There are a lot of reasons 1200° Chophouse has been one of St. Pete Beach’s most popular spots for over a decade, and at least half of them are beef-related. The 2.5-pound bone-in tomahawk ribeye deserves an entire article just on its own, but we’ll come back to that in a minute.
Right now, there are two things everyone is looking for: an excuse to hit the beaches, and getting as much value for your dollar as possible. 1200° Chophouse lets you do both, and that is why we’re taking this opportunity to spotlight this beloved local steakhouse. It’s a place where you don’t have to sacrifice flavor to make a meal affordable. You can have your steak and eat it, too.
The steaks are of course the star of the show here – so much so that it’s what the restaurant is named for. All of their steaks are seared at 1200 degrees, sealing in all of the succulent flavor and delivering one of the most decadent steaks anywhere in Florida.
But it’s more than just the steak, and that’s where the value comes in. 1200° Chophouse serves a fully inclusive meal. There’s no a la carte ordering to send your bill through the roof. Every entrée ordered automatically includes a full meal. Each dish comes with a salad, and each dish is served with a standard side of your choice. And before you can even lay eyes on the salad or steak (or lobster tails!), you always get a basket of bread for the table with a side of their mouth-watering house-made honey butter. One price gets you the full dinner experience, no tricks, upcharges or mysteries.
We should make clear here that this isn’t “budget steak.” This is one of the best steaks in the region, and it also happens to be one you can budget for, thanks to the all-inclusive setup. Every single steak on the menu is prime grade, and as noted, they are all getting that incredible 1200-degree sear that makes them so juicy and flavorful.
The house favorite is the Angus Rib Eye, the No. 1 choice for founder, owner and restaurateur Dan Casey. When a guy like that is telling you he has a favorite, it’s smart to listen.
However, the previously mentioned tomahawk ribeye is an absolute thing of beauty. If you’re looking for fireworks, this is your pick. Weighing between 2.5 and 3 pounds, the bone-in, prime-grade rib eye is one of the best single dishes in Florida. (Though, of course, it comes with bread, salad, and side.)
The Bone-In Tomahawk Rib Eye
1200° Chophouse has won award after award in its nearly 15 years on St. Pete Beach, and it’s easy to see why. It’s not just the incredible steak, either. The seafood is a star in its own right, which only makes sense given their location along the Gulf. From chophouse shrimp and Caribbean lobster tails to melt-in-your-mouth pan seared seabass, the seafood menu is small but mighty.
With no reservations, 1200° Chophouse has some of the most popular tables around. There’s a line on most nights, but they move through quickly. We definitely recommend arriving early on weekends, as this local favorite brings in a crowd. The first-come, first-served vibe is part of what makes them such a community star.
1200° Chophouse is open Sunday–Thursday from 5-9:30 pm; Friday and Saturday from 5-10:00 pm. See the full menu here, and be sure to follow them on facebook.