But on May 1, a dispute over the restaurant's lease will end a tradition that has provided therapy, home comforts and a first taste of the real world to men and women missing legs, arms, parts of faces and most of all, a sense of normality.
No one really knows the whole story, though the popular theory is that the hotel grew concerned about having so many disabled people in a basement space, their access a freight elevator somewhere in the bowels of the building, or a short, steep set of stairs.
There seems to be no evidence that the hotel had any problem with the vets themselves, who as long-stay patients at one of two nearby military hospitals, have come to know O'Briens as a place to test their new bodies without having to endure the stares and sympathy of strangers.
The Friday night dinners are a tale of ordinary and not-so-ordinary people trying to do the right thing by America's victims of the war. Everyone from Paul Wolfowitz, the former deputy secretary of defence generally seen as the architect of the invasion who has presided over the World Bank for the last year, to Marine Corps General Peter Pace, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, and other top brass have been down to talk to the vets.
Other regulars include John Sweeney, president of the AFL-CIO, the country's biggest labour federation, testament to the fact that O'Briens is the only unionized, independently-owned restaurant in the Washington area. Some other regular visitors on Fridays are vets of older wars, like one man who had survived the Korean War with barely a scratch despite being shot down. He introduced himself simply as Richard. "I feel guilty when I talk to them," he said. He started to cry as he told how he had thanked one young man who had lost the upper part of his mouth for his service. The young man had thanked him back, and told him that God had saved him in Korea, so that he could come to O'Briens and thank him.
O'Briens calls itself proud to be a union shop. But its co-owners Marty O'Brien, son of Fran O'Brien, the late Washington Redskins' lineman in whose honor the steakhouse is named, and Hal Koster, a genial Vietnam vet who did three tours in a helicopter gunship, are as proud, or perhaps prouder, of their service to the vets.
It began with a man named Jim Maier, himself an amputee, who asked them if they would have a few of the injured vets over for a steak dinner. Soon the injured at Walter Reed Army Medical Centre or the Naval Hospital in Bethesda were being offered regular Friday-night meals. Charities stepped in to help, including a disabled veterans' group, which supplied the transport from the hospitals, and other donors who helped pay for the dinners.
The way Koster tells it, the trouble with the Hilton began in mid-February when he and his co-owner pointed out to their landlord that the media were paying attention to them now, so they had better install the elevator they'd been promising for nine years or continue to be in violation of access laws.
Two days later, he says, their rent was doubled. Soon after, they received a demand for payment. In short order, they were sent an eviction notice that gave them until the end of this month to get out.
The cost of the elevator may be the issue - it was more than their entire annual rent, he added.
"They keep saying 'It's not in the budget this year,'" Koster said. "We said now you can't put it off. The soldiers deserve to be treated better."
The hotel has offered to host the dinners somewhere else in the hotel, but not under the auspices of the owners of O'Briens who, for the vets, are clearly part of the experience.
One of the suggested venues, O'Brien said, was "Twigs," the chi-chi restaurant on the lobby level. "I can't see the soldiers wanting to go there," he said as he leaned on his polished wooden bar, with the red leather booths nearby and the cozy atmosphere.
"I'm irritated as hell," he said.
The hotel says its only considerations were business ones, and that they would be happy to facilitate more Friday night dinners. Just not in the basement and not in O'Briens.
But will they be able to recreate the privacy and casual darkness that made it so easy for one soldier at a recent dinner to cut up the steak for the guy next to him who was missing his arm, after that neighbour had gone up to fetch the steaks because he was missing his legs?
"They're not really here for the steak," Koster said. "They come to meet with their friends, in an environment where they can relax."
I wholeheartedly applaud Elaine's article and the subsequent comments in support. As an ex-forces member myself, I am well aware of the importance that ex-service personnel place on the opportunities to meet up again with old comrades-in-arms in a social environment where they are made to feel both welcome, and that their past efforts on behalf of their nations are valued. It seems to me that the Hilton might do well to consider that many of us, like Elaine, hold those who have served their country and its people in the highest esteem, and that we have a great deal of choice when we book accommodation around the world. An organisation which seems ready to treat veterans welfare in such a cavalier manner would certainly not be on my list of places to stay. Fortune, it would seem, does not always favour the brave. Jim Devine, Glasgow
Elaine Monaghan's and The Times's interest in the fate of Fran O'Brien's touches my heart. My father's eldest cousin lost his life in WWII flying a B26 Marauder against Hitler out of a UK base, and my son serves in Iraq today, risking wounds and death to fight terrorists, alongside brave UK soldiers. When ordinary young men and women in large numbers from both our nations still volunteer to do their duty, it's shameful for others to shirk theirs. I salute your continuing concern for the recovery of those who have paid a high price to protect our liberties. May we always be allies. Mark White, Des Plaines, Illinois
One big way you can help is by donating to the Aleethia foundation. It was set up to pay for the meals, and will continue to do that, wherever they end up. www.aleethia.org. Will Harrison, Washington
Wasim Khan is living proof of the greatness of the immigrant tradition in the US. I salute my American brother, originally from Pakistan, and all of my other brothers and sisters who have made and are continue to make this country great. It is due to these incredible people that we are able to live the lives we live in the West. Many Thanks also to Elaine Monaghan for an article that, in its implications, honours the troops. Joe Vey, Philadelphia
I am a vet. I was not injured during my time, but I feel for these guys. It is such a nice gesture for Fran's to be open and serve these soldiers who are just trying to get back to normal. Kelsey Slocom, Portland, Oregon
Elaine thanks for the well-written article. Soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors alike fight for the freedom of this great nation and other nations too, so they can live in a free society without fear. If you like the president or not, if you like the war or not, do not allow these troops to be treated like this. Please open your eyes and give these great americans the respect and honor they have earned. Wasim Khan, Washington DC
I am in tears on four counts: 1. The kindness shown to these vets; 2. The predicament which may cause cessation of these dinners; 3. The courage of these vets; 4. I can't think of any way I can help. Henry Cowan, Linthicum, Maryland
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