Closing News
Lawry's the Prime Rib to close Dallas location after 40 years
Lawry's Prime Rib
After 40 years of serving the Dallas community, Lawry’s The Prime Rib is closing.
According to a release, the restaurant will permanently close its doors this March. The closure stems from the restaurant's decision to sell the building, located at 14655 Dallas Pkwy., to a new owner.
Their final day is still TBA, but the restaurant will continue normal operations until then.
Lawry’s The Prime Rib had been a staple of the Dallas culinary scene since it opened in 1983, originally on Maple Avenue, where it was known for its elegance, hospitality, and prime rib dining experience. It was one of only three locations in the U.S., with the other two in California and Las Vegas.
They're famous for
- serving prime rib tableside from gleaming silver carts
- Yorkshire pudding
- their signature "spinning salad," also prepared tableside by a server who adds the dressing while spining the salad bowl on top of a bed of ice
This is kind of cool: According to the 1987 book Lawry's Foods, Inc: A Blending of Dreams, before Lawry's came along, salads consisted of a combination of fruit, cottage cheese, and gelatin; Lawry's was one of the first to feature a green salad as an integral part of every meal.
They also have a Lawry's Seasoned Salt, made from paprika, celery, turmeric, garlic, salt, and other spices that's so popular, it's sold by McCormick's spice brand.
Over the years, the restaurant has become a beloved destination for special occasions, celebrations and business gatherings.
Dallas resident (and occasional concert reviewer) Geoff Keah recalls going there as a child.
"For the uninitiated, Lawry’s was formerly housed at 3008 Maple Ave, where Nick & Sam’s is currently located. They moved around the fall of 1998," Keah says. "You have to keep in mind, in the 80’s and some of the 90’s, big conglomerate steak chains simply were not the norm. Lawry’s was one of the go-to spots. I remember going there as a kid. Those decadent silver carts and posh outfits the waitresses wore… they were a sign of the times. It was hip. The interior was moving. It brought the whole place together. It just lost all of its lure and pizazz once they moved up north. I guess it’s just one of those, 'you had to be there' kind of things."
In a statement, CEO Ryan O’Melveny Wilson offers thanks to the Dallas community and their dedicated staff.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Lawry’s in Dallas,” he says. “As we enter the fourth generation of our family-owned business, our unwavering commitment to growth and the enduring relevance of our 85-year-old brand remains," Wilson says. "While one chapter closes, new doors are opening as we direct efforts on domestic and international expansion, bringing our timeless concept to new cities around the world.”
They'll celebrate the steakhouse’s tenure in the next few months. Visit lawrysonline.com for a schedule of happenings and special offerings.
Lawry’s Restaurants is family-owned and incorporates Lawry’s The Prime Rib which was founded in 1938 in Beverly Hills, and has locations in Dallas and Las Vegas; Tam O’Shanter in Los Angeles, Five Crowns in Corona del Mar, and Sidedoor, also in Corona del Mar.
