Five Xlnt Century-Plus-Old U.S. Restaurants Print


When traveling to historic American cities, consider dining where the best food has been served for 100 years or more. These are five to consider:

City Tavern, Philadelphia PA: Near Independence Square, City Tavern has been part of Philly history since the 1770s. It was where delegates John Adams, Ben Franklin and other patriots gathered for a brew and to write the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Try the favorite pepperpot soup, a delicious concoction of beef, taro root, onions and fresh greens. For a main course, enjoy fresh-made turkey pot pie, served as it was more than two centuries ago in pewter casseroles. City Tavern, 138 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia PA, 19106, citytavern.com

Keen’s Steakhouse, New York NY: A city landmark since 1885, Keen’s is near Herald Square and the Empire State Building. Its dark wood-paneled walls are covered with photos, news clippings and other memories of the past. Ceilings display a large collection of smoking pipes from famed visitors, including Albert Einstein, General Douglas MacArthur, John Barrymore and many others.

A favorite dish is the king’s cut of prime beef rib, with Keen’s creamed spinach and boiled baby potatoes. Keen’s Steakhouse, 72 W. 36th St., New York NY 10018, www.keens.com

Burghoff, Chicago IL: Serving traditional German food and beers since 1898, Its a preferred Chicago Loop destination for locals and visitors who enjoy the traditional Continental dishes.

A favorite dish is wiener schnitzel (breaded veal cutlet), with a foaming glass of Burghoff Hefeweizen. Burghoff, 17 W. Adams, Chicago IL 60603, burghoff.com

Commander’s Palace, New Orleans LA: In 1880, Emile Commander opened his restaurant in the city’s Garden District. The theme is still that all of its food comes from within 100 miles of New Orleans, and when it’s prepared by the experts, is Louisiana French, exotic and spicy.

A favorite is Commander’s blue crab soup, a creamy seafood medley, with cayenne pepper and caviar. For the extra hungry, follow with grilled Black Angus filet mignon, with a side of grilled onions and mushrooms.  Commander’s Palace, 1403 Washington Av., New Orleans LA 70130, commanderspalace.com

Pacific Dining Car, Los Angeles CA: The eatery first opened in an enlarged imitation of a Union Pacific dining car in 1915 in the small West Coast town of Los Angeles. A favorite is filet Oscar, consisting of a steak along with Pacific dungeness crab, bearnaise sauce, Cajon fried potato skins and asparagus. Pacific Dining Car, 1310 W. 6th St., Los Angeles CA 90017, pacificdiningcar.com