Texas Charm Meets California Cab Country
Downtown McKinney · McKinney · American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated September 2026
Reviewed April 29, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Rick's Chophouse’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Rick's Chophouse, housed in a historic downtown McKinney building, feels like stepping into a steakhouse that takes itself seriously — white tablecloths, dark wood, and a wine list that leans hard into California Cabernet, which is exactly what you'd expect. The 150-200 bottle list earns its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence (held since 2012), though it plays a very familiar tune. You know this list before you've finished reading the first page.
The list is built around big-name California reds — Caymus, Jordan, Silver Oak Alexander Valley, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars — and it does that lane well, even if it rarely steps outside it. There's a nod to Texas terroir with Becker Vineyards and Duchman Family Winery on the list, which is a smart, locally-minded touch worth appreciating. Flowers Vineyard Chardonnay represents the white wine side with some real quality, though the broader white selection thins out quickly. If you're hunting for Burgundy, Rhône, or anything from the Southern Hemisphere, you're going to be disappointed.
The by-the-glass program runs 12-20 options in the $10-$18 range, which is reasonable for a steakhouse at this level. Expect the usual suspects — a Cab, maybe a Merlot, a Chardonnay — rotated infrequently if at all. It's functional, not exciting, but it gets the job done for the table that just wants a solid glass with their ribeye.
Duchman Family Winery (Texas) — $35-$45
Supporting a Texas producer at the lower end of the price range while getting a genuinely expressive wine is the smart play here — Duchman punches well above its price point and adds local context you won't find at most steakhouses.
Flowers Vineyard Chardonnay
Most people at a chophouse are locked on red, but the Flowers Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast is a serious, cool-climate white that deserves a look — especially if you're starting with the lobster bisque or jumbo lump crab cakes.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere, and steakhouses know they can charge a premium for the name recognition. You're paying for the label at a marked-up price when there are better-value Cabs on this same list.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon + Bone-in Kansas City Strip
Jordan's Alexander Valley Cab has the structure to stand up to a big, bone-in strip without overwhelming it — it's classic steakhouse pairing done right, and Jordan's more restrained style means you're actually tasting the beef.
The Bottom Line
Rick's Chophouse is a reliable, well-worn steakhouse wine list that does exactly what it promises — California Cabs and a few Texas wildcards to keep things interesting. Send a friend here for a solid steak-and-wine night; just tell them to skip the Caymus and go exploring.
· McKinney · Southern American
Ida Claire isn't a wine destination, but it's a solid place to drink wine — especially if you time it for happy hour. Show up between 3 and 6, order the shrimp and grits, and let someone else worry about the cellar.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
· McKinney · Italian
Taverna Rossa's wine list gets the job done for a casual dinner out, but the markups on familiar bottles make it hard to recommend going beyond a glass or two. Stick with the Barbera or the Guigal and save the splurge for the food.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· McKinney · Mexican
Mi Cocina McKinney put exactly zero thought into their wine program, and it shows in every predictable bottle on that nine-label list. Order a margarita and don't look back.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· McKinney · Italian
Bravo! is a competent chain wine program — wide by-the-glass selection, a few Italian producers worth noting, and prices that are steep but not insulting. You're not coming here for the wine list, but you won't regret ordering either.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· McKinney · Seafood & Steakhouse
Truluck's isn't a destination wine list, but the nightly happy hour deals and an actual sommelier on staff mean you can drink well here without too much pain — just lean on the bar specials and let the secret wine surprise you. Send a friend who cares more about stone crab than obscure growers, and they'll leave happy.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
· McKinney · Italian
Brio McKinney's wine list won't win any awards and the markup will sting if you reach for the California heavyweights, but there are a few genuinely Italian picks buried in there worth finding. Come for the food, order thoughtfully, and stick to the Old World side of the list.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· McLean · American Steakhouse
We don't fully understand how a six-bottle list this good ended up at The Palm Tysons Corner, but here we are. If you're eating here and care about wine at all, this list deserves your attention — especially that Sancerre at $23. It's a small program, but it's a thoughtful one, and in a category full of lazy steakhouse lists, that counts for a lot.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· The Woodlands · American Steakhouse
We're working with event-night evidence, not a full house list, so drawing firm conclusions about Del Frisco's Grille's everyday wine program would be dishonest. What we can say is that a six-wine promotional dinner built around one producer family isn't a reason to make this your wine destination. Come for the steakhouse experience — but don't expect the wine list to be the main event.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
· Ashburn · American Steakhouse
Eddie Merlot's is a dependable upscale steakhouse that delivers on the beef side of the equation. The wine program appears to be functional rather than inspired — a crowd-pleasing list built to sell confidently, not to excite. If you're coming for a business dinner or a straightforward date night and want a Napa Cab with your prime-aged ribeye, you'll be just fine. If you want something to talk about on the drive home, you might need to bring your own bottle or do a little pre-visit homework.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
