They say New Jersey is full of diners, but clearly someone forgot to mention the steakhouses, because this one could make a cow proud.
The ribeye arrives sizzling in garlic butter, and honestly, it’s so loud you half expect it to start narrating your dinner.
I once leaned in too close and nearly got a garlic-butter facial (worth it, though). The atmosphere is polished yet welcoming, the kind of spot where you can dress up but still laugh too loud.
Ever had a meal that made you forget about everything else going on that day? That’s exactly the vibe here, and it’s why I keep coming back.
The Prime Ribeye That Started It All
Some steaks are good. Some are great.
Then there is the prime ribeye at Roots Steakhouse in Summit, NJ, which occupies a category entirely its own. The 16 oz.
USDA-aged prime ribeye arrives grilled exactly to your specification, with a deep mahogany crust that locks in every drop of flavor.
What makes it so memorable is the richness of the beef itself. Roots sources aged prime beef, which means the natural marbling has had time to develop a depth of flavor that simply cannot be rushed.
Each bite carries a buttery, almost mineral-forward intensity that hits differently than anything you might grab at a casual chain.
Sauces arrive on the side, including a red wine demi, chimichurri, and herb emulsion, so you control exactly how you want to experience the steak. Garlic butter adds a fragrant, savory finish that lingers long after the last bite.
This is the dish that defines the entire Roots experience, and it absolutely lives up to every expectation.
USDA-Aged Prime Beef: Why the Aging Process Matters
Not all beef is created equal, and Roots Steakhouse makes sure you feel that difference from the very first cut. The restaurant specializes in USDA-aged prime beef, a designation that only a small percentage of beef in the country ever earns.
Aging beef is a slow, deliberate process. During dry aging, moisture evaporates from the meat while natural enzymes break down muscle fibers, resulting in a steak that is both more tender and more concentrated in flavor.
Roots features a 28-day dry-aged ribeye that has earned consistent praise from guests who know their beef.
The difference between a dry-aged prime cut and a standard grocery store steak is almost impossible to overstate. The texture is softer, the flavor is nuttier and deeper, and the crust that forms during searing has a complexity that feels almost handcrafted.
The Atmosphere: Dark Wood, Low Light, and Pure Warmth
Walking into Roots Steakhouse feels like stepping into a place that takes both food and comfort seriously. The dining room features dark wood accents, low lighting, and plush booths that immediately signal this is not a casual Tuesday-night kind of spot.
The atmosphere manages to be both polished and approachable, which is harder to pull off than it sounds. On weekends the room fills with energy, conversation layering over soft background sound in a way that feels alive rather than overwhelming.
Sitting in the back of the dining room gives you the full effect of the warm, intimate setting.
Special occasions feel genuinely special here. Birthdays, anniversaries, and milestone celebrations all seem to find their natural home in this space.
The restaurant has a reputation for going above and beyond for guests marking big moments, from complimentary customizable ice cream for anniversaries to small gestures that make an evening feel curated rather than routine. The atmosphere is a huge part of why Roots keeps drawing people back.
Appetizers Worth Every Single Bite
Starting a meal at Roots with the right appetizer sets the tone for everything that follows. The wagyu beef dumplings have become a crowd favorite, delivering a rich, savory punch in a format that feels both familiar and refined at the same time.
Burrata arrives fresh and creamy, a lighter counterpoint to the heavier dishes that follow. The jumbo lump crab cake is another standout, packed with real crab meat and served with a clean, well-balanced accompaniment that does not overpower the seafood.
Beef carpaccio and shrimp cocktail round out a roster of starters that could honestly anchor a meal on their own.
For guests who love the sea as much as the grill, the chilled seafood tower makes a dramatic entrance at the table. Lobster bites add a touch of indulgence, and the Roots Crispy Shrimp Scampi, built on garlic and butter, bridges the gap between the ocean and the steakhouse experience beautifully.
Starting right here means you already know the kitchen means business.
Sides That Deserve Their Own Spotlight
At a lot of steakhouses, the sides feel like an afterthought. At Roots, they feel like a deliberate extension of the kitchen’s philosophy.
Every side dish earns its place on the table, and a few of them have become as talked-about as the steaks themselves.
The truffle fries are crispy, aromatic, and dangerously easy to finish before the main course even arrives. Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon have developed a loyal following among guests who might not even consider themselves Brussels sprouts people.
Creamed spinach is rich and silky, hitting that classic steakhouse comfort note perfectly.
Lobster Macaroni and Cheese brings together two of the most beloved comfort foods in a format that feels genuinely luxurious. The potato gratin and baked potato both deliver on the classic steakhouse promise, while the onion rings provide a satisfying crunch that pairs brilliantly with the aged beef.
