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.
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 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
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
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
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
