I ate at Keens Steakhouse, the ultimate spot for 'power lunches' in NYC. It's a great value even if you're not doing business.

Rachel AskinasiJul 23, 2024, 19:53 IST

Rachel Askinasi; Alyssa Powell/BI<ul class="summary-list"><li>I visited Keens Steakhouse, a <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-living-in-a-haunted-nyc-brownstone-2023-10">historic New York City haunt</a> that's popular for power lunches.</li><li>The place feels cozy and rich with history, and the food is pretty impressive.</li></ul>The <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cecconis-los-angeles-restaurant-lunch-review-2024-4">power lunch</a>, business lunch, midday feast — it's a meal by many names. And as dining trends shift over the years, one thing that's stayed constant is the symbiotic relationship between a corporate card and a steak house.Keens Steakhouse is one of New York City's most iconic meat huts, with a history that stretches back to the 1880s. Although it's got all the classics like <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guy-fieri-ten-day-prime-rib-roast-review-worth-it-2024-7">prime rib</a> and porterhouse, this midtown spot is known for its mutton.So I headed up to what's left of the Herald Square Theatre District to test out this old-school eatery that's been <a target="_blank" href="https://guestofaguest.com/new-york/restaurants/nyc-power-lunch-guide-the-best-spots-to-talk-business-in-midtown&slide=6">dubbed a necessity</a> for the meat lovers' power lunch.

In general, steak houses are a popular place for a power lunch.

The interior of Keens still feels like an old-school social club. Rachel Askinasi

Keens dates back to 1885 when it first opened as a chophouse.

The Keens entrance doesn't look like much.Rachel Askinasi

The space is set up with separate rooms, which add a cozy element to dining there.

Keens is divided into multiple rooms. Rachel Askinasi

The lunch and dinner menus are largely the same.

The Keens Steakhouse menu is lengthy but not too long. Rachel Askinasi

Before our meal, a basket of dinner rolls, a dish of butter, and a boat of crudités arrived.

The bread at Keens tasted better than it looked. Rachel Askinasi

I stuck to ordering what many would consider steak-house classics.

I started my meal at Keens with a wedge salad and shrimp cocktail. Rachel Askinasi

Wedge salads are a must at any steak house.

The Keens wedge salad was loaded with dressing. Rachel Askinasi

The shrimp was enjoyable, though not exceptional.

The metal serving container kept our shrimp cold. Rachel Askinasi

For the main event, we went with the house special: Mutton chops.

Mutton chops are popular at Keens. Rachel Askinasi

The mutton was impressive, flavorful, and satisfying.

The mutton at Keens was as good as it looked. Rachel Askinasi

The meat was served with mint jelly — a common accompaniment to mutton or lamb.

Mint jelly is a popular pairing with lamb. Rachel Askinasi

I was also there to try the house-made ginger ale.

House-made ginger ale is rare on a menu. Rachel Askinasi

Overall, I can see why folks with an expense account choose to dine here.

Keens felt a little bit cheesy by having a gift-shop counter. Rachel Askinasi

I ordered the same meal at McDonald's and Red Robin. The winning burger was only $4 more and far superior.

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