# Tomahawk Steak - overrated fad, sez I **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 21, 2018, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134 "2018-01-21T16:44:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/1 "2018-01-21T16:44:15Z")
Everyone has been buzzing about tomahawk steaks for a year or so now, and I am baffled. I bow to no one in my love of a good ribeye steak, but people are paying premium prices for an extra-long bone that creates a steak that doesn’t easily fit on a grill and adds literally nothing to the taste of the meat. So why am I wrong? What’s the hidden allure of tomahawk steak? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/2 "2018-01-21T17:26:24Z")
Presentation. That’s it, really. The meat’s the same. Tim Love invented the cut and it became a fad because people could pretend they’re cavemen or something. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/3 "2018-01-21T17:27:48Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Presentation. > > That’s it, really. The meat’s the same. Tim Love invented the cut and it became a fad because people could pretend they’re cavemen or something. Does it come with mango salsa? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/4 "2018-01-21T17:37:00Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Does it come with mango salsa? And kale. Must have kale, which has ruined many a meal for me. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/5 "2018-01-21T17:40:05Z")
Is the fad only a year old? I swear I remember it for at least a decade, but maybe I’m thinking of something else. Anyhow, yeah, I don’t see the point other than presentation and factor into that, I’ve always wondered how much extra one pays just for the weight the bone adds to the steak. You’re paying extra per pound for meat that is exactly the same as a normally butchered ribeye, _and_ you’re paying more for it doubly because you’re paying the per-pound price on all that extra bone. I honestly don’t get it beyond it’s a showy cut. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/6 "2018-01-21T18:37:48Z")
So it’s essentially a giant cow chop? Sounds tasty but impractical. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/7 "2018-01-21T18:39:32Z")
Never even heard of it. But does the extra bone extend into the meat? In my experience, the best part of the steak is right next to the bone. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/8 "2018-01-21T18:40:15Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > So it’s essentially a giant cow chop? Sounds tasty but impractical. Took me a second, as my mind went to pork first, but, yeah, like gigantic lamb chops, except beef. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/9 "2018-01-21T18:50:05Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Never even heard of it. But does the extra bone extend into the meat? In my experience, the best part of the steak is right next to the bone. I’ve never heard of it either. I’m wondering what other cut of steak it is most comparable to. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/10 "2018-01-21T18:54:02Z")
Never seen it, never heard of it. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/11 "2018-01-21T19:02:55Z")
It’s a ribeye with the long bone left in. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/12 "2018-01-21T19:04:37Z")
Nah! Too pricey. I can live my life without it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/13 "2018-01-21T19:05:06Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Everyone has been buzzing about tomahawk steaks for a year or so now… First I’ve heard of it. Is it a regional thing? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/14 "2018-01-21T19:08:31Z")
I had to google it because :eek: there is no wikipedia entry. The extra bone is completely outside the steak, so yeah, it looks like presentation only. No thanks. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/15 "2018-01-21T19:31:47Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Presentation. > > That’s it, really. The meat’s the same. Tim Love invented the cut and it became a fad because people could pretend they’re cavemen or something. > [@pulykamell](#): > > Is the fad only a year old? I swear I remember it for at least a decade, but maybe I’m thinking of something else. Unless Tim Love invented it before 2010, it’s been on steakhouse menus since then. I can find newspaper hits from 2010 advertising it > **[Review: Bob’s Steak and Chop House](https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2010/january/review-bobs-steak-and-chop-house/)** > > While other high-end steakhouses are resorting to gimmicks, Bob’s sticks to the formula that has made it Dallas’ top steak spot since 1993—top-quality meat; sophisticated service; and a cozy, clubby atmosphere. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/16 "2018-01-21T20:53:44Z")
They look cool. Very Flintstones. It’s a silly fad that will soon be gone. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/17 "2018-01-21T21:01:55Z")
First I’ve heard of it, too. Apart from presentation, does the bone conduct heat into the steak, or prevent one edge of the steak from drying out, anything like that? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/18 "2018-01-21T21:04:02Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Unless Tim Love invented it before 2010, it’s been on steakhouse menus since then. > > I can find newspaper hits from 2010 advertising it > > [https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2010/january/review-bobs-steak-and-chop-house/](https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2010/january/review-bobs-steak-and-chop-house/) He did. I can find Youtube videos on it (Duff Goldman talking about Tim Love’s Tomahawk steak at The Lonesome Dove) dated 2006. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/19 "2018-01-21T21:06:53Z")
Just looking at [this doofus](http://blog.gentlemint.com/2016/jul/13/tomahawk-steak-what-it-and-should-you-buy-it/) with his steak makes me want to never be a part of the craze. mmm ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2018, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134/20 "2018-01-21T21:07:00Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > He did. I can find Youtube videos on it (Duff Goldman talking about Tim Love’s Tomahawk steak at The Lonesome Dove) dated 2006. Forgot to look at youtube. :smack: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomahawk-steak-overrated-fad-sez-i/807134.md?page=2)