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Bern's Steak House

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1208 S Howard Ave (at West Marjory Avenue)
Tampa, FL 33606

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(813) 251-2421
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Reviews
( 116 )
( 24 )
( 5 )
( 19 )
( 16 )

Best

I Absolutely love this place! Great Desserts , Great Wine selections and very romantic setting! Great Date night with the hubby!

Worst

Used to be great, now, not so great...existing on its old reputation and, everyone ""in the area"" knows it. Only tourists or pseudo-affectionatos go there nowadays.

One of the best 2/4/2003

While it is not quite the same as when Bern Laxer was at the helm, his son David has kept up the quality while introducing some exellent new options. The sommeliers are as good as you will find anywhere, offering great advice and producing wonderful bottles at any price range. And the steak is superb. Plus the best onion rings in the world. While the cuisine is not haute, it is of superb quality and very satisfying. Pros: Great wine list, Great service, Ecellent quality more
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Forget service if you're only a 2-top 1/24/2003

Our reservations were for 8 pm, we sat down at 9:30 pm. While waiting, we had time to soak in the brothel-like atmosphere. For everything we had been told, it looked very cheap and trashy to us. I have read other reviewer's comments and wonder if those who gave Bern's a ""10"" would be equally impressed by Applebees?? As for the food, the french onion soup was good. The steak was the worst I've ever had. Ever. Perhaps I am mistaken, but I thought that filet mignon was a tender cut of beef. (It also lacked flavor.) My husband enjoyed his New York strip. The service was neither horrific, nor attentive. A smaller, 2-top, table doesn't generate as large a tip. So, we were passed by several times with empty glasses and plates piling up. Bern's is not worth the hype or money. I recommend Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Pros: not so much... Cons: reservations not held, horrid decor, poor quality food more
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What a joke 1/16/2003

Only good part of the visit was that it was on an expense account. Seating was like a crowded elevator. Food was way overpriced (it's steak for crissake!). Not done particularly well. Wait staff was slow, arrogant and would be fired at any common restaurant for rudeness. Plastic plates? Mismatched flatware? Dirty glasses? Ruth's Cris, Outback, Longhorn...all comparable (read: ""better"") and they cost a lot less. Pros: Wasn't my $ Cons: Service, Price, Did I say service? more
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Fabulous 1/15/2003

Since my first visit in the late 70's, I've found this to be my very favorite restaurant. From appitizer to desert Bern's rates a 10. I've never been disappointed. I live in Pennsylvania and Bern's is my first stop when traveling to the area. When I lived there I visited at least twice a month. It's been wonderful as is theis vast wine selections. Pros: fabulous deserts, food preparation Cons: smoking in desert flo more
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top of the heap,nothing better 1/13/2003

i had always heard about bern's but thought what can be so special about a steakhouse, boy was i wrong. i recently got an invitation to dine there and was blown away. i'm a chef and first and formost the food was to die for but the best part i found aside from the great food is the ultimate wine list covering 6800 varieties and the tour of the kitchen, wine room and then the final treat of the dessert room can make me say that this is no regular steakhouse, it is the mother of all steakhouses and resturants in general. try it if you get the chance. Pros: top of the line, worth the price, ultimate history Cons: none, none, one type bottle water more
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Over rated guady decor and yuk 1/13/2003

This is the most over rated steak house in the country. The decor reminds me of a French (I can't say) house, and the steaks are marginal. A friend recently went there for a business dinner and they didn't have the first four bottles of wine he chose off of the menu. When will this rediculous phenomenon end? There are several better steak houses in Tampa even if they are chains. And by the way, the new Palm isn't one of them. more
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Unique dining. 1/13/2003

Steaks are so fresh, and cooked to perfection. Atour of the kitchen lets me see just how this place is run and how they prepare the meals. Vegetables are grown by Bern's. more
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An Experience 1/13/2003

From the outside it's no big deal. But inside, it's an experience to always come back for! We live 5 hours away and we make it a point to visit often. I have been eating there for over 20 years and I've NEVER had a bad experience. We take many friends and they feel the same. Berns has a professional staff (from hostess', waiters, busboys, kitchen staff etc.) that you may ever encounter. The steaks come out perfect everytime and the chateaubriand is delectable. If there for the first time ask for a tour so you can see the busiest and cleanest kitchen, find out the history, and see an extensive wine cellar. Then go up to the second floor (seats are made out of old wine barrels) to listen to music and taste their exquisite deserts with a cordial and/or their coffees. Pros: professional personne, exquisite food, reasonable prices Cons: only one restaurant more
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First Rate! 1/13/2003

For many, many years, Bern's has been THE premier Steak Restaurant, not just in Tampa, but in all Florida. It has a worldwide reputation and for good reason...it's a Class Act...consistantly! And, People come to Tampa just to eat at Bern's. Tampa does have other great Steak Houses but none can ever compare to Bern's. It's TAMPA's Steak House. more
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Food & service to die for! 1/13/2003

