Chop Steakhouse Review – Disappointing Prime Rib Despite Excellent Service – Average EV Score: 6/10
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing.
Table of Contents
Chop Steakhouse Restaurant Overview
250 W Hunt Club Rd, Ottawa, ON K2E 0B7
Chop Steakhouse is a well-known Canadian steakhouse brand that is often located inside or attached to Sandman Hotels, and the Hunt Club location follows that same model. From a convenience standpoint alone, this is one of the easier steakhouses in Ottawa to visit. There is plenty of free parking thanks to its own large parking lot, which already gives it an advantage over many central Ottawa restaurants.
Inside, the restaurant is quite large, with a spacious dining room that can accommodate both small tables and larger groups comfortably. The decor leans toward a dark, modern steakhouse look—clean, polished, and slightly upscale without feeling stuffy. It’s a space that works equally well for business dinners, family celebrations, or a quieter weeknight steak craving.
Service was a strong point during this visit. The hosts were welcoming, and the servers were attentive and pleasant throughout the meal. Water was refilled frequently, plates were cleared promptly, and the pacing of the meal felt appropriate. From a hospitality perspective, Chop Steakhouse does a lot right, and this location feels well managed.
Chop Steakhouse is best known for its prime rib, which is the main reason I usually come here. Unfortunately, that signature dish once again failed to live up to expectations.
Would return? Not anytime soon.
French Onion Soup
Enjoyment: 7/10
Price Paid: $14
Benchmark Price: $10
EV Score: 5/10
Order Again? No.
The French onion soup at Chop Steakhouse was a solid way to start the meal. The broth had a nice, rich onion flavour that felt properly developed rather than thin or overly salty. The standout element was the very generous amount of Swiss cheese layered on top. It was melted perfectly, stretchy and gooey without becoming rubbery, and it covered the soup generously.
Each spoonful delivered a good balance of broth, softened onions, and cheese. From a flavour and execution standpoint, this was a well-done soup and exactly what you’d expect at a steakhouse.
That said, it’s quite pricey for a starter, and while the quality is there, it’s still hard to justify the cost for soup alone. Enjoyable, but not something I’d rush to order every time.
Prime Rib and Fries
Enjoyment: 6/10
Price Paid: $44
Benchmark Price: $44
EV Score: 6/10
Order Again? No.
Chop Steakhouse is known for its prime rib, which is the main reason I usually come here. Unfortunately, this visit was another disappointment. The prime rib was not very tender, lacking that melt-in-your-mouth texture you expect from this cut. It was noticeably chewy, which took away from the overall enjoyment of the dish. This has now happened more than once, making it hard to dismiss as a one-off issue.
The fries, on the other hand, were excellent. They were nice and crispy, properly seasoned, and served in a generous portion. Ironically, the side dish ended up being far more enjoyable than the main attraction.
Given that I mainly come to Chop Steakhouse for the prime rib, and it’s been inconsistent and disappointing, I won’t be coming back here anytime soon specifically for this dish.
7 oz Top Sirloin Steak and Mashed Potatoes
Enjoyment: 7/10
Price Paid: $39
Benchmark Price: $39
EV Score: 7/10
Order Again? Maybe.
The 7 oz top sirloin was a much better experience and closer to what I expect from Chop Steakhouse. It was ordered medium rare and arrived cooked perfectly, with an even pink centre and good sear.
The steak was quite tender for a top sirloin, juicy, and seasoned well. While it’s not the most premium cut, it delivered exactly what it should—no surprises, no disappointments. This dish felt reliable and well executed, which made it stand out positively compared to the prime rib.
The mashed potatoes were excellent: rich, buttery, and smooth. Together, this plate felt cohesive and satisfying, and it’s the type of dish I’d be more comfortable ordering again if I returned.
Comparison to Baton Rouge
Interestingly, this experience mirrors a recent visit I had at Baton Rouge, another chain restaurant known for steaks and ribs. Like Chop Steakhouse, Baton Rouge has a strong reputation built around its beef offerings. Unfortunately, their prime rib was also disappointing, lacking tenderness and falling short of expectations—especially considering the premium price.
If you’re curious, you can read my full Baton Rouge Hunt Club review, where I go into detail about that experience. It’s unfortunate to see two well-known steakhouse chains struggling with consistency on prime rib, a dish that should be a reliable highlight.
Final Thoughts
Chop Steakhouse on Hunt Club offers a comfortable and polished dining experience. The service is attentive, the atmosphere is pleasant, and the convenience of free parking makes it an easy choice logistically. From a hospitality standpoint, there’s very little to complain about.
However, the food—specifically the prime rib—has become unreliable. For a restaurant that’s known for this dish, repeated disappointments make it difficult to justify returning for it. The top sirloin proved that the kitchen can still execute a solid steak, and the sides like mashed potatoes and fries were genuinely good.
If I do return, it would likely be for a standard steak cut rather than the prime rib. As it stands, Chop still delivers on service and comfort, but the declining consistency of its signature dish holds it back—especially when paired with premium pricing.