As a passionate foodie and steak lover, I’m always on the hunt for restaurants that serve up juicy, flavorful beef. One spot that has become a recent favorite is Flame Broiler, a quick-service restaurant chain specializing in rice bowls and build-your-own protein bowls Their perfectly seasoned and tender steak has me hooked! But I’ve always wondered – what’s their secret? What kind of beef does Flame Broiler use to create their mouthwatering meals?
So I decided to do some digging and get to the bottom of how Flame Broiler makes their beef so delicious. Keep reading to uncover the mystery behind their incredibly flavorful protein!
For those who aren’t familiar, Flame Broiler is a California-based quick-service restaurant chain that focuses on rice bowls and build-your-own meals. Founded in 1995 by Mr and Mr Lee, Flame Broiler has expanded to over 200 locations across California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, and Florida.
Their menu features rice or salad base bowls that you can customize with your choice of protein and flavorful toppings like veggies, cheeses, and signature sauces. Protein options include chicken, steak, shrimp, salmon, tofu, and more. But in my opinion, their perfectly seared steak is the star of the menu.
I’m not alone in my love of Flame Broiler’s beef – it’s a customer favorite! The steak is so tender, juicy, and packed with mouthwatering flavor. But what makes it so unique and delicious? Time for some investigating.
The Importance of High-Quality Ingredients
After some research, it seems the secret lies in Flame Broiler’s commitment to using high-quality ingredients. When it comes to steak, quality meat is everything. Flame Broiler only uses USDA Choice graded beef in their restaurants.
For those less familiar with beef grading, here’s a quick overview:
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USDA Choice – This is high-quality beef with juicy tenderness, ample marbling, and lots of flavor. It’s the gold standard for most restaurants.
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USDA Select – More affordable but less marbled and tender. Usually leaner than Choice.
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USDA Prime – The highest quality grade, very well-marbled with a buttery, tender bite. Usually reserved for fine dining steakhouses.
By choosing USDA Choice for their restaurants, Flame Broiler strikes the perfect balance – premium quality with a reasonable price point. This allows them to serve up next-level flavor in a quick-service setting.
According to one Reddit user, the steak from Flame Broiler is “choice grade or higher.” This lines up with their commitment to quality ingredients.
Focusing on Proper Cooking Techniques
But high-quality beef alone doesn’t lead to the perfect steak. The cooking method matters just as much, if not more. No matter how great the meat, overcooking can lead to a tough, dry end product.
Luckily, Flame Broiler uses cooking techniques designed to highlight the flavor of their Choice beef:
Quick Searing – Their flat top griddles allow the steak to get a nice quick sear. This adds a caramelized crust and locks in the juices.
Frequent Tossing – Flame Broiler chefs are constantly tossing and moving the steak on the flat top. This prevents overcooking on any one side.
Cook to Order – Each steak is only cooked once an order comes in. This guarantees every piece is hot and fresh. No pre-cooking that could dry out the meat.
Their focus on properly searing each steak while minimizing overcooking allows the natural flavor of the beef to really shine through. No wonder their steak has such a juicy, tender bite!
The Importance of Marinade & Seasoning
Prime beef and correct cooking is crucial, but Flame Broiler also pays close attention to marinade and seasoning. Their steak is soaked in a signature marinade, then hit with just the right amount of seasoning as it cooks.
According to Dan Hill, a former employee, their marinade contains:
- Soy Sauce for saltiness and umami
- Brown Sugar for caramelization
- Garlic for added aroma
- Ginger for brightness
- Rice Wine Vinegar for tang
Once cooked, the steak gets a dash of signature sprinkles, likely containing salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and MSG. This adds a final layer of flavor without overpowering the taste of the meat.
The marinade tenderizes the steak and allows the seasoning to penetrate deeply. The quick sear then caramelizes the marinade while cooking the steak perfectly. This one-two punch of marinade and seasoning provides the final touches of flavor.
Consistent Quality Control
With 200+ locations across several states, maintaining consistency and quality control is no easy feat. But Flame Broiler takes steps to ensure their high standards are met:
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Thorough training – All cooks must complete extensive training on proper cooking techniques. This covers perfect heat levels, frequent tossing, cook times, and more.
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Careful sourcing – They source from a few trusted suppliers to guarantee all beef meets their specifications. No subpar meat makes it into restaurants.
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Recipe compliance – The marinade and spice blend recipes are standardized across the company. No cooks are freelancing flavors.
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Corporate oversight – Regional managers conduct regular store visits to check quality. This allows for swift corrections if any location falls short.
Flame Broiler’s focus on quality training, sourcing, recipes, and oversight means you can expect amazing steak every single visit. No matter which location you hit up, you’ll get the same mouthwatering flavors you know and love.
Flame Broiler’s Delicious Steak – The Takeaway
After getting to the bottom of Flame Broiler’s signature steak, a few key points stand out:
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They only use high-quality USDA Choice beef or better for maximum tenderness and flavor. No cutting corners with subpar meat.
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Proper cooking techniques like quick searing, tossing, and cooking to order means every steak gets a perfect cook.
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Their signature marinade tenderizes while adding big flavor. When combined with the final seasoning sprinkle, it takes each steak to the next level.
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Rigorous quality control across the supply chain and restaurants ensures optimal results time after time.
It’s clear that Flame Broiler’s commitment to incredible ingredients, proper technique, purposeful flavoring, and unwavering quality standards all combine to create their crave-worthy steak. As a lover of delicious beef, I can say they’ve perfected the art of the flat top sear!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m craving a Flame Broiler rice bowl loaded up with their tender, juicy steak. Time for this meat lover to get her fix!