Steaks: Abuba’s and Joni’s
When people ask me what my favorite foods are, steak is obviously one of the culinary that comes up in my mind for the answer. Here, I would like to discuss about the two most popular and affordable steak restaurants in Jakarta, i.e. Abuba's and Joni Steak. Similarly, the two restaurants are specialized in having steak as their main menu; and unlike other restaurants where steaks are usually quite expensive, they are actually succeeded in not only serving steak in a relatively affordable price to their customers, but at the same time, ensuring delicacy of the meal itself– in fact, some of my friends believe that they have the cheapest price-list in comparison with other similar dining places. Perhaps for such reasons, both have become very popular among steak-lovers in Jakarta. However, aside of being a steak restaurant, there are some differences between Abuba's and Joni Steak in terms of price, menu diversity, place, and most importantly for me, the taste.
Although Abuba's and Joni Steak are famous for their affordability, yet if I take a closer look on the price between the two, It is obvious that the cost of eating in Joni Steak is cheaper than in Abuba. The easiest way to find this out is by comparing the same offered menu of the two restaurants. For example, the New Zealand sirloin steak costs Rp 48.000 in Abuba; but in Joni Steak, the same kind of steak only costs Rp 35.000. Additionally, the Abuba’s price for local tenderloin steak is Rp 46.000; whereas in Joni Steak, the price is only Rp 30.000 for the same menu. Furthermore, the same idea of cheapness also applies for the drinks. While I only need to spend Rp 5.000 for soft drinks in Joni Steak, but in Abuba, soft drinks cost Rp. 7.000. In this case, Joni’s can be considered as the winner when it comes to providing more affordable price for customers.
For another reason, menu diversity also becomes one of the factors that differentiate between the two steak restaurants. In Joni’s, I can have a wide selections of main menus and side dishes that are not available at Abuba’s, such as: spaghetti, chicken burger, garlic bread, mashed potatoes or tubers, fish and chips, prawns cutlet and yoghurts. Moreover, customers at Joni’s can choose between mushroom and black pepper sauce when they order a steak – such privilege is one thing that does not offered by Abuba's.
Aside of the price and menu diversity, the condition and facility of Abuba's and Joni Steak restaurant are not the same. Personally, I think that eating at Joni’s is much more uncomfortable than Abuba’s. Somehow, the place is too crowded and small. I can clearly hear people’s chatting from my rear, left and right seat because the space from one table to another is so close. Sometimes, the place can be pretty smoky too simply because the kitchen is located inside the restaurant. To make it worse, there is no separation whatsoever between smoking and non-smoking area, so consider it as “extra” smokes for you. Furthermore, street musicians often come in and asking for some coins, something which is very bothering to me. Abuba’s, on the other hand, is a more enjoyable place to eat. It has wider space, and better air circulation because of the air con. The kitchen is located at the front of the restaurant, so the smoke goes outside. In addition, there is a clear separation between smoking and non-smoking area. Finally, Abuba's has better facilities such as free Wi-Fi and LCD TV. I still remember how my friend opened his laptop and accessed his facebook while waiting for the meal. Therefore, I think that Abuba's has done a better job in providing better ambience for a pleasant eating experience in its dining place than Joni’s.
The most important difference between Abuba’s and Joni Steak is the taste of the food, in particular for me, the steak. Surely, I do aware that when it comes to the taste, different people would have different appetites. However, after comparing the same kind steak of the two restaurants, I find that the meat tastes better in Abuba's than Joni’s. As a steak-lover, I always like my tenderloin steak to be medium-rare. For one reason, steaks in Abuba's are much more tender and sweet. The juicy red blood that flows in my mouth when I chew my piece of sliced steak tastes sweet and very unique. The meat itself is soft and tender. So, I really enjoy the flavor very much, bit-by-bit. But at Joni’s, the taste is not as delicious as Abuba’s. Somehow, the steak texture is a bit rough and not so juicy even though I order for medium-rare. Most of the flavor comes from the sauce, and not the meat itself, which is pretty tasteless. Thus, I personally would vote for Abuba’s over Joni’s when it comes to the taste.
All in all, although both Abuba's and Joni Steak are popular in Jakarta, but I think each of them has distinct differences that makes them unique from each other. And instead of deciding which one is better, I would like to say my preferences about the two restaurants in a more neutral way; if you want to have cheaper steak, go to Joni’s—if you want to have a better dining place but with a slightly more expensive price, go to Abuba’s. In terms of the taste of the steak, I choose Abuba's. But of course, that’s just my own preferences; so, what about yours?
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