Beefy King celebrates 55 years in Orlando

Beefy King celebrates 55 years in Orlando

“It feels like we just celebrated 50!” says Roland Smith.

But that was five years ago, and in the time since — boy — have things ever been crazy at the iconic, family-run restaurant that its operators simply call “The Beef.”

This month Beefy King turns 55, and Smith, whose dad, Freeman, bought the place from founder Tom Veigle in 1968 after relocating from Detroit, has been working behind its hallowed counter since he was 18.

The Smiths lived in Detroit but had family in Orlando. They visited often.

“One day, Dad came home and said, ‘We’re moving.’”

His father was ready to get out of the home-improvement business. Young Roland had just graduated high school. He enrolled at UCF and started slinging sandos. Four years later, he hadn’t tired of it.

“I worked at The Beef the whole time and decided it wasn’t such a bad gig.”

Second-gen Beefy King owner/operator Roland Smith has been working at “The Beef” since he was 18. Sandee, his wife, “has been a part of this business throughout our 53 years of marriage.” (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

After school came marriage to wife, Sandee, in 1970. Two years later, daughter Heather was born. Shannon joined her sister in 1975.

“Being in the restaurant business is a constant,” Smith says. “Both Shannon and Heather grew up there. They were working as soon as they could walk around and stand at the counter.”

Shannon laughs as her dad tells the story.

“Their whole lives have been Beefy-related.”

The same could be said of much of Orlando, as Beefy King has been one of those comforting constants, a place that hasn’t changed much at all in the half century-plus it has been open, a place that’s still going strong post-pandemic when so many other iconic staples have succumbed in COVID’s wake.

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“We’ve always said through the years that if it wasn’t for the Orlando community, we wouldn’t be here,” says an earnest Smith. “And it’s also about the way we present ourselves and our product. We’ve always been a family-related business and our customers have been a part of that family.”

These are values, says Shannon Woodrow, that her grandfather, grandmother and father passed down.

“I learned at a young age that you fix whatever you can yourself, you don’t go into debt, you work hard and you make sure you’re always in the restaurant. We’ve always been there, and we always will be there.”

Manager Heather Runion steams up some fresh-sliced roast beef in the kitchen of Beefy King. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel).
Manager Heather Runion steams up some fresh-sliced roast beef in the kitchen of Beefy King. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel).

Smith’s grandsons — Seth, 22; Trent, 18; Jack, 17; and Rhys, 15 — are in the Beefy trenches, too, just like their mothers before them.

“All little princes,” Woodrow jokes.

“Four generations,” their grandfather says. “And it’s not only our family that’s done it.”

In 55 years, says Smith, there are people who worked alongside him back in college who still come in.

“They went off and got married and their kids came back to work here. And now the grandkids of the people I was working with are working here. The Orlando community has grown up with Beefy King and has had three or four generations working there, too. It’s an amazing story and it’s why people feel so close with us.”

On June 17, the Beefy King family will be celebrating 55 years subtly.

“We didn’t want to go too crazy. Just something that’s a thank-you. A little birthday celebration,” says Woodrow.

And with it, a cool, new, tie-dye T-shirt that on Day One will go for the discounted price of $15 (regular price will be $20 thereafter).

The drive-thru will be closed that day, as well, to allow for walk-up shirt purchases 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Customers can also get one inside while ordering food. There will be treats. Giveaways. Good times.

Back when the Smiths took over at Beefy King, roast beef and ham were the only meats on the menu. Today, they serve nine. Combos are popular. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Back when the Smiths took over at Beefy King, roast beef and ham were the only two meats on the menu. Today, they serve nine. Combos are popular. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

She says they’re always honored to see the smiles coming through the door. But it’s extra special on an anniversary, when they hear even more stories about their role in people’s lives here in town, about how they’ve been a constant when so much continues to evolve.

“We love being an O.G. in the neighborhood,” says Woodrow. “We keep it old school while the Milk District keeps growing. It’s such a loving community here and we’ve enjoyed the changes and meeting all the new people. We couldn’t be happier to be where we are and we’re so thankful to be part of such a great neighborhood. It’s been a huge part of our success. ”

The community support for 50 years plus, says Smith, has been everything.

“People move, they go away for 25 years, and when they come back to visit, the first place they come when they step off the plane is here, to make sure The Beef is still going strong.”

Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group or follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

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