Remember When: Beefsteak Charlie’s Filled Us Up


by on Mar 1st, 2010

Before the neighborhood had Applebee’s, before we had T.G.I. Fridays, and before Coldstone Creamery, there was Beefsteak Charlie’s.

Over on Facebook, we’ve been reminiscing about the nearly-forgotten metropolitan chain since I brought it up yesterday. For those too young or too new to the area to remember, Beefsteak Charlie’s was a steakhouse across the street from Waldbaum’s on the corner of Shore Parkway and Ocean Avenue. Back then, you could get unlimited salad, unlimited shrimp, bottomless pitchers of beer, and endless platters of ribs for way under $20.00.

For me, it was the go-to restaurant of choice. My three brothers and I ate off the kids menu and gobbled down shrimp from the salad bar. It’s probably the first place I ever had a shrimp, a rib, or a sip of beer.

It shut down in the mid- to late-90s, one of the last of 60+ locations. There are still two locations in Manhattan and one on Long Island, but it’s unknown if they have any relationship to the chain that sprung out of the Manhattan restaurant first opened in 1910.

Here’s to you, Beefsteak…

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Eric-Zell/1012270440 Eric Zell

    I miss the ribs and paperboy

  • bagels

    I loved this place. I remember the valet parking, shrimp bar and the sangria. They also had a pretty good menu.

  • http://www.djkomputer.com/ dj komputer

    Who could forget the shrimp bar and baby back ribs 😉 I was sad to see the place close down.

  • lfthndwv

    I sort of had my Sweet 16 there a loooonnggg time ago. The only reason we went there is because they didn't check IDs, so me and a bunch of other under age kids were able to drink all of the beer, wine and sangria we dared to. It was great!

  • zen3344

    Beefsteak Charlies and Cooky's (two convenient locations in Brooklyn…Trivia…where were they?)

  • bagels

    Cooky”s was located at the Flatbush entrance of Kings Plaza.

  • steveunger

    beefsteak charlies. spent new years eve there some 35 years ago. now who remembers tappans.

  • http://www.flickr.com/knightmare6 Knightmare6

    I lived in the neighborhood and remember seeing Beefsteak Charlies, but alas I never went to it before it closed. I think the closest I ever got to it was the chicken place that was on Ocean Avenue and Emmons… I think it was Kenny Rogers?

  • zen3344

    Correct, but where was the SECOND Cooky's?

  • zen3344

    I'm suddenly transported back to the Sheepshead Bay of my “yout”. Who remembers:
    The Flame
    La Versailles
    Martin's
    Jahn's
    And of course Seniors

  • rw

    I believe Beefsteak Charlies was called Hamilton House if I remember correctly.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

    Hamilton House was at that location for many years. They merely closed there and I believe Riese contracted the location afterwards.

  • Kismet

    The games were the best there. Hi Eric!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

    Missed this comment until now. I ate at Tappen's a couple of times. Irving Lundy owned that too. It was also dark, if my memory is correct. But more of a conventional restaurant, no craziness there.

  • steve

    cookies was on ave m near the brighton line train

  • nolastname

    Dubrows

  • nolastname

    Pip's

  • A5

    I was very sad the day they closed. This was the go to place for my family while growing up. I will never forget playing Gaunlet and Ikari Warriors while waiting for the food to be served.

  • A5

    I was very sad the day they closed. This was the go to place for my family while growing up. I will never forget playing Gaunlet and Ikari Warriors while waiting for the food to be served.

  • Veronicamott

    we want beefsteak charlies back!!!!!!you can keep applebees etc.come back to sheepsheadbay.

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  • Roma5645

    Those were the day’s mu friend.

  • Brownniie58

    Looking for thier banna bread recipe beefsteak charlies one ofmy best childhood memories 

  • sandy

    what a great place the one in Glen burnie was 🙂

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