Beefsteak Charlie’s
Beefsteak Charlie’s gained prominence as a renowned Manhattan restaurant in the early 20th century. Later, it evolved into a restaurant chain centered in the New York metropolitan area, expanding to over 60 locations by the early 1980s.
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Charles W. Chessar
Charles W. Chessar, known as “Beefsteak Charlie,” earned his nickname from Howard Williams, a sports editor for the New York Morning Telegraph. Opening his first restaurant around 1910, he later moved to 50th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue in 1914, managing it until 1934. The restaurant, adorned with horse racing photographs, attracted sports enthusiasts and was famous for its steak sandwiches. A fire in March 1933 damaged many racing pictures, with some still in the possession of subsequent owner William Soshnick.
Following Chessar’s departure, William Soshnick, an immigrant who sought refuge in the U.S. from anti-Semitic oppression in Congress Poland, took over the restaurant. Soshnick, part of a group of immigrant brothers, owned markets, butcher shops, and White Rose bars in NYC. He sold Beefsteak Charlie’s upon his late 1960s retirement, relocating to Tucson, Arizona. Under Soshnick’s ownership, the restaurant became a popular spot for jazz musicians in the 1950s and 1960s.
Beefsteak Charlie’s Origin
The restaurant chain originated in early 1976 under the leadership of Larry Ellman, following the reorganization of the Steak & Brew chain (formerly part of the Longchamps organization). The transformation involved renaming Steak & Brew, Inc., to Beefsteak Charlies, Inc., and converting many Steak & Brew locations into Beefsteak Charlie’s. Despite filing a trademark for the name in March 1976, there was no apparent direct connection to the original namesake restaurant.
The marketing concept of the restaurant focused on an all-you-can-eat salad bar and unlimited beer, wine, or sangria. Early 1980s advertising featured actors portraying Beefsteak Charlie and his nephew “Beefsteak Chuck,” with indulgent slogans like “I’ll feed you like there’s no tomorrow” and “You’re gonna get spoiled.”
Beefsteak Charlie’s Development
By 1984, the chain expanded to over 60 locations, mainly on the East Coast. In 1985, the corporate owner changed its name to Lifestyle Restaurants, Inc. The chain faced challenges and, in August 1987, was acquired by Bombay Palace Restaurants through a merger with Lifestyle Restaurants. The reported acquisition cost was $8.4 million in stock. However, by the time of the merger, the chain had closed 20 locations, incurred losses, and, in 1987, had 48 outlets.
When Bombay Palace Restaurants filed for bankruptcy in 1989, the chain had 35 outlets. By 1992, only two locations remained in Manhattan. The chain’s decline continued, and by 2000, the 45th Street location was converted into Joe Franklin’s Memory Lane Restaurant. The Manhattan location on Eighth Avenue closed shortly after September 11, 2001.
Closed For Good
Some locations persisted until the early 2000s. As of March 2003, one location in Elmsford, New York, was advertised, though its connection to the prior chain was unclear. In 2009, a new Beefsteak Charlie’s briefly opened in the Westfield Sunrise Mall in Nassau County, New York, but closed shortly after its debut.
Beefsteak Charlie’s Trivia
- Origin of the Nickname: Beefsteak Charlie’s founder, Charles W. Chessar, earned the nickname “Beefsteak Charlie” from sports editor Howard Williams of the New York Morning Telegraph.
- Early Decor and Atmosphere: Chessar’s restaurant, which operated from 1910 to 1934, was adorned with horse racing photographs and attracted sports enthusiasts. The specialty of the house was a delicious steak sandwich.
- Fire Incident in 1933: A fire in March 1933 damaged many racing pictures at the original restaurant location. Some of these pictures still remained in the family of the subsequent owner, William Soshnick.
- Jazz Hangout in the 1950s and 1960s: Under the ownership of William Soshnick in the 1950s and 1960s, Beefsteak Charlie’s became a popular hangout for jazz musicians.
- Larry Ellman and the Chain’s Establishment: The restaurant chain was established in early 1976 by Larry Ellman, following the reorganization of the Steak & Brew chain.
- Trademark Filing in 1976: The chain filed for a trademark on the “Beefsteak Charlie’s” name in March 1976, and no prior trademark existed, suggesting no direct connection to the original restaurant.
- All-You-Can-Eat Concept: The restaurant’s marketing concept emphasized an all-you-can-eat salad bar, along with unlimited beer, wine, or sangria.
- Famous Slogans: The chain was known for its indulgent slogans, including “I’ll feed you like there’s no tomorrow” and “You’re gonna get spoiled,” featured in early 1980s advertising.
- Expansion and Decline: By 1984, the chain had grown to over 60 locations primarily on the East Coast. However, it faced challenges, leading to a change in corporate ownership and name in 1985.
- Acquisition and Closure: In August 1987, Beefsteak Charlie’s was acquired by Bombay Palace Restaurants. Unfortunately, by 1989, the chain had faced closures and financial losses, ultimately filing for bankruptcy
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