As we continue celebrating our beloved local businesses on the beaches, there is one in particular that has become not only a must-visit destination, but a true standout in Florida’s culinary scene: 1200° Chophouse.
Dubbed “a carnivore’s paradise” by the Tampa Bay Times, and a back-to-back winner of the Best of The Bay Best Steakhouse, 1200° Chophouse is the perfect crossover of an authentic Chicago chophouse and Old Florida hospitality and atmosphere. Housed in a quaint 1950s cottage on St. Pete Beach at 5007 Gulf Blvd, the family-owned steakhouse has been a local favorite since opening its doors 12 years ago.
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All-inclusive steak dinners
Much of what makes 1200° Chophouse such a culinary star can be found right there in the name. Each of their steaks are seared at 1200 degrees, sealing in all of the succulent flavor and delivering one of the most decadent steaks anywhere in Florida.
Meanwhile, they also deliver one of the best values anywhere in the region, serving a truly all-inclusive meal – no a la carte style here. Every entrée ordered is served with a salad and includes a standard side of your choice. Plus, you always get a basket of bread for the table with a side of mouth-watering house-made honey butter. One price gets you the full dinner experience.
Of course, as with any truly great steakhouse, we highly recommend starting your meal with some appetizers before you get to the main course. 1200° Chophouse has an incredible lineup of appetizers that stand alone as stars in their own right.
While every starter we’ve had on the menu is great, the favorites are, without question, the bacon-wrapped scallops and the fried goat cheese. The rich, perfectly-cooked scallops are bursting with flavor, with a little added crunch and saltiness from the crispy bacon. The fried goat cheese is a staff favorite, and it’s easy to see why. Hand-breaded and served filet-style, their “red pepper paint” sauce on the side seals the deal for this decadent snack. Pro tip: go ahead and place two orders of them at once.
Tampa Bay’s best steaks
But no matter how many plates of cheese or scallops you devour beforehand, you’ll always be able to make room for the headliners at 1200° Chophouse: the namesake steaks.
Don’t get us wrong – you can still have a great meal going all surf with their twin lobster tails or the pan-seared sea bass. But the steak is what it’s all about at 1200° Chophouse. Every single steak is prime grade, and of course, each one comes with bread, salad and a standard side.
We always recommend ordering your preferred cut and style, but there are certainly a few favorites on the menu worth pointing out. In fact, the Angus Rib Eye is literally called out as a favorite (with good reason), as the menu notes that it’s the No. 1 choice for founder, owner and restaurateur Dan Casey. When in doubt, trust the experts.
If you’re feeling particularly peckish, the Tomahawk Bone-In Rib Eye is worth a visit to 1200° Chophouse on its own. At a full two-and-a-half pounds, the mega-sized cut of steak is a genuine beauty on a plate, oozing with flavor and decadent delight.
Our go-to is the Filet Mignon (medium rare for us, but order as you like), pictured above right. The beautiful, perfectly-cooked filet slices like butter, delivering juicy richness in every bite. And, available in either 7 or 10 ounces, it’s plenty to satisfy your appetite (though we’ll still devour a baked potato alongside it, too).
Of note, 1200° Chophouse has an excellent selection of signature sauces to add to your steak, each only $5: Gorgonzola Cream (Dan’s Favorite), Béarnaise, Marsala & Mushroom, Gouda Fondue, and Au Poivre.
Surf and turf, steps from the Gulf surf
Of course, you’re already at the beach, so if the mood strikes, you can’t go wrong with the Surf & Turf. The massive plate includes an 8-ounce Caribbean lobster tail and a 7-ounce filet, served with a house salad and the standard side of your choice.
1200° Chophouse also has an excellent wine list, as well as domestic and local craft beers, both on tap and by the can or bottle. While steaks and red wine are always a great pairing, you also can’t go wrong enjoying a bottle of white wine with your scallops or lobster tails.
1200° Chophouse, located at 5007 Gulf Blvd on St. Pete Beach, is open daily from 5-10 pm. The restaurant does not take reservations, so you can walk up any time. See the full menu here, and be sure to follow them on facebook.
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