The Union Oyster House, operating for 200 years and recognized as America’s oldest restaurant in continuous service, is being sold to the Fertitta family of Houston, Texas. The landmark Downtown Boston establishment was owned for more than 50 years by Joseph Milano, who is a Brigadier General of the U.S. Army and Honorary Consul General to Thailand in Boston.
Union Oyster House Sold to Texas Family After Half a Century
The incoming buyers, who own Landry’s—a company encompassing 600 restaurant, entertainment, and gambling establishments nationwide—pledged to keep operations steady. In a statement issued through a spokesperson, the Fertitta family called the historic site a treasured dining institution
and promised to continue running the location just as it has operated for more than 200 years, with no changes to its staff or operations. Tilman Fertitta, described as the world’s richest restaurateur, owns the NBA’s Houston Rockets and purchased the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun.
Continuity and Transition for a Boston Landmark
The transaction will make the new buyers the fifth owner of the establishment since it was established in 1826. Milano confirmed the sale in a letter to his employees, noting that the buyers share his deep commitment to preserving the restaurant’s heritage. Milano will assist the restaurant as a consultant for three months following the sale before officially retiring from his duties.
The parties involved in the transition plan to ask the Boston Licensing Board to approve the transfer of the establishment’s liquor license. Milano reflected on his decades with the business by stating, While my name has been associated with the restaurant for decades, I have never believed it belongs to any one person.
He added that they are simply caretakers for a brief chapter before passing it on.
Rich History and Cultural Legacy
Located at 41 Union Street near Quincy Market and Boston City Hall, the building itself dates back even further than the restaurant operations. Before food service began in 1826, the structure housed a dry goods and silk store, a Revolutionary-era newspaper, the paymaster for the Continental Army, and a French monarch living in exile. Originally operating under the name Atwood & Bacon, the business adopted its current title in 1913.
Over the decades, the historic site has welcomed numerous prominent figures, including U.S. presidents, actors, and athletes. Among its well-known patrons was John F. Kennedy, who frequently visited to enjoy lobster stew at booth 18. Other celebrity visitors noted by management include Leonardo DiCaprio, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Luciano Pavarotti, and Tiger Woods.
Awards and Operational Evolution
The establishment has continued to gather international acclaim in recent years. It was named North America’s Best Landmark Restaurant by the World Culinary Awards, having previously received the same honor in 2020 and 2024.
When Milano’s family first acquired the restaurant in the 1970s, it seated 250 customers. Through purchasing two adjacent buildings, the family expanded the seating capacity to 565 guests. Ahead of the ownership transition, Milano expressed a desire to see several of the restaurant’s signature items, including clam chowder, Tabasco sauce, and cornbread, eventually produced on a commercial scale for retail sale in stores.
