What Restaurants Serve Grass-Fed Beef? A Guide to Finding Pasture-Raised Beef on Menus

Grass-fed beef has surged in popularity in recent years as consumers become more concerned about the quality of their food. Grass-fed cows enjoy a more natural, healthier diet than conventional grain-fed cattle. Their meat is leaner and richer in certain nutrients like omega-3s. As demand rises, more restaurants are adding grass-fed beef options to their menus. But which chains and eateries actually serve pasture-raised beef from cows not fattened up on grains?

What is Grass-Fed Beef?

Grass-fed beef comes from cows that have spent their entire lives eating grasses, hay, and other greens found naturally in pastures and rangeland. This contrasts with conventional grain-fed beef cattle that are moved to feedlots where they are fattened up on a diet of corn, soy, and other grains for months before slaughter.

Grass-fed cows enjoy greater movement and a more natural diet closer to a wild bovine lifestyle. They are not confined in crowded pens nor subjected to routine antibiotics and growth hormones used in feedlots to boost weight gain. Their meat has a different nutritional profile than grain-fed beef:

• More omega-3 fatty acids
• Increased conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
• Higher antioxidant levels like vitamin E
• Less total fat and calories
• Improved ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids

The switch to all-grass diets alters the flavor too with many describing grass-fed beef as richer and meatier in taste.

Top Restaurants for Grass-Fed Burgers

Burgers are a menu staple, so it’s easier than ever to find grass-fed beef patties when eating out. Here are some top spots for grass-fed and grass-finished burgers made from pasture-raised cows:

BurgerFi

The upscale better burger chain only uses Angus beef from cows that have never been exposed to steroids, antibiotics, or growth hormones. Their diet consists of grass, hay, grains, and legumes.

Shake Shack

100% all-natural Angus beef patties come from cows raised on open pastures without hormones or antibiotics. The company’s strong commitment to animal welfare standards ensures humanely-raised cattle.

Elevation Burger

All beef patties come from grass-fed, grass-finished cows. They are ground in-house daily and cooked to order. The chain touts stronger grass-fed flavor.

Ted’s Montana Grill

Bison may be their signature, but Ted’s also offers burgers from grass-fed beef sourced from sustainable Northwest ranches. The beef is ground fresh daily.

Backyard Brewery

This more regional Midwest chain serves burgers made from grass-fed Wisconsin beef. Their small supplier network ensures quality pasture-raised cows.

Sit-Down Restaurants with Grass-Fed Steaks & Beef

Steakhouses and upscale restaurants also increasingly offer cuts of premium grass-fed beef in addition to traditional grain-fed steaks. Here are some top choices for grass-fed beef entrées when dining out:

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse

Their menu highlights aged grass-fed ribeyes and filets as well as Wagyu beef. They partner with Lasater Grasslands Beef, a leader in humane cattle ranching.

Ocean Prime

Diners can upgrade to USDA Prime-graded grass-fed steaks for an additional cost. They source from small family ranchers who pasture cattle responsibly.

Farmers & Distillers

This rustic Washington DC restaurant serves seasonal fare including grass-fed beef entrees. The beef comes from family-owned farms in Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Buckhead Beef Company

Atlanta’s premier steakhouse offers certified grass-fed beef options from Georgia’s White Oak Pastures alongside wet-aged corn-fed steaks.

Bazaar Meat

High-end Las Vegas eatery by Chef José Andrés highlights artisan beef like grass-fed steaks from sustainable Strauss Free Ranch in California.

Bar Boulud

This French bistro helmed by celebrated Chef Daniel Boulud offers a rotating grass-fed beef entrée using beef from purveyors like Rain Crow Ranch.

Casual Dining Chains and Grass-Fed Beef

National casual dining chains have also started answering consumer demand by adding grass-fed beef items:

• Applebee’s rolled out a grass-fed burger in 2018 using beef from New Zealand. However, it is no longer on the menu.

