Americans love their beef. Here in Ohio, we are no exception! We buy over $4,000,000,000 worth of the tasty treat each year. There are currently 17,400 beef operations in the state, totaling 1.2 million head. These walking steak burgers are worth about $1.35 billion. Ohio isn’t the top beef producing state in the nation, but we are in the top 16. Every county in Ohio has at least one beef farm. The average herd is around 15 head. Ohio beef is enjoyed around the world as well with meat from about 40,000 cows being exported internationally each year.
The beef industry has been shrinking in America since the 90’s, but in Ohio, herds grew 2% in 2013, while most other states remained stagnant or declined, as reported by the United States Department of Agriculture. One of the reasons Ohio beef did better this year, while other states did not, was due to drought and other weather phenomenon that has troubled the nation. In comparison to pastures around the country, Ohio’s grass is greener.
Part of History
The history of the beef industry in America is a terrific tale of old-fashioned hard work, family-owned farms and prosperity; and Ohio was host to much of it! The first cattle drive north of the Mason-Dixon line started in Ohio and drove to the New England states in 1805. This unique event also drove sheep, hogs and turkeys! The development of meat processing and packing for shipment across the country was as important to the beef industry as the printing press was to the publishing industry. The first such plant was in Cincinnati, beginning its operations in 1818.
What’s For Dinner?
Due to both the ready supply and the people’s love for it, Ohio is home to a great many beef and steak house restaurants in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and all around the state. Arby’s Roast Beef was opened in 1964 in Boardman by Leroy and Forrest Raffel. They named it “Arby’s after the initials “R” and “B” for “Raffel Brothers.” Dave Thomas famously started the great hamburger chain, Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers in 1969 in Columbus. Legend has it that the “hamburger” itself was invented by two brothers from Akron in 1885, Charles and Frank Menches. The pair were selling sandwiches at the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York and ran out of pork. They improvised by purchasing local ground beef and mixing it with brown sugar and coffee. The result was a hit and the invention was named after the city hosting the event.
Beef and steak lovers are definitely in for a treat when it comes to dining out in Ohio. Beef and steak house restaurants abound in every city, town and village across the state. Whether you’re a part of the beef farm industry that embodies America’s history or are just looking to dine out and enjoy some hearty meat and potatoes, in Ohio, you’ve hit the jackpot!
If you are interested in discovering the best steak house restaurant in Cincinnati, visit Tony’s of Cincinnati at http://www.Tonysofcincinnati.com or by phone, (513) 677-1993.
