Longbranch Steakhouse
Longbranch Steakhouse
Founded in 1980, the Longbranch Steakhouse at 9095 Metcalf was the “first bar” in Overland Park, Kansas. The second location, and home to LUMI’s Longbranch neon sign, was located at 8600 Marshall Dr. in Lenexa, Kansas.
Known for good steaks at good prices, the Longbranch Steakhouse was the brainchild of two colorful Kansas City characters: Lou Piniella and Walt Coffey.
Major League Baseball great, Louis “Sweet Lou” Piniella played 18 seasons, including the first five seasons of the Kansas City Royals franchise from 1969-1973. In fact, he was the first batter in Kansas City Royals history on April 8, 1969, and became the 1969 MLB American League Rookie of the Year. The outfielder later captured two World Series championships with the NY Yankees in 1977 and 1978, and again when managing the Cincinnati Reds in 1990.
Kansas City entrepreneur, Walt Coffey, was Lou’s business partner who handled day-to-day operation of their restaurants. A 1931 New Year’s baby from St. Louis, Missouri, Walt was a Kansas City car dealer (Quality Dodge), restauranteur, painter, author, songwriter and dog rescuer. Known for his $2 straw hat with Gucci scribbled on its front, gregarious Walt was likely to greet friends and strangers alike with “What’s cookin’ kid?” Walt was also behind some of the clever signs posted in the restaurant, including “Don’t look back—we ain’t goin’ that way,” and “Knowledge is knowing what you don’t know.”
After 1996, the Longbranch Steakhouse underwent a couple of ownership and name changes. Dan and Mary Greet purchased both locations in 2002, changing the name to Dan’s Longbranch Steakhouse Saloon. In 2008, they expanded the Metcalf location to include a sports bar called The Branch which served the same food as the steakhouse. Both have since closed. Steve Cloud was the last owner of the restaurant on Marshall Dr. and its sign was graciously gifted to LUMI by the most recent landowner, Bob Hamilton Plumbing.
Like many signs in the LUMI collection, our Longbranch Steakhouse neon is even more special thanks to the colorful people and their businesses behind the neon.
Founded in 1980, the Longbranch Steakhouse at 9095 Metcalf was the “first bar” in Overland Park, Kansas. The second location, and home to LUMI’s Longbranch neon sign, was located at 8600 Marshall Dr. in Lenexa, Kansas.
Known for good steaks at good prices, the Longbranch Steakhouse was the brainchild of two colorful Kansas City characters: Lou Piniella and Walt Coffey.
Major League Baseball great, Louis “Sweet Lou” Piniella played 18 seasons, including the first five seasons of the Kansas City Royals franchise from 1969-1973. In fact, he was the first batter in Kansas City Royals history on April 8, 1969, and became the 1969 MLB American League Rookie of the Year. The outfielder later captured two World Series championships with the NY Yankees in 1977 and 1978, and again when managing the Cincinnati Reds in 1990.
Kansas City entrepreneur, Walt Coffey, was Lou’s business partner who handled day-to-day operation of their restaurants. A 1931 New Year’s baby from St. Louis, Missouri, Walt was a Kansas City car dealer (Quality Dodge), restauranteur, painter, author, songwriter and dog rescuer. Known for his $2 straw hat with Gucci scribbled on its front, gregarious Walt was likely to greet friends and strangers alike with “What’s cookin’ kid?” Walt was also behind some of the clever signs posted in the restaurant, including “Don’t look back—we ain’t goin’ that way,” and “Knowledge is knowing what you don’t know.”
After 1996, the Longbranch Steakhouse underwent a couple of ownership and name changes. Dan and Mary Greet purchased both locations in 2002, changing the name to Dan’s Longbranch Steakhouse Saloon. In 2008, they expanded the Metcalf location to include a sports bar called The Branch which served the same food as the steakhouse. Both have since closed. Steve Cloud was the last owner of the restaurant on Marshall Dr. and its sign was graciously gifted to LUMI by the most recent landowner, Bob Hamilton Plumbing.
Like many signs in the LUMI collection, our Longbranch Steakhouse neon is even more special thanks to the colorful people and their businesses behind the neon.
