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Backyard Steak Pit
Categories: Restaurants Seafood Restaurants Steakhouses Seafood, Steakhouses [Edit]
1818 N Grandwood DrGurnee, IL 60031
(847) 356-5200
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 4 pm - 9:30 pm
Fri 4 pm - 10:30 pm
Sat 3 pm - 10:30 pm
Sun 2 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for Backyard Steak Pit
22 reviews in English
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Review from Jd W.
Wadsworth, IL
1/14/2012
I've been coming here for years and usually get the rib eye and snow crab legs. Last night I tried the prime rib for the first time (ventured out from the usual) and oh my! Best prime rib ever! The flavor is subtle and the cut oh so delicate. I came back today and had it again. You can get straight or creamy horse radish, which I usually love with prime rib, but the flavor and texture of their prime rib is so good that I decided the horse radish distracts and will skip it in the future. Yum!
I also recommend the Ahi Tuna. They use a dry rub and grill it right on the charcoal pit. I like it cooked medium rare (rare is standard) and with the wasabi sauce on the side. Good stuff.
As others have mentioned, the crowd here is more mature and I prefer it since I like eating at the bar. A good mix of regulars and new faces.
I, too, miss the garlic toast but the new bread is good. You can have them heat it on the grill which is pretty tasty. -
Review from Beth G.
1/8/2012
The 12oz filet that I had here was definitely worthy of 4 stars. The "salad bar" (quotes used tongue-in-cheek) made me detract a star because half of the reason I chose this place was claims of a stellar salad bar. Major letdown there.
Came here on a busy (and very loud) night, service was a little spotty because I think the waitstaff was stretched a little thin. Went parched a few times as there was long bouts of an empty iced-tea glass between refills. I almost wanted to just ask for a pitcher of the stuff to keep at my table. Thinking back to my near-dehydration, I wish I had.
My steak was great. Sauteed with fresh mushrooms and cooked almost perfectly to order. I think I had grilled asparagus as a side, but for the life of me, I can't remember.
Prices are a bit steep, glad I came with a http://restaurant.com gc.
Kind of an old-fogey crowd. Felt like I was at an old time-y supper club. -
Review from Ariel B.
Gurnee, IL
2/7/2012
Nothing fancy. But the food is good.
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Review from Ed F.
Mundelein, IL
1/3/2012
For the prices charged ($20 - $35 a plate), there's far better places to eat.
The salad bar wasn't anything special.
Atmosphere is nice, but a little too dark. -
Review from David P.
Chicago, IL
12/16/2011
Just returned home from the Backyard Steak Pit and it was delicious! I had the chicken tortellini soup and my partner had the lobster bisque. Both soups were excellent. Our entree's included chicken kabobs with grilled vegetables and my partner had the 12" tenderloin. Again, both were excellent! Unfortunately, we did not have room for dessert. Our waitress, Valerie, did a wonderful job as well. The food smelled good from the moment we walked in the door and it did not disappoint us at all. We will definitely be back!
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Review from Sir B.
Gurnee, IL
1/15/2012
Basically mostly OK but nothing to draw us back as opposed to other places. We split a ribeye and lobster both of which were decent enough but unfortunately the mashed potatoes were both instant and not worth eating which seemed very out of place with the rest of the meal. Avoid those otherwise a bit pricey but decent food.
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Review from Carl F.
In short, it's not the best, but far from the worst as well.
As others have written, if your not a local, you will more than likely have a hard time finding this place for it is not easily seen from the main road.
The atmosphere is nice. I personally like the looks of the bar and the big, charcoal pit used for cooking. The "pit" certainly adds aroma to the atmosphere as the beef is cooked right there in the open.
The appetizers are good as is the soup. The salad bar however in my opinion is very disappointing and I could probably do just as good with a salad from McDonalds.
I've been here several times and all I've gotten are the various cuts of beef and never a burger. From other reviews, I'll make it a point to try a burger someday. As for the steaks, I'll say they are fair to good. Nothing to rave about. So far they have cooked the steaks as ordered and I've not had to send it back. I do however think for the quality of the steak, the prices are a bit high.
