III Forks in Frisco: Rob Reviews the Sister Restaurant of an Austin Favorite
Those of you who frequent this website or who listen to my reviews on 590 KLBJ know that I’m a fan of local Austin steakhouse III Forks. So on a recent visit trip to Justin, Texas (outside Fort Worth) to visit my daughter Lauren and her partner Jade, we decided to head over to Frisco and celebrate my wife’s birthday at the III Forks there.
Just like in Austin, the decor was steakhouse comfortable: spacious and inviting. The menu was comparable with a considerable assortment of USDA prime steaks, from bone-in and boneless ribeyes to NY Strips and Filet Mignons, and for those with deeper pockets there were Durham Ranch Wagyu options including the famous Tomahawk Ribeye.
The seafood dishes included Atlantic salmon and Chilean sea bass. My favorite sea scallops were no longer on the menu due to supply issues, but the sea bass has always been our go-to item in Austin and we were glad to see it on the Frisco menu.
We began with a round of appetizers including the crab cake adorned with a fulsome beurre blanc sauce. I could discern just a hint of the shallots in the sauce and it went perfectly with the rich lump crab cakes which were delicious.
The birthday girl had a Caesar salad which she pronounced to be excellent. She insisted I try a bite and I concurred. We also ordered the spinach dip. The women loved it but I was not as crazy about the texture, finding it to be a bit too thick. The girls had wedge salads which III Forks has always done well and their’s were no exceptions.
Then came the highlight of the evening. Marge and I had two 20 oz bone-in ribeyes cooked medium rare plus. They came sizzling with that rich aroma characteristic of well-cooked prime steaks. The first bite of mine produced an instant flavor rush redolent of a smoky grill with rich fatty tones. The ribeye was tender and succulent. After a long absence from any prime marbled cuts, the steak brought back a slew of pleasant dining memories.
Lauren and Jade had boneless ribeyes which they enthusiastically approved, particularly after I persuaded them to change their order from medium-well.
The steaks came with buttery mashers which paired very well. Of course, the traditional III Forks creamed corn, along with a platter of sliced tomatoes and green onions, enhanced get entrees as well. We also enjoyed a nice bottle of Purple Cowboy cabernet sauvignon to accompany the meal.
We closed with what, in my opinion, is the signature III Forks desert: a sizable serving of caramel and pecan bread pudding served warm with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. What a finish!
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our server RJ. He was cordial, helpful, and had the classic skill that characterizes all great servers: knowing just when to approach or not to approach the table. All in all a most impressive and seamless job.
As much as I love III Forks in Austin, I would not hesitate to revisit their lovely sister restaurant in Frisco.
III Forks Frisco
1303 Legacy Dr.
Frisco, TX 75034
(972) 267-1776
