Steak and Brew - Gristle, Sizzle and Skimpy Suds
Steak and Brew was probably the first chain of halfway serious (other than fast food) restaurants in our area. They advertised extensively on FM rock stations and marketed themselves to college students (and younger siblings who borrowed their ID). For about $7.95 you got a complete dinner consisting of an appetizer, a steak, veggies, a baked potato, ice cream and coffee. But, most important to your average client, the owners promised unlimited beer, wine or sangria. For an extra buck or so you could get a lobster instead of a steak.
What was the food like? Well, I recall going there in 1975. Adjusted for the Consumer Price Index, a $7.95 dinner would cost about $30.00 in today's money - reasonable for a steak dinner, but a bit much for your typical college kid. The steak was, well, al-dente, and although the beer was unlimited, getting our waitress to refill the one-quart pitcher which was allotted per table was not easy. In addition, we had the distinct impression that the suds (probably Rheingold or some other cheap brand) were watered down.
What was the food like? Well, I recall going there in 1975. Adjusted for the Consumer Price Index, a $7.95 dinner would cost about $30.00 in today's money - reasonable for a steak dinner, but a bit much for your typical college kid. The steak was, well, al-dente, and although the beer was unlimited, getting our waitress to refill the one-quart pitcher which was allotted per table was not easy. In addition, we had the distinct impression that the suds (probably Rheingold or some other cheap brand) were watered down.
posted by Tony the Tour Guy | 7:39 PM
34 Comments:
We loved "Steak and Brew" when we lived in NYC. Always had a good meal, Not much around to comparie with today.
So glad for this writeup. Was trying to remember restaurants in NYC in the 70s and this came up as we could remember it's sister "The Cattleman." Thanks.
Went they're often in the early 70's! just jumped on the tubes from Journal Square Jersey City. we were only 16 and 17 at the time but they served us liquor without even asking for ID! the unlimitred pitchers of sangria was awesome!! great times!!
It really was a great 'bang for the buck'! The steak--the pitchers! Remember it like it was yesterday -- especially those long loaves of white, rye and pump 'slice 'em yourself' breads, and oh, those bacon bits at the salad bar!!
I was a 22 year old boy from SC, a Vietnam veteran and stationed at Brooklyn Naval Station. My wife and I loved going to Steak and Brew. If I recall correctly, there was at least 3 of them located in the vicinity of Broadway and 50th street. We didn't have much money and we could eat big there. My fondest memories of New York are there. My wife stole one of the slate board menus and it now hangs on the wall in my kitchen. Steak and Lobster was $6.50. Would send a picture of it, but I don't know how to attach it here.
There also was a chain The Brew Burger,and Steak and Brew Burger,owned by Riese restaurants.I worked at many of their locations (those were the days)--just click about the only place to eat in Times Square.
There also was a chain The Brew Burger,and Steak and Brew Burger,owned by Riese restaurants.I worked at many of their locations (those were the days)--just click about the only place to eat in Times Square.
The memory of this place was tucked away in my head for years...I remember about 20 of us as Blair Academy seniors sitting down to a great meal...and those who weren't 18 yet had big smiles on there faces as we toasted each other!
I worked as a bartender at Steak & Brew and Brew Burgers all up and down midtown Manhattan in 1977 and 1978. Hired by a guy named Mr. Avinash and fired by at least seven of his "stupid" managers for everything from showing up two minutes late to wearing brown socks. Mr. Avinash always sent me to another restaurant the same or next day. I was always employed. Tips were great ($30-50 a night) for that time and the customers were always a treat, especially the kids from New Jersey who always seemed unable to hold their liquor and tried to jump checks. We caught most of them and had a couple of really excellent, room-clearing fights, especially in the store on 57th and 7th (across from O'Brien's Balloon... I think that was the name). Great times. Hookers were regulars, as were various locals.
Tell me, Rick: did they really water-down the beer there? I thought they did. We went there because it was cheap, and they didn't check IDs.
I worked there from 77'-79' as a waiter,bartender,and manager.Was 21 years old!Burgers and salads were goood!,and their apple pie was fantastic.
We served eveybody..no i.d.required!
No,Tony,it was just the cheapest beer to begin with!
No,Tony,it was just the cheapest beer to begin with!
My Dad was the manager at the RT-17s Paramus, NJ location. 1970-71 time frame. I remember drinking right out of the tap.
I worked at Steak and Brew. The beer wasn't "watered down". It was Knickerbocker beer right out of the keg.
I worked as a waitress "79" for Brew Burger in many Manhattan locations. 7th ave and 47th street, park ave south, 44th street, etc. The beer was knickerbocker and mostly flat. German tourists appeared to be our target market.The cheesecake was amazing by any standard.....
David Caruso worked there too..... like Rick said Mr. Avinash sent people around to different locations no matter how horrible or great of an employee they were....Employee retention skills.
"Salad Man" on 5th ave bet 42nd and 43rd was another Reise restaurant I was sent to work at. That place was a circus and a half. What comes to mind immediately is the fly infestation. The running joke was to set the table with a knife, fork, napkin, flyswatter.
Young Chinese guy was the manager can't remember his name..... nicest guy though..... he seemed traumatized.
Waiters were snorting something out of a bottle that they said they acquired at a "head shop."
