Frankie & Johnnie’s Steakhouse
Frankie & Johnnie’s Steakhouse
32 West 37th StreetNew York, NY 10036
212 947 8940
frankieandjohnnies.com
M 11am-10:30pm; T-Sa 11am-11:30pm; Su 11am-10:30am
Rye, NY; 269 West 45th Street
45th Street is the original location for Frankie & Johnnie’s, and the site of a former speakeasy from the days of Prohibition. Legend has it that in order to gain access, one had to knock on an unmarked door and use the password “Frankie” when a small peephole was opened. A reply of “Johnnie” would come from the other side of the door and admittance was granted. Over the decades, Frankie & Johnnie’s gained a remarkable reputation for its steaks and chops.
The Panopoulos family – three siblings, along with their father, uncle and cousins run F&J Ventures. The daughter, Jennifer, is stationed in Rye, NY. While raising my children in Westchester, we celebrated many memorable occasions in this Frankie & Johnnie’s, and can attest to the stellar meals that they prepared. The sons, Ross and Gus – one a former attorney and the other from Wall Street – are splitting their time between the two Manhattan restaurants. The father, Van, began working at the Hideaway on 37th Street many years ago. In 2002, when he decided to purchase the home that was once John Barrymore’s, he completely renovated the space and added another Frankie & Johnnie’s to their repertoire of steak houses.