York Steak House
Encyclopedia
York Steak House was a national chain of restaurants in the United States
that specialized in steak
s and potato
es. It was among several chains then owned by cereal manufacturer General Mills
. Though popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the majority of its locations shut down in 1989. The restaurants, located primarily in shopping malls, generally had a floorplan of a cafeteria
(cold items on one side, hot items on the other with the cashier at the end). This combined with a decor composed of subdued lighting, heavy wooden furniture, and iron chandeliers.
The restaurants were run cafeteria style, with a-la-carte pricing of items. There was an extra charge for pats of butter and sour cream.
Other General Mills restaurant chains besides York included Betty Crocker's Tree House, The Good Earth, and Guadala Harry's. However, some chains that General Mills once owned, such as Red Lobster
and Olive Garden
, continue to this day under the ownership of Darden Restaurants
, which General Mills spun off in 1995.
After General Mills sold the chain, a limited number of York Steak Houses continued to operate for several years as independent restaurants. As of 2011, only one restaurant is known to remain in operation using the York name, in Columbus, Ohio
, near Westland Mall. It largely retains the signature look and cafeteria-style format of the former chain.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that specialized in steak
Steak
A steak is a cut of meat . Most are cut perpendicular to the muscle fibers, improving the perceived tenderness of the meat. In North America, steaks are typically served grilled, pan-fried, or broiled. The more tender cuts from the loin and rib are cooked quickly, using dry heat, and served whole...
s and potato
Potato
The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family . The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species...
es. It was among several chains then owned by cereal manufacturer General Mills
General Mills
General Mills, Inc. is an American Fortune 500 corporation, primarily concerned with food products, which is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. The company markets many well-known brands, such as Betty Crocker, Yoplait, Colombo, Totinos, Jeno's, Pillsbury, Green...
. Though popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the majority of its locations shut down in 1989. The restaurants, located primarily in shopping malls, generally had a floorplan of a cafeteria
Cafeteria
A cafeteria is a type of food service location in which there is little or no waiting staff table service, whether a restaurant or within an institution such as a large office building or school; a school dining location is also referred to as a dining hall or canteen...
(cold items on one side, hot items on the other with the cashier at the end). This combined with a decor composed of subdued lighting, heavy wooden furniture, and iron chandeliers.
The restaurants were run cafeteria style, with a-la-carte pricing of items. There was an extra charge for pats of butter and sour cream.
Other General Mills restaurant chains besides York included Betty Crocker's Tree House, The Good Earth, and Guadala Harry's. However, some chains that General Mills once owned, such as Red Lobster
Red Lobster
Red Lobster is a U.S. chain of seafood restaurants. It also operates in Canada, the UAE and Japan . It is aimed at the mid-level "casual dining" segment of the market...
and Olive Garden
Olive Garden
Olive Garden is an American restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine. It is a subsidiary of Darden Restaurants, Inc., which is headquartered in an unincorporated area in Orange County, Florida, near Orlando. Olive Garden operates more than 730 locations globally.- History :The...
, continue to this day under the ownership of Darden Restaurants
Darden Restaurants
Darden Restaurants, Inc. is a multi-brand restaurant operator headquartered in an unincorporated area in Orange County, Florida, near Orlando. The firm owns several casual dining restaurant chains, most notably Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Red Lobster...
, which General Mills spun off in 1995.
After General Mills sold the chain, a limited number of York Steak Houses continued to operate for several years as independent restaurants. As of 2011, only one restaurant is known to remain in operation using the York name, in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, near Westland Mall. It largely retains the signature look and cafeteria-style format of the former chain.