Keens Steakhouse - Pic Heavy

[npod]

Keens is one of the last original steakhouses in New York, and America for that matter. I love coming here for the food, but it’s the pipe history that fascinates me the most. You can google the whole history behind the clay churhwordens, and the topic has come up here and on other pipe references before. But there is something special about seeing 40,000 pipes hanging around you that makes the night great. Altogether, Keen’s Has 90,000 pipes on property. There are 7 dinning rooms total and an upstairs storage of 50,000 pipes. It’s one of the largest de facto pipe museums on earth. Here I post pictures from my walk about through the establishment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSKLeo6Mb3k
https://ny.eater.com/2011/7/27/6670601/the-history-of-keens-the-126-year-old-house-of-mutton

 

[mikefu]

Wow. What a cool place. It’s officially on my “places to visit” list. Thanks for the post!

 

[carolinachurchwarden]

Looks extremely fascinating as well as delicious! That's... That's... That's a lot of churchwardens... If I ever get up there, maybe I'll pay a visit sometime. Looks like a really great place!

 

[craiginthecorn]

I'm bummed that I didn't realize Keen's is in NYC. Missed my chance to go last month. I am VERY jealous.
I read this article abour Keen's a few months ago and found it fascinating. I have a feeling this story was also on an NPR broadcast too.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Such a cool place. There have been discussion here about it before. I'd love to visit there some day.

 

[philobeddoe]

Is it just me or is your dinner plate upside down?

 

[npod]

I read this article abour Keen's a few months ago and found it fascinating.

Cool article, Craig. Thanks for sharing that.

Is it just me or is your dinner plate upside down?

Nah, I assure you it was right side up. I slurped up every last bit of meat as proof.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Arthur Ashe and The Amazing Kreskin on the same display!
I can't help but think the uniformly dark lots of pipes is a result of the old NYC air that turned white limestone buildings black, and not a result of smoking.
In any event, a fine photo essay!

 

[npod]

result of the old NYC air that turned white limestone buildings black, and not a result of smoking.

Good eye. They actually spray painted the pipes on ceilings with dark wood to blend in. Upstairs they have two rooms with white ceilings and whit clay pipes. You can see the differences above in the pics.

 

[sablebrush52]

The YouTube video was a treat, especially as it was followed by another one featuring an interview with Keen's executive chef, that pretty much contradicted the first one!
Those rows of clays are amazing to see!
Prices were right round what I expected, maybe a little lower.

 

[pepesdad1]

Thanks for posting this....hope to see/eat there before I die.

 

[mikethompson]

Looks like a cool place! Yes, the lighting on that steak pic makes it look like your plate is upside down. I see it too Philo Bedoe!

 

[artificialme]

That's amazing. To utilize pipe as a restaurant's decoration. Can we take one of those pipe when dine in :rofl:

 

[floridapipeman]

Brings back memories as I was there over 2 decades ago.

 

[jguss]

Keens is a classic, well worth the splurge if you're in the area. But compared to most of the high end NYC steakhouses, Keens is a tough reservation to get; plan ahead.

 

[bnichols23]

Simeby mentioned Keen's a while back in I think a historical context, & I didn't say anything because I didn't know if it was still there or not.
I don't remember my number, though I'm sure they could look it up, but one of those many thousands on thousands of clays is mine, from back in '74. Gawd, that's a long time gone now!

 

[pipebuddy]

What a fascinating establishment! And that Rib Eye steak looks so good.

 

[beefeater33]

Thanks for the post! Fascinating place. On my list if I ever make it back to NYC.

FWIW..... I agree that the dinner plate does look upside down in the picture........ :D

 

[daveinlax]

I'm bummed that I didn't realize Keen's is in NYC. Missed my chance to go last month. I am VERY jealous.
I read this article abour Keen's a few months ago and found it fascinating. I have a feeling this story was also on an NPR broadcast too.

Yeah I heard that story on Morning Edition or ATC a while back.
We've dinned there a couple of times and it was steak was great but the Lobster Bisque was the best. 8O

 

[recoilrob]

My Dad had a pipe a Keene's from when he did business there in the 1950's. Unfortunately they lost the records many years ago and while his pipe is still there they cannot find it.
Rob