The number “350,000’’ seems a bit abstract in most contexts. But for Ralph Lewis, 350,000 is deeply personal, as is the number of free birthday dinners he has given away over the past 30 years at Okeechobee Steakhouse in West Palm Beach. That figure was reached earlier this month – another milestone for Okeechobee Steakhouse – founded by Lewis’ grandparents in 1947 on what was then the outer edges of West Palm Beach.
The “Free Steak Dinner on Your Birthday” offer was started by Lewis’ father, Curtis, and has gained an almost cult following over the years. It’s often diners’ first experience at what is now the oldest family-owned steakhouse in Florida.
“It’s a very real number,’’ Lewis told me. “It took a lot of years, but we have a big following now. We’re really well known. There are a lot of things people want to do in Palm Beach County – one of them a free steak dinner at Okeechobee Steakhouse.’’
The math breaks down to an average of 30 birthday diners per day, 365 days per year over the 30-plus years.
“My dad basically wanted to create memorable experiences for the guests at the Steakhouse,’’ Lewis said. “He realized that people might not remember where they were a week before their birthdays, but they remember where they are on their birthdays. He wanted people to have those great family experiences at Okeechobee Steakhouse.’’
The original free birthday offer, Lewis said, was a T-Bone (with the trimmings) for under $20.
An eight-ounce Ribeye steak has replaced the T-Bone on the Steakhouse birthday menu – and the price is more $20 – but the experience remains the same – an outstanding dry-aged steak served in a classic setting..
“Because of the Internet and cooking channels and podcasts, I think people’s knowledge of steaks is a little more broad,’’ Lewis said. “People want a little more variety The big sellers today and filet mignon and ribeyes. We sell a lot of 27-28 ounce bone-in Ribeyes. And our 14-ounce boneless Ribeye – we call Delmonico – is a huge seller now compared to 30 years ago.’’
Okeechobee Steakhouse began as a drive-in, but Lewis over the past few years has created a steak empire that now includes Lewis Steakhouse in Jupiter and Okeechobee Prime in Loxahatchee Okeechobee Prime Meat Market and pop-up Okeechobee Prime Barbecue, each are located across the street from Okeechobee Steakhouse, which features an adjacent catering hall.
“They’re doing really well,’’ Lewis sad of the Jupiter and Loxahatchee restaurants. “They’re a little different price points from each other -Loxahatchee a bit of a scaled-down version. Jupiter is really crushing it and Loxahatchee is starting to gain momentum.’’
Photo: Ralph Lewis (Okeechobee Steakhouse)