Steaks are the best, and best prepared, in the land. Always done exactly as you order (except for well-done). Service is exceptional and the wine celler is one of the largest in the country. Truly a must place to visit if you are any where near the Tampa Bay area! more
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Bern's is Best 1/12/2003

I loved going to Bern's. Any other restaurant you go to you never need to dress up. I finally got to pull my good things out of the closet! Their food is wonderful, the tour is interesting and the dessert room is out of this world! I would recommend Bern's for anyone thinking of visiting the Tampa Bay Area. Pros: food, tour, dessert room Cons: location more
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Exquisite Perfection 1/12/2003

Its understated exterior belies the exquisite perfection awaiting guests within the unassuming white building that is Bern's Steakhouse. Bern's world class service begins with the valet. Inside, guests are treated to hand-carved refinement, service, and food-quality few people ever experience. Wearing red jackets in training, servers are groomed for nearly two years. Bern's offers over 23 caviar varieties. Over 500,000 bottles of wine securely housed under the restaurant, Bern's is the world's largest operating wine cellar and recently sold its circa 1710 bottle for $10,000 US dollars. Wine lovers will appreciate Bern's executive sommelier (Ken) whose wine knowledge extends nearly to every wine known, including Bern's over 400 dessert wines. After main dining, Bern's offers a personal tour of the kitchen. Upstairs, the Harry Waugh dessert room awaits to serve guests the Cappucino Bern, flambe, dessert wine, or other delectable dessert befitting Bern's exquisite perfection. Matchless. Pros: Ambience, Food Quality, Service more
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superb 1/12/2003

Berns is by far the best I've been to yet.Although it is a bit pricey it is also not a place a would go to on a regular basis.My wife and I go there on special occasions. Berns is so good that we fly down from Mass. to go. Pros: great food, great service, plenty of food Cons: expensive more
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thebestoldwhorehouseintampa 1/12/2003

yes , the history is unique, but the food is ultra unique because its, the best ever, from choicest oysters, to any possible wine imaginable, just take the tour and you'll find out why....awesome awesome awesome....... Pros: food, the tour, wine Cons: not the ritz-carlton more
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THE BEST 1/12/2003

Always a pleasure to dine here. The bordello-type atmosphere takes you to another place in time. Terrific wait staff. Terrific food. Pros: Great Food, Knowledgeable waiters, Feel like royalty Cons: Crowded, Make early reservatio more
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Best steak ever 1/11/2003

There is no question that the Delmonico I had was the best steak I have ever eaten. The dessert room is also fantastic. Our waiter was attentive, friendly, but not overbearing. It is surprisingly not unreasonably expensive. Your bill can be easily halved if one skips the wine (although I don't recommend it--their wine selection is unbelievably large). The decor is a bit spooky, but unique. more
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existing on it's old reputation 1/3/2003

Used to be great, now, not so great...existing on its old reputation and, everyone ""in the area"" knows it. Only tourists or pseudo-affectionatos go there nowadays. more
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$200 for a cold meal??Never again! 1/3/2003

We went to Bern's on New Year's Eve our 1st anniv.Made reservations & paid a $50 dep. just to have a table.We got there and waited an hour anyway! The seats are so close together there is no type of intimate ambiance.The chateaubriand was tough,sides were bland/cold,& the lobster was the only decent meal, next to dessert(which is very good, but like everything else overpriced).I recommend Texas Cattle Co. for the money you will find an excellent meal and much better service! Pros: Dessert...THAT'S IT! Cons: Hyped up name, Terrible service, Mediocre Food more
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Steaks are Grrrrrreat 1/3/2003

I've been to Bern's twice about 10 years apart. Both times were a most enjoyable visits. I highly recommend Bern's Steak House for an excellent dining experience. more
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Bern's is the best ANYWHERE! 1/3/2003

When I know I am going to travel to Tampa, Bern's is the first place I call for reservations. Even before a hotel! more
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Menu for Bern's Steak House


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    Luminaries from out of town automatically visit Bern's when they arrive in the Tampa Bay area. Limos jam the homely front parking lot and well-dressed diners crowd the foyer. For decades, the steakhouse has maintained its reputation for almost fanatically perfect food and service.

    The Food
    Start with one of the 24 varieties of caviar. Move onto vichysoisse, a creamy soup served chilled, accompanied by garlic toast and crackling homemade potato chips. The chateaubriand is delectable. Choose anything from a petite, seven-ouncer all the way to a belly-busting 48-ounce monster. It arrives sizzling, crisp on the outside, juicy and tender inside, crowned with garlic butter and ringed with bright vegetables. Save room for the chocolate, chocolate, chocolate cake or the bananas foster for dessert.

  • 3/5/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Daily 5pm-11pm
  • Payments: American Express, Discover, Diner's Club, Visa, Master Card, Cash
  • Neighborhoods: Southwest, Historic Hyde Park North
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