Tip jar

Q:I’m really into steak but don’t like the macho, clubby steakhouse scene. Any tips for where I can find a great affordable steak in a nonsteakhouse setting?—Jeanne R., Ravenswood

A: No cigar with your Gibson? No hooker with your red meat? What are you, a wussy? Name-calling aside, we want to help, so here are three options. For a great French bistro-style steak, try Bistro Campagne (4518 N Lincoln Ave between Sunnyside and Wilson Aves, 773-271-6100). Its seared flatiron steak is awesome, costs only $20 and comes with a pile of crispy pommes frites. When it comes to great value for a no-frills, good-quality steak, we like Sabatino’s (4441 W Irving Park Rd between Kenneth and Kilbourn Aves, 773-283-8331). The old-school Italian stalwart (pictured above) serves up a prime New York strip for $19.95 that’s simply seasoned with salt and pepper and nearly always cooked perfectly to order. If you want some Latin American flair to your steak, try Tango Sur (3763 N Southport Ave between Waveland Ave and Grace St, 773-477-5466), which uses grass-fed Argentine beef. The strip, rib-eye and filet are all tasty and each priced at $20, and you’re pretty unlikely to wind up with stogie smoke in your windpipe while dining.—Heather Shouse

Throw us all your eating and drinking questions; we can handle it. E-mail eatoutdrinkup@timeoutchicago.com.