(1) In New York, back in the nineteenth century, it was customary for politicians to host big events, called Beefsteaks, dedicat
ed to the eating of beef. (2) They used the event to try to curry favor among the people and win their votes. (3) The organizers would rent an enormous hall. (4) People would sit down at long picnic tables. (5) The beef was always grilled tenderloin, brought straight from the grill. (6) In Australia they like to put shrimp on the grill. (7) The beef was then cut into small pieces and placed on a small piece of stale bread and served to the hungry guests. (8) Tradition dictated that no one ever ate the bread. (9) Rather, the bread was stacked on the table into “towers” as proof of how much beef has been consumed. (10) Also, there were no utensils allowed. (11) Everyone ate with their fingers, and washed down the beef with ale.
(12) There was debate about whether any side dishes should be served. (13) Fried or baked potatoes, pickles, lamb, and even organ meats were served by some Beefsteaks. (14) Mostly, however, people just wanted beef. (15) After all, beef, it was expensive in those days and these events were all-you-can-eat.
(16) Eventually in the twentieth century, when women could finally vote, the Beefsteak ceased to be an all-male event. (17) Later, the tradition faded away and survived only in a few union halls in Bergen and Passaic counties in northern New Jersey. (18) Today there is a Beefsteak revival in New York. (19) Not by politicians, but just by people who want to eat plenty of beef.
In context, which is the best version of the underlined portion of the sentence reprinted below?
After all, beef, it was expensive in those days and these events were all-you-can-eat.
After all the beef, those days were expensive
It, all the beef, was expensive in those days
After all, it was expensive in those days
After all beef, it was expensive in those days
After all, beef was expensive in those days
