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Restaurant Ratings

The ratings are based mostly on the degree to which the food excites us, and a little on environment, service, and other considerations. I rate restaurants relative to all other restaurants in the New Orleans area. Here's what the stars mean to me:

starstarstarstarstar
Among the best locally.

starstarstarstar
Excellent and ambitious.

starstarstar
Worth crossing town for.

starstar
Recommended.

*
Acceptable.

No star
Unacceptable.

Cost Ratings
Each dollar sign indicates a ten-dollar range, including a normal meal for the restaurant (dinner, if they serve other meals), not including drinks, or tips. So, for example. . .

1$--$5-15
2$--$15-25
3$--$25-35

. . . and so on, with no upper limit. While this scheme may suggest mathematical precision, know that perception of price varies from diner to diner as much as the star ratings do. So consider this an estimate.

All reviews are based entirely on meals I have personally taken at the restaurant and paid for from my own pocket. I don't take free review meals, nor am I reimbursed by anybody for my restaurant expenditures.

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Young’s

Steak and Chops.
Slidell: 850 Robert Blvd.. 985-643-9331. Map.
Dinner Monday-Saturday.
Nice Casual
DS MC V
Website

WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
For decades, Young's has been one of the most reliable restaurants in Slidell. And one of the best steakhouses in the entire metropolitan area. The restaurant is straightforward almost to the point of being spartan, but what it lacks in frills it more than makes up for in the primary matters of exceptional and consistent food, value and service.

WHY IT'S GOOD
Steaks can get better than this--but not by much. The Young family has gathered consistently excellent beef suppliers to its restaurant. While they don't claim a grade for the beef, it is utterly beyond reproach and comparable to Prime. It's grilled simply and expertly, with the usual steakhouse sides. They're also capable of grilling chicken and fish well. All of this comes at prices well below those of comparable steak places.

BACKSTORY
It began as a hamburger house in the 1960s, but when steaks were introduced to the menu they took over. The Young family has spun off other restaurants from this one, notably Keith Young's Steak House in Madisonville, KY's Old Bicycle Shop in Old Town Slidell, and (by marriage) Assunta's.

DINING ROOM
It's a rustic setting that doesn't really look like a restaurant. For many years, it didn't even have a sign outside, and the first time you went you felt as though you were taking a chance entering the place, because it could as easily have been someone's apartment. The bar, where you will likely spend some time, is convivial.

ESSENTIAL DISHES
Escargots.
Grilled, boiled, or remoulade shrimp appetizer.
Crawfish or crabmeat with mushrooms.
Turtle soup.
Grilled fish (redfish always; other fish as specials).
Redfish Ray (grilled, with crabmeat and mushrooms).
Grilled chicken with red, green and yellow bell peppers.
Ribeye steak.
Sirloin strip.
Filet mignon (large and small).
Prime rib.
Lamb chops.
Veal chop.
Double-cut pork chop.
Sauteed mushrooms.
Baked potato.
Baked sweet potato.
Grilled or steamed asparagus.
Bread pudding.

FOR BEST RESULTS
The only time you can be sure of getting a table without waiting is right after they open. It's best to be prepared to hang in the bar and enjoy the company of friends there.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
First-timers will almost certainly zoom past the restaurant while eagerly looking for it. A more visible sign would be helpful.

FACTORS OTHER THAN FOOD
Up to three points, positive or negative, for these characteristics. Absence of points denotes average performance in the matter.

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES

This review was updated with new information on 4/15/2010.

A list of over 325 full, current reviews is here.