Those were cigarette shops that sold a little something extra run by mostly middle eastern men ( that's a whole other blog)
"The Boss" was another one. All you can eat shrimp and salad bar. Sangria was made with Carlo Rossi wine 7up and orange juice....
I doubt That business model would ever fly in today's world....
Don't forget the bread bar, the bread was always fresh baked and the butter melted on it. My favorite drink if I recall correctly was the pirates grog. A real short bus ride from Jersey City to port authority.
When I went to NYU I would go often to one on 13th St and 5th (?). Steak was actually good. Nice char on it. Beer was Rupert's which the name was taken by Rheingold when they went bust. By the second pitcher it was fine. No problem with service, just tip a buck or so per person up front and regular tip at the end.
I worked at the KING of Prussia Pa location I believe our sangria was port wine mixed with ginger ale or soda water with oranges. We also had to pay union dues, which was funny as we were high school kids and they took about two hours pay each month. Years later the union started sending me their new journal lol I was a fun place to work
I remember Steak and Brew as a place a bunch of us would go frequently for cheap dates and mass drinking. Beside the steak dinner you would get all you could drink beer or wine, all you could eat salad and bread. As poor students, we would all go there, order a burger(cheaper item on the menu) and then eat and drink and drink til closing time, which in nyc was 4 am(?).
I think there was one on 5th Avenue down by NYU. For awhile there was also an Italian takeoff, Enrico andPagliari’s or something. Same deal with wine, sangria, and beer. A great place for a cheap date. I don’t think they were around very long
Cheap Food. Would go there before concerts or ranger games. Free beer did not hurt either
Were there steak and brews located anywhere in New Jersey in the 1970s?
I will give you 100 dollars for that menu. I also had one and someone broke into my apartment and stole it .
I'd take the bus down to NYC from Albany for concerts (Yes, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Gentle Giant, Todd Rundgren, Genesis, etc.) Pre-show we always went to a Brew Burger to have dinner and get a cheap buzz on with the unlimited beer, wine or sangria. Made for a great show!
New York in the early seventies,
World Trade center coming out of the ground, all rusty red steel going up.
Lots of workers, hardly any safety cables.
Busy town, busy studying and we had a Steak & Brew Restaurant at Washington Square Park.
All the beer you could drink, all the salad you could make and a good piece of meat. Take that for $ 4.50 and we had a jolly afternoon. Just wonder if I can attach a copy of the slateboard menu now hanging behing me in my office.
Those were the days. Springsteen, Dylan and Elton John were all in the making.
Here it comes if it works
Does not seem to work
When did they stop unlimited beer?
I worked for Steak & Brew 1973 thru 1975 in York, PA, Cheltenham, PA, Pennsauken, NJ, and did stints at the King of Prussia, Camp Hill and Willow Grove, PA. Dishwasher, busboy, lunch bartender, prep cook, line cook, cashier, host, and kitchen manager. NY Strip steaks were USDA Choice which nowadays would be called prime. Think they were 12 and 16 oz versions.Surf & Turf was a big seller with a 4 oz lobster tail. Whole lobsters, scampi-like broiled shrimp overpover white rice, honey dipt fried chicken, teriyaki or broiled half chicken, sauteed mushrooms, shrimp cocktail, filet mignon, desserts we're cheesecake, key lime pie-like thing. Breads we're good quality fresh baked and their salad bar was for real. All their dressings were quality and the blue cheese dressing was thick with real cheese. Tap beer was not watered down in any store I worked and I know because i often changed the kegs when they were tapped out. Sangria was burgundy wine, 7 up and fruit. We would do 500+ covers on a Saturday night in the York store year long. Used to be a store near Garden State Race Track in Cherry Hill, NJ not far from Cinnelli's Restaurant. I think they had a mob shooting there once but cant vouch. I know they had units as far south as FL.
I worked as a dishwasher there in 1972 and 1973, I remember all them peel and eat shrimp, I used to eat there a lot too ,it was one of the best jobs I ever had as a teenager, the waiters and waitresses would always make sure I have a fresh picture of beer and a burger during my shift
We loved this place (always thought it was called Brew & Burger and that it was very close to Madison Square Garden, on 8th or 9th Av near W 33rd St). I believe we would hit between 1975 & 1778. We were young teens and ID was NOT needed... we would literally pour out of the place after hours of the ulimited beer option. Disgusting but I'll never forget doing the nasty on some huge stone staircase "railing" near one of the entrances to MSG / Penn Station. Witnesses were agas... uugghh... very bizarre behavior looking back.
Ate at the one in Pompano Beach almost every week back in the 70's. Good food, good service and never had a problem with beer refills. Bring it back!!
Yes! The Pirates Grog was my favorite. Do you remember what was added to the rum?
Please tell me what was in the Pirates Grog with the rum?
While stationed at the US Coast Guard Training Center on Governors Island, a large group of us well shorn, fresh outta boot camp, former hippies, hayseeds, and a smattering of trust fund n'er do wells, would make a weekly trip into the neighbourhoods of NYC to visit yet another Steak and Brew.
I somehow remember there being 31 locations and our goal was to hit a different one every week. We had to. For our ringleader would wait until all his minions had drank there fill and paid their bills. He would then follow us out the door, a la dine and dash.
Long Time Ago
Worked as a waiter 1972-75 on Staten Island, NY
I met lots of great customers. Dated many of them !
Was a great atmosphere. I still have some photos of
the interior.
Fred
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