Chuck’s Steak House is celebrating 50 years in business in Danbury this month, the restaurant opened for business on May 22, 1973.
“My Dad, Hank Zaccara, was 35 years old when he opened the doors for business here in 1973,” said Elizabeth Zaccara Booth. “Although he’s been gone for 8 years now, I know he would be very proud to see that Chuck’s is still thriving.”
Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito was at the restaurant recently and presented a proclamation from the City of Danbury in honor of the 50th anniversary. The proclamation states that Chuck’s “has a simple formula for success: serve quality steaks at a reasonable price, make an honest drink, and treat your customers well. The managers and employees of Chuck’s remain committed to these unpretentious ideas, and they are proud to serve our community in the tradition of a classic American steak house.”
Mark Boughton, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services and former Mayor of Danbury, also shared remarks and recalled that his first job as a teenager was at Chuck’s.
The restaurant currently has 60 employees. Many have been with Chuck’s for over 10 years, and there are a few who have been with the business almost from the beginning.
Wes Brown, a part-owner and General Manager at Chuck’s, has been with the restaurant for 49 years. “Besides a lot of hard work, consistency has been the real key to our success,” said Wes Brown. “We have been fortunate to have great employees who really care about our business and our customers.”
The menu has changed and evolved over the years from a simple menu with less than a dozen items hand-painted on a black Lancer’s wine bottle. Some things have stayed the same, including the grill in the dining room and the extensive salad bar.
Chuck’s will offer a special menu May 23-26, including some classic menu items at $19.73. “It’s a small way to thank our customers for their support over the years,” said Wes Brown. “We’re fortunate to have great customers and wonderful support from the Greater Danbury community.”
Chuck’s Steak House is at 20 Segar Street in Danbury, CT.