Let’s face it—when we hear "steak," we often think "expensive." A regular steakhouse charges no less than P400 for a steak, so it isn’t surprising that many Filipinos save the tasty slabs of meat for special occasions.

That’s where affordable steaks come in. You don’t need a big budget to afford a juicy steak—you just need to know where to look. GMA News TV’s "Pop Talk" recently visited three budget steakhouses to find out which had the right balance of affordability and taste.

"Pop Talk" host Kuya Tonipet Gaba was joined by Chef Joey Herrera, UST students Robert Escalante and Harron Sapiter, and actress-slash-pastry-chef Bianca King.

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Brickfire Oven-Roasted Steaks and Chops
Address: Esteban Abada cor. Rosa Alvero, Loyola Heights, QC
Budget: P120+ for a freshly baked steak meal

What’s ‘Pop’ about it?
 

• Great taste. Steaks are usually grilled, and Brickfire’s baking methods—for example, they cook the steaks using an oven that gives them complete control over temperature—puts a different twist on an old favorite.
• Very affordable! Robert and Harron agreed that these steaks fit right into a student’s budget.
• Presentation. Bianca liked how the vegetable side dishes balanced out the meat.

What’s ‘Flop’ about it?

• Since they just opened last April, their menu selection isn’t that wide yet.

Taste: 3
Variety: 1
Presentation: 3
Total Pop Points: 7/9

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Slice 'N Dice
Address: Visayas Avenue, QC
Budget: P99 for a steak meal with unli-rice; the beef is sourced from Batangas

What’s ‘Pop’ about it?
 

• Tastes expensive. Bianca, who likes her steaks without sauce, said, “Kahit walang gravy, malasa na siya. Kahit well done, tender pa rin.” Kuya Tonipet also said he liked the marbling and “[didn’t] feel that it’s P99.”
• Natural taste. As Chef Joey described it, “Hindi lasang marinated.”
• Four words: Rice. All. You. Can.

What’s ‘Flop’ about it?

• Nothing. For under P100, you’re not going to find a better deal.

Taste: 3
Variety: 3
Presentation: 3
Total Pop Points: 9/9

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Everything at Steak
Address: P. Guevarra St., San Juan City
Budget: P190-220 for steaks with rice and your choice of sidings; the beef is sourced from Australia

What’s ‘Pop’ about it?

• You can customize your steak with the different kinds of spices and gravy, like the spicy-hot New Orleans rub.
• Tastes expensive. Harron said that even though the steak he was eating was under P200, it tasted like it cost around P600.
• Even with the different rubs, the quality of the beef is obvious. As Chef Joey put it: “They didn’t transform the product. They have the best quality.”

What’s ‘Flop’ about it?

• Nothing. It may be the most expensive of the three restaurants featured, but it’s also got the best quality. All our reviewers said their overall pick would be Everything at Steak.

Taste: 3
Variety: 3
Presentation: 3
Total Pop Points: 9/9

—PF/GMA News