Steakhouse Side Dishes: The Quiet power of a well-made side

You are thinking of a great steakhouse and what are you picturing? A table that's filled with juicy steaks and side dishes that compliment perfectly.

The steaks are placed on the table first, then comes the creamed spinach, a plate of bacon wrapped asparagus and parmesan truffle fries all find their way to the middle of the table. This is when dinner becomes much more than an entree.

At Merrill & Houston's Steak Joint in Beloit, Wisconsin, the sides are built to complete the table not compete for attention.

Why Steakhouse Side Dishes Still Matter

Just because a great steak can stand on its own, does not mean it should have to.

Classic steakhouse side dishes bring contrast to the meal. A rich rib eye calls for something green. A tender filet leaves room for something crisp, savory or indulgent. When several sides reach the table at once, every bite can take a slightly different direction.

The idea is simple: order for the table, pass the plates and build the meal you want.

That approach fits the way Merrill & Houston’s has always treated the steakhouse experience. Quality comes first, but the meal should also feel comfortable and generous. Inside, hardwood floors and historic photographs and artifacts tell the story of Beloit’s industrial past, including the Merrill and Houston Iron Works founded by Orson Merrill and George Houston in 1858.

There is history in the room, but there is no ceremony required to enjoy it.

The Best Steakhouse Sides Know Their Role

Good sides understand restraint. For example, Creamed Spinach brings richness without asking to become the centerpiece. Grilled Asparagus offers a cleaner counterpoint to a heavily marbled steak. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus takes that same vegetable in a decidedly more indulgent direction.

Then there are the Parmesan Truffle Fries. Crisp, savory and made for reaching across the table, they prove that a side does not need to be complicated to earn its place beside a serious cut of beef.

Pair a few with a 14-ounce Rib Eye, the juiciest, flavorful, marbled and popular cut. Or put them beside the 22-ounce Porterhouse, “the king of steaks & the steak of kings.” Guests looking for something different can choose the 16-ounce Dry Aged Bone-In KC Strip, aged for 30 days for tenderness and flavor.

If you want to know more before ordering, our guide to the steaks every guest should know offers a closer look at the cuts.

Sides for the Table Change the Pace of Dinner

A dinner that takes its time is never something you should be annoyed with. Don't rush meals like this!

Shared sides naturally slow the pace - You pass a dish and try something you might not have ordered for yourself. You go back for another spoonful of creamed spinach or a few more Brussel sprouts. Conversation has room to settle in.

That makes the format particularly well suited to a date night in Beloit, an anniversary dinner or an evening with friends.

It also gives a table with different tastes some common ground. One guest may order the Center Cut Tenderloin Filet, another may choose Atlantic Salmon with sweet chili BBQ glaze and asparagus and someone else may go for the South African Twin Lobster Tails. The shared sides connect the meal.

That same balance between steak and seafood runs throughout the menu. You can explore it further in our guide to why steak and seafood belong together.

A Fall Evening in Downtown Beloit

For anyone searching for things to do in Beloit, Wisconsin this fall, or places to eat near downtown Beloit, that creates a natural progression: spend the afternoon exploring, then settle into a proper steakhouse dinner.

Merrill & Houston’s sits at 500 Pleasant Street in Beloit. Dinner service runs Sunday through Thursday from 4:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4:30 to 10 p.m. The bar opens at 4 p.m. daily.

You can browse the current Merrill & Houston’s dinner menu before you arrive.

A Complete Table Is Greater Than Any One Plate

A steakhouse earns its reputation on the strength of its beef. A memorable steakhouse dinner asks for more.

It needs contrast and abundance without excessiveness. Most of all, it needs dishes that make you want to pass the plate rather than guard your own.

That is the quiet power of a well-made side.

Build a Better Table in Beloit

Start with the steak. Add the sides that make everyone reach toward the center of the table. Then give yourself enough time to enjoy it all at Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint in downtown Beloit.

MAKE A RESERVATION. Tables can also be reserved by calling 608.313.0700.

FAQs

What steakhouse sides does Merrill & Houston’s serve?

The current Sides for the Table menu includes Grilled Asparagus, Creamed Spinach, Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Parmesan Truffle Fries, Brussel Sprouts and a Seasonal Vegetable. Selections are designed to complement steaks, seafood and other entrées.

Is Merrill & Houston’s good for date night in Beloit?

Merrill & Houston’s offers a classic steakhouse setting with hardwood floors, historic Beloit photographs and artifacts, hand-cut steaks, seafood and a cocktail lounge. Its downtown location and dinner-focused hours make it well suited to date nights, anniversaries and special-occasion dinners. Merrill & Houston's

What are Merrill & Houston’s hours?

The restaurant serves dinner Sunday through Thursday from 4:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Bar service begins at 4 p.m., with the bar open until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Merrill & Houston's