On Saturday, April 18, nearly 100 former employees of Captain’s Steak Joynt gathered in a ballroom at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, likely for the last time.
They swapped stories, shared hugs and revisited memories that, decades later, still bind them together today—not just of customers and busy shifts, but of friendships, first jobs and a workplace that helped shape the rest of their lives.
For a restaurant that closed more than 30 years ago, it’s an unusual legacy: a group of former coworkers who never stopped showing up for one another.
Where it all began
Captain’s Steak Joynt was founded in 1969 by Ben Marcus, who built on his success with Big Boy restaurants to create a new kind of casual dinner destination. With its nautical theme, an approachable menu and early adoption of features like the “Bountiful Buffet,” one of the industry’s first full salad bars, the concept was designed to offer a quality night out without a hefty price tag.
At its peak in the mid-1980s, the chain grew to 11 locations across Wisconsin. Guests came for favorites like cheese fondue, sourdough bread and the “Bountiful Buffet.” But for many who worked there, the experience extended far beyond the dining room.
More than just a first job
“For so many of us, it was our first job,” said Steven Schwan, who started as a dishwasher at age 16 in 1975 and worked his way up to cook and manager. “We were all young, the restaurant was always busy, and we worked really hard together. We felt connected, and we all felt like we were part of the restaurant’s success.”…