Staff Reports | Business & Commerce
The James Beard nominated brothers Mike and Jeffrey Mastro — along with their father Dennis Mastro and business partner Scott Troilo — have purchased Durant’s Steakhouse.
Durant’s opened its doors in 1950 and has been operated by the same family ownership until now.
A Central Avenue staple for fine dining, the upscale and old-school steakhouse has been serving steak, seafood and martinis in its vintage, red-velvet setting for more than 74 years.
When asked what it means to take over, Mike Mastro said,
“To loosely quote Patek Philippe, you never own a legend like Durant’s, you simply look after it for the next generation,” said Mike Mastro, in a prepared statement. “My family and I are thrilled with the acquisition and intend to bring a renaissance to this iconic steakhouse and expand its legendary status for generations to come.”
Jack M. McElroy and Carol McElroy, original owners, say it was a pleasure to run the steakhouse.
“It has been the honor and pleasure of a lifetime to serve the finest steaks, perfect martinis, and heavenly desserts to our extended Durant’s Arizona ‘family’ for the past 75 years,” they said in a collective statement.
The original founders of Durant’s Fine Foods included Jack Durant, Jack R. McElroy, and Durant’s four-legged ‘buddies’ Humble, and Socrates.
“Carol and I, Durant’s second generation, have been blessed through the years with outstanding, loyal, professional, longtime and cherished team members,” Mr. McElroy said. “Many of whom have become local legends in their own right. Now as Durant’s newest era begins It will be led by the extraordinary Mastro Family team of Jeff and Mike Mastro and their highly skilled team of restaurateurs. With their leadership, and with the support of the Durant’s community that has walked through the famous backdoor for the last 75 years, we are confident that Jack Durant’s “Finest, Eating, and Drinking, Establishment in the World.”
The new owners operate Dominick’s Steakhouse, Steak 44, Ocean 44 in the Valley of the Sun and Steak 48 and Ocean 48 in other cities throughout the country, including Chicago, Houston, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Del Mar, Beverly Hills, and Newport Beach.
“It’s a privilege and honor to acquire the restaurant and to preserve its history, while enhancing its future for generations to come,” Jeff Mastro said.
Of Note: Durant’s will temporarily close for some renovations and improvements to the kitchen while preserving the look and feel of the famous dining room.
