Austin’s is a small local chain, but it isn’t on every street corner like some chains. Austin’s Smokin’ Steakhouse is one of three locations in the Cleveland area (Brecksville, Mayfield Heights and Mentor) of the Austin’s Wood Fired Restaurants. The Mayfield Heights happens to be the one closest to me. Austin’s has been in business since 1994. I enjoy a good steak every once in a while, and since Brown Derby in Lyndhurst closed this is my go to. The food is always consistently good. The Austin’s restaurants make everything on the menu from scratch, grilling over hard wood, not gas, and it just gives it that special flavor.
I like to treat myself every once in a while. This place kept me going during the pandemic when I needed an indulgent meal, since I could pop down Monticello/Wilson Mills for my order. I wish they still served the twice baked potatoes as a side dish choice, but a baked potato (loaded or not) is also still a good accompaniment. I also miss the corn muffins in the bread basket. But restaurants do what they can to make a profit and stay in business I guess. The bread they serve now is still tasty.
The servers are all very accommodating. When my friend recently ordered some muddled cucumber drink “neat” and it came out all muddled, the server quickly had the bartender strain it for her, and she was super happy with the result.
If I am being indulgent I also enjoy treating myself to an appetizer before my main. I’ve had the potato skins and the stuffed mushrooms, and all the soups have been tasty (although it wasn’t my favorite New England Clam Chowder I’ve ever had, but it was a decent enough version). The stuffed mushrooms are stuffed with crab and topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano and mozzarella cheese. The mushrooms themselves are small but tasty. The potato skins are the old-fashioned kind and are loaded with sharp cheddar, bacon and scallions and served with sour cream on the side. They definitely bring back the memories of loaded potato skins.
I enjoy a nice New York strip when I am feeling indulgent (are you sensing a pattern?). The steaks are hand cut in house, seasoned with a 5-spice blend, grilled over the wood fire and finished with Austin’s steak butter. I order it medium rare, and it always comes out perfectly cooked. The steaks include a choice of potato and the vegetable of the day. Available sides include their house fries, a baked potato, sweet potato fries, garlic basil broccoli, house coleslaw, smokin’ (baked) beans, mac and cheese, bacon Brussels sprouts, Parmesan potato wedges and rice.
I have also enjoyed the Prime Cowboy Steak, which they claim is their most flavorful steak. It is a hand-cut, heavily marbled 18 oz ribeye. I love the visible steak butter on top.
My friend and I went there a few weeks ago, because she loves their smoked prime rib and wanted me to try it. The smoked prime rib is available on Friday and Saturday evenings after 5 pm. It is available as a 12 or 16 oz slab of beef. The Black Angus prime rib is hickory roasted. It isn’t the smoked wonder that Walter Hyde used to serve, but it was a nice slab of prime rib. I ordered the 12 oz and a baked potato and the Brussels sprouts. I could have ordered a loaded baked potato, but I didn’t want to overload the flavor of the beef with a lot of cheese and bacon. The Brussels sprouts were nicely roasted and tender. I loved the horseradish cream sauce they served on the side. My friend ordered the 16 oz so she could take half home with her for the next day. Her trick is she orders two baked potatoes so she has one for the next day as well.
Contact info:
Austin’s Smokin’ Steakhouse
6535 Wilson Mills Road
Mayfield Village, OH 44143
(440) 442-4340
Cleveland Rocks, Cleveland Eats 