Beefsteak Charlie's
Encyclopedia
Beefsteak Charlie's was a well-known Manhattan
restaurant in the early 20th century, and later a restaurant chain based in the New York metropolitan area
, which grew to over 60 locations in the early 1980s.
restaurateur who was nicknamed "Beefsteak Charlie," a name given him by Howard Williams, a sports editor for the New York Morning Telegraph. Chessar opened his first restaurant around 1910, and moved to Fiftieth Street
between Broadway
and Eighth Avenue
in 1914, which he operated until 1934. The restaurant was filled with horse racing photographs and frequented by sports enthusiasts, and the specialty of the house was a steak sandwich. A fire in March 1933 caused the loss of many of the racing pictures, though some still remain in the family of the subsequent owner, William Soshnick.
After Chessar left, his namesake restaurant was owned and operated by William Soshnick, who migrated to the U.S. along with his family to avoid anti-semitic oppression in Russ-Poland. Soshnick was one of five immigrant brothers that eventually owned and operated small markets, butcher shops as well as the White Rose bars in New York City. William Soshnick sold Beefsteak Charlie's upon his retirement in the late 1960s and moved to Tucson, Arizona. During Soshnick's ownership the restaurant became a popular hangout for jazz musicians in the 1950s and 1960s.
Beefsteak Charlie's marketing concept emphasized an all-you-can-eat shrimp and salad bar, as well as unlimited beer, wine, or sangria
. Early 1980s advertising featured an actor in early 20th century dress playing the role of Beefsteak Charlie, later joined by his nephew "Beefsteak Chuck." Two of the chain's famous indulgent slogans were "I'll feed you like there's no tomorrow" and "You're gonna get spoiled."
As of 1984, the chain had over 60 locations, located mostly along the East Coast. Corporate owner "Beefsteak Charlies, Inc." changed its name in 1985 to "Lifestyle Restaurants, Inc." In August 1987, the chain was acquired by Bombay Palace Restaurants, via a merger with Lifestyle Restaurants for a reported $8.4 million in stock. At the time of the 1987 merger, it was reported that the chain had 48 locations, but had closed 20 locations and lost $20 million since 1984. When Bombay filed for bankruptcy two years later, the chain was reported to have only 35 outlets.
At least a few locations of the chain hung on into the 1990s and early 2000s. In 1992, the chain was advertising only two remaining locations in Manhattan—at 51st Street and Broadway (originally the famous Lindy's
location), and at 45th Street and Eighth Avenue (though other outlets may still have been open). In 2000, franchise restaurant operator Riese Organization converted its 45th Street location into "Joe Franklin
's Memory Lane Restaurant". A Manhattan location on Eighth Avenue at the Howard Johnson's Plaza hotel appears to have closed shortly after September 11, 2001.
At least as of March 2003, one "Beefsteak Charlie's" was advertised as being open in Elmsford, New York
, though it is unclear if the restaurant had any connection to the prior chain, as the chain's trademarks had expired, and a new registration was filed for in 2001. In 2009, reports surfaced of a new Beefsteak Charlie's opening in the Westfield Sunrise
Mall in Nassau County, New York
.
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
restaurant in the early 20th century, and later a restaurant chain based in the New York metropolitan area
New York metropolitan area
The New York metropolitan area, also known as Greater New York, or the Tri-State area, is the region that composes of New York City and the surrounding region...
, which grew to over 60 locations in the early 1980s.
The original restaurant
Charles W. Chessar was a New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
restaurateur who was nicknamed "Beefsteak Charlie," a name given him by Howard Williams, a sports editor for the New York Morning Telegraph. Chessar opened his first restaurant around 1910, and moved to Fiftieth Street
50th Street (Manhattan)
50th Street in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The street runs eastbound from 12th Avenue, across the full width of the island, ending at Beekman Place and carries the M50 bus line, which returns on 49th Street...
between Broadway
Broadway (New York City)
Broadway is a prominent avenue in New York City, United States, which runs through the full length of the borough of Manhattan and continues northward through the Bronx borough before terminating in Westchester County, New York. It is the oldest north–south main thoroughfare in the city, dating to...
and Eighth Avenue
Eighth Avenue (Manhattan)
Eighth Avenue is a north-south avenue on the West Side of Manhattan in New York City, carrying northbound traffic. Eighth Avenue begins in the West Village neighborhood at Abingdon Square and runs north for 44 blocks through Chelsea, the Garment District, Hell's Kitchen's east end, Midtown and the...
in 1914, which he operated until 1934. The restaurant was filled with horse racing photographs and frequented by sports enthusiasts, and the specialty of the house was a steak sandwich. A fire in March 1933 caused the loss of many of the racing pictures, though some still remain in the family of the subsequent owner, William Soshnick.
After Chessar left, his namesake restaurant was owned and operated by William Soshnick, who migrated to the U.S. along with his family to avoid anti-semitic oppression in Russ-Poland. Soshnick was one of five immigrant brothers that eventually owned and operated small markets, butcher shops as well as the White Rose bars in New York City. William Soshnick sold Beefsteak Charlie's upon his retirement in the late 1960s and moved to Tucson, Arizona. During Soshnick's ownership the restaurant became a popular hangout for jazz musicians in the 1950s and 1960s.
