8 Old-School Pennsylvania Steakhouses That Haven’t Changed Since The ’70s
Before trends and tasting menus, there were steakhouses built on one simple promise: a great cut of beef, cooked right.
Across Pennsylvania, these legendary spots have stood strong for decades, where tuxedoed servers still glide through dining rooms and the air carries the aroma of sizzling ribeyes.
For locals and travelers alike, they remain temples of timeless flavor.
1. The Saloon: South Philly’s Time Machine
Step into The Saloon and you’re instantly transported to the 1970s. Dark mahogany panels line the walls while tuxedoed servers glide between tables with the same professional grace they’ve shown since 1967.
The menu remains delightfully unchanged – massive steaks, tender veal chops, and classic shrimp cocktails dominate.
Locals whisper that the martinis have maintained their potent perfection for over four decades.
2. Seven Stars Inn: Chester County’s Hidden Gem
Tucked away in Phoenixville, Seven Stars Inn occupies an 18th-century building that’s been serving carnivores for generations. White tablecloths drape over sturdy tables that have witnessed countless celebrations.
Their legendary 40-ounce prime rib remains the talk of Chester County. I remember my grandfather bringing me here for my 16th birthday – the massive cut hanging off my plate seemed impossible to finish, yet somehow I managed.
3. The Log Cabin: Lancaster’s Prohibition-Era Treasure
What began as a 1930s speakeasy has evolved into Lancaster County’s premier supper club without losing its vintage soul. The Log Cabin’s twelve intimate dining rooms maintain their original rustic-elegant character.
Regulars still order the same dry-aged New York strips their parents favored. The cocktail program honors Prohibition-era classics, served with the same secretive flair that once helped patrons dodge the law.
4. Progress Grill: Harrisburg’s Family Tradition
Opened in the 1940s and family-run today, Progress Grill stands as living proof that some things should never change. The vintage dining room with its comfortable booths has welcomed generations of Harrisburg families.
Their prime rib au jus follows the same recipe that made them famous decades ago. My father still tells stories of bringing my mother here on their first date in 1975, ordering the same Delmonico steak they share on their anniversary each year.
5. Culhane’s Steak House: New Cumberland’s No-Frills Marvel
Since 1956, Culhane’s has been proving that great steakhouses don’t need fancy gimmicks. This West Shore institution keeps it simple: quality meat, proper cooking, generous portions.
The dining room’s unpretentious charm draws loyal patrons who’ve been ordering the same prime rib for decades.
Back in ’82, my uncle won their eating challenge by finishing their massive 32-ounce Delmonico. His picture still hangs near the entrance, faded but proud.
6. Wooden Nickel Restaurant: Monroeville’s Supper Club Survivor
The Pittsburgh suburbs have changed dramatically since 1966, but the Wooden Nickel Restaurant stands defiantly unchanged. Dark wood paneling, red leather booths, and dim lighting set the mood for serious steak consumption.
The menu reads like a carnivore’s time capsule – thick prime rib, perfectly seared filets, and substantial chops.
Special occasions in Monroeville have been celebrated here for generations, with families returning to the same tables their grandparents once occupied.
7. LeMont: Mount Washington’s Skyline Steakhouse
Perched above Pittsburgh with panoramic city views, LeMont has been serving classic steaks since 1960. The dining room’s elegant decor – crystal chandeliers, white tablecloths, and formal service – transports diners to a more refined era.
While the skyline outside has evolved, inside remains gloriously frozen in time. Tableside Caesar salads are still prepared with theatrical flair, and the prime rib arrives on heated plates exactly as it did during the Eisenhower administration.
8. Grand Concourse: Station Square’s Gilded Palace
Housed in a magnificent former railroad station, Grand Concourse marries Edwardian architecture with 1970s steakhouse sensibilities. The stained glass, marble columns, and ornate ceiling have witnessed over four decades of Pittsburgh celebrations.
The menu honors steakhouse traditions established when the restaurant opened in 1978. Sunday brunch has become a multi-generational ritual for Pittsburgh families, with lines forming for their legendary prime rib carving station that tastes exactly as it did during the disco era.