No. 8254 Duanesburg Rd · Est. 1969

TheBear'sSteak House

Since 1969 the Payne family has served dinner on the first floor of their Duanesburg home: a Chateaubriand that brings the whole tenderloin to the table, prime rib, and pies baked in house. Look for the bear on the sign.

Call to reserve(518) 895-2509 Get directions

Reservations by phone only.

Family-run for 57+ years
Chateaubriand, the whole tenderloin
Prime rib
Mama Bear's pies
No TVs, no QR codes
Reservations by phone

The white clapboard Payne family house on Duanesburg Road that holds the restaurant — The house on Duanesburg RoadPhoto: Wade Johanns

Our story

Dinner in the Payne family home

In 1969, Robert L. Payne bought Duane Manor, a two-family house on Duanesburg Road. With his wife and business partner, Patricia, he turned it into The Bears' Steakhouse, and they raised their four children there. Coming to dinner here has always meant being a guest in the family's home.

Robert, remembered as a stickler for detail, set the standards the kitchen still follows. Patricia, "Mama Bear" to the regulars, baked the breads and pies that became as much a signature as the steaks.

Today their sons carry it on. Robert L. Payne II, a chef and culinary instructor, runs the kitchen, and John Payne looks after the dining room.

From the papers

Times Union
“An unexpected treasure.”

The Daily Gazette
“A “royal” dining experience in Duanesburg.”

Family Destinations Guide
“…some of the best steaks in upstate New York.”

Sliced Chateaubriand on an ornate silver platter with carrots and roasted potatoes — The ChateaubriandPhoto: Denny Cicchino

A thick slice of prime rib with a baked potato and carrots — Prime ribPhoto: rory518

Two lattice-top raspberry pies baked by Pat "Mama Bear" Payne — Mama Bear's raspberry piesPhoto: Michael P. Farrell / Times Union

The Chateaubriandsignature: Our signature serves the entire tenderloin, from the butt to the filet mignon and the tip, sliced on a silver platter. The Times Union described it as dry-aged for 40 days and rubbed with Robert Sr.'s original garlic-peppercorn marinade.
Prime ribhouse classic: The other half of the Bear's reputation: a thick, blushing-pink cut with a baked potato on the side. Come hungry: the Paynes always encouraged it.
Mama Bear's piesmade in house: Desserts are made in house, carrying on Mama Bear's tall wedges of pie with real whipped cream. Raspberry, peanut butter, banana cream and coconut cream pies and homemade cheesecake have all had their turn. Ask what's on when you call.

The house

White tablecloths, a wood-paneled bar and a bear with a honey pot

No TVs, no QR codes: a printed wine list, a bar where people talk to each other, and a dining room that has hosted celebrations and quiet weeknight dinners for over 50 years.

The dining room: white tablecloths, wood-paneled bar and chandeliers — The dining roomPhoto: Christina M.

The stuffed black bear holding a honey pot at the bar — The bear at the barPhoto: The Bear's Steakhouse

The Bear's printed wine menu — The wine listPhoto: Christina M.

Medium-rare ribeye with golden potatoes and carrots — RibeyePhoto: Eric LaJuene

Two filets mignons with carrots and potatoes on decorated china — Filet mignonPhoto: Alexander S.

An antipasto platter with shrimp, berries and vegetables — AntipastoPhoto: George Wheeler

Shrimp cocktail on greens with lemon wedges — Shrimp cocktailPhoto: Carolyn Burns

Beef and vegetable soup in a stoneware crock — Beef & vegetable soupPhoto: Happy N.

Homemade cheesecake with caramel sauce — Homemade cheesecakePhoto: Matt Wilming

Guest checkNo. 1969

Reservations

Book your table by phone

We take reservations by telephone only, and seating is limited, so call ahead. Many guests pre-order the Chateaubriand when they book; the Daily Gazette reported that about 70 percent do.

(518) 895-2509

Call (518) 895-2509.
Choose your evening and party size.
Ask about pre-ordering the Chateaubriand and tonight's pies.

Call to reserve(518) 895-2509

Opening days and hours vary, so please confirm by phone.

Visit

Look for the bear on Duanesburg Road

The Bear's Steakhouse
8254 Duanesburg Rd
Duanesburg, NY 12056

(518) 895-2509

Directions in Google Maps Facebook

The roadside sign reading "The Bear's Steak House", with the cartoon bear, in front of the house — The sign out frontPhoto: Discover Schenectady

Good to know

How do I book a table at The Bear's?

Call us at (518) 895-2509. We take reservations by phone only.

Where is The Bear's Steakhouse?

At 8254 Duanesburg Rd, Duanesburg, NY 12056, in Schenectady County, New York. Look for the roadside sign with the bear.

What is The Bear's known for?

The Chateaubriand, which serves the entire tenderloin in slices, the prime rib, and desserts made in house.

Who runs the restaurant?

The Payne family. Robert L. and Patricia "Mama Bear" Payne opened it in 1969. Today their son Robert L. Payne II runs the kitchen and his brother John runs the dining room.

What are the opening days and hours?

We serve dinner on a limited number of evenings each week. Days and times vary, so please call (518) 895-2509 to confirm before you come.