A great steak dinner doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag. While Denver has no shortage of high-end steakhouses, some of the city’s most loyal steak fans know where to find a satisfying cut of beef without spending a fortune.
We asked our readers where they go for an affordable steak, and their answers pointed to a mix of longtime Denver institutions, neighborhood favorites and one crowd-pleasing chain. Here’s where readers say to go when you’re craving steak but don’t want to break the bank.
Columbine Steakhouse: Denver’s Ultimate Budget Steak
It wasn’t even close. Columbine Steakhouse was the clear favorite among our readers, with multiple people naming the longtime Federal Boulevard institution.
Opened in 1961 by Greek immigrant Anthony Apergis, Columbine has remained remarkably unchanged. Today, his children Irene and Socrates continue to operate the restaurant, which still has the feel of an old-school neighborhood steakhouse rather than a polished modern chophouse.
The appeal is simple: Pick your steak, tell the grill cook how you want it prepared and settle in for a meal that focuses on the beef. Steak dinners traditionally come with a baked potato, salad and Texas toast, and the menu includes T-bone, porterhouse, New York strip, filet, and sirloin.
The T-bone is particularly popular, while the steak sandwich is another longtime favorite. The sandwich pairs steak with onion and tomato on buttery Texas toast and comes with fries.
Readers repeatedly emphasized the value. One called Columbine the place to go for the steaks, “not for the atmosphere,” while another described the restaurant as a family-owned throwback that looks much like a diner from decades ago.
And there’s one important thing to know before you go: Columbine is cash-only. The restaurant has even kept an ATM on-site, a detail that has become part of the experience. 300 Federal Blvd., Denver, columbinesteakhouseandlounge.com
Mickey’s Top Sirloin: A Denver Steak Tradition
Readers also gave plenty of love to Mickey’s Top Sirloin, a north Denver restaurant with a history that goes well beyond steak.
Mickey’s began in 1962 when Mickey Broncucia opened a neighborhood bar. Food eventually became part of the operation, with his mother and aunt serving homemade Italian dishes such as lasagna and ravioli. Mexican dishes followed, and in 1964 Mickey added the top sirloin that would eventually become the restaurant’s namesake specialty.
That steak tradition is still central to the restaurant today. Mickey developed his top sirloin with help from friends in Denver’s meatpacking industry and spent decades refining the preparation.
Our readers have their own favorite way to order it. One recommended the filet with a baked potato, while another specifically praised Mickey’s homemade sides. There’s also a particularly tempting reader tip: Get the baked potato with cowboy butter.
The menu extends beyond steak, reflecting the restaurant’s Italian and Mexican roots, but the beef is what keeps the name Mickey’s Top Sirloin on the local steak map. 6950 Broadway, Denver, mtsusa.co
Manning’s Steaks & Spirits: A South Metro Pick
If you’re south of downtown, readers say to head toward one of the two Manning’s Steaks & Spirits, which has locations in Lakewood and Littleton.
One reader specifically recommended Manning’s for its filet, citing a $30 price point. Current menu pricing is higher, with the restaurant listing a 7-ounce filet at $32, along with a range of other classic cuts including New York strip, ribeye, T-bone and porterhouse.
Manning’s takes a more traditional steakhouse approach than Columbine, with a full menu of steaks, seafood, burgers, sandwiches and hearty sides. Its menu includes baked potatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy, mac and cheese, asparagus and fries, along with steak additions such as mushrooms and onions.
The restaurant describes itself as a Colorado-casual steakhouse, making it a good middle ground for diners who want something more polished than a neighborhood diner without going all the way into special-occasion steakhouse territory. 51 W. Dry Creek Ct., Littleton, and 11100 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, manningssteaksandspirits.com
Bastien’s Restaurant: Go for the Sugar Steak
Some Denver restaurants have signature dishes. Bastien’s has a steak that has become part of the city’s culinary identity.
Readers recommended Bastien’s Restaurant, with one specifically calling out the legendary sugar steak. Another reader seconded Bastien’s while skipping the sweet steak preparation in favor of the restaurant’s twice-baked potatoes.
The sugar steak is essentially Bastien’s calling card: steak is coated with a sugar-based preparation that caramelizes during cooking, creating a distinctive sweet, browned crust. The recipe has been part of the restaurant’s history for decades.
Bastien’s itself is another Denver classic. The restaurant’s history stretches back generations, and its distinctive midcentury architecture and long-standing menu have made it a destination for diners looking for an old-school Denver experience. 3503 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, bastiensrestaurant.com
Steakhouse 10: A Reader Pick Worth Knowing
Steakhouse 10 earned a straightforward recommendation from one reader, proving that sometimes the best endorsement is simply knowing a local diner has it in their regular rotation.
The restaurant fits the classic steakhouse mold, making it an option for diners looking for a traditional steak dinner without necessarily heading to one of Denver’s most expensive chophouses. 3517 S. Elati St., Englewood, thesteakhouse10.com
Texas Roadhouse: The Crowd-Pleasing Chain
One reader admitted that they generally aren’t a fan of chains but still gave Texas Roadhouse a strong endorsement. Another reader said that two people were able to enjoy steak dinners for under $100 on a recent visit.
The appeal is easy to understand. Texas Roadhouse is built around casual, family-friendly steakhouse dining, with hand-cut steaks, ribs, hearty sides and its famously lively atmosphere. Texas Roadhouse
It’s also a very different experience from Columbine or Bastien’s. Expect a bustling dining room, generous portions and plenty of classic steakhouse sides rather than a quiet, intimate dinner. Multiple locations, texasroadhouse.com
The Best Steak Doesn’t Always Come With the Biggest Bill
We love steak, and with the RARE Steak Championship coming up next week on September 24, the dish is particularly timely. However, our readers’ recommendations make one thing clear: Denver’s affordable steak scene isn’t defined by one type of restaurant.
And that’s the beauty of a good steak dinner. Sometimes you want the polished chophouse experience. Other times, all you need is a hot grill, a baked potato, some Texas toast and a piece of beef worth coming back for.
