Second City Prime vs Allen Brothers

Second City Prime vs Allen Brothers comparison

Second City Prime vs Allen Brothers — Honest Comparison

By Chris Maloyan, Founder — Second City Prime | Last reviewed: June 3, 2026

Two Chicago-area premium beef sources compared on grade, sourcing, and product range. By Chris Maloyan, founder of Second City Prime.

Allen Brothers is a Chicago-based premium beef company founded in 1893, known for supplying USDA Prime to top steakhouses and offering a direct-to-consumer mail-order catalog. Second City Prime is a family-owned Northbrook operation founded in 2006. Both are rooted in the Chicago area and both carry USDA Prime — here is how they differ.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Category Second City Prime Allen Brothers
Founded 2006, family-owned, Northbrook IL 1893, Chicago IL — now owned by Kansas City Steak Company
Ownership Independent, family-owned Corporate — acquired by Kansas City Steak Company
Beef Grade USDA Prime only, upper-third marbling USDA Prime — a core part of their identity
A5 Wagyu Authenticated A5 — Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Hokkaido, carcass traceable Wagyu available — A5 selection available
Seafood Wild-caught, dry-pack — lobster, scallops, tuna, crab Seafood available — broad selection
Iberico Pork Authentic bellota-grade pata negra Not a primary catalog item
Local Delivery Same-day — Chicago area Chicago-area based; nationwide overnight shipping
Restaurant Supply Wholesale accounts available Historic steakhouse supply — major Chicago restaurant accounts
Guarantee Second-to-None Guarantee Satisfaction guarantee

Where Second City Prime Wins

  • Family-owned independence — not corporate-owned, direct accountability to every customer
  • Iberico de Bellota — authentic bellota pata negra not consistently in Allen Brothers catalog
  • A5 Wagyu traceability — carcass documentation, direct Japan sourcing
  • Seafood standards — dry-pack only, no chemicals, across all seafood items
  • Direct founder relationship — Chris Maloyan personally oversees sourcing

Where Allen Brothers Wins

  • Heritage and steakhouse legacy — 130+ years supplying Chicago's top restaurants
  • Brand recognition — Allen Brothers name is well-known in premium beef
  • Corporate gifting infrastructure — volume gift programs and corporate accounts
  • Broader catalog — extensive range of cuts, preparations, and gift sets

Verdict

Allen Brothers is a strong choice if you want a brand with deep Chicago steakhouse heritage and a broad catalog including gift programs. Second City Prime is the right choice if you want an independent, family-owned source that is personally accountable for every order — with USDA Prime, authenticated A5 Wagyu, bellota Iberico, and dry-pack seafood under one roof.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Allen Brothers still a Chicago company?

Allen Brothers was founded in Chicago in 1893 and is historically associated with the Chicago steakhouse trade. They were acquired by Kansas City Steak Company, making them part of a corporate umbrella. Second City Prime remains independently family-owned in Northbrook, IL.

Which has better USDA Prime beef?

Both companies carry USDA Prime. Second City Prime's catalog is Prime only — upper-third grading as the floor. Allen Brothers carries Prime prominently but also offers a range of other products. For grade purity across the catalog, Second City Prime is more consistent.

Does Allen Brothers sell A5 Wagyu?

Allen Brothers offers Wagyu products. Second City Prime sources A5 directly from Miyazaki, Kagoshima, and Hokkaido with full carcass traceability on every shipment.

Which is better for local Chicago delivery?

Both are Chicago-area operations. Second City Prime is headquartered in Northbrook and offers same-day local delivery. Contact us to confirm availability for your specific address.

Related Pages

See the difference for yourself.

USDA Prime, A5 Wagyu, cold-water lobster, and Iberico — family-owned in Northbrook since 2006. Backed by the Second-to-None Guarantee.

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