That's a lot of steak! Anthony's Restaurant icon goes to the highest bidder

© Provided by KETV Omaha anthony's auctioning off steer

Update: The fiberglass steer sold at auction Monday for $45,000, plus an 18% internet buyer's premium. The identity of the buyer was not immediately available

Previous coverage:

An iconic piece of Omaha history is moving on. The Anthony's Steakhouse steer is being auctioned off as the owners prepare to close their doors after 55 years of service.

"It's been our mascot, so to say, all of 53 years," Anthony's Steakhouse owner Anthony Fucinaro said.

Now the 8-feet wide and 14-feet tall steer is getting ready to go to a new home.

"It's been hard," Fucinaro said. "It's been hard but it's time. It's time."

Fucinaro said the steer found its way to the steakhouse by happenstance.

"There was a gentleman transporting it to the West and he came to Omaha and the deal fell through and talked to my father and they worked out a deal," Fucinaro said.

When it came to departing with the statue Fucinaro wanted to give back.

"I wanted to do the right thing," Fucinaro said. "Auction it off and donate to a good charity."

Fucinaro is donating all the proceeds of the steer to a charity near and dear to his heart.

"My son happens to be in charge of the best charity I know and it's Scare Away Cancer," Fucinaro said.

Scare Away Cancer helps children diagnosed with cancer and their families.

Backes Auctioneers is handling the sale of the steer. They said there's a huge interest from collectors to buy it.

One day before it's set to go to auction-Fucinaro shares good memories.

"From people climbing up there to take pictures for weddings for anniversaries for all kinds of things," Fucinaro said.

He has some advice for whoever buys the steer:

"Treat him good. He's been good to us, he'll be good to the next owner," Fucinaro said.

TOP STORIES FROM KETV:

Police identify two people killed in deadly crash near 132nd & West Center

Omaha police arrest driver in deadly drunk driving crash, identify woman killed

Riverfront transformation: Crews install Farnam Pier at Heartland of America Park

One person injured in shooting near 12th and Cass streets

Ole Miss sweeps Oklahoma to win program's first Men's College World Series

Bacon's chief of staff wants you to know about living liver donations

READ THE FULL STORY:That's a lot of steak! Anthony's Restaurant icon goes to the highest bidder

CHECK OUT KETV:Get the latest Omaha news, sports and weather from team at KETV – and find out why we’re Omaha’s favorite news source.