Alexander's Steakhouse

OK - I do love this place and the food is phenomenal, BUT...I wouldn't want to come here too often. Yes, you grill your own steaks (unless you want to pay extra for someone else to do it). That can be fun every now and again. I never know what I'm doing but someone always helps me. The grills seem to get a little crowded at times but it is fun to cook your own sometimes! Go for that experience - if you want to have someone cook your steak for you, go to another steakhouse. One other thing - the prices are a little high, especially when you're doing all the work! more

I LOVE Alexander's Steakhouse. This is the ultimate place to take your former college buddies and not have a big mess to clean up afterwards. Every guy believes that they are the grillmaster, Alexander's lets you find out who the ultimate grillmaster really is. While you do have the option of having someone from the restaurant grill your steak, the whole idea of Alexander's is to grill your own. They have the biggest and best tasting steaks in Champaign. For the women :) there is even a salad bar. You are also able to cook break and baked potatos on the grill. While a little pricey, you can not go wrong with Alexander's Steakhouse. more

I love a good steak, but I don't own a grill. This limits me to pan frying and restaurants, which are usually not quite what I want. I found Alexander's a few years ago, and this has solved my steak problem ever since. Alexander's is a cook your own streak restaurant. They provide excellant cuts of beef, pork, chicken, and fish and two large grills, one charcoal and one gas. You go choose your meat, order a drink and sit and sip while you grill your cut exactly as you like it, adding spices if you want. They also provide baked potatoes, a salad bar, and as much toast as you want. If you're like me you show up starving and end up grilling half a loaf of garlic bread by the time your steak is done. There is a house chef who will cook your meal for you, it is somewhat more expensive. In general this is not the cheapest dinner ($20-30 depending on alcohol ordered), but the meat is excellant quality, and I get a lot out of hanging out with the other people at the grill, watching what they're cooking and usually making fun of their grilling style. I had a great time the last time I was there when a conference of high school football coaches was in town and all decided to grill and talk as men do when barbecuing. Normally there are large groups of frat boys there with their girlfriends, all of whom ask their boyfriends to cook for them. I get a huge kick out of watching the guys try to look like they know everything about grilling while their steaks turn into charcoal. There are two large back rooms with their own grills for private functions. You can bring your own wine and pay a nominal corking fee. There is a bar tv, and a regular bar crowd who discuss all the games and the restaurant staffs softball team. All around this is a very comfortable place to eat and relax, especially in winter when the thought of grilling is comforting in the cold. more