Browne's Chop House facts for kids
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| Industry | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1857 (claimed) |
| Defunct | 1925 |
| Headquarters | New York City |
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Key people
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George F. Browne; Farrington family |
Browne's Chop House was a famous restaurant in New York City. Many actors and theater people loved to eat there. It closed its doors in 1925.
Contents
History of Browne's Chop House
How Browne's Chop House Started
The restaurant was started by an actor named George F. Browne. This was as early as 1857. By 1861, it was a popular spot for actors. It was even known as the "Green Room."
Browne's Chop House first opened on Fourteenth Street. It was close to Wallack's Theatre, where George Browne worked. Later, the restaurant moved several times. It moved to West Twenty-Eighth Street and then to West Twenty-Seventh Street.
After George Browne passed away, Frank Farrington bought the restaurant. He owned Browne's Chop House for 30 years.
Moving to Broadway
Around 1898, the restaurant moved to 1424 Broadway. This new spot was near Fortieth Street. It was across from the Metropolitan Opera House. It was also right next to the Empire Theatre.
The walls inside Browne's Chop House were special. They were covered with old play programs. There were also many signed photographs of famous actors.
The New York Friars Club was a group for theater professionals. When the club began in 1904, they often met at Browne's. For a long time, only men could eat in the main dining room. But starting in 1911, women were allowed to dine upstairs on Sundays.
Why Browne's Chop House Closed
Browne's Chop House closed its doors at the end of June 1925. The final owner was F. J. Farrington. He said that new kinds of restaurants were becoming popular. Also, the rent for the building was getting too high. The main theater area was also moving further north in the city.
After the restaurant closed, everything inside was sold. The furniture and all the famous photographs were sold at an auction. One person bought all the special theater items for $480. Later, the owners of the Schrafft's restaurant chain rented the building. They opened a tea room there.
What's There Today
Today, the place where Browne's Chop House once stood looks very different. The old Empire Theatre was also in that spot. Now, a tall 22-story office building stands there. This building was finished in 1956.
