Located in
Historic Stockyards City.
From Craps Game to Hall of Fame: Cattlemen's 100+ Year History
If our Cattlemen’s Steakhouse walls could talk, they would fill your ears with its storied past from humble cowboy beginnings to hall of fame popularity. It is the stuff of folklore, with high-stakes gambling, fast expansion, and high-profile visits over the years. Located in Stockyards City, Cattlemen’s is one of the true living legends of Oklahoma history, rising alongside the cattle industry and earning its place as the oldest continuously running restaurant in the state. Let us dive into Cattlemen’s epic one-hundred-year history, starting with the turning point in its story, the 1945 craps game that changed everything.
The Famous 1945 Craps Game That Changed Everything
Cattlemen’s history is one of high risks and epic beginnings. The year was 1945, and the restaurant was then owned by Hank Frey, an avid gambler. In a smoke-filled room at the old Biltmore Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City, Frey was out of his luck and running low on money. Also at the dice game was a local rancher, Mr. Gene Wade. Frey, tryin’ to recoup his lost money, put up a bet that would go down in Oklahoma lore: if Mr. Wade could roll a hard six, known as two threes, he could win the restaurant. Mr. Wade put up his entire life savings, and with one roll of the dice, he was now the owner of Cattlemen’s. This story is not only a fun piece of folklore that visitors and staff love, but it also sparked the transformation of Cattlemen’s from a simple café into the iconic hall of fame steakhouse we know today. It fits right into Cattlemen’s Western culture and history of a spirit of risk, reward, and true grit.
Expansion from Local Diner to Legendary Steakhouse
When you visit Cattlemen’s Steakhouse today, you’ll notice how our humble beginnings carry into our culture today, from friendly staff to our cowboy-sized portions. Taking a step back, Cattlemen’s began as a diner in 1910, serving hungry cowboys and workers at the Stockyards City, where cattle were being processed and transported East. Over the following years, Stockyards City grew from an industrial cattle hub to a thriving district with tourism, Western shops, and cultural attractions. After its iconic Craps game in 1945, Gene started expanding the restaurant to accommodate these larger crowds, adding the South Dining Room and the Hereford Room. Despite this rapid growth and popularity, Cattlemen’s retained its Old West atmosphere with time-proven recipes and large portions. This true Oklahoma cowboy reputation has garnered the attention of celebrities, presidents, and food network stars over the years, further validating Cattlemen’s as a legendary steakhouse with a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
Induction into the National Steakhouse Hall of Fame
As if you needed any more reason to know why Cattlemen's Steakhouse is the best steakhouse in Oklahoma, in 2023, Cattlemen's received the distinct honor of being inducted into the National Steakhouse Hall of Fame. The recognition wasn't just about having award-winning steaks; it was a nod to over a century of tradition, Western culture, and consistency despite rapid growth and fame. As the oldest restaurant in Oklahoma, Cattlemen's earned its place as the best through decades of servin' everything from local ranchers to traveling celebrities. This award cemented Cattlemen's as a cornerstone of Oklahoma City restaurant history and a must-visit destination for steak lovers from across the country. For local diners and loyal patrons, the induction into the Hall of Fame was just a confirmation of what they already knew: that Cattlemen's isn't just a steakhouse, it's a living legend.
Come Grab Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner at Cattlemen’s Steakhouse OKC!
If you’re craving a hearty, no-nonsense breakfast that’ll stick to your ribs, a juicy burger, and our signature mac-and-cheese, or a Hall of Fame Steak Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, OKC is the place to be.
From juicy steak and eggs to homemade biscuits and gravy, you won’t leave hungry, that’s a promise.
Cattlemen’s has been an Oklahoma City staple for over a century, and folks can’t stop raving about it. With 4.6 stars on Google from over 10,000 reviews, it’s clear that people love the food, the service, and the down-home atmosphere.
So why not see what all the fuss is about?
Address: 1309 S Agnew Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73108
Call us at: (405) 236-0416 (ps call ahead and save a seat, we’d hate for you to have to wait in the long line)
Breakfast Hours: Monday–Friday: 6:00 AM – 10:30 AM, Saturday & Sunday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Rated 4.6 stars on Google – Over a century of great food and great service!
So what are you waiting for? Swing by Cattlemen’s for breakfast and taste a true Oklahoma tradition!
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