by The Great Foodini
Who likes Royal Reds? Yeah, me too. One of the biggest pieces of food news to hit my skull in the past month or two was the AYCE Royal Red dinner for less than $20 smackeroos every Monday lunch or dinner at the Rack House in downtown Gulfport. It really is a heckuva deal.
In my full-time job where I can usually be seen slavin’ for the man, I have several employees that work for me who could be characterized as…uncultured. Not a single one of them has ever had the notion to watch the American classic “Cool Hand Luke”.
So, after some explanation of the hard-boiled egg bet, I set out to meet up with said employees and have a good ole fashioned Royal Red eating competition. I am not too proud to say that I made it to the fifty mark with the royal reds with gusto.
But The Rack House is so much more than royal reds…so much more. They are a steakhouse and yeah yeah, blah blah their steaks are perfect. I am tired of talking about steak.
Everything else on the menu is amazing. Let’s start with their bacon gouda steak burger, which is a patty made from a mixture of ground brisket, grilled short ribs and chuck topped with crispy bacon, sautéed Vidalia onions and slathered with genuine smoked gouda.
I am also big fan of the steak tip crostini. The steak chunks are simmered in their own sauces and then piled onto buttered and toasted baguettes topped with goat cheese and a balsamic reduction sauce.
Another item on the menu that also won’t break the bank is the broiled petit tender medallions, brined in pink Himalayan salt and coarse ground black pepper. These medallions are sliced and served over a bed of mashed potatoes, garnished with roasted rainbow carrots and topped with sautéed Vidalia onions and an in-house made bordelaise sauce.
I would also venture to say that Rack House has the best French Dip on the coast as well.
There is a well-kept secret at this eatery. It is a secret society…called the bourbon society. For a lifetime membership of $50, patrons can many benefits like private tastings of select bourbons and other fine whiskeys that are not open to the public. It is a great place for learning about the ins and outs of bourbon connoisseur-ism and an even awesome social gathering with networking value added as well.