• TGI Fridays introduced a grass-fed burger in 2017 using New Zealand beef. But it is not a permanent menu item.

• Red Robin offers a limited-time Grass-Fed Burger made from cows humanely raised on family farms. It appears seasonally.

• Ruby Tuesday added a 100% grass-fed burger to their menus in 2020 to cater to health-conscious diners. Availability varies by location.

• Houlihan’s serves a grass-fed burger sourced from humanely treated cows. But it may not be available nationwide.

• PF Chang’s offers grass-fed beef as a protein choice in some stir-fry dishes and lettuce wraps at select locations.

While major chains are starting to test the waters with grass-fed beef, the options appear sporadically rather than as permanent menu items. Diners seeking grass-fed dishes at chain restaurants should check on current availability.

Local Restaurants Tap Into Grass-Fed Beef

Beyond the national chains, many independent restaurants source grass-fed beef from local ranches and suppliers to appeal to sustainability-minded diners. Trying grass-fed specials from farms in your own community is a great way to support small ranchers. Look for phrases like “locally-raised grass-fed beef” on menus and chalkboards.

Some examples of restaurants serving grass-fed beef from regional partners:

• Homestead Restaurant (Vancouver) – Features 100% BC grass-fed beef

• Craft & Gather (Austin) – Uses grass-fed beef from Texas producers

-bundles restaurant (Chicago) – Sources from Illinois-based Slagel Family Farm

• Founding Farmers (DC area) – Uses grass-fed beef from Shenandoah Valley farms

• Husk (Charleston) – Sources from White Oak Pastures and other Southeast farms

• Talula’s Table (New Jersey) – Uses Roseda Farm’s local grass-fed beef

Best Cuisines for Grass-Fed Dishes

While burgers, steaks, and other classic American fare tend to dominate grass-fed beef menus, ethnic restaurants also create delicious grass-fed entrees. Cuisines that tend to feature grass-fed beef include:

Brazilian – Grass-fed beef like picanha and chimichurri dishes are popular.

Korean BBQ – Pasture-raised Australian and New Zealand beef feature in marinated meats.

Mexican – Carne asada and ranchera dishes shine with grass-fed cuts.

Middle Eastern – Grass-fed beef shawarma and kebabs bring out deep flavor.

Italian – Bolognese, ossobuco, and brasato Beef shine when made with grass-fed cuts.

Indian – Grass-fed chops and curries allow bold spices to pop.

Know What to Ask for at Restaurants

Diners seeking grass-fed beef when eating out should ask careful questions to verify restaurants are actually serving pasture-raised cows, not just natural or hormone-free beef which may still be grain-finished:

• Is your beef 100% grass-fed AND grass-finished? This confirms an all-grass diet and no feedlots.

• What farm/ranch does your grass-fed beef come from? Local sources are ideal. Press for details.

• Is your grass-fed beef certified by AGA or another auditing group? This ensures compliance with standards.

• How often do you change your beef menu? Constant availability indicates a steady grass-fed supply chain.

• How is your grass-fed beef processed and meat handled? Best practices preserve nutritional value.

Informed questions and discussion help consumers make the best selections for genuinely nutritious grass-fed beef when dining out. Vocal customer interest also encourages more restaurants to provide truly pasture-raised beef options.

The Future Looks Bright for Grass-Fed Beef

Today’s restaurants are just beginning to explore the possibilities of premium grass-fed and grass-finished beef to cater to increasingly discerning diners. Small start-up chains like BurgerFi already dedicate their whole concept to serving only the best grass-fed patties. Established chains are starting to test the waters with limited-time grass-fed burger specials or menu swaps. And health-conscious consumers are seeking out artisan grass-fed beef in themenus of independent eateries as well.

The niche market for grass-fed beef is projected to keep expanding rapidly as ethics and sustainability propel food trends. This growing appetite means more restaurants should begin offering true pasture-raised beef options to hungry patrons in the future. But for