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Writer's pictureLaura Piotrowski Arnold
Jul 23 min read

Steakhouses in the ‘Burgh That Sizzled, Then Fizzled Away




By Paula Green

 

North Hills residents were surprised when Outback Steakhouse permanently closed on Friday, February 23. The Australian-themed restaurant had been a staple on McKnight Road for 27 years. The chain's parent company, Bloomin' Brands, shuttered 41 Outbacks nationwide that were underperforming; for folks who want to patronize Outback, the Moon Township, Monroeville, and Washington locations are still open for business. But this sudden closure prompts the question, "What other steakhouses sizzled, then fizzled in the 'Burgh?


In 1964, Louis Fleck began his Red Bull Inn steakhouse with a restaurant in Carnegie. The tri-state flourished with several Red Bull Inns locations in Robinson, Ambridge, Beaver Falls, Charleroi, Dormont, Johnstown, McKeesport, North Hills, Pleasant Hills, and Washington. Fleck passed away in 2004, and the last Red Bull Inns closed in 2007.


Steak and Ale was a casual dining chain known for its steaks and Tudor-style décor when it opened in 1966. This dining spot featured an all-you-can-eat salad bar, affordable prime rib, and free soft drink refills. The chain was incredibly successful. In 1976, Steak and Ale founder and CEO, Norman Brinker, sold the 100-plus restaurant chain to the Pillsbury Corporation. In 2008, the parent company filed for bankruptcy and closed all of Steak and Ale's locations. The good news is that Steak and Ale is slated to make a comeback this summer. It is set to reopen in Burnsville, Minnesota. Hopefully, this delectable restaurant gem will return to the 'Burgh!


The fans of Bonanza / Ponderosa may know that one of the show stars, Dan Blocker (Hoss Cartwright), opened the first Bonanza Steakhouse in 1965. Located in Westport, Connecticut, back then, it was called Bonanza Sirloin Pitt. Around the same time, a trio of businessmen opened a similar steakhouse in Kokomo, Indiana, called Ponderosa Steakhouse. The two restaurants were separate entities until 1997 when Metromedia Family Steakhouses bought them. In 2008, the company filed for bankruptcy. The once thriving chain has dwindled, only 21 remain: 16 Ponderosas and five Bonanzas. One is local; there's a Ponderosa Steakhouse at the Clearview Mall in Butler.


Hoss's Steak and Sea House was founded in 1983 by Willard E. "Bill" Campbell, with the first location in DuBois, Pennsylvania. The restaurant is renowned for its Hoss's made-to-order steaks, chicken, seafood, soup, salad, bread, and dessert bar. They used to be a staple in the Pittsburgh region, but very few remain due to numerous closures. You can still patronize Hoss's in Murrysville, Belle Vernon, Greensburg, and Grove City.


Another prominent local favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh was Lone Star Steakhouse. This Texas-themed establishment opened in 1989 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Lone Star specialized in mesquite grilling and featured a variety of steaks. It was famously known for having peanut shells on the floor and impromptu line dances by the waitstaff. At its high point, Lone Star had 267 restaurants nationwide. The chain filed for bankruptcy on February 13, 2017, and there are no more Lone Star Steakhouses in the continental US.


Other steakhouses that faded away include York Steakhouse, Joseph’s Steakhouse in Squirrel Hill, Emerson’s in the North Hills, and The Winchester Room in North Versailles.


Even though these eateries are no longer around, there are plenty of other steakhouses to patronize. Or take advantage of the summer weather and toss some filets on the grill. Your taste buds will thank you. Bon appetite!

 

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