Tucked away on North Central Avenue in Phoenix, Durant’s has been a legendary name in Arizona dining for decades. After a thoughtful renovation, this iconic chophouse is back and drawing steak lovers from every corner of the state.
Whether you are driving from Tucson, Flagstaff, or Scottsdale, the NY Strip alone is worth every mile on the odometer. Here is everything that makes Durant’s the steakhouse Arizona simply cannot stop talking about.
The NY Strip That Started It All
Some steaks are good. Some steaks are great.
And then there is the NY Strip at Durant’s, a cut so consistently executed that people across Arizona are rearranging their weekend plans just to taste it.
The strip is seasoned with confidence, seared to develop a deep crust, and cooked to your exact preference. The richly flavored beef has just the right amount of chew, making every bite feel like a reward.
Visitors from New York have been spotted nodding in approval, which says everything. Whether you pile on the truffle butter or the crab cake Oscar topping, this steak holds its own.
Locals and first-timers alike consistently rank it among the finest cuts they have ever had, and once you taste it, the long drive suddenly makes perfect sense.
Walking Through the Kitchen Entrance
Most restaurants greet you at a front door. Durant’s greets you through the kitchen, and that single detail tells you everything about how special this place is.
The legendary back entrance has been part of the Durant’s experience for generations. Guests walk past the line cooks, feel the warmth of the kitchen, and arrive at the dining room already buzzing with anticipation.
It feels theatrical, intimate, and completely unique.
One reviewer described it as feeling a little sketchy at first, but then immediately magical once you settle into your seat. The kitchen walk sets a tone that no ordinary front-door entrance could ever match.
It is the kind of quirky tradition that turns a dinner reservation into a full-on story worth retelling. At Durant’s, the experience starts before you even sit down.
Red Velvet Booths and Old-School Ambiance
The moment you step into the dining room, the atmosphere wraps around you like a warm, confident handshake. Red leather booths, dark wood paneling, and low lighting create a vibe that feels like stepping directly into a 1950s Hollywood film.
Durant’s recently went through a renovation, but the soul of the space was carefully preserved. The iconic red banquettes stayed.
The historic bathroom signage stayed. Even the original phone booth made the cut, which longtime regulars absolutely love.
One reviewer put it perfectly, calling the ambiance unapologetically classic. There is no trend-chasing here, no industrial exposed pipes or neon signs trying too hard.
Just a room that knows exactly what it is and wears it proudly. For steak lovers who appreciate atmosphere as much as food, Durant’s dining room is a destination all on its own.
Service That Treats Every Guest Like a Regular
Good service is easy to find. Service that makes you feel genuinely seen and cared for is something else entirely, and Durant’s has made that its standard.
Servers at Durant’s know the menu inside and out. They anticipate needs without hovering, offer honest recommendations, and bring a level of warmth that feels natural rather than rehearsed.
Multiple reviewers described feeling like family from the very first visit, which is not something most upscale restaurants can claim.
The team even follows up with phone calls the next day to make sure guests had a great time. That level of attention is almost unheard of in the restaurant industry today.
Whether you are celebrating a birthday, a work milestone, or simply treating yourself to a great meal, the staff at Durant’s makes every visit feel like it was planned just for you.
Handwritten Notes for Special Occasions
Here is a detail that keeps coming up in review after review: Durant’s writes handwritten notes for guests celebrating special occasions. Birthdays, anniversaries, sobriety milestones, it does not matter.
If something meaningful is happening in your life, the team finds a way to acknowledge it on paper.
In an era of automated everything, a handwritten card feels almost revolutionary. It signals that the restaurant sees you as a person, not just a reservation number.
Several guests have mentioned that this small gesture moved them more than the food itself, which is saying a lot given how incredible the food is.
One solo diner celebrating one year of sobriety was brought to tears by the thoughtfulness shown throughout the evening. That is the kind of hospitality that turns a first-time visitor into a lifelong regular.
Durant’s does not just feed people; it celebrates them.
The Filet Mignon Worth Crossing the State For
While the NY Strip gets top billing, the filet mignon at Durant’s has its own devoted fan base. Guests who have ordered it consistently describe it as perfectly tender, expertly seasoned, and cooked with the kind of precision that only comes from a kitchen that truly cares.
One reviewer tried both the petite filet and the NY Strip in the same visit and called the filet the winner by a hair, noting how melt-in-your-mouth tender it was. Another celebrated a one-year sobriety milestone with the filet and called it phenomenal, which is high praise for a milestone dinner.
For those who prefer a leaner, buttery cut over the bold flavor of a strip, the filet is the move. Pair it with the loaded baked potato or scalloped potatoes for a combination that will have you planning your return visit before the check arrives.
Legendary Martinis That Complete the Experience
A great steakhouse needs a great martini program, and Durant’s delivers with the same confidence it brings to its beef. Cold, strong, and impeccably made are the words reviewers reach for most often when describing the cocktails here.
The classic martini is a house staple, but the bar team also crafts old fashioneds, Manhattans, and cucumber martinis that have earned their own loyal following. One guest specifically called the cucumber martinis perfection, complete with a chef-kiss emoji that says it all.
