Consolidated Restaurants was founded in 1951 as Barb Enterprises when David Cohn opened his first restaurant in Seattle. The Barb Restaurant at Fourth and Seneca featured barbecue sandwiches and a wide range of menu items for lunch and dinner.  Cohn quickly expanded the company in the 1950’s and 1960’s and located successful Barb Restaurants all over the Puget Sound area, including a restaurant in the new Food Circus at the Seattle Center following the Seattle World’s Fair. During this same time, David Cohn opened the Polynesia Restaurant, a groundbreaking concept on Seattle’s waterfront at Pier 51.

The 1970’s brought a new name, “Consolidated Restaurants,” as the company began to focus on destination restaurant concepts. The company opened Elliott Bay Fish and Oyster Company (now Elliott’s Oyster House) and Steamer’s Seafood Café at Pier 56 in 1975.

Consolidated Restaurants continued to grow in the 1980’s, with thriving quick serve and full service operations. The quick service division added Quincy’s at the Centerhouse in 1981 and Steamer’s at the Centerhouse in 1987. In 1983, CRI opened Metropolitan Grill in Seattle’s financial district. This legendary steakhouse led the restaurant renaissance in downtown Seattle and is considered one of the top ten steakhouses in the country. It was also in 1983 that Mr. Cohn turned restaurant operations over to son Ron, our current president who has continued in his footsteps.

In 1990, Consolidated Restaurants opened the classic Union Square Grill adjacent to the Convention Center in downtown Seattle.  A revitalized Quincy’s and Steamers Seafood Café Express opened at the Seattle Center in 1996. The company continued to focus on its existing properties, celebrating the 25th anniversary of Elliott’s Oyster House in 1999 by expanding and updating the Seattle icon restaurant.

Consolidated Restaurants enters the new millennium poised for growth. The company has expanded to the suburbs, with the addition of DC’s Grill in 2001, on the Sammamish Plateau. Consolidated Restaurants has formed a partnership with Argosy Cruises to bring a one-of a kind dinner ship to Seattle.  The Royal Argosy is a floating fine-dining restaurant, featuring three on board galleys and seating for up to 600 guests.  The Royal Argosy docks at Pier 56 next to Elliott’s Oyster House. 
 
Sadly, David Cohn passed away in September 2003. His son, Ron Cohn continues as CRI president, carrying on a tradition of destination restaurant concepts. In 2006, Consolidated Restaurants celebrates 55 years as the premiere restaurant company in the Pacific Northwest. The company is an industry leader, with experience operating Seattle’s best-known landmark restaurants and a long-held commitment to the community.