On September 18 RARE Steak Championship hosted its sixth festival in Denver, and each year the spread gets better. From Moroccan-spiced lamb loin to wagyu and Oaxacan molè beef tartare to ribeye with green chile chimichurri, there were so many delicious bites to choose from.
But while each dish was appreciated, only a few took home top prizes from our panel of expert judges and you the people. Read on to discover the winners of the 2025 RARE Steak Championship, and get ready for next year’s fete, which will be even better.
Traditional Steak
We had 11 people compete in the traditional steak category. The line up included Seasoned Swine BBQ, The Rabbit Hole, The Barrel Room Bar and Grill, and more. Read on for this year’s winners.
Judges’ Choice
Third
G-QUE BBQ: Smoked wagyu tenderloin
Second
801 Chophouse: Tajima dry-aged short loin with pommes puree, matsutake mushrooms, shoyu demi, caviar, and crispy shallots
First
Guard and Grace: Slow-roasted Snake River Farms wagyu ribeye with crispy rice, a dynamite egg yolk, and yuzu kabayaki glace
People’s Choice
Third
G-QUE BBQ: Smoked wagyu tenderloin
Second
Guard and Grace: Slow-roasted Snake River Farms wagyu ribeye with crispy rice, a dynamite egg yolk, and yuzu kabayaki glace
First
STK Steakhouse: New York wagyu strip steak, spicy Diane sauce, and garlic bone marrow
Creative Steak
Judges’ Choice
Third
AJAX Denver: Black garlic grilled wagyu ribeye with salsa macha and blistered Jimmy Nardello pepper relish
Second
Harry’s at Magnolia Hotel: Bronco buckshot, a crab-stuffed jalapeño popper wrapped with wagyu strip steak
First
Nobel: MBL prime tenderloin with brown sugar demi reduction, white mushroom cream, Irish cheddar cheese crust, and sweet peruvian peppers
People’s Choice
Third
Ranch House Restaurant: Rosemary-marinated wagyu New York striploin with end-of-the-summer sweet corn, chimichurri chip, and olive-oil-poached heirloom tomato with a drizzle of 12-year balsamic vinegar
Second
Simms Steakhouse: Asian sticky short rib with seared rice, crispy shallot, and sesame seed
First
Nobel: MBL prime tenderloin with brown sugar demi reduction, white mushroom cream, Irish cheddar cheese crust, and sweet peruvian peppers
Cocktails
Judges’ Choice
Third Place
Ranch House Restaurant: Partnered with La Pulga
Second Place
Elway’s Downtown: Partnered with Terlato
First Place
STK Steakhouse: Partnered with Still Gin
People’s Choice
Third Place
Guard & Grace: Partnered with Tullamore Dew
Second Place
Old Hickory Steakhouse: Partnered with Montanya Distillers
First Place
STK Steakhouse: Partnered with Still Gin
