Keens Steakhouse — Restaurant in New York

Keens Steakhouse, established in 1885, stands as a testament to New York City's rich culinary history. Located at 72 West 36th Street in Manhattan's Garment District, this venerable institution has long been a destination for those seeking a quintessential steakhouse experience.

Ambiance and Decor

Upon entering Keens, guests are immediately enveloped in an atmosphere steeped in history. The wood-paneled walls and low ceilings create an intimate setting, adorned with an impressive collection of historical artifacts, portraits, and photographs. Notably, the ceilings boast over 50,000 clay smoking pipes, a tradition dating back to an era when patrons stored their personal pipes at the restaurant to avoid breakage during travel. This collection includes pipes from luminaries such as Theodore Roosevelt and Albert Einstein, adding a unique charm to the dining experience.

Culinary Offerings

Keens is renowned for its mutton chop, a substantial bone-in cut that has been a signature dish since the restaurant's inception. While some diners have found the mutton to be an acquired taste, others appreciate its rich, gamey flavor. In addition to mutton, Keens offers a variety of prime steaks, including the porterhouse and filet mignon, which have received high praise for their quality and preparation. The menu is complemented by classic steakhouse sides such as creamed spinach and hash browns, both executed with finesse.

Service and Hospitality

The service at Keens is often described as professional and attentive, contributing to a dining experience that is both seamless and enjoyable. The waitstaff's knowledge of the menu and the restaurant's storied past enhances the overall experience, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the establishment's rich heritage.

Historical Significance

Keens holds the distinction of being the only surviving establishment from the Herald Square Theater District of the late 19th century. Its history is marked by notable events, such as the 1905 lawsuit by actress Lillie Langtry, who challenged the restaurant's men-only policy and won, paving the way for gender inclusivity in dining establishments. The restaurant's Pipe Club, with a membership roster exceeding 90,000 names, reflects a bygone era of leisurely dining and camaraderie.

Recent Developments

In November 2024, Keens was acquired by businessman Tilman Fertitta for $30 million. This change in ownership has sparked discussions about the future direction of the restaurant. Patrons and critics alike are keenly observing how this transition will impact the establishment's operations and whether it will maintain the traditions that have made it a beloved New York institution.

Conclusion

Keens Steakhouse offers more than just a meal; it provides an immersive journey into New York City's culinary and cultural history. Its combination of historic ambiance, quality cuisine, and dedicated service makes it a must-visit for both locals and visitors seeking an authentic steakhouse experience. As it enters a new chapter under fresh ownership, patrons remain hopeful that Keens will continue to honor its storied legacy while adapting to the evolving...

Keens Steakhouse is one of those legendary spots in New York City that you hear about from friends and read about in reviews, and it’s easy to see why the food gets all the praise. The ambiance alone sets the tone for a memorable dining experience. Walking in, you’re immediately hit with an old-school charm—dark wood panels, dim lighting, and an overall feel of New York history. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’re about to have a special meal.

When it comes to the food, Keens really lives up to its reputation. Both my wife and I opted for filet mignon, and wow, were we impressed. The steaks were cooked to absolute perfection, tender and juicy with just the right amount of char on the outside. The flavors were rich and deep, each bite practically melting in your mouth. The accompanying sides—like the creamy mac and cheese and the crispy, indulgent potato gratin—were the perfect additions, balancing out the richness of the steaks and elevating the meal.

However, as much as we enjoyed the food, the service left a lot to be desired. We had high expectations, considering Keens’ reputation, but unfortunately, our experience with the waiter was a letdown. From the get-go, he was inattentive—barely checking in on us, even when it was clear we were ready for another round of drinks or needed some water refills. What really stood out, though, was how rude he was when we did manage to get his attention. He didn’t offer any recommendations or even try to engage in small talk like you’d expect at a restaurant of this caliber. Instead, he seemed almost irritated by our questions or requests. For a place that prides itself on being one of the best steak joints in NYC, it was jarring to experience such a lack of hospitality.

The disconnect between the top-notch food and the lackluster service was hard to ignore. It’s one thing to have slow service, but to deal with rudeness on top of that is a whole other level. It’s frustrating because the food itself is so outstanding—it really deserved the kind of service that makes you feel valued as a guest. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case here.

In the end, if you’re craving a fantastic steak, Keens definitely delivers. The filets were incredible, and the sides were just as memorable. But if you're going for the full experience—great food plus great service—be prepared for the possibility that the service might not live up to the high standards you expect at a restaurant like this. Hopefully, this was just an off night for our waiter, but it’s hard to overlook how much the rude and inattentive service affected the overall experience. Despite that, we’d still recommend the food if you’re in the area, but with a bit of caution regarding...

Last night we decided to finally check out Keens for my proper birthday dinner celebration with my husband. We never got to do it a week ago.

Upon entering, I liked the Old New York vibe that brings you back to that era. Our table was already available and we didn't have to wait. We were led to the second floor and then the maitre 'd took over. I had to make the effort to ask for his name, Sonny, and I properly introduced us and mentioned we're glad to finally be able to try them for my big celebration and that's when he became warmer and said, I actually will bring you champagne, and you should have that before your bottle of red wine. That was a nice start.

We decided on porterhouse for 2, medium rare. And got an excellent bottle of Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza Argentina. There was also bread provided but found it a little too hard, would have preferred soft warm rolls. As for the porterhouse itself, it cooked medium rare and it was just honestly okay. We also thought it was a little bland, we had to add some salt. I really wish I could say it was spectacular so we can keep coming back even if it means paying $200+ at the very least. But that wasn't the case. Even the creamed spinach was lacking. It's sad when you bookmark a place and wait for a fitting special occasion to then go for it yet end up with unmet expectations. I also am a big Tabasco fan so I like my steak with a dose of Tabasco and when I asked for our server Andres (who btw was super warm and nice, I want to commend him for always smiling) for some, he said I'll give you some better and handed over a bottle of their steak sauce. When asked how I liked it, I politely said it's good, not wanting to offend him as he was to be fair the nicest person in the room and his friendliness was probably the better part of our dining experience.

We couldn't finish the steak and for the first time had to bring steak back home but the bottle of wine we chose was excellent and finished it. As for dessert, we were by then too full for it and remembered what the maitre 'd told us earlier, "we really do this for guests celebrating birthdays here, champagne and our key lime pie." In a way, that set our expectations but no key lime pie was brought out.

I really wanted to have rated this place a 4 or 5 but perhaps it's the combination of inconsistent service and attention (almost fleeting) and the steak just being okay. Should we have chosen a different cut? Was it just an off night? But then again not much interaction and recommendations took place. Could have been a much different experience altogether that sadly left me feeling that we should have just gone...