The Best Steakhouse Shrimp Cocktails In The US, According To Customers

Shrimp cocktail may have lost some of its flair due to poorly executed versions that sprouted during its heyday beginning in the 1960s. These usually involved martini glasses filled with synthetic sauce and miniature gummy shrimp. The experience not only tasted poorly but permanently planted the image of a shrimp cocktail as something you want to avoid. But shrimp cocktail has managed to fight off this bad rep. Those kitschy glasses are a thing of the past, and the cocktail has returned to its origins, involving large shrimp hanging off the side of the glass with a lush cocktail sauce parked in the middle. The combination is usually amped with a healthy dose of horseradish, and the order usually includes a lemon slice and, ideally, a refreshing addition in the form of herbs, cucumbers, or celery.

Many restaurants have ditched the dish, but the best steakhouses still stand as the most reliable bastions where shrimp cocktail is heralded as the ultimate appetizer and come dressed in the best possible version. Steakhouses usually don't skimp on size, and the shrimp are juicy, glossy, and plump. When dry ice is added to the mix, you get a pretty spectacular treat.

However, there are always discrepancies in the execution, so we did a little research to find which American steakhouses whip up the best version of this old-school delicacy. These places will convince you that shrimp cocktail deserves all the credit it might have lost with those crude versions in the past.

Dear John's story started in 1962 when Johnny Harlowe decided to ditch his acting career for the hospitality industry. The joint became a hub for everyone who was anyone in Hollywood at the time, including entertainer Frank Sinatra, one of Harlowe's close friends. Though this Culver City, California, landmark has undergone renovations, it still retains its classic old-school charm. The dimly lit dining room, massive bar, and plenty of dark wood still reign supreme, and the same old-school vibe reflects on the menu. You'll find tried and tested juicy chops and all-time favorites like chicken parm and lobster Thermidor. Sides, appetizers, and sauces also feature familiar names, and among the seafood apps, you will find Dear John's version of a classic shrimp cocktail.

The cocktail includes four big shrimp dipped into the sauce and surrounded by celery sticks and a lemon slice. The dish is topped with a heap of finely diced apples. Customers generally praise the shrimp cocktail, and you'll usually find it on the list of recommended dishes at Dear John's. The reviews talk about a delicious sauce and tasty shrimp and compliment the execution and the upgraded combination, representing a beautiful homage to the classic version.

Mastro's Restaurants is a chain of steakhouse and seafood places currently operating more than 20 outlets nationwide. Best known for the juicy, sizzling steaks that come doused in butter, this fine-dining establishment has a glitzy décor, high prices, and a dress code. The dinner menu is equally luxurious, featuring items such as roasted bone marrow, tuna tartar, caviar, and an excellent sushi selection. Steaks and chops are all classic, including porterhouse, ribeye, and New York strip, but you'll also find an exclusive selection of premium Japanese Wagyu and Kobe beef. Seafood is equally spectacular, with exquisite options such as Chilean sea bass and lobster tails, but the appetizer section also hides some gems, including a majestic shrimp cocktail.

Mastro's shrimp cocktail is a glorious affair with a $30 price tag, but the raving reviews seem to justify the price. The order includes four giant shrimp dipped in the sauce, and the whole concoction is served over dry ice, which creates heaps of smoke, setting a dramatic serving scene. Lemon and horseradish are served on the side. Pleased patrons recommending the appetizer call it the ultimate shrimp cocktail, while one patron compares the dish to fajitas, claiming, "You can feel the envious onlookers from neighboring tables whenever this is ordered." The cocktail is praised for its freshness, the size of the shrimp, and the presentation. Overall, this is a must-steakhouse shrimp cocktail.

Prime & Provisions Steakhouse is an established name in the restaurant business. This is a steakhouse institution that you will usually see featured on the best in Chicago lists. The meat here is the unquestionable favorite. Prime & Provisions prides itself on a unique dry-aging room filled with Himalayan salt. Your order will come freshly prepared, still sizzling on the warm plates, and garnished with salt and a slab of butter. The menu combines classic steakhouse philosophy with an inflow of contemporary trends, so expect to find regular steakhouse favorites and some creative items that keep the menu fun, exciting, and adventurous. Along with meat, this steakhouse temple also serves fantastic seafood, and one of its best dishes is the house Shrimp Cocktail.

The menu states that the shrimp are served with "official cocktail sauce and mustard aioli." The order consists of two huge pieces, and you should be warned that cocktail sauce comes with a generous heap of horseradish, so expect a ton of pungency. The shrimp are gigantic and served on ice, and along with the sauces, the order includes the regular lemon slice. Most reviews rave about the shrimp, especially highlighting their size. The attributes patrons give are overwhelmingly positive, and you can expect to be delighted with the order.

The Arthur J is nestled in Manhattan Beach and stands as a bastion for classic steakhouse fare. This polished establishment features a pleasing mid-century décor that perfectly fits the old-school menu. Arthur J opened in 2015 and has since become one of the must-visit destinations often applauded for its sophisticated vibe and professional service, but most of the praise goes to the perfectly executed dishes. Much attention is paid to beef — the selection includes USDA Prime, Wagyu, and Black Angus — and each steak is cooked over an open fire to attain that distinctive smoky touch. Following the classic steakhouse tradition, the menu at The Arthur J carries familiar seafood specials, and shrimp cocktail, as expected, found its place on the list.

Named the Chilled Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, the menu stipulates that the shrimp are served with a zesty cocktail sauce, boosted with horseradish, sprinkled with dill, and accompanied by fresh cucumber sticks on the side. The key here might be in these additions accompanying the cocktail, as one very pleased customer stated, "The shrimp cocktail may have been the best I have ever had because of the seasoning." Most customers rate it as delicious, and critics are difficult to find. Judging by the reviews, the appetizer is a big hit among the guests who have no complaints about it, while the fresh, herbal kick adds a nice touch to the whole combo.

The restaurant 801 Chophouse was established in 1993 as a classic American steakhouse. The business started in Iowa, but now you can find outlets across the Midwest. As you'd expect, this is the place for prime steaks and fresh seafood, but many will also appreciate the elegant setting and attentive service. Though the restaurants cherish the upscale philosophy, the vibe is relaxed and inviting. The restaurants also do a mean happy hour fueled with good drinks and smaller bites and grubs. At 801 Chophouse, you do not want to miss the prime cuts or exclusive Wagyu beef, but the seafood selection is equally outstanding, with most of the highlights reserved for the appetizer section and the daily fresh sheet of specials. Among the seafood delicacies, you will also find the Colossal Shrimp Cocktail.

801 Chophouse does an excellent traditional take on the shrimp cocktail. It is served with three plump shrimp hung on the edge of the bowl and dipped in the sauce. Customers speak highly of the dish and often applaud the size, flavor, and freshness. The cocktail sauce also gets some compliments, but be careful — as it's packed with horseradish. The sauce has a nice, pungent kick. The available reviews confirm this is a fantastic shrimp cocktail version, and several patrons call it the finest shrimp cocktail they have ever had the chance to try.

To find the best shrimp cocktail in the U.S., we browsed through the menus of the most notable steakhouse joints in the country, looking for all the available versions. We then looked into customer reviews, singling out the ones that received the most praise across various digital platforms.