
New grill-it-yourself steakhouse sizzles By ADRIENNE FRANK
Get Out
If you want something done right, you best do it yourself.
That’s the thinking behind Harry’s Strip Club, a grill-it-yourself steakhouse which opened about two months ago on Indian School Road just east of Goldwater Boulevard in Scottsdale.
“It’s the perfect steak every time because you season it, you grill it,” says general manager Tim Snyder, who also notes this allows the restaurant to price its steaks lower than other eateries.
Harry’s is owned by the folks behind Martini Ranch, The Famous Door and Elixir. Says Snyder, “(The owners) are steak-eaters, but they found that some of the traditional steakhouses are just too stuffy. They were looking to create something fun and different.”
And that they’ve done, as there are no bull horns or Western paintings to be found at Harry’s. Instead of country, classic rock flows through the space, which is decked out in red with overstuffed, pressed-button booths, modern lighting and images of flirty pin-up girls.
And while Snyder says the restaurant’s name has been something of a challenge — “some people don’t realize we’re named for a New York strip, not the other kind of strip” — he says the one-of-a-kind concept has been well-received.
“People are like, ‘you’re kidding, I gotta cook my own steak?’, but they have fun. We’re doing well with the younger, hipper group who doesn’t want to be bothered with the stuffiness of some other steakhouses.”
Patrons receive their meat (steaks or seafood) on a paddle and are let loose on three enormous, stainless-steel, natural- gas grills — two inside and one on the patio. Harry’s grill master is always present to help out those diners who have no idea how to cook a baked potato, let alone a steak.
And for those who just want to leave the cooking entirely to someone else, Harry’s also offers a Chef’s Table, where diners watch as chef Omar Matmati whips up a four-course meal. The table, which seats 10, is open Wednesday through Saturday; reservations are required.
However, most patrons — like Harry’s first-timer Chad Walters of Scottsdale — prefer to tackle the grill themselves.
“It’s definitely something out of the ordinary. Plus, I know my steak is going to be perfect since I’m manning the grill!”
Adds Snyder, “This is definitely something for the adventurous diner. It’s pretty much a backyard steak concept — except we do all the dishes.”
Harry’s Strip Club
Where: 7042 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale
When: 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Friday and 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
How much: Steaks range from $12 to $22; sides are $5 Info:
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