The owners of O's Pub and Grill in Auburn know they're not a steakhouse.
But they say there's no debating on the best place to enjoy a sirloin or New York strip in Bay County.
Maybe in the state.
Next week, they have a chance to impress MLive entertainment reporter John "Gonzo" Gonzalez, who is embarking on a statewide search for Michigan's Best Steakhouse.
O's, 123 E. Midland Road in Auburn, came in second place to Lucky's Steakhouse, 2856 Wilder Road, in a Bay County poll for best steakhouse, but its owner says his restaurant can best the state.
"It comes to the quality of the meat and our chef's secret seasoning," said Mark Owczarzak, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife, Laura.
O's only offers its famous steak on Wednesday nights, appropriately dubbed "Steak Night," but is going to serve up steaks all day for customers beginning at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, when Gonzo comes to town.
For $10.99 you can enjoy a sirloin with a tossed salad and a choice of one side — either a baked potato,
A mere three months after helping to open Claudia's Steakhouse, executive chef Brad Race has departed from the glitzy Latin-accented steakhouse downtown.
And none other than Claudia herself -- owner Claudia Rivas -- is taking over the kitchen.
Owner Claudia Rivas has taken over as chef at her steakhouse downtown. (Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post)
Race called the split a mutual decision, adding that he and Rivas "just decided to go different ways." His departure transpired earlier this week. The former chef de cuisine at Bearnaise, Spike Mendelsohn's French bistro on Capitol Hill in which Race remains a partner, said he's currently exploring other options for his next gig.
"It's been a very difficult, tough decision to make," Rivas said, explaining that she and Race had different visions for what the restaurant should be.
Rivas said she's adding new dishes to the restaurant's offerings, including lobster paella, chicken tortilla soup and churros. Some plates from her previous spot, Brasas in Waldorf, are appearing at the bar, such as her popular rocoto chicken wings, made with South American chili peppers.
Rivas may be on the right track, if Post food critic Tom Sietsema's First Bite preview in August is any indication. "Steer toward dishes with links to her past," he wrote, specifically praising the empanadas filled with beef, egg, raisins and olives based on her grandmother's recipe.
"It's been crazy," Rivas said of the transition during which she found herself scrambling to order chef's coats. "I'm so happy to be back in the kitchen."
Grayslake trustees have approved an economic incentive deal for an Italian steakhouse proposed in the village's downtown that officials say could create at least 40 jobs.
Village board members at a meeting Tuesday evening formally approved granting $200,000 to assist the Bowes family with their plan for a currently vacant site at 127 and 129 Center St.
"We don't spend the money until they complete the work," Grayslake Mayor Rhett Taylor said Friday.
Assistant to the Village Manager Kevin Timony said the new eatery is projected to have 40 to 60 full- and part-time employees. About $3.5 million in private investment is expected for the establishment that would have a 250-seat capacity, he said.
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