Gene's Steak House

Established in 1948 last renovated in 1948 no I'm joking I don't have a clue if this place is as original as it looks but I hope they never change a thing. Gene's Steak House is an iconic landmark in the area. It's amazing how many people outside the area mention this place when talking about Daytona. The race teams frequent this place when in town and many of those famous photos are part of the decor. You immediately know this is an old school steak house as soon as you walk through the door and one look at the well seasoned grill you know a few thousand steaks have laid across its grates.

if you've never eaten at a real steak house you owe it to yourself to try this one, this ain't no Outback or Roadhouse those guys shouldn't be able to even call themselves a steak house (just my opinion) they aren't close to this level of dining.

Get a steak any steak choose your cut, tell the server how you'd like it cooked and wait to be impressed.

Been going there for years and never had a bad meal just fine aged Midwestern beef.
Family owned and managed and you can spend hours looking at all the pictures of the famious drivers that have eaten there over the years. if you go over speedweeks you will see drivers and team owners eating there as it is a favorite hangout. If you go ask for Jennifer she is one of the owners and the managers and tell JB from Naples, Fl. sent you.

I went with a group of 8 on a Wednesday night and was filled with anticipation since some of my co-workers were all raving about this place. Needless to say, that I was sold or wanting to be sold based on their reviews, the old charm of the building, and the ratings i read online.

Maybe this was an off-night; service was VERY slow, food was cold, drinks weren't refilled without being asked, and did I say service was VERY VERY slow?!?

We got there at 6:30 and wasn't done with our meal until 9:25. This wasnt because we were hanging out after a meal enjoying coffee and desert - we waited for everything!

We endured this painstaking meal because it was getting late, we all had a couple of drinks while waiting, we got our salads and bread within 1.5 hours, and it would've been too much trouble for all of us to try another restaurant that late in the evening.

I don't doubt that this is usually a nice restaurant with decent service, maybe they were short staffed, but I will twice next time.

Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. Wish I may, wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.... I wish, to be in a bowl filled with the house gin martini that has the slightest hint of fresh lemon/lime and then smothered with the house bleu cheese dressing... And then, to be plopped into a field and spooned by the fillet... I can sleep happily knowing there is a restaurant FINALLY in Florida that is focused on preparing food in the most delightful way that its intended to be prepared.

I haven't had a meal this delightful in years. The stuffed mushroom caps are made with fresh crab - I can't say that enough... Fresh crab! . My meal was served with a potato with sea-salted skin and served with choice of chive, sour cream and fresh bacon.

Really can't say enough about this place. It's local and family owned and that's the best part. Everyone is either family, or has been there so long they become family - and it's what you feel like when you leave...

Oh man, my first poor review...

My darling fiancé and I decided to try this place out for our date night after hearing good things about the steaks. We made reservations, and were ready to indulge my pregnant cravings for steak. I will preface my review with this, I completely understand that it's difficult to deal with large parties.

We were seated next to a very large group that continuously became more rowdy as the night went on. Instead of controlling the situation, their waitress kept feeding them more wine. At one point, the conversation became immensely vulgar. Their waitress asked if they were being too loud. I shrugged my shoulders, and instead of doing something then, she instigated them further and brought them even more wine.

Our food took a very, very long time to come out. It was meh. Really nothing to be impressed about or worth the $45 they charged for the steak. Unsurprisingly, it took just as long for our check and our food to be boxed (our doggies deserve steak too). Our poor waitress kept apologizing for the situation, but really no one took control of the situation ever. We paid $60 and spent 2 hours listening to vulgarity, a waitress yelling out the food she needed to bring to the large table and a bad taste in my mouth. Won't be going again ever.

This was a rather odd experience. I had driven by his steakhouse hundreds of times while a student at Stetson and heard that it was quite good. I was expecting an old time dark steak house with lots of wood, it was anything but that. The decor was hap hazzard to say the least. They had made one little dining area out of what looked like cubicle walls. It was Saturday night and there was no one at the bar and 5 other couples eating. Our waitress was new and not familiar with the menu. I asked which cut of steak were they known for and got a blank stare and then was told they change the menu often and they are all very good.

I would have given them a two star but the food was quite good. I had the T-bone which was a little past medium rare, my wife had the filet and it was cooked perfectly. The cook who is the owner's great grand nephew came out and checked on us and brought us complimentary sides and comped us some drinks. I think with a little help this could be en excellent place.

Pretty much nothing has change since the 80's (frozen in time)
The steaks still taste very good just not as tender (they never gave you a knife because it was that tender) (probably not aged as much)

Early valentine's dinner with my lovely wife who had neve been here before. Every part of the experience was OUTSTANDING! New York strip was incredible! Will be back, guaranteed!

Gene's Steak House is a refreshing change of pace to the frenetic world of dining in a tourist town. From the moment you walk in the door and take in the eclectic hodgepodge of furnishings you realize that you are in a different sort of place.

In a chain dominated environment, Gene's stands out in a positive fashion. The atmosphere is casual yet refined, while maintaining an aura of relaxation. The wait staff is laid back and unpretentious, giving the diner the feeling that they are the only one in the dining room.

Be prepared to pay. Gene's is not an inexpensive cookie cutter steak place, instead it is a genuine old style Steak House. The aged mid-western beef is prepared perfectly. When you request medium, it's truly medium, an unusual occurrence in many places these days.

The tip for the day is surprising given the venue. Ask for the chicken wings as an appetizer. They aren't on the menu. These wings are smoked, deep fried, sauced in a mild Chile sauce, then grilled. These are the kind of wings that will make you smack your momma.

Gene's Steak House is the perfect choice for your special occasion.

I was passing here on the way and decided to stop and try the old school steak house. I have heard about this place before and figured I should give it a shot!
The steak was a delight, Service was friendly and fast.
Nice old fashioned place. If i am around again I will be back here.