Del Frisco's Grille
Chain Steakhouse Plays It Safe, As Expected
Tampa · Tampa · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed February 21, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Del Frisco's Grille reads exactly like what you'd expect from a polished chain steakhouse: heavy on California Cabs, a token Malbec, and safe-bet Chardonnays that won't offend anyone at the corporate dinner table. It's corporate wine for corporate dining, competent but utterly predictable. Nothing here will surprise you, for better or worse.
Selection Deep Dive
The list leans hard into Napa and Sonoma Cabernets in the $70-150 range, with the usual suspects like Caymus and Silver Oak making appearances at markups that make you wince. There's a handful of Old World options—a Chianti here, a Rioja there—but they feel like afterthoughts rather than thoughtful picks. The selection does what it needs to do: pair with ribeyes and filets without anyone asking questions. But if you're looking for depth, natural wines, or anything remotely adventurous, you're in the wrong building.
By the Glass
The by-the-glass program sticks to the greatest hits: a California Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir, a Cab, maybe a Malbec if you're lucky. We're talking about seven to ten pours max, rotating about as often as the furniture. Pricing sits in the $12-18 range for wines you could grab at Total Wine for half that. It's functional if you just want a glass with your steak, but don't expect discovery.
Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon — $42
Washington State overdelivers at this price point—solid structure, ripe fruit, doesn't break the bank even with the markup
Antinori Pèppoli Chianti Classico
Buried in the Italian section, this Tuscan red has the acidity to cut through butter-drenched steaks better than any fruit bomb Cab
Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet
Priced at $140+ with a 3x+ markup, this crowd-pleaser is everywhere and vastly overpriced here—you're paying for the name, not the juice
J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon + Bone-In Ribeye
Classic Paso Robles Cab with enough tannin and dark fruit to stand up to charred, marbled beef without overwhelming it
✔️ The Bottom Line
Del Frisco's Grille delivers exactly what it promises: a safe steakhouse wine list with corporate pricing and zero surprises. If you're here on an expense account and just want a decent Cab with your steak, you'll be fine—but you won't be inspired.
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