The Silver Saddle is the place for steak, according to a majority of readers who took part in Caliente's latest Food Fight.
Owned by the Alva family since 1984, the Silver Saddle is that restaurant with the large vintage sign you see just after the South Sixth Avenue exit on Interstate 10 heading east.
The Saddle is well known in Tucson for its USDA choice steaks, including the Vaquero Grande (a 1 1/2 pound T-bone) and the City Slicker (a 10-ounce New York strip).
"Their steaks are cooked directly on an open pit to give them that authentic mesquite flavor found only in Tucson and Southern Arizona," said Food Fight participant Gabriel Harvey, 32. "Add to that their low prices and wonderful appetizers and you end up with a great deal on a casual dinner out."
Record producer Mike Levy says he has never had a steak that was not prepared perfectly at the Saddle.
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"In my business, I attend a lot of catered functions with prime rib," Levy said "There is no prime rib in Tucson that can hold a candle to the Silver Saddle's. Even if I were a cow, I'd be tempted to eat their prime rib."
And Brandon Perez, an 18-year-old Tucsonan going to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, has the Saddle at the top of his "to do" list whenever he comes back home.
"I love that place," he said. "I've eaten there since I was a baby. I always get the prime rib and the mouth-watering baked potato. And I always get a specially made mud pie for my birthday. It is so delicious."
Another Food Fight favorite was Daisy Mae's, a popular steakhouse near Pima Community College West.
Like the Saddle, Daisy Mae's prepares its steaks on a mesquite grill, something that Kelly Lee, 31, found enticing.
"The meat is so tender, you don't even have you use your knife," she explained.
Consultant Vince Baker, 68, prefers the restaurant's porterhouse.
"I have eaten steaks all over the U.S., Argentina and Europe and nobody beats this steak," he said. "I always take my out-of-town friends to Daisy Mae's."
James Frohberg, another Daisy Mae's fan, used to winter in Tucson, but moved to the Old Pueblo when he retired a few years ago.
"We are from Michigan, and Daisy Mae's was the first place we would go when we came down," he said. "Their rib-eyes and porterhouses look like steaks should look, taste great and are large enough to satisfy most people. There are no pretenses. It's just good."
Food Fight participants with high-end appetites leaned more toward Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, part of a national chain of restaurants, in the Foothills, as well as Jonathan's Cork on the East Side.
Accountant Steven Durst, 52, orders the 20-ounce T-bone when he is at Fleming's, along with a nice glass of wine and a slice of chocolate lava cake.
"The beef is of the finest quality and always perfectly prepared," he said. "The sauces and accompaniments add beautifully to the main course. The dining room is warm and inviting and the service is impeccable."
And Rita Marshall, a co-owner of Marshall's Jewelers, enjoys the personal touch at the Cork just as much as the steaks.
"Jonathan and Colette are fabulous hosts with quality food and wine," she said.
Steak contenders
• Silver Saddle Steak House, 310 E. Benson Highway.
• Daisy Mae's Steak House, 2735 W. Anklam Road.
• Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, 6360 N. Campbell Ave.
• Jonathan's Cork, 6320 E. Tanque Verde Road.
• McMahon's Prime Steakhouse, 2959 N. Swan Road.
• Chad's Steakhouse and Saloon, 3001 N. Swan Road.
• Lil Abner's Steakhouse, 8500 N. Silverbell Road.
• Texas Roadhouse, two locations including 170 S. Wilmot Road.
• Ascolese's Italian Ristorante, 222 S. Church Ave.
• Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, 2985 E. Skyline Drive.
• Cody's Beef 'n Beans, 2708 E. Fort Lowell Road.
• Kingfisher Bar & Grill, 2564 E. Grant Road.
• Sullivan's Steakhouse, 1785 E. River Road.
• El Corral, 2201 E. River Road.
• Cactus Moon Cafe, 5470 E. Broadway.
• Pinnacle Peak, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road.
• Tucson McGraw's Cantina, 4110 S. Houghton Road.
• Anthony's in the Catalinas, 6440 N. Campbell Ave.