The chain
The "Beefsteak Charlie's" restaurant chain was started in early 1976 by restaurateur Larry Ellman, whose "Steak & Brew" chain (part of the Longchamps organization) had filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in the fall of 1975. Steak & Brew, Inc., was renamed Beefsteak Charlies, Inc., and many Steak & Brew locations were converted into Beefsteak Charlie's. As the chain first filed for a trademark on the "Beefsteak Charlie's" name in March 1976, and no prior trademark existed, it appears there was no direct connection to the namesake restaurant which inspired the chain.Beefsteak Charlie's marketing concept emphasized an all-you-can-eat shrimp and salad bar, as well as unlimited beer, wine, or sangria
Sangría
Sangria is a wine punch typical of Spain and Portugal, also consumed in Argentina and Uruguay. It normally consists of a wine, chopped fruit, a sweetener, and a small amount of added brandy. To be specific, a wine is a light, dry, young, high acid, unoaked, inexpensive wine, usually red wine due...
. Early 1980s advertising featured an actor in early 20th century dress playing the role of Beefsteak Charlie, later joined by his nephew "Beefsteak Chuck." Two of the chain's famous indulgent slogans were "I'll feed you like there's no tomorrow" and "You're gonna get spoiled."
As of 1984, the chain had over 60 locations, located mostly along the East Coast. Corporate owner "Beefsteak Charlies, Inc." changed its name in 1985 to "Lifestyle Restaurants, Inc." In August 1987, the chain was acquired by Bombay Palace Restaurants, via a merger with Lifestyle Restaurants for a reported $8.4 million in stock. At the time of the 1987 merger, it was reported that the chain had 48 locations, but had closed 20 locations and lost $20 million since 1984. When Bombay filed for bankruptcy two years later, the chain was reported to have only 35 outlets.
At least a few locations of the chain hung on into the 1990s and early 2000s. In 1992, the chain was advertising only two remaining locations in Manhattan—at 51st Street and Broadway (originally the famous Lindy's
Lindy's
Lindy's is a deli and restaurant with two locations in New York City, at 825 7th Avenue and 401 7th Avenue . Lindy's is best known for its original incarnation which opened in 1921 on Broadway...
location), and at 45th Street and Eighth Avenue (though other outlets may still have been open). In 2000, franchise restaurant operator Riese Organization converted its 45th Street location into "Joe Franklin
Joe Franklin
Joe Franklin is an American radio and television personality. From New York City, Franklin is sometimes credited with hosting the first television talk show...
's Memory Lane Restaurant". A Manhattan location on Eighth Avenue at the Howard Johnson's Plaza hotel appears to have closed shortly after September 11, 2001.
At least as of March 2003, one "Beefsteak Charlie's" was advertised as being open in Elmsford, New York
Elmsford, New York
Elmsford is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. Roughly one mile square, the village is fully contained within the borders of the town of Greenburgh...
, though it is unclear if the restaurant had any connection to the prior chain, as the chain's trademarks had expired, and a new registration was filed for in 2001. In 2009, reports surfaced of a new Beefsteak Charlie's opening in the Westfield Sunrise
Westfield Sunrise
Westfield Sunrise, formerly known as Sunrise Mall, is a shopping mall located in East Massapequa, New York. The mall originally opened on August 30, 1973 as the first 2-level shopping center on Long Island. It later underwent a major remodel in 1991 and it was acquired by the Westfield Group in...
Mall in Nassau County, New York
Nassau County, New York
Nassau County is a suburban county on Long Island, east of New York City in the U.S. state of New York, within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,339,532...
.
Beefsteak Charlie's in popular culture
- The restaurant was parodied in a 1980 Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
skit as "Pre-Chew Charlie's", ostensibly a steakhouse where the waiters come to your table and chew your food for you. - In a 2002 episode of the sitcom Will & GraceWill & GraceWill & Grace was an American television sitcom that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 21, 1998 to May 18, 2006 for a total of eight seasons. Will & Grace remains the most successful television series with gay principal characters...
(Season 5, Episode 6, "Boardroom & A Parked Place"), WillWill TrumanWilliam Pierce "Will" Truman is a fictional character on the American sitcom Will & Grace, portrayed by Eric McCormack. He is a gay lawyer who lives in the Upper West Side of New York City with his best friend, Grace Adler.-Fictional character history:...
takes a group poll which decides to dine at the restaurant, despite one holdout voting for T.G.I. Friday'sT.G.I. Friday'sT.G.I. Friday's is an American restaurant chain focusing on casual dining. The company is a unit of the Carlson Companies. Its name is taken from the expression TGIF...
. - In a 1998 episode of the sitcom FriendsFriendsFriends is an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series revolves around a group of friends in Manhattan. The series was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
(Season 4, Episode 13, "The One With Rachel's Crush"), ChandlerChandler BingChandler Muriel Bing is a fictional character on the popular U.S. television sitcom Friends, portrayed by Matthew Perry.-Background:Chandler Muriel Bing was born on April 8, 1968, the son of an erotic novelist mother and a cross-dressing Las Vegas star and is of Scottish ancestry. Chandler was Ross...
gets drunk at the restaurant after thinking his girlfriend cheated on him. He drunkenly calls the restaurant "Beefsteak Julie's" prompting RachelRachel GreenRachel Karen Green is a fictional character on the popular U.S. television sitcom Friends, portrayed by Jennifer Aniston. Aniston received an Emmy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe for her performances.-Background:...
to correct him.