username.exe

Why would you go for a steak when you can get carne asada here?

GeoffM

Not heard of Shulas but Ruth's is supposed to be good. I wonder whether it actually is though, or whether it's just the lemming-like hype. A bit like a fancy one near here: went there for our anniversary or something, lit like a cave with no lights (presumably so you can't see what they're serving you), loads of rave reviews, but I thought it was very mediocre and certainly not worth the price.

We have a mini chain near here (half a dozen SoCal locations I think) which is not bad, and serves beer from local breweries. This more my sort of environment.

If I want a good steak, unfortunately it involves a trip several thousand miles south-south-east of here. Nothing's been comparable since.

excpomea

The US does have a pretty good grading system for steaks.
But, impossible to find a higher graded steak out of a major city.
Were lucky if we can find USDA 'Choice' grade. Never mind a USDA 'Prime'.

Our best bet is to cook at home.
We can mail order USDA prime and enjoy with a decent bottle of red for less than we can get a USDA Select grade steak at a decent restaurant.

Pulaski

A 1-1.5" thick T-bone, ribeye, or NY strip cooked "rare" v a steak that is no thicker than a dish cloth, and therefore almost impossible to get cooked any way other than "well done"? That's not even a fair fight!

sir_eccles

Because Phoenix has some absolutely amazing steak. Not that I can afford to go to Mastros too often. There are cheaper, Don and Charlies for example. Neither touch Peter Luger in Brooklyn mind.

Bob

All the places local to me, a standard pint is 14-16oz, depending on the beer having any head or not, $6-8 would be a decent price, though bottles aren't much/any cheaper.

Do have a lot of decentish brew pubs and tap rooms though, so there is that.

GeoffM

Not in the same league though. One's marinated beef flap meat; the other is a hunk of pure unadulterated steak (well, maybe some seasoning). Some days I like steak; other days I like chicken... or carne asada... or pollo asada.

LotusEater33

I'd rather have beef brisket than a steak

username.exe

I had to bring it up since you mentioned California. It's true, a good steak is unbeatable, however you can get a good steak in the south west... you can't always get good carne asada outside of this region.

I need to get out more. I'm still working my way through all the various mexican combinations.

Don't forget about the chile rellenos .

Rose tea

Sorry I have nothing to add about steaks, but I can offer another 2 cents on the main topic...

This varies even within my state. You have to consider what kind of quality of life you want, and what tradeoffs you're willing to make.

For example, where we live, we have over 50% disposable income. Mortgage is around 18% and all other bills total around 28%. Insurance costs us about £250 a month in premiums and most checkups and preventative care is free, with prescriptions around £2 or less for the most common drugs. It's about £110 a month to keep two cars filled up. Our weather is great, our outdoor opportunities are fantastic, and people are generous and friendly. Groceries are about the same as the UK, all things considered. I buy local and organic so I willingly spend more for that, just as I would in the UK. Eating out is far cheaper than the UK of course.

But, we don't have any professional sports and we don't have any real nightlife. We're not renowned for excellent food either, unless you want New Mexican. It's a laid back city designed for laid back people. Engineering jobs are restricted to government contractors or a small number of start up companies. Salaries are lower because cost of living is lower.

If you want a big city life, then you'll make more but you'll also spend more, partly because there's more to do but also because everything's more expensive. I have no desire to spend $35 to visit a museum and live in a city with 3 million plus people, thanks. Really depends on what you want at this point in your life, but it's also worth considering what you'll want later. If you ever do want to buy property or have kids or something, are you willing to up sticks to somewhere cheaper? Or would you just cut back on a lot of expenses and move to the exburbs? A perennial question for all of us, I know.

Owen778

You may be right that some of the prices listed are off, but which upmarket restaurant have you been to that charges $30 or less for "a fantastic steak"?

I happened to have the menu up for Perry's in Champions Forest when I read your post. Their 8oz filet mignon is $41, without sides, and the rest are more. I'd say this is about average for upmarket restaurants in Houston.

The 8oz filet at Texas Roadhouse is only $19, with two sides, and still tastes pretty good, but that's not upmarket by a very long way.