One of the most successful restaurant chains out of North Carolina is Firebirds . The mid-level, 18-store steak chain found its way into the Triangle market with the opening of Southpoint, however it wasn’t until the rebuilding of North Hills that they were able to enter the Raleigh market.

Firebirds’ decor is based on a cozy, dark, mountain lodge theme. The bar and restaurant are well divided, and the noise level is quite low.

The menu offers a basic selection of steaks, as well as an expected selection of sandwiches and salads. It’s a menu that offers a flexible experience, and allows the diner to choose a comfortable price point.

My favorite menu item is the Chile Rubbed Delmonico. While the cut is always more fatty than I like, the crystalized chiles on the exterior are fantastic. Firebirds has a great loaded potato as well, mainly because their bacon is excellent.

Many dishes offer a small salad to begin, and the best of these options is the BLT salad. That excellent bacon makes another appearance along with ripe tomatoes and a homemade Ranch dressing. The dressing has a bit too much of a garlic kick for me, but it’s just right for many.

Another couple of good options for a less formal dinner are the Colorado Chicken Salad and the Grilled Tenderloin Salad. The tenderloin salad has crumbled bleu cheese, tomatoes, and a balsamic vinaigrette. I prefer the grilled chicken salad with the Ranch dressing than the raspberry chipotle dressing that normally comes on the dish.

Firebirds also has hamburgers, but they are among the city’s most disappointing. The meat is usually overcooked, and the buns have always been stale and tasteless (which is surprising given the excellent dinner rolls). As burgers go in North Hills, the better option is at Five Guys, however I don’t have an answer for an alternative in a full-service restaurant (Fox & Hound is not better). Stretching out into Raleigh for better burgers? Try the Raleigh Times, Cameron Bar and Grill, Porters, and Chow.

Firebirds has been a big success in North Hills, with waits for tables on many weekday nights. Perhaps when the economy picks back up, there will be opportunities for them in North Raleigh and Cary.