Now, a big change is underway.
The restaurant, located on Central Avenue just south of Thomas Road, is temporarily closed. New owners have taken over and are making some changes.
Jack Durant opened the legendary restaurant in 1950. It was later taken over by Jack and Carol McElroy, and for years, customers entered through the back door to settle into leather booths and sip martinis delivered by tuxedo-clad servers.
Now, the McElroy's have passed the torch to the Mastro family.
Brothers Mike and Jeffrey Mastro, their father Dennis Mastro and business partner Scott Troilo have bought the restaurant. Durant's new owners are no strangers to the steakhouse business. The Mastro family opened the first Mastro's Steakhouse in Scottsdale in 1999. Eventually, the family sold their namesake brand, but launched other fine-dining restaurants and high-end steakhouses including Steak 44 and 48, Ocean 44 and 48 and Dominick's Steakhouse.
Durant's posted the news of the sale to its website, sharing thanks from its former owners and a look toward the future.
"To loosely quote Patek Philippe, you never own a legend like Durant’s, you simply look after it for the next generation," Mike Mastro said. "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.”
The restaurant will remain closed as the new owners make "some renovations and improvements to the kitchen while preserving the look and feel of the famous dining room," according to the announcement.
The menu will also get some "enhancements," as the restaurant joins the Mastro family's roster of brands. While Durant's is closed, the Mastro family plan to honor any reservations at their other locations. A reopening date for the famous Central Avenue steakhouse has not yet been announced.
