A nice thick and juicy steak is heaven. But we all know the real fun comes from the sides — the potatoes, the veggies, the creamed everything. We scoured the country to find the most-outrageous sidekicks for your next steakhouse adventure.

At the Roaring Fork in Austin — which specializes in steaks roasted over a fire-breathing hearth — the side to get is the Green Chili Mac 'n' Cheese. Rich and spicy, it's the perfect partner for a smoky steak cooked over a live fire. 

Freshly shucked corn is tossed with apple-wood-smoked bacon, shallots and bechamel sauce, then topped with panko breadcrumbs for a toasty golden crust, for the impossibly popular creamed corn at Abe & Louie's. It's technically a vegetable, so pass the guilt.

Macaroni and cheese is such a solid classic that you might wonder why anyone would mess with it. But the folks at Oak Steakhouse in Charleston were not content to leave well enough alone. Thank goodness. Just saying the words "smoky bacon macaroni and cheese" may be enough to put a smile on your face. But eating it is even better.