Charles W. Chessar was a New York City restaurateur who was nicknamed ”Beefsteak Charlie” by Howard Williams, a sports editor for the New York Morning Telegraph. Chessar opened his first restaurant around 1910, and moved to 50th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue in 1914, which he operated until 1934. The restaurant was filled with horse racing photographs and frequented by sports enthusiasts, and the specialty of the house was a steak sandwich. A fire in March 1933 destroyed many of the racing pictures, though some still remain in the family of the subsequent owner, William Soshnick.
After Chessar left, his namesake restaurant was owned and operated by William Soshnick, who migrated to the U.S. along with his family to avoid anti-semitic oppression in Russ-Poland. Soshnick was one of five immigrant brothers that eventually owned and operated small markets, butcher shops as well as the White Rose bars in New York City. William Soshnick sold Beefsteak Charlie’s upon his retirement in the late 1960s and moved to Tucson, Arizona. During Soshnick’s ownership the restaurant became a popular hangout for jazz musicians in the 1950s and 1960s.
One review to CalaPiada
Charming place
This picturesque little spot with tables outside caught our eye and we stopped here for coffee and tea. The friendly waitress convinced us to have some panna cotta and tiramisu, which were excellent. This place on a side street was far superior to the overpriced tourist traps right on the square. Highly recommended!