Then and now: Steakhouse sacrificed for redevelopment
The Tahoe Steakery, circa 1960s. Photo/Private Collection
At the Tahoe Steakery people would select their steak from the refrigerated display. Then it would be cooked to order.
The Steakery was near the state line. Photo/Don Lane
Between the Steakery and the state line was a Harrah’s parking lot on the California side. Now the site is Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel — aka the old Embassy Suites.
The steakhouse evolved through the years. Photo/Bill Kingman
Prior to being razed for redevelopment in 1991, the sign read “Paul Kennedy’s Steak House.” The parking lot is fenced and a hotel construction crane is seen at top right in the photo.
Redevelopment wiped out a lot of old Tahoe. Photo/Bill Kingman
Today, the steak house would be where the white van is parked.
— Bill Kingman
Bill Kingman, Tahoe Steakery! Altho we never ate there as a family ,as I recall, just my Mom and Dad used to eat there once in awhile and they said it was pretty good. Some of our guests from the motel ate there and they always said it was real good. Wood shakes on the roof, you don’t see that much anymore. That place had a good reputation, as I remember.
Years later and across the hiway another steak house, in the same genral area, was a place called
” Tahoe T’s ” . It iwas operating there with large windows facing out onto 50 were the grill was located. The flames would be flyin’ as the steaks were being cooked. That was a way to get walking customers to stop in. My good buddy Doug cooked there for many years.
Neat to see the old Harrah’s sign in the background. As a family we spent many great nights in the So. Shore Room. Great entertanment and food. I think their slogan was “Food, Fun, Fortune”.
Thanks for the memories Bil. Old Long Skiis
I sure remember Paul Kennedy’s. Loved selecting my steak. I supplied Paul with some pricey wines when I was a fine wines distributor, a very long time ago.
Anyone here remember the nearby Bella Union?
I installed sound systems for them, too.
Thanks for the memories, Bill, as always.
I loved the idea of picking your steak from the display case too, Bob, then having it cooked the way you wanted it… thanks again, Bill. You really bring back some memories.
I miss Paul Kennedy’s.
I stand corrected. A relative called and said we did eat there as a family when they put tne new sign up, “Paul Kennedy’s Steak House”.
Do I remember the Bella Union ? Ooohh Yeah!!! Thanks Bob for reminding of that place!
OLS
My husband, Larry,usto be a cook at the Bella Union and my Aunt Judy Stringer usto be a waitress there. That was back in the 70’s.
Food, Fun, And Fortune was Harvey’s Logo
I remember going to Paul Kennedy’s Steak House on a trip to Tahoe in 1969. Moved here in 1975.
My husband used to be Paul Kennedy’s neighbor in the Keys. Says he was a great guy.
I miss a lot of the old Tahoe charm.
I loved Paul Kennedy’s Steak House! We need another steak house here in South Lake Tahoe!
Just down the street from both Kennedy’s and the Bella Union was the Red Carpet Inn (and Steakhouse) renowned for miles around for both service & meal. . .one of my colleagues in that Harrah’s attendant parking lot worked at the Red Carpet as a busboy and got job offers from restaurateurs who patronized the Red Carpet (whose father was the Food & Beverage Director at Harrah’s). . .
I’m still looking for a ‘full-on’ picture of that Harrah’s ‘pylon’ entertainment sign in the background. . .so I can write about the reason Harrah’s came into prominence as they grew from George’s Gateway Club/Shehadi’s due to traffic flow issues that the Loop Road crowd don’t yet get. . .
The last time I saw the owner of the old Bella Union he was tending bar at Lakeside Inn.
I was a Hostess at Paul Kennedy’s Steak House. I loved working there and everybody made BANK! We would have so many regular tourist who would come back year after year. My favorite customers were the big tipping cowboys from Texas! Russell was the butcher, he would cut your choice of Prime Rib, Ribeye, New York, or Filet. Anywhere from 8oz.-16oz+ Dinner came with a baked potato and your choice of French onion soup or salad…and delicious cheesecake and coffee for dessert. Very simple menu, but yummy…and Don was in charge of the kitchen. I think he baked all our rolls too! Nancy was one of the many wait staff… and Russell and Nacy are still happily married! Never missing a beat Russell would have the radio on right before we opened and it would play… “I don’t want to work, I just want to plaaayyy play all day!” Our dinner music was Cristopher Cross everyday! The brick building inside and out was timeless. The Wine menu was amazing and sometime as the line would go out the door down the side of the building, people would squeeze as close to the door as they could to enjoy their spirits legally inside the building while waiting. It had a dark ambiance with red restaurant candle for romance…lol (kinda like midnight mine) Unfortunately, when redevelopment happened and legal issues with ownership…the restaurant never reopened:(
DANG! We need another Paul Kennedy’s Steak House! “Sailing take me away….
I wrote a comment about Paul Kennedy’s Steak House but I had a problem getting it put out on LTN. A big notice saying “404 could not find page” kept blocking me, so I’ll try again.
Yes, we need another good steak house like Paul Kennedy’s! They would have a booming business if something similar to the original was to open.
I also miss Poor Pierres. A basque style resturant on 50 at the junction of Sierra Blvd. and 50, where Scuzas is now. Great food and staff and sawdust on the floor and a really good bunch of folks who went to dine and became friends because we all sat at one big table.
Those were the days, my friends. OLS