311 East 5th St
Austin, TX 78701

An Austin dining experience created by true "Austinites". Rivals is NOT a chain and you will see that immediately. We have created an Austin downtown dining experience that won’t break your bank! We serve steaks, seafood, lamb and more in our spacious 12,000 foot space on the corner of 5th and Trinity in the heart of the downtown Austin entertainment district. Our large bar offers excellent drink specials and all the games featured on Flat screen TV's. You will agree this is the best food in Austin and the service is first class. Enjoy a true AUSTIN experience at Rivals Steakhouse!!

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Price: $30 and under
Parking: Street Parking
Cross Street: Trinity St

16 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.4 / 5

(16 Reviews)

Rating Breakdown 16 reviews

5 stars

(3)

4 stars

(7)

3 stars

(1)

2 stars

(3)

1 star

(2)

Food

(Very Good) 3.5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.6 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

Read all 16 reviews

Filter Reviews By:

Diners classify this restaurant as:

good for groups(10)
great for brunch(4)
fit for foodies(3)

great for lunch(3)
notable wine list(3)
vibrant bar scene(3)

Rivals Steakhouse Reviews List

Review 1 for Rivals Steakhouse

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

When we showed up for our

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/24/2013

2011

Dined on 03/24/2013

2011

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"When we showed up for our reservation, the restaurant was locked. There were several other families waiting outside that obviously had reservations as well. We found out later that Rivals had gone out of business, and no one bothered to cancel the reservations."

Dined on 03/24/2013

2011

0points

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Review 2 for Rivals Steakhouse

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

OpenTable Diner

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

0points

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Review 3 for Rivals Steakhouse

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Tasty Steaks

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/01/2013

2013

Dined on 03/01/2013

2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Rivals was suggested by a friend for a nice place to take my out-of-town parents for a nice Texas steak during their visit. Everyone loved their meal, said steak had an excellent flavor. Our waitress was extremely pleasant, and didn't over-do it. Pecan pie was delicious as well. My only suggestion would be the place was kind-of cold and sterile in decor, no music playing, just listened to the games on the TVs in the adjacent rooms. Would have been nice to have some music and maybe a better separation from the sports bar area to the dinner only dining area. Otherwise, it was a fabulous experience."

Dined on 03/01/2013

2013

Special Features: good for groups, special occasion

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 4 for Rivals Steakhouse

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Not what we had hoped. Empty

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/16/2013

2010

Dined on 02/16/2013

2010

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Not what we had hoped. Empty on a sat night so no reservation needed. Food was TGIFriday quality. Waiter was good at least but def not worth the cost"

Dined on 02/16/2013

2010

Special Features: late-night find

0points

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Review 5 for Rivals Steakhouse

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Not sure why this restaurant

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Not sure why this restaurant is listed as a "steakhouse"? When you get there the sign says rivals sports bar and grill? Food was ok, not spectacular. Wife was happy with the valentines dinner, I was not impressed. The wait staff was very good though, no shot at them."

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

Special Features: great for lunch

0points

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Review 6 for Rivals Steakhouse

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

They were constantly running

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/03/2013

2006

Dined on 02/03/2013

2006

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"They were constantly running out of food for the brunch buffet (at least 1/3 of the items were out at any given time) and ran out of champagne after we bought $5 bottomless mimosas. The service was pretty much nonexistent."

Dined on 02/03/2013

2006

0points

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Review 7 for Rivals Steakhouse

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Fine Dining or Sports Bar?

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 01/19/2013

2009

Dined on 01/19/2013

2009

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"I have been to Rivals twice. Both times it was relatively empty. I think it has great potential but they need to find their identity. Is it a sports bar or is it a fine dining restaurant? Don't really know but it doesn't mix well. The prices match that of other very nice steak houses around town but without the ambiance, taste, or service. I understand that some fine dining restaurants have TV's in the bar area, but the difference at Rivals is that there are even tv's in the dining area. Also, they are very loud so when you're in the dining room all you can hear is a mix of ESPN and the tunes they are playing over the restaurants speakers. Find your identity and market your restaurant or sports bar, can't be both."

Dined on 01/19/2013

2009

Special Features: good for groups

-1point

0of 1voted this as helpful.

Ratings-Only Reviews for Rivals Steakhouse

Based on the average of (9) ratings-only reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5

Food