Inside DiningOut’s Inaugural Atlanta RARE Steak Championship: Restaurants That Won Top Honors

More than 25 restaurants faced off at Pullman Yards—here’s who rose to the top

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Published on April 13, 2026 • 10:57 AM MDT

Smoke, fire, and the unmistakable sizzle of steak set the tone at Pullman Yards on Thursday, April 9, as the city’s top chefs brought the heat for DiningOut’s first Atlanta RARE Steak Championship.

Making its Atlanta debut, the nationally touring event transformed the historic venue into a high-energy culinary arena, where more than 25 restaurants went head-to-head for steak supremacy in a night that blended competition with a full-scale party atmosphere.

Sponsored by Buckhead Meat & Seafood and benefiting Open Hand Atlanta, the one-of-a-kind food festival invited guests to indulge in an evening of unlimited steak tastings, with bites prepared by some of the city’s top culinary talent. Craft cocktails, curated wine and beer pairings, and live music from the Crystal Clear Band kept the energy high, giving the event a concert-like feel that went far beyond a traditional tasting.

Kevin Rathbun serving up his chipotle roasted wagyu tri tip tostada at RARE Atlanta. | Photo by Addison Hill Photo — *Kevin Rathbun serving up his chipotle roasted wagyu tri tip tostada at RARE Atlanta | Photo by Addison Hill Photo*

More than 25 restaurants participated in this year’s competition, including standout spots like STK, Kevin Rathbun Steak, The Palm, Morton’s The Steakhouse, and more. Participating sponsors rounded out the lineup, filling rows of restaurant tents with a steady flow of steak-centric bites that extended beyond the main tasting area. Outside, a cigar lounge added to the atmosphere, while Buckhead Meat & Seafood delivered a showstopping display featuring a whole hog and an array of premium cuts grilled fresh on-site.

The Crystal Clear Band takes to the main stage at RARE Atlanta. | Photo by Addison Hill Photo — *The Crystal Clear Band takes to the main stage at RARE Atlanta | Photo by Addison Hill Photo*

The competition featured two steak categories: Best Traditional and Best Creative; alongside a Best Cocktail award, where beverage professionals partnered with restaurants to craft standout pairings.

Guests had the opportunity to cast their votes for People’s Choice, while a panel of local hospitality professionals determined the Critic’s Choice winners. And when the smoke cleared and the votes were tallied, these chefs rose to the top. Here are the winners of the 2026 RARE Steak Championship:

COCKTAIL

People’s Choice

1st Place: STK, spicy watermelon margarita featuring Patron tequila

2nd Place: Kevin Rathbun Steak (Pedro Furtivo Tequila)

3rd Place: Governors Gun Club – Cloudy Cosmo featuring Tito’s vodka

The Mad Truth Gold Rush cocktail by Hard Truth at RARE Atlanta. | Photo by Addison Hill Photo — *The Mad Truth Gold Rush cocktail by Hard Truth at RARE Atlanta | Photo by Addison Hill Photo*

Critic’s Choice

1st Place: Hard Truth, Mad Truth Gold Rush featuring Hard Truth sweet mash bourbon

2nd Place: STK, spicy watermelon margarita featuring Patron tequila

3rd Place: Kevin Rathbun Steak, featuring Pedro Furtivo tequila

The Arnette's Chop Shop team celebrate their win at RARE Atlanta. | Photo by Addison Hill Photo — *The Arnettes Chop Shop team celebrate their win at RARE Atlanta | Photo by Addison Hill Photo*

STEAK: CREATIVE

People’s Choice

1st Place: Arnette’s Chop Shop, grilled wagyu ribeye skewer

2nd Place: Kevin Rathbun Steak, chipotle roasted wagyu tri-tip tostada

3rd Place: Vanzant’s Steak & Seafood, marinated Prime NY strip atop smashed and double-fried plantain chip

Judge’s Choice

1st Place: Arnette’s Chop Shop, grilled wagyu ribeye skewer

2nd Place: El Valle, tamarind achiote marinated ribeye with elote-style corn tamale

3rd Place: Tio Luchos, lomo saltado

The STK team celebrate their win at RARE Atlanta. | Photo by Addison Hill Photo — *The STK team celebrate their win at RARE Atlanta | Photo by Addison Hill Photo*

STEAK: TRADITIONAL

People’s Choice

1st Place: STK, whiskey wagyu tri-tip

2nd Place: The Capital Grille, Kona-crusted NY strip

3rd Place: 1885 Grill-Acworth, grilled ribeye

Critic’s Choice

1st Place: 1885 Grill-Acworth, grilled ribeye

2nd Place: Parkers on Ponce, Coca Cola ribeye

3rd Place: Governors Gun Club, grilled NY strip with smoked corn and tomato chutney

Megha McSwain Texas Managing Editor

Megha McSwain is the Texas Editor for DiningOut Magazine, managing editorial content for Houston and Dallas. Megha was born in Mumbai, India, and currently resides in Houston. She has a passion for reporting on food, restaurants, chefs, and travel, and has contributed to outlets like Food Network, Eater, InsideHook, Resy, Texas Monthly, and Texas Highways throughout her career. As a trusted member of the local media, Megha also appears as a regular guest on local lifestyle television shows, Great Day Houston on KHOU11, and Texas Today on NBC5.

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