Ordering a couple of sides to share is absolutely the right call, and the table will thank you for it.
The Cowboy Steak: A Cut for True Carnivores
If the prime ribeye is the headline act, the 20 oz dry-aged Cowboy Steak is the encore nobody expected but absolutely needed. This is a cut designed for people who approach a steak dinner with full commitment and zero hesitation.
The peppercorn crust on the Cowboy Steak creates a deeply savory exterior that contrasts beautifully with the tender, medium-rare interior. Dry aging concentrates the beef flavor to a degree that makes every single bite feel intentional, like the kitchen understood exactly what this cut needed and delivered it without compromise.
Guests who have ordered this steak tend to describe it in superlatives. Words like decadent and perfection show up repeatedly, and honestly, those descriptions hold up.
Pairing it with whipped potatoes and wild mushrooms builds a plate that feels complete and deeply satisfying. The Cowboy Steak at Roots is the kind of meal that becomes a benchmark, the thing against which every other steak gets quietly measured afterward.
Seafood Options That Hold Their Own
Roots Steakhouse earns its chophouse credentials through beef, but the seafood menu is genuinely impressive on its own terms. Guests who prefer something from the ocean are not settling for a secondary experience here.
Chilean sea bass is consistently mentioned as one of the strongest non-steak options on the menu. It arrives with a clean, golden sear and a delicate, buttery texture that feels just as considered as anything coming off the grill.
Bacon-wrapped scallops have earned crowd-pleaser status for good reason, combining two things that are individually great into something even better.
The chilled seafood tower makes a statement at the table, offering a beautifully presented selection that works perfectly as a shared starter for larger groups. Lobster bites bring a touch of pure indulgence, and the shrimp cocktail delivers on the classic promise of fresh, snappy shrimp with a well-made sauce.
For a steakhouse, the seafood program at Roots shows a level of care and execution that sets it apart from the competition.
Desserts That Close the Night Perfectly
Finishing a meal at Roots with dessert is not optional, it is mandatory. The dessert menu reads like a greatest hits collection of comfort and elegance, and the kitchen executes every item with the same precision it applies to the steaks.
The espresso creme brulee is a particular highlight, with a perfectly caramelized sugar crust giving way to a silky, coffee-forward custard beneath. Warm chocolate cake delivers the kind of rich, molten satisfaction that makes you forget you just ate an entire prime ribeye.
Bread pudding with bourbon sauce hits a nostalgic, deeply comforting note that feels like the ideal conclusion to a big steakhouse meal.
For guests celebrating something special, Roots has a tradition of offering complimentary ice cream for birthdays and anniversaries, often presented in a generous, festive style that genuinely surprises and delights. The layered carrot cake and butter cake both have their devoted fans as well.
Dessert here is never an afterthought, it is a final statement from a kitchen that clearly takes pride in every single course.
Service That Makes Every Visit Feel Special
Great food is only half the equation at a high-end steakhouse. The service at Roots Steakhouse in Summit consistently gets called out in the same breath as the food, and that is not an accident.
The staff here has a way of making guests feel genuinely welcomed rather than just processed through a busy dinner service. Hosts greet people warmly from the moment they step through the door.
Servers are knowledgeable about the menu, patient with questions, and attentive without being intrusive, which is exactly the balance a place like this needs to strike.
For special occasions, the team goes noticeably further. Celebrating a birthday or anniversary here means the staff often coordinates small, memorable gestures that elevate the evening from a dinner out to something worth telling people about for years.
Groups coming in for milestone events have repeatedly praised the stress-free planning process and the way the team handles large tables with ease and warmth. Service at Roots is the kind that turns first-time visitors into regulars.
Address: 401 Springfield Ave, Summit, NJ
Why Roots Steakhouse in Summit Belongs on Your List
There are plenty of steakhouses in New Jersey, but very few manage to consistently deliver on every level the way Roots Steakhouse in Summit does. The combination of exceptional aged prime beef, a thoughtful menu, and a dining room that feels genuinely inviting creates an experience that is hard to replicate.
The Summit location on Springfield Ave has built a reputation over years of consistent, high-quality service.
It is the result of a team that cares deeply about every plate that leaves the kitchen and every guest that walks through the door.
Whether you are planning a birthday dinner, a business meal, or simply a long-overdue treat for yourself, Roots delivers the kind of evening that justifies every dollar spent. The prime ribeye alone is worth the trip, but the full experience, from the first bite of starter bread to the last spoonful of creme brulee, makes it unforgettable.
Address: 401 Springfield Ave, Summit, NJ
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