Soldiers' Steak Dinners to Move to McLean

Fran O'Brien's Stadium Steak House was a favorite hangout for Washington power brokers, but it earned its lasting reputation by treating severely wounded soldiers to steaks every Friday night.

Garry Trudeau featured the dinners in his Doonesbury comic strip.

In April the restaurant, which occupied the basement of the Capital Hilton at the corner of 16th and L streets NW, lost its lease after a disagreement with hotel management. Next month, it will reopen as Fran O'Brien's of McLean.

Owner Marty O'Brien, son of the late Redskins offensive lineman Fran O'Brien, plans to reinstate the meals for soldiers. The distance from Walter Reed Army Medical Center won't be a problem, he said. He plans to provide transportation for the soldiers and their families.

He hasn't figured out when the dinners will resume. "I haven't gotten into the whole scene yet," he said. "But I've talked to a few of the original guys and they're happy about it."

Previously known for its Redskins memorabilia and patriotic decor, the restaurant will be more upscale in the new, smaller location. "We'll still have Redskins stuff in the bar," O'Brien said.

-- Kim Hart