The servers are nice, however I think they are a bit slow at times. Your drink can be empty for a bit of time before it gets refilled.
Overall, if your in the mood for a steak and your in the neighborhood, this place will do the trick. -
Review from Pete M.
Grayslake, IL
1/7/2012
Was very disappointed. Used to go here years ago and they always had a special, i.e. Salmon for a decent price. Now everything seems to be overpriced. $17 - $25 for a steak. Food is good but overpriced. I had a burger for $9.99 and nothing special. I've had just as good at a local grill for $7.99. Soup was good and bread nothing special. There are plenty of other places around for a better value...right neext door for that matter....
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Review from Chris H.
Antioch, IL
12/22/2011
wow just got home the the back yard steak pit ahhhh i am sooo full, my steak was amazing with out a doubt,service was really good. my wife had the 16 oz lobster with rice have never had anything better i can say good bye red lobster and hello back yard. the wild rice i had with my 16-oz ribeye was soooo perfect. when i walked up to the salad bar i was able to speak with the chef him self and ask questions. very nice guy and was fun to watch my steak cooked on a charcoal grill.. over all the back yard holds up to its name, if you dont believe me get in there and try it your self... love the back yard and will be there every other friday after work for great food and drink
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Review from Glenn P.
Lake Villa, IL
9/24/2011
Ok but expensive
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Review from Michele B.
Long Grove, IL
3/8/2011
Well when I was told I would have a hard time finding this place they weren't kidding. The address doesn't even come up on GPS-really??
So I was late getting there and arrived only after I stopped to ask if anyone could tell me where this place was. If they want to be a secret, they are right on, but one person knew and said "Oh, yea it is behind the restaurant (Saluto's) next door to the gas station with the ATM--really??really?
Found it and turns out that the aforementioned directions were as good as it gets. This place is owned by the same owners of Saluto's-met some friends (told you I was late so they were well into their second cocktail) and the place was packed. Why? Still don't know--it was just as it says backyard steak pit--everything cooked on the grill(pit) and in the backyard of the other restaurant.
Ordered sirloin shish kabobs--comes with soup or salad bar (salad bar is a stretch) probably one of the smallest ones I've seen with only a few things to add to a big bowl of looked like bag lettuce to me.
Entree came with a side of vegetables (frozen) and sirloin was WELLLLL
done. Server was nice and we were served quick--and I won't be quick to return. -
Review from Dave W.
Chicago, IL
7/14/2011
Was this place a Denney's at one time? just a weird vibe in the place. way overpriced for a run of the mill steakhouse. I had ribs- complete with the membrane and rib tips still attached...huh? My wife ordered fish and it came dry and overcooked. no thanks, I'll pass on this one...eeeeeeeeeeK!
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Review from Nicky S.
Lake Villa, IL
10/19/2011
We went there last Friday for the first time in a long time. I always liked to get the chicken kabobs. I ordered them and my husband got the ribeye. My side was rice and my husband got a baked potato. My chicke kabobs were EXCELLENT the rice however was so gross it was all mushy and slimy I could not eat it. My husband said the steak was "pretty good". Not the great place it used to be. The service was friendly but very slow. It is not the place to go for a quick dinner. Overall it was okay. I will go back for my kabobs but will get a different side next time.
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Review from Chad H.
9/20/2009
A fairly average steakhouse. I got the filet and my girlfriend got the rack of ribs, which led to a funny moment when the server who brought out our food thought he'd put the plates in front of the wrong people.
Having worked as a server at a steakhouse for almost two years, I consider myself a pretty good judge of steakhouses. You're not going to find anything extraordinary here, but you're not really going to be disappointed, either.
A pretty average place. Perfectly fits the definition of "A-OK." -
Review from Syretta H.
Waukegan, IL
10/1/2006
This past Friday night I had a taste for a steak and a baked potato. I didn't want to cook it myself, it was about 8 PM and I just didn't feel like messing around in the kitchen. So I said to myself "Self, where can you get a decent steak dinner around here" and then the light came one "The Backyard"!...I've never gone wrong there....
