HomeFood & DrinkSteaking Their Claim: The Chop House Downtown

Steaking Their Claim: The Chop House Downtown

No cuisine may be more quintessentially American than steak. A thick, juicy slice of beef seared to perfection— medium rare, please— warms many a diner’s soul. Combined with a sublime atmosphere, the resultant meal is a true culinary experience.

The Chop House, on Summit St. downtown, on the first floor of Three Seagate, the former Key Bank Building, occupies the crossroads of hearty and sophisticated. For diners looking to indulge in fine dining while consuming a robust plate, The Chop House is an ideal destination.

“We’re traditionally a steak house with a scratch kitchen,” explains general manager Xander Gudejko. “The focus is on service and great food— chef-inspired, fantastic cuisine.”

The history

The Toledo Chop House is the latest local eatery from Mainstreet Ventures, Inc., which also operates the Real Seafood Company and Zia’s across the river at The Docks as well as Ciao in Sylvania. Toledo’s Chop House joins other namesake establishments in Ann Arbor, Charleston and Annapolis, while working hard to demonstrate its commitment to becoming a true part of the Glass City community.

Before its grand opening last November, The Chop House held a series of charity events that doubled as a soft opening— raising funds for Lourdes University, the Cherry St. Mission and the ProMedica Foundation. Gudejko, who formerly ran Mainstreet restaurants in Ft. Myers, FL and Brighton, MI, said the response from the community has been heartening.

“It’s been really encouraging,” he said. “It seems like people here in Toledo are super supportive and want us to be here, and really enjoy that we’re right downtown. The business has been good; it’s been nice and busy, but at the same time the people that come into the restaurant are already excited about it before they even arrive.”

The decor

The Chop House’s local ties are seen in its atmosphere. Though the tall atrium that looms over the bar and lounge dominates the view, the restaurant takes great pains to feel homey and cosmopolitan. Photos around the space highlight area iconography, as does the artwork by Glass City natives adorning the walls.

The most striking visual feature of Toledo’s Chop House may be Toledo itself, visible out the 20-foot-high windows that surround the main dining area.

“We did a really nice job with the space, with the high ceilings. We avoided a situation there where diners could feel a little bit more open, or cold,” Gudejko said. “Instead, the large windows give us the opportunity to overlook the river and build that big city feel in Toledo.”

The fare

Filet Mignon, Porterhouse, New York Strip, all dry aged on the premises. If delicious cuts of beef are your thing, then you will be in heaven sampling The Chop House offerings, but steak is not your only option.

“Our seafood actually comes from Foley’s out of Boston, so we’re super proud of the seafood we have to offer,” Gudejko said. “ Although we do focus on steak, the seafood is a large part of our business, as well.”

Diners looking for lighter fare have plenty of choices as well. The bar and lounge hosts happy hour as soon as the establishment opens at 4pm on weekdays (for now, there are no plans for lunch hours). Guests can accompany their spirits with appetizers like Chicken-Stuffed Mushrooms or a classic Shrimp Cocktail. Make this restaurant a must.

5-10pm | Monday-Thursday
5-11pm | Friday and Saturday
5-9pm | Sunday

300 N. Summit St., Toledo
888-456-3463 | toledochophouse.com

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