For Phoenix locals, Durant’s isn’t just a steakhouse. It’s a memory, a milestone, and a marker of the city itself. After a careful, year-long restoration, the legendary Central Avenue institution has recently reopened, stepping confidently into its next chapter.
Since 1950, Durant’s Steakhouse has defined classic Phoenix dining. Red booths. Heavy martinis. The quiet thrill of entering through the kitchen door. After being closed for an extensive restoration, the restaurant is back, refreshed but unmistakably itself.
The revival comes under new ownership from James Beard–nominated brothers Mike and Jeff Mastro, their father Dennis Mastro, and longtime partner Scott Troilo. The family behind Steak 44, Dominick’s Steakhouse, and Ocean 44 approached Durant’s with a clear mission. Preserve what made it legendary, and elevate it without erasing its soul.
Inside, the updates are deliberate and respectful. A brand-new gourmet kitchen now powers the operation. Signature red booths and walls remain intact. Vintage neon once again lights the room. The iconic pink exterior has been refreshed. One of the most meaningful returns is the private dining room, reopened after being closed since the 1970s.
The menu remains grounded in tradition. The famous porterhouse for two, prime rib, lobster thermidor, caviar service, and crispy veal parmesan are all back. So are longtime favorites like scalloped potatoes, mushrooms, and rigatoni vodka sauce. Even the storied porterhouse plaques and the beloved dessert tokens have been restored to their rightful place.
Leading the kitchen is the Mastro group’s longtime Chief Executive Chef Marc Lupino, working alongside Executive Chef Felix Ruiz. The result is sharper execution, elevated service, and a dining experience that feels both polished and deeply familiar to generations of Phoenix regulars.
This reopening isn’t about nostalgia alone. It’s about stewardship. In a fast-changing city, Durant’s proves that Phoenix’s icons don’t need reinvention. They need respect, investment, and the confidence to let history lead.
Insider Takeaways
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Durant’s Steakhouse has recently reopened following a year-long restoration.
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The restaurant is now owned by Mike and Jeff Mastro, Dennis Mastro, and Scott Troilo.
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Restorations include a new gourmet kitchen, refreshed dining rooms, and revived vintage details.
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The private dining room has reopened after being closed for decades.
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Signature dishes, porterhouse plaques, and dessert tokens remain core to the experience.
In a city constantly chasing what’s next, Durant’s return is a reminder that Phoenix’s best institutions endure when they’re protected, not rewritten. For more information or reservations, visit durantssteakhouse.com.