Boy was I wrong! It's been at least 2 years since the last time I was there, but you used to get a choice of garlic or regular toast with your dinner. It was one of the best parts. They don't offer it anymore! Yikes!!!!!.....well I ordered anyway. I had the 10 ounce sirloin, medium well, with a baked potato. Let me start by saying that my 5 year old could have cooked me a better steak. It was dry, it was charred (which I hate) and it was just.....GROSS. To top that off, I had not a drop of steak sauce in my house to fix it with! ARRRGGGHHH
My potato was overcooked, so it was super hard to even mash up. I had throw a ton of sour cream in it to make it feasible. I didn't even finish my food. At trip to McDonald's would have been better...not to mention MUCH cheaper cause I paid $21 for this most AWFUL food! Back in the day this used to be, in my opinion, the best steakhouse out here in these parts. Now we are doomed to place like Red Lobster and Lone Star(don't get me wrong, these restaurants are OK, but the steak is not the specialty). Looks like I'm going to have to come to Chicago to get a good piece of red meat.
I wouldn't have given it the one star that I did....but I had to give it something..... -
Review from Anna P.
Prospect Heights, IL
1/23/2011
This is a great place for the salad bar, AWESOME burgers, and fries. Had a couple of steaks here one time - they weren't anything to rave about. We will probably stick with the burgers in the future because those are DELICIOUS!
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Review from Gol Y.
Gurnee, IL
6/26/2011
The best burger in the neighborhood. The steak was Ok ; but if you want to get some good burger, give it a shot.
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Review from Sarah W.
Chicagoland, IL
11/30/2010
I really like the filet and tail combo...great taste and cost!
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Review from Edwin M.
Gurnee, IL
8/19/2010
I just went here for dinner by myself after hearing a co-worker talk about it. I have lived in Gurnee over 9 years and never heard of it. Overall, it was pretty good. I ordered the 12-oz. fillet. It came out a perfect medium just how I like it. This place seems to be more about the flavor of the meat since I could not detect any sort of marinade or spices. Just the taste of a quality piece of beef.
The salad bar is small compared to other places, but has the basics covered. They offer a choice of soup or salad bar with most entrees. Prices are reasonable for what they offer.
The service here is what I would call "relaxed". I think that it might be nice to come here with a special someone or a small group of friends. Alone, it seemed a bit on the slow side. Another good point is that it is a bit west of the tourist-heavy part of Grand Ave., which in my opinion makes it great for those times I just want to go out for a nice dinner without having to deal with the big crowds at the chain places or drive very far. -
Review from keith s.
Bristol, WI
4/3/2011
We went to this restaurant for the first time last night. We had a large group of 12 celebrating my brothers birthday. WOW we were impressed! Everything was excellent. The steak was awsome along with the service. We are still talking about it today, how this is our new steakhouse! We will be back.
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Review from Pamela L.
Gurnee, IL
1/14/2008
I have been going here for years and I think every time I have been here I've had a pleasant experience. The wait staff has changed little in the 15 yrs or so, so management must be doing something right! I've had much on the menu, chicken, steak, fish, shrimp, it's all good... probably my least favorite is the salmon, my favorite is probably the cod. Dinners all come with the salad bar with is small, but really good. If you don't want the standard baked potato, steamed veggies are a great option. A couple years ago when I lost a considerable amount of weight, this was a great option for me. Definitely worth trying!
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Review from Steve S.
Round Lake, IL
1/18/2008
The backyard is a local restaurant that is hard to find if your just driving by. It is set back right off a local street off 132 (Grand Av). The few times I've been here I was really impressed. The atmosphere is nothing special...its got an old home feel, and is dark inside. However, the steaks are some of the best I've had. They cook all meat on an open charcoal grill...you can watch your steak being cooked. The salad bar is on the small side, but its a decent offering. The potato skins are huge! Don't forget to order sauteed shrooms with your steak! Great local restaurant!
