I'm sure the people at QBP love threads like these
I have a Surly Cross Check because I wanted a frameset that would let me "do anything". Right now it's setup with drop bars, linear pull brakes, 700x37 tires and 42x16 fixed gear. I use it as my daily commuter and on the weekends to pull the kiddie trailer down at the beach.
Future plans maybe include going to a Nexus internal hub and maybe flat bars, just to mix it up. I've got the ability to put fenders and a rear rack on it, too.
It may be that Salsa steel is better, but I didn't find anything as versatile as the Cross Check when I was doing my shopping. And all the hipster kids seem to think this thirtysomething is remotely cool, which is purely accident as far as I can tell
Steve