I check out to get to Christner’s Key Steak & Lobster about the moment a year to, you know, just make sure it is even now a person of the most effective destinations in town for substantial high quality steaks. It is.
On my most latest pay a visit to I was also in a position to introduce Christner’s to some pals who are new to town. I was able to explain to them about the heritage – now celebrating its 29th 12 months – and about its staying electricity – there are few independently owned steakhouses of this caliber even now in operation, not just in this article but nationally – most, together with Del Frisco’s, which was the primary identify of Christner’s, are owned by substantial chains.
But Christner’s is continue to owned and operated by real Christner’s, including which includes Carol, unique operator Russ’s widow, her son David and his wife, Alice, and, most recently, her daughter Diana Johnston.
And there seems to always be a Christner on hand, as very well as numerous team customers who have been with the cafe for a long time. They all make absolutely sure the consistency continues to be the very same, which is to say fantastic.
I always start off with the fried oysters, which have let down me only the moment, and that was about 15 many years back. They are commonly, as they have been this time, plump, evenly breaded and fried to the golden brown some fry cooks spend their professions seeking to obtain. Served with ample amounts of tartar and cocktail sauces – I nevertheless haven’t decided which 1 I want.
Then I shift on to a ribeye, my slice of decision. The good thing is, my companion normally chooses a New York strip, so I get to love that, too. The ribeye, of course, has much more extra fat, and because body fat equals flavor, there’s extra meat juice to adore, seasoned with a significant crust of cracked pepper. In a ritual that began again in the Del Frisco’s times, the server asks each diner to minimize into the steak to affirm it is cooked to the asked for temperature. I just cannot bear in mind when it ever was not.
With the filling oysters and the ample slab of meat, far more food items isn’t essential but a evening meal in this article isn’t about abstinence. Creamy chateau potatoes, spinach or cheesy potatoes au gratin I’m hardly ever shy about asking for the leftovers to go.
It was great to get back again to Christner’s for its “checkup,” and I think my friends have grow to be supporters, also.
Christner’s Key Steak & Lobster is at 729 Lee Street, Orlando (map). It is open up for supper Monday via Saturday. The cellphone amount is 407-645-4443.