If a wood-grilled steak has ever haunted your cravings days later, you probably have Frontier Steakhouse on your mind. Tucked off E Sligh Ave in Tampa, this old-school chophouse keeps things simple, smoky, and seriously satisfying.
You will smell the citrus-wood grill the moment you step in, and that aroma sets the tone for dinner done right. Come hungry, because the portions, charm, and service make you want to linger and plan your next visit before the check arrives.
Bone-In Ribeye Over Citrus Wood
You can taste the flame the second your knife slides in. At Frontier Steakhouse, the bone-in ribeye hits the grill over citrus wood, giving every slice a kiss of smoke and a deep char.
Order it a notch under your usual doneness if you like extra tenderness, and let the marbled fat do the heavy lifting. It arrives sizzling, aromatic, and absolutely camera-ready.
Pair it with the signature baked potato, then add butter, sour cream, and chives to your liking. The portion will challenge your resolve, but that is exactly the point.
I like a side of sweet tea to balance the richness and keep the pace easy. Between the rustic room, laid-back service, and that rib bone calling your name, you will plan your next visit before dessert even crosses your mind.
Filet Mignon, Birthday Tradition
There is a reason locals celebrate birthdays with a filet here. The cut is thick, tender, and kissed by that citrus-wood smoke just enough to add character without overpowering the buttery interior.
Ask for medium-rare, then sit back while the staff treats your milestone like theirs. Service shines, with friendly pros who anticipate refills and check on doneness without hovering.
The filet shines with simple sides, like a Caesar and those rustic buckskins. You get the best of old-school steakhouse charm, right down to the retro room that feels comfortably familiar.
Portions are generous, pricing stays sensible, and the vibe is welcoming for families, dates, or solo steak missions. If you want a tradition worth keeping, pencil this filet into your birthday calendar.
You will float out satisfied, already plotting who to bring next time for an easy win.
Sirloin and Shrimp Scampi Combo
Craving surf and turf without overcomplicating dinner? The sirloin and shrimp scampi combo hits a sweet spot between hearty and bright.
The sirloin carries that signature smoky edge, while the scampi brings buttery garlic, a pop of citrus, and big, meaty shrimp. It is the kind of plate that keeps your fork bouncing between flavors and textures.
Ask your server for medium on the steak if you like a firm bite with juiciness, then drag each piece through the garlicky sauce. A baked potato or buckskins on the side makes the combo feel like a complete event.
This is a great order for sharing bites on date night too. You will appreciate the balance, the value, and the unfussy execution that Frontier does so well.
By the final shrimp, that lemon-garlic perfume will linger like a delicious souvenir.
NY Strip With Classic Char
The NY strip at Frontier is for anyone who loves a firm bite and bold crust. Citrus-wood smoke does its slow magic while the grill stamps those picture-perfect lines across a deep, savory sear.
Ask for medium-rare to ride the line between juicy and structured, then savor that clean beef flavor that strips deliver so well. Salt, fire, and skill carry this plate.
Start with a fresh salad and warm bread to set the pace. The room is old-school Tampa, the music is low, and the service feels personal without fuss.
You will find yourself pausing between bites to admire the char, because it is the kind that whispers you chose right. If steakhouse classics anchor your cravings, this strip belongs on your shortlist.
It is familiar, confident, and exactly what you wanted.
T-Bone For The Traditionalist
Some nights call for the ultimate steakhouse icon, and a T-bone delivers that split personality of tender filet and robust strip. Frontier leans into the classic, grilling over citrus wood so the bone carries deep, smoky aroma through every slice.
Order it medium to ensure the two sides cook evenly, then work from the strip to the petite filet.
Load up a baked potato with butter, sour cream, cheese, and chives, then finish everything with a crack of pepper. This is a fork-and-knife meditation that rewards patience.
You will sit back, sip your tea, and watch the room buzz with birthdays, date nights, and regulars greeting servers by name. If steak nostalgia is your love language, the T-bone speaks fluently.
It is hearty, aromatic, and purpose-built to satisfy all week long.
Baked Potato, Fully Loaded
The baked potato at Frontier is not a side. It is a ritual.
You get generous cups of toppings so you can control the butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and chives. The potato itself arrives hot and fluffy, ready to drink in all that good stuff.
Mix it your way, or go layer by layer until it becomes an indulgent, steak-night companion.
It pairs with everything, from ribeyes to sirloins to a scampi combo. If you are splitting plates, grab a second potato and turn dinner into a choose-your-own-adventure.
I like a final sprinkle of salt to punch through the creaminess, especially alongside smoky beef. You will remember the portion size as much as the flavor.
Simple, old-school, and done right, this baked potato completes the Frontier experience without trying to steal the show.
Big Bang Shrimp Starter
Kick off the meal with Big Bang Shrimp, a crunchy-creamy opener that sets an upbeat tone. The breading stays light, the sauce leans tangy with a gentle pop of heat, and each bite begs for a second.
It is the kind of shareable starter that disappears just fast enough to make the steaks feel like they arrived right on cue.
Grab sweet tea or a cold beer to balance the sauce and reset your palate. With the wood grill scent drifting through the room, you will appreciate starting with seafood that does not weigh you down.
It is also a great icebreaker for first-timers, since it shows Frontier can do more than steak. You will be nodding at the server minutes later, ready for the main event.
Consider it the green flag on your steak night.
Cowboy Atmosphere And Service
Frontier leans into a cowboy vibe that feels charmingly timeless. Wood, vintage photos, and Western nods make the room feel like a road trip stop that became your go-to.
Servers know the menu and the grill, so you get honest suggestions on doneness and sides. Names like Michelle, Susan, Tiffany, and Margie come up often because regulars remember great service.
The energy works for birthdays, date nights, and post-game dinners. Noise can rise with groups, but the mood stays friendly and unhurried.
While some decor shows its age, the heart is in the welcome, the pacing, and the consistency. You will feel looked after without a script.
That combination of personality and practicality makes steaks taste better, like the room itself seasons the meal with a little history.
When To Go And How To Order
Plan around hours because Monday is closed and most days start at 4:30 PM. Arrive a touch early on weekends to beat the rush, especially if birthdays or big groups are in play.
If you love a deep char, ask for your steak one temp below usual. The citrus-wood grill runs hot, and that tweak keeps the center just right.
Build your plate with a baked potato or buckskins, then let a simple salad balance the richness. Sweet tea is a sleeper pairing that works beautifully with smoky beef.
Trust your server for size and cut advice, and do not skip the rest period after the steaks land. You will leave full, happy, and already scheming a return.
Frontier rewards a tiny bit of strategy with a week of satisfied cravings.