That monstrous porterhouse Ruth Reichl described. Thicker than a Manhattan phone book. You’re standing before the Old Homestead Steakhouse.
This isn’t just any steakhouse. It’s the oldest continuously operating steakhouse in the United States. Established way back in 1868. It started as the Tidewater Trading Post. Imagine that. This very spot in the Meatpacking District. The Hudson River lapping at its doors.
A German family started it all. Then a long-time employee Harry Sherry bought it in the 1940s. He passed it to his grandsons. Greg and Marc Sherry run it today. They are steak legends. They were the first to bring Wagyu beef from Japan to America. Can you believe that? Getting Japanese farmers to meet American health codes? A real feat.
The Old Homestead isn’t just about the steaks though. It’s about the history. The stories. There’s Annabelle the cow. A statue that’s been a fixture since 1953. A Texan sent it to Harry Sherry. He’d promised him a cow. It’s become a symbol. Annabelle’s even been in Seinfeld and The Sopranos. A celebrity cow.
The Old Homestead served presidents. From Garfield to Truman. It served sports legends. Mickey Mantle. Joe Louis. The list goes on. A-listers like Beyonce and Billy Joel have dined here. Talk about a legacy.
And the portions. They’re legendary. So big they started giving out doggy bags back in the late 1890s. A first for restaurants. They even offered a 30-cent anniversary dinner in 2024. USDA Prime 10-cent steaks.
So take it all in. The history. The atmosphere. The legendary steaks. You’re at the Old Homestead Steakhouse. A true New York institution. A piece of American history. Enjoy the experience.