Fair warning: the cocktails at Durant’s are genuinely strong. More than one reviewer has mentioned this with both admiration and a gentle heads-up for lighter drinkers.
If you want something non-alcoholic, the team is equally creative. The bar at Durant’s is a destination worth arriving early for, especially if you want to soak in the full old-school supper club atmosphere before dinner begins.
Scalloped Potatoes That Steal the Side Dish Crown
Everyone comes for the steak, but plenty of people leave talking about the scalloped potatoes. Cheesy, creamy, rich, and layered with perfectly cooked potato slices, this side dish has developed its own reputation at Durant’s.
Multiple reviewers across different visits have called the scalloped potatoes a standout, which is impressive considering the competition on the menu. One guest specifically highlighted them as among the best she had ever tasted, and another called them excellent enough to order again on a return visit.
The loaded baked potato also earns consistent praise, so if you are a potato person, Durant’s is your paradise. These are not afterthought sides thrown together to fill the plate.
They are crafted with the same care as the main course, using quality ingredients and proper technique. At Durant’s, even the side dishes feel like the main event.
A Phoenix Institution With Decades of History
Durant’s is not just a restaurant. It is a piece of Phoenix history that has survived the test of time, ownership changes, and a full renovation without losing a single ounce of its original character.
The restaurant recently came under new ownership by the team behind Steak 44, who made a deliberate and thoughtful choice to honor the legacy rather than reinvent it. The phone booth stayed.
The red banquettes stayed. The back kitchen entrance stayed.
What changed was a polished refinement that made everything feel elevated without feeling foreign.
For longtime Phoenicians, walking back into Durant’s after the renovation reportedly felt like reuniting with an old friend who just got a great haircut. The soul is the same.
The food is even better. And the history that fills those walls gives every meal an extra layer of meaning that newer restaurants simply cannot manufacture.
Seafood Flown in Fresh Daily
Steak lovers may drive to Durant’s for the NY Strip, but seafood fans have their own reason to make the trip. The restaurant flies in fresh seafood daily, and it shows in every bite of lobster thermidor, crab legs, and perfectly seared scallops that come out of the kitchen.
One group of three shared two lobster thermidors and a plate of crab legs, and the reviewer called it one of the best meals she had eaten in a long time. The sea bass has also drawn high praise from guests who wanted something lighter but equally impressive.
Pairing fresh seafood with a classic steakhouse setting creates a dining experience that covers every craving at once. The kitchen does not treat seafood as a secondary option.
It receives the same attention and skill as the signature steaks, making Durant’s a true surf-and-turf destination in the heart of Phoenix.
The Gold Star Wagyu That Melts in Your Mouth
Beyond the NY Strip and the filet, Durant’s also serves a Gold Star Wagyu that has been described as melting directly in your mouth. Wagyu beef is known for its extraordinary marbling, and the version served at Durant’s lives up to every bit of that reputation.
One birthday guest called it the highlight of an already incredible evening, noting that the richness and tenderness were unlike anything he had experienced before. Wagyu is a serious upgrade, and the price reflects that, but for a truly special occasion, it is the kind of splurge that leaves a lasting impression.
If you have never tried Wagyu beef before, Durant’s is an excellent place to have your first experience. The kitchen knows how to handle premium cuts with the respect they deserve, letting the natural flavor of the beef shine without overcomplicating things.
Special Occasion Dining Done Right
Birthdays, anniversaries, sobriety milestones, retirement celebrations, first dates that deserve to become stories worth telling. Durant’s has become the go-to destination in Phoenix for moments that matter, and it earns that title every single night.
The restaurant does not just acknowledge special occasions passively. It actively participates in them.
Handwritten cards, complimentary desserts with personalized messages, follow-up phone calls the next day, and staff who genuinely celebrate alongside their guests. These are not corporate gestures.
They feel personal every time.
One reviewer celebrated her husband’s 30th birthday here and described it as a wonderful experience despite the price, saying the memory was worth every dollar. Another guest marked one year of sobriety with a solo dinner and left feeling genuinely celebrated and seen.
When a restaurant makes people feel that way, the drive from anywhere in Arizona suddenly feels very short indeed.
Dress Code, Reservations, and What to Expect
Planning a visit to Durant’s requires a little preparation, and that is part of what makes the experience feel elevated. The restaurant has a dress code, and reviewers are enthusiastic about reminding fellow diners to dress appropriately.
Think collared shirts for men and smart casual for women. Leave the shorts and t-shirts at home.
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends. The restaurant fills up quickly, and walking in without a booking on a Saturday night is a gamble most people lose.
Thursday evenings have been praised as a sweet spot, with a slightly quieter atmosphere that lets you enjoy the full experience without feeling rushed.
Operating hours run from 4 PM most weeknights, with Friday lunch also available. Prices are at the higher end, roughly $400 for two with drinks and sides, so come prepared.
Every dollar spent at Durant’s feels intentional, and most guests agree it is worth every cent.
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