The Steak Sauce Tip You Should Remember At A Steakhouse

Everybody loves a good sauce. Condiments are often what make a meal. After all, a burger without some sort of special sauce or a basket of crispy fish and chips without a dollop of tartar sauce just wouldn't be the classic taste so many know and love. However, applying sauce before actually tasting the food (assuming the sauce is served alongside instead of on top, as it would be for a burger) is seen as taboo. If you're used to salting your french fries the minute they hit the table before even taking a bite to see if they're seasoned, this "careful with the condiments" etiquette tip is for you. It involves classic American steakhouses and the fact that Americans seem to really love steak sauce. Though you might feel that bottle of steak sauce calling you to dump it all over that pricey cut of meat, in a word – don't.

Steak sauce is designed to complement the flavor of steak. Beef is naturally savory and rich, as one of the ingredients that naturally is umami. Of course, the type of steak you order dictates the type of flavor and texture. A leaner steak that comes from a part of the steer that isn't exercised as much (like filet mignon) is going to be more tender but lack the robust flavor of steak that is more marbled with fat. It might also be potentially a bit tougher because the muscle is exercised more. Flavors of a steak sauce could include salty, sweet, and savory notes to enhance the flavor of a steak, especially one that might have a more delicate flavor. However, if the chef wants you to smother the steak in sauce, it will probably come dressed and ready to go. If the steak arrives naked, you owe it to your tastebuds and your chef to at least try it as is. However, if you think that means you're out of luck in the sauce department, it's not as dire as all that.

Many times, there is a house made steak sauce, especially at high end steakhouses. Everything from homemade steak sauce to seasoned compound butter to specially blended salt and spice blends might be on offer. Sometimes they are in their own "accompaniment" section on the menu, but if there isn't one there, it doesn't hurt to ask. And if you do try the steak and it's missing a certain "je ne sais quoi,"that's not saying you can't use A-1 or any commercially available steak sauce the restaurant has on hand. At least then, you know you want condiments for your meal and aren't just pouring on the sauce with abandon. Plus, who knows, you might actually find you prefer the steak plain or with another flavor. Of course, the caveat to this is when you bring home leftovers. If you are eating them cold out of the fridge for a midnight snack, there's nobody to say you can't dunk slices of steak straight into that sauce bottle. Your house, your rules.