I've never been to the annual Beefsteak Dinner hosted by the Nacogdoches County Historical Foundation, but there are certain words and phrases that describe the event that really capture my interest.

First, attendees will be served 'hearty portions of meat'. That is a game closer for me. When it comes to Thanksgiving and/or Christmas dinners, instead of saving room for the multitude of desserts on the table, I save room for seconds and thirds of the turkey, or ham, or roast beef.  Give me the meat, I'll have some dessert tomorrow.

They will also be serving beer at the Beefsteak Dinner, another plus.  All attendees will also be given a commemorative apron to wear during the event and take home with them. This apron is to be worn during the dinner and is to act in lieu of any paper towels or napkins.  In other words, the goal is to get that apron as dirty as possible.  In fact, after dinner is done, a winner will be crowned for wearing the dirtiest apron.

The Nacogdoches Beefsteak dinner will be held Friday, January 14 from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m.  The event will take place at Mast Hall, located at 317 East Main Street in Nacogdoches.  The dinner benefits the restoration of the historic Zion Hill Baptist Church. Tickets are $50 each (tables of 8 are $400) and are available from any Nacogdoches County Historical Foundation Board member or online here.

You may have heard of steak dinners before, but why call this a beefsteak dinner?  According to the event's Facebook Page, beefsteak dinners originated in the early 1900’s in New Jersey and New York and were a time honored tradition around election time. A friend of a politician would throw their friend a Beefsteak dinner – a dinner full of meat, beer and bread – and raise money for the campaign. These dinners were rowdy and unsophisticated with no plates, no napkins and no forks or knives.

Notice the pictures below.  I don't see any silverware or napkins...now that's how to enjoy a great meal!

 

 

Beefsteak Dinner

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