I would 2nd the suggestion to take a look at the Nashbar steel cyclocross bike:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_553817_-1___

Also, if you liked the Surly (Crosscheck maybe?), but it's out of your price range, take a look at the Bikes Direct Motebecane Fantom CXX. It has a steel frame and geometry suspiciously like the Crosscheck. It's $799:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...fantom_cxx.htm

I considered both of those before finally going with the Schwinn Slicker from Nashbar...