Famous New York Steakhouse Raises 'Steaks' To Find FL Missing Cow

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK -- A legendary New York City steakhouse has raised the steaks in the search for a missing cow sculpture that was stolen in broad daylight Saturday afternoon from a St. Petersburg restaurant.

Old Homestead Steakhouse, the 150-year-old iconic meat mecca in New York City's Meatpacking District, has posted a reward of $1,000 and a free steak dinner for the person whose information leads police to the recovery of the cow that was stolen from Harold Seltzer's Steakhouse, 3500 Tyrone Blvd. in St. Petersburg.

On Saturday afternoon, April 27, someone stole the 3 foot high, 12 foot long plastic cow statue that's long been a fixture at the restaurant.

In response to the cow-jacking, Old Homestead Steakhouse is beefing up security of its own famous life-size bovine sculpture - Annabelle the Cow, which has been perched on the restaurant's marquee for nearly 65 years. Old Homestead’s Annabelle is perhaps the nation's most famous and recognizable restaurant bovine sculpture, having appeared in movies and television series such as Seinfeld, The Sopranos, Law and Order, Real Housewives and numerous others.

When Old Homestead Steakhouse co-owners Greg and Marc Sherry herd that modern-day rustlers made off with the cow at Harold Seltzer's Steakhouse, they were not amoo-sed by what they said was likely a cow-culated decision by the thieves.

"We feel a deep connection to Howard Seltzer’s, both having famous bovine sculptures that have become synonymous with our restaurants. Hopefully this reward helps bring back the cow. We know what Annabelle means to us. She's part of our family," Marc Sherry said. "Money on the street talks, whether you’re in New York or Florida, and that ain't no bull."

This is like deja-moo for Old Homestead Steakhouse. Back in the mid-1980s, a group of intoxicated men tried to make off with Annabelle, but were steered away by a chivalrous Good Samaritan.

In addition to the $1,000 cash reward, Greg Sherry said that a free dinner of Old Homestead Steakhouse's signature-cut porterhouse, sirloin, long bone rib eye and filet mignon on the bone await the hero who finds the cow in one piece. The reward will be paid based on the direction of Howard Seltzer's management and the St. Petersburg Police Department.

Additionally, Harold Seltzer is giving away a free meal to the person who corrals the missing cow.

See related story: St. Pete Police Search For Cattle Rustler Who Stole Bovine Mascot