Las Vegas Strip Myths Re-Busted: Why The Golden Steer Steakhouse Has Been a Gambling Legend Since 1958

EDITOR’S NOTE: “Vegas Myths Busted” is a new series dedicated to debunking common misconceptions about the legendary high-stakes lifestyle and the chaotic energy of the Las Vegas Strip.

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The claim of “Est. 1958” shines brightly on the Golden Steer Steakhouse’s signage and promotional material, crafting an aura of timelessness and nostalgia. But how accurate is this date in the restaurant’s storied history?

While the Golden Steer Steakhouse insists on its illustrious history, critics call this narrative into question. In fact, the restaurant has a more complex timeline than what the signage implies.

A Slice of History

It’s often claimed that the Golden Steer has historic ties with the Rat Pack, a group of entertainers that included icons like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. The restaurant proudly showcases booths named after these stars, suggesting they dined there during their heyday.

However, recent investigations by Vintage Las Vegas reveal that the strip mall housing the Golden Steer, originally called the Lucky Shopping Center, didn’t open until late 1960—two years after the steakhouse’s claimed establishment date.

Steering You Wrong

The reality is that when it opened its doors in January of 1962, the Golden Steer had taken over a location that previously housed Valentino’s, a kosher restaurant. The restaurant current running had no relation to any earlier establishment named Golden Steer within Las Vegas.

The Golden Steer’s Authenticity Scrutinised

This correction, while disheartening for some, doesn’t completely dismiss claims of the eatery’s connections with the Rat Pack.

The premise, famous among diners, was that Sammy Davis Jr. introduced the group to the Golden Steer because it was friendly to their community during a time when other establishments were yet to embrace desegregation.

Yet the timeline reveals that the Las Vegas Strip had already been desegregated by March 1960—long before the doors of the Golden Steer opened.

Untangling the Truth

What’s irrefutable is that the Golden Steer claims to be the oldest continuously operating steakhouse in Las Vegas. Nonetheless, there also lay a contender for that title: Bob Taylor’s Original Ranch House, which has been around since 1955 at 6250 Rio Vista St., known for its robust and flavorful steaks.

While Golden Steer lays its claims quite fervently, Taylor’s establishment offers an authentic connection to the dining culture of Las Vegas before the neon lights shined bright.

In conclusion, the Golden Steer’s claims are mixed, as we’ve peeled back layers of misconceptions. It may not hold the title for the longest-running in town, but it certainly remains a monument to Las Vegas’s storied culinary and entertainment history.

Stay tuned for more interesting twists in the magnificent myths of Las Vegas, hitting the spotlight every Monday in our series, “Vegas Myths Busted.”