Finger steaks facts for kids
Finger steaks are a tasty dish made from strips of steak. These strips are usually from a part of the cow called top sirloin. They are covered in a crispy batter and then deep-fried until golden.
People often eat finger steaks with French fries and a slice of buttered Texas toast. You can find them in many restaurants in Southern Idaho and nearby states. They are not very common outside of the Inland Northwest part of the United States. Sometimes, they are called 'steak fingers' in other places.
Where Did Finger Steaks Come From?
Many people believe that finger steaks were first served in a restaurant in Boise, Idaho. This happened at a place called "Milo’s Torch Lounge" in 1957. A man named Milo Bybee said he created finger steaks. He was a butcher for the U.S. Forest Service in McCall. He wondered what to do with leftover pieces of tenderloin steak.
Milo Bybee started working as a chef at The Torch restaurant in 1946. Some people wonder if he truly invented them or if the idea came from the restaurant's first owners. Either way, finger steaks are strongly connected to Idaho.
In fact, when Idaho was choosing a design for its state quarter, someone suggested including finger steaks. They thought it would be a good way to show that Idaho is where finger steaks began!
Later, a company called B and D Foods started making frozen finger steaks. This company began in 1972. They made their special finger steaks for a chain of fast-food restaurants called Red Steer. Red Steer was a popular burger place in Idaho, but it is no longer open today.
