana was spot on…she well timed bringing out my main entree to permit me the right amount of time to be able to enjoy my whole salad before being brought my steak, never had to ask for anything (refills, plates cleared, check), and everything I ordered was brought to me exactly the way I asked for it…I gave her $25.00 tip because of the perfect experience I had dining at this Brown Derby tonight…

Great ambiance with the lighting, and the centerpiece up front of the open fire wood grille…nice comfortable booths and good acoustics…only thing I can fault is the men’s bathroom is pretty tiny, tonight it was not a crowded night, but I still had to wait my turn for five minutes plus to get to use the toilet…I could see there being a long wait on a busy night, and if you had to go to the bathroom badly, that could be a real problem…

I used to eat at Brown Derby steakhouses in NE Ohio regularly, but I moved away after college…this was my first time in nearly 30 years since moving back to California in 1997…not much has changed except this time was a better experience than I ever remembered before (only thing I missed was the old Lazy Susan salad bar brought to your table back then, but the generous salad with all the toppings more than made up for it)…

In California at a high-end steakhouse, my bill for this quality of a steak dinner would have been nearly $100, and quite frankly, the steak would not have been as tasty…My next time back here to visit, I’ll definitely be revisiting this Brown Derby!

Namaste...

I really had to think about how I wanted to write this review. To say I am disappointed is an understatement. Now I know this isn’t a “fine” steakhouse and frankly I’m super aware of reviewing within the context of the scope. First, we arrived at 6:45 for dinner. We wanted the tenderloin tips. Immediately found out that this is a known daily sell out. I’m writing this because I was directly informed that this dish sells out within 30 minutes of a shift beginning. It’s a $29 filet tips with sautéed onions and mushrooms. Well no. This is clearly a bait and switch meal. To get the close next equivalent, you have to upgrade to a filet at $39 and then add mushrooms and add onions… that’s at least another $4. Regardless and not to be petty. My issue is that this isn’t a special, this is a staple Menu item. If this is true, then Make more available. I was so off-put after hearing this. So yes, I upgraded to the $39 filet. Had a house salad and a side of mashed potatoes. Ordered the French onion soup to start. Bland. Tons of goooy onions that tasted like sludge. The bread was just salad croutons. So that’s disappointing. Wouldn’t recommend that. Then the salad comes. It’s good. Loaded with red onions! But totally good. No issues. Then the meal comes. I really should have sent the steak back. I ordered medium. I feel it was close to rare. Flavor was good but I just can’t go that rare. Mashed potatoes were thick and clumpy and cool. Not warm or creamy. The worst part was what happened when we got home. Both of us, let’s say didn’t feel well AT ALL. I’m planning on calling the restaurant when I return from my trip. Just will never come back. Too many other options. Also not inexpensive. $65 plus tip for two bowls of soup and the one dinner. Just terribly...