Celebrated jazz singer and pianist Nat King Cole once famously crooned, “Unforgettable, in every way, and forevermore, that’s how you’ll stay.” We understand he was writing about a boundless romantic love, but considering his reputation of being a repeat diner at the Golden Steer, we can’t help but wonder if “Unforgettable” is an ode to this legendary Las Vegas institution.
Vintage Vegas
And what’s not to love? Since its opening in 1958, this steakhouse has become renowned for it charm and nostalgic glamor. It reflects the town’s rich history—a history which still draws millions of visitors to the desert for a taste of the timeless sophistication it embodied. There are whispers of secret escape doors built for mob getaways, a steadfast dress code and a prestigious list of famous musicians, actresses, politicians and athletes who frequented the chophouse on West Sahara—and their legacies endure in framed photos hung above their preferred leather booths.
But at its core, the Golden Steer is best known for its barely-altered food and drink menu and its heightened hospitality. Let the suited and knowledgeable waitstaff guide you and trust their suggestions; after all, they’re the pros here.
The tableside Caesar salad is a delicious and suitable precursor to the main attractions—high grade, 35-day wet-aged cuts of beef, succulent seafood and traditional, yet exceptional spuds and greens. And we insist on trying the tableside flambéed Bananas Foster or Cherries Jubilee.
In 2001, just months before the September 11 attacks, the storied steakhouse changed hands, transitioning from the founding ownership of Joe Kludjian to Dr. Michael Signorelli. Although the business faced challenges in the aftermath of the tragedy, it gradually rebounded and regained momentum.
Steak, lobster and more at the Golden Steer.
Fast forward to 2019, when Signorelli enlisted the help of his only child, Amanda Signorelli, and her husband Nick McMillan, to become co-owners of the establishment, with the couple taking charge of day-to-day operations.
“It was a big surprise, and was not something I was anticipating,” says Amanda Signorelli. “But I jumped in, because at the end of the day, the Golden Steer is a legacy. It’s something that has not only historic significance, but it also has a truly emotional significance for many people.”
The family navigated the classic restaurant’s surge forward until their efforts were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting another set of challenges. These circumstances not only sparked a fight for survival for most restaurant businesses, they also inspired operators to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
“When COVID came, frankly, it unblocked more potential for the Golden Steer,” says Signorelli. “Before then, we were too afraid to try things—we treated the brand as too precious to be able to push ourselves to do things that could change.”
The Steer’s reputation relied heavily on word-of-mouth marketing. But in 2020, the staff took the steps to share the restaurant’s story online. Signorelli says the steakhouse was an early adopter of TikTok, despite others categorizing the app as something just for kids, rather than an influential marketing platform.
“Next thing we know, it blew up,” she says. “I’ll never forget, we had a gentleman from Alaska who was 60 years old and when he called to make a reservation he said, ‘I want to make sure I order the TikTok lobsters.’”
In the following six months, lobster sales soared by 450%, and naturally, an influx of patrons were scrambling to secure reservations. The newfound online presence created even higher demand for this quintessential Vegas experience, and the restaurant struggled to satisfy the increase in reservations and accommodate large parties in its existing space.
So the Golden Steer embarked on its first expansion in nearly 50 years, acquiring the neighboring space, a former falafel shop, to add approximately 1,000 square feet. This move allows an additional 65 diners and a space to cater to groups and private events.
To preserve the institution’s heritage, Signorelli and McMillan took meticulous measures, including creating custom wooden door frames to match the original design and millwork; sourcing 1980s lighting fixtures that matched archived photos; and hiring the stained glass manufacturer who worked on the original space. They even ensured that popcorn ceilings were installed to maintain consistency with the restaurant’s aesthetic.
Lobster tails at the Golden Steer.
“We found photos, again, from special archives of the whole shopping center,” says Signorelli. “We noticed that there were rock pieces that were styled on the facade of the space. When we were ripping down the stucco we discovered that rock, scrapped all our plans to do the brick and decided to restore the front.”
The completed project was unveiled in November, and while the exterior and interior decor maintain the vintage swagger, the inner workings and communications have been modernized. The team has grown from 35 to 100 employees since 2019, all of whom have embraced and been trained on the history of the steakhouse; their storytelling abilities are an integral part of the guest experience, Signorelli says. She added that the expansion has only heightened the staff’s focus on the Steer’s guests and adding personality to the service.
They’ve also made slight tweaks to the menu. The wine list grew from two pages to four, and select mocktails are available. That garlic butter from those TikTok lobster videos is now added to some of the vegetable dishes. Other than creative tweaks, the Golden Steer stays true to the original culinary standards that have sustained its popularity through the decades.
“The more people who hear about the restaurant and hear about the legacy, the more they’re learning about Vegas,” says Signorelli.
The city is certainly not short on great dining destinations where you can enjoy a steak, but this is a living piece of history. While Las Vegas continues to grow around the Golden Steer, the Signorelli family is keeping with the times and remaining unforgettable.
GOLDEN STEER 308 W. Sahara Ave., 702-384-4470, goldensteerlasvegas.com. Daily, 4:30-9:45 p.m.
Click HERE to subscribe for free to the Weekly Fix, the digital edition of Las Vegas Weekly! Stay up to date with the latest on Las Vegas concerts, shows, restaurants, bars and more, sent directly to your inbox!
