5 US Steakhouses John Wayne Loved - Tasting Table

"John Wayne starred in more than 175 movies over a career spanning five decades, and filmed hundreds of memorable scenes. In one of these many iconic scenes, from the 1962 Western “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” the Hollywood superstar picks a fight at a steakhouse. “That’s my steak, Valance,” he tells the bad guy, who’s just tripped the owner and sent a juicy steak flying across the restaurant floor. Wayne has one hand on the gun in his holster, ready to start shooting at a moment’s notice."

"His favorite cut, rather aptly, was a cowboy steak, and he loved grilling them himself. To mark the Duke's love for cooking, his family released a series of cookbooks, including The Official John Wayne Way To Grill and The Official John Wayne Way To Barbecue. Apart from photos and anecdotes, these books also contain John Wayne's favorite recipes (according to his daughter, the family would fire up the indoor grill every day)."

"When he didn't feel like doing the grilling himself, John Wayne would just visit one of his favorite steakhouses, many of which are still around today. So if you'd kill to eat a steak just like the Duke did, these are the steakhouses you need to head to."

"Inspired by Jonathan Swift's novel Gulliver's Travels, this old English pub in Irvine, California, is known for its warm, friendly atmosphere and huge steaks. It also leans heavily into the fact that John Wayne was a regular at the restaurant over the years. “It isn't hard to find a restaurant serving prime rib and steak in Orange County, but how many can seat you at John Wayne's favorite table?” a note on the restaurant's website asks."

John Wayne starred in more than 175 films and became known for iconic Western scenes, including a steakhouse confrontation in “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.” His real-life preference matched the on-screen theme, with a favorite cut called a cowboy steak that he often grilled himself. His family released cookbooks such as “The Official John Wayne Way To Grill” and “The Official John Wayne Way To Barbecue,” featuring his favorite recipes and family grilling routines. When he did not grill, he visited steakhouses he liked, many of which remain open. One example is Gulliver’s in Irvine, California, an English pub known for large steaks and a warm atmosphere, emphasizing that it can seat diners at John Wayne’s favorite table. It serves a Classic Prime Rib Dinner with classic sides and offers multiple cut choices.

Read at Tasting Table