Steak and Ale
Much like Chi-Chi’s, Steak and Ale was a trailblazer and introduced an entire concept to the American marketplace — cheap steak and a salad bar. The concept was a tremendous immense success, but the chain failed because of its own success. Taking the model and improving upon it, competitors outperformed Steak and Ale, which led to the chain closing its final locations in the early 2010s. Legendary Restaurant Brands (the current owners of Bennigan’s), however, has bought the Steak and Ale name, and it appears they are poised to bring back the brand according to their statement on their website: “Once revered for its succulent Prime Rib, warm bread and bountiful salad bar, Steak and Ale is poised for an epic comeback. Redefined as a 21st Century polished-casual concept, while retaining the signature elements that made it an American classic, the new Steak and Ale will once again set the standard for affordable steakhouses. Guided and supported by an expert operations and management team, qualified franchisees have the opportunity to generate immediate consumer loyalty by bringing back a beloved restaurant blessed with decades of goodwill and brand equity. The new Steak and Ale, offering a polished casual experience at a casual dining price point, is positioned for phenomenal growth.”
Steak and Ale
Valle’s Steak House
Valle’s Steak House became popular for lobsters and steak. This East Coast chain saw good business from 1933 up until the millennium. However, the weakened economy which came after the gas crisis in the 1970s sealed the doomed destiny of Valle’s. It seems to have been missed, though, as evidenced by sales of the chain’s artifacts on eBay.
Valle’s Steak House
