Could Texas See One Of These Legendary Steakhouses Return?

Not only did I grow up with this restaurant serving as a family steakhouse destination, but it also happens to be where I got my very first job, also where I learned how to run a DJ booth.

When was the last time to sunk your teeth into a delicious Kensington Club, herb-roasted Prime Rib, Hawaiian Chicken, and that unlimited salad bar? If you ate at a Steak and Ale growing up, then you know what I'm talking about. If not, sit back and learn.

Steak and Ale is planning a major comeback after closing their last 58 locations back in 2008. The concept was founded by Norman Brinker in Dallas back in 1966 but was more recently purchased by what is now known as Legendary Restaurant Brands, also out of Dallas, in 2015. The planning and journey toward re-opening the Steak & Ale brand has been underway for several years now. The other concept they purchased is already been put back into operation is Bennigans, along with a new version called Bennigans On The Fly, since 2018.

The new Steak & Ale will have several Legendary-owned locations starting this year with their grand opening in Burnsville, Minnesota, along with other midwest properties then branching out from there. Will we see any in Texas and Arkansas? Chances are pretty good considering they will be franchising S&A this time around. I'm not sure if all our favorites will return or not, the salad bar may not get back as I read between the lines in an article published on RestaurantBusinessOnline.com. I'm sure they will be trying new things but let's face it, who doesn't want a family-friendly, affordable steak house in their town?

On A Personal Note...

I would love to see Steak & Ale make a comeback, my first job was as a dishwasher at an S&A location on the west side of Houston in 1976-ish-blah blah. I was 14 at the time but I worked hard to get out of that dish pit and soon became the Salad Bar Guy. Didn't take long and I was grilling those wonderful steaks, steaming lobster tails, and cutting prime rib for all the hungry patrons in the Spring Branch area. As for the DJ booth, after work, we would sometimes play in the booth trying to figure it all out. Very fond memories indeed.

In this first pic you can just barely see the location of the old Steak and Ale I worked at way back when. This photo is from GoogleMaps and was taken in 2008, just before it closed for good.

This is that same location in 2023...

Even if Steak and Ale makes it back to Houston, they surely won't be in that location. Progress...

I would love a Steak and Ale or even a Bennigans to come back to the Ark-La-Tex, were either of these restaurants on your list of favorites?

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