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With a couple wives out of town, a few of my friends thought this would be a good weekend to try the 36 oz steak over at Jerome Bettis Grille 36.  I'm sure I don't need to explain this, but I'll do it anyways: Jerome Bettis was a running back for Pittsburgh Steelers who wore the number 36.  "The Bus", as he was known, retired in 2006 after the Steelers won the Superbowl.

Located on North Shore Drive, near Heinz Stadium and just off the Allegheny River, Jerome Bettis Grille 36 is sports bar meets TGI Friday's.  A large selection of beers is offered in 20 oz glasses.  Murals glorify Steelers football.  Plasmas cover every available surface.  I'm not kidding.  Booths  even come with their very own screen whose programming is controlled at the table.  My only complaint regarding decor is these personal screens.  They are not high definition, so the picture is blurry (or maybe it was just Versus).  The screens also cast an unhealthy glow on the table, the food and my companions.  Maybe this only happens when watching ice hockey.  Either way, TV light is not very complimenting.  In fact, it's almost headache inducing.

So, how were the steaks?  Horrible.  Two of my friends ordered the 36 oz bone in steak.  This is a thick cut of meat, approximately 3 inches, so you can imagine it would be difficult to prepare.  But this is a restaurant.  The steak ordered well came out incredibly burnt.  Having already waited an hour and a half to be seated (JBG36 does not take reservations) and another hour for the food, my friend was not about to send his steak back.  The streak ordered rare came out raw.  My friend wouldn't finish it.  Isn't it Pulp Fiction where John Travolta and Uma Thurman are asked if they'd like their burgers "bloody or burnt?"

Two 18 oz steaks were ordered medium and came out rare, but still edible.  The one burger was basically a cold, charcoal briquette.  The only person who was happy with their meal ordered a chicken sandwich.  Being thoroughly disappointed, my friends who ordered "The 36" complained to the waitress.  The manager promptly came over and offered half off the steaks (The 36 costs $49.95) and burger and two free deserts for the table.  Somewhat placated, one friend commented that he still wouldn't have paid $25 for what he got, but I guess it's better than nothing.

The desserts were good, but by then the night was a disappointment.  What started out as a guys night out, without the wives, sorta petered.  Maybe Jerome should also retire from the restaurant business.