A Fort Worth Stockyards steak house that has been around since 1947 is receiving a multimillion-dollar renovation, beginning in the fall.
Cattlemen’s Steak House, the famously Western restaurant and saloon-style bar with a "Yellowstone" tie-in, on 2458 North Main Street, will start construction in October. The renovation, which will be done in three phases, will take place in the restaurant’s interior, its new outdoor patio, and include construction of an elevator and chair lift, according to a restaurant management figure.
Eric Kelly, director of operations for Cattlemen’s, said on the phone that the outdoor patio section, which will be roughly 6,000 square feet, will be placed on the north end of the restaurant, along with a full-service bar. According to Kelly, this section will have operable glass garage doors that open up between the north end of the dining room and the outdoor bar patio.
The restaurant recently filed documents outlining the work with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
In addition to a full-service bar, there will be a smokehouse with a giant smoker and some big grills used for cooking and smoking made-to-order items. Kelly added that there will be some fire features, a stage for live entertainment, and a custom-built covered wagon.
“The covered wagon is being fitted for interior seating, so if a group of girls wanted to have a little bachelorette party, they can access the interior of the wagon … it’s really cool,” he said.
Kelly said that investors on the project include “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan, Dan Schyer, and David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios Co., the company in charge of producing several Sheridan pinned shows.
“I know that the investors' priority is to refresh the interior of the restaurant while absolutely honoring the history and tradition of the restaurant and the Stockyards,” he said.
When asked about Western-stylings and themes that might adorn the remodeled areas, Kelly says Sheridan is adamant about championing all things cowboy.
One thing that won’t change with this remodel, however, is the menu, menu prices, and the restaurant staff. Kelly said that the same quality food, which includes Cattlemen’s famous chicken-fried steak, won’t be going anywhere. Same goes for this Stockyard eatery’s nearly 90 staff members. Kelly says the staff were at the forefront of the remodel plan from the get-go.
“The pandemic kicked a lot of restaurants asses, and I mean a lot,” Kelly explained. “So, when I walked into this restaurant on Feb. 1, I was skeptical. After seven months, I can honestly say, the reason why we set up the reno this way, is because of our commitment to the entire staff. We don’t want to lose a single person.”
Kelly says Cattlemen’s will remain open during all three phases of the renovation as a commitment to its staff.
“They’re family to us, they work hard for each other, and they’re absolutely pleasant people who enjoy hospitality,” he added. “We have employees here that have worked at Cattlemen’s for 40 years. That’s amazing.”
As for the projected completion and grand opening, Kelly said he thinks the whole thing will be complete by next summer.
