There is a steakhouse on the east side that has been on my radar for the past couple months. One where the diner can choose how large or small they want their steak by the ounce … but with zero ounces of pretension.
Last Saturday we went to Capers Steakhouse on Gratiot. We were not sure what we would be walking into, but we had a good feeling about the fact that they opened in 1982 and were still going strong despite the fact that the far east side neighborhood around them has seen better days.
The front is unassuming, but the inside is a beehive of activity.
We got there a little bit past 7 p.m. and the place was packed with a line to the door. We waited for roughly 15 minutes for a table, but during the wait the hostess checked on us numerous times.
Capers Filet
They offer four cuts of steak for your choosing. Delmonico, New York Strip, T-Bone, and Filet. Each cut has a specific price per ounce that is based on the market price, so you could get a 20 oz Delmonico steak for $15. They will cut your steak once your order goes in, and you can choose to have it butterflied.
If you are not in the mood (or don’t like) steak they also offer other entrées like pork chops, chicken, lamb chops, and seafood.
Broccoli Cheese Stuffed Potato
You can pair your steak with the numerous options of sides fries, baked potatoes, stuffed potatoes, red skin potatoes, broccoli and cheese, rice pilaf, cole slaw, potato salad, and garlic bread.
We ordered a New York strip, Filet, and Delmonico in order to see the difference in cuts. We also ordered broccoli bacon and cheese stuffed potato, bacon and cheese fries, broccoli and cheese, and rice pilaf for all of us to share.
All three steaks were juicy, tender, and had a ton of flavor. All three of us were highly impressed by our meals.
Hot Fudge Brownie
We would be remiss if we didn’t take a look at the dessert menu. The table ordered the hot fudge brownie, apple pie, and cheesecake with strawberries. When they came out we were all in shock. The hot fudge brownie is huge! It has two scoops of ice cream over the walnut brownie with hot fudge and whipped cream. All of the desserts were really good. Though it did put us all in a mild food coma on the way home.
There are a few things to mention about Capers. One is that the place is on the smaller side and seats less than 100 people. They do not take reservations, and there is usually a line to get seated. This place is very popular. It is also not a good place for large groups, because they will not push tables together. Think parties of 2-4 when you come here.
The bar at Capers in Detroit
The other thing is that because the steak is cut to order it does take longer to get your meal. So if you are in a super hurry this would not be the place to go. This is a place where you go to enjoy yourself and the people you are with.
This place has earned a regular spot in our restaurant rotation.
Capers Steakhouse is located at 14726 Gratiot, Detroit between 7 and 8 Mile. Secure parking in the back.
Hours: Monday through Thursday 11:00 am-11:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 11:00 am-12:00 am, Sunday 3:00 pm-10:00 pm.
My wife and I are from Johnstown, PA right outside of Pittsburgh, PA. We make the trip to Detroit about 6-8 times per year , we are HUGE Red Wings and Tigers fans. We recently changed hotels and now stay at the Courtyard by Marriot across from the GM building 333 East Jefferson. The waitress there recommended this place to us as I told her I am a huge steak guy. She said it was the best in the area but it was in the HOOD. I said how bad is it she said there is a Security shed in the parking lot. So my wife a little hesitant about it we decided to go on yelp and check reviews. Every review was positive and I will be leaving one on there as well. So we decide to go the next day. Granted the area around capers looks depressed and kinda shady but we had no trouble at all. We got there around 3:30 which was nice “NO WAIT or LINE” I ask the waiter what his average size Delmonico steak was that people order he said 16-18 oz. largest being 22 oz I said ok I will take a 32 oz Delmonico NOT BUTTERFLIED and Medium Id like sautéed mushrooms and onions and a bacon and cheese stuffed baked potato. He said Sir you should split the baked potato with your wife they are huge and I never seen a 32 oz steak. I said ok I will split the potato and I’d like a 32 oz beer to match my steak. Mind you I am 5’10” 170 lbs at best the look on his face was worth the trip. My wife got a 8 oz Delmonico split the potato with me and a raspberry pina colada. We get our food and tables around us were ohhh ahhhh over the size of the steak. Now I’m thinking to myself what if this tastes like crap I just wasted a 32 oz steak. Very first bite I was in Steak heaven. The MOST juicy tender cooked to perfection Medium steak I have ever tasted. Now when I say I am a steak guy let me give you a little info I served in the US Coast Guard for 5 years have sailed around the world and have been all over this country. I have had steak at Chris Ruth, House of Prime in San Francisco, and Smith and Wollensky in Columbus Ohio where I paid $56.00 for a 22 oz steak. NONE of these places compare to Capers. My wife is not a steak person at all but with all the hype she wanted to try it for herself now she is hooked. I would make the 5 hour trip just for the steak. SO I can tell you this any time I go to the D for a sporting even I will be at Capers for Lunch or Dinner… HANDS DOWN BEST PLACE FOR STEAK!!! Oh an by the way the wait staff was great my water glass was refilled any time it was below half. The funny part was the waiter came back with a box and when he looked all my steak was gone his eyes were like softballs and he said maybe we should take your picture and put you on the wall.. or something to that effect. 🙂 LOL
An old biker buddy first took me to Capers and i ended up taking my family there ~ the drinks were also WONDERFUL! A great place.
best steakhouse ever ever everever we’ve been going there since the eighties and hands down the best steak house ever and awesome when you go there you gotta try their cheese balls because they’re the best you’ll ever eat too