The wealthy Houston family whose holdings include Landry’s Inc. has just made a major move by nabbing a historic East Coast property. The Boston Globe reports the Fertitta family hospitality conglomerate is buying the city’s historic Union Oyster House, the oldest known operating restaurant in the U.S.
The Fertitta family confirmed the purchase to Chron on Wednesday afternoon.
“The Fertitta family of Houston, Texas, are acquiring the Union Oyster House, America’s oldest restaurant and a National Historic Landmark on Boston’s iconic Freedom Trail,” read a statement from a Fertitta family representative.
“Upon closing of the transaction, the Fertitta family will continue to run Union Oyster House just as it has been operated for more than 200 years, with no changes to its staff or operations,” the statement continued. “The Fertitta family looks forward to carrying its storied traditions forward for generations to come.”
The family told the Boston Globe on Wednesday that Tilman Fertitta’s son Patrick led the transaction, and that the businessman and U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino was “not involved” in the deal.
The restaurant first opened as Atwood & Bacon Oyster House in October 1826. In the 200 years since, the restaurant has changed names and owners, but apparently it’s never stopped running, smack in a historic Boston area that includes Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market. Joe Milano and his family have owned the restaurant since the 1970s.
Meanwhile and closer to home, Landry’s just opened a new Landry’s Seafood House location in Sugar Land. It also debuted the 1932 Cattleman’s Club, a new concept at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
Union Oyster House would fit in nicely with Landry’s seafood-oriented portfolio. Oysters, of course, are on the menu, as are a variety of shrimp, sandwiches, soups, chowders and other East Coast delicacies that haven’t quite made their way to Texas yet.