Quaker Steak & Lube

Quaker Steak & Lube is a casual dining restaurant chain based in Sharon, Pennsylvania. The original restaurant was built in 1974 by George "Jig" Warren and Gary "Mo" Meszaros in an abandoned gas station in downtown Sharon, and decorated with license plates and old automobiles. Originally a "cook-your-own-steak" establishment, Quaker Steak's signature dish is now its chicken wings and the variety of sauces used to season them.[1]

Quaker Steak & Lube
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryCasual dining
FoundedSharon, Pennsylvania,
United States (1974 (1974))
FounderGeorge "Jig" Warren III,
Gary "Moe" Meszaros
HeadquartersSharon, Pennsylvania
Number of locations
50 in the United States
Area served
North America
ParentTravelCenters of America
Websitethelube.com

The name is a play on that of the motor oil product Quaker State.

History

In 1974, gas stations across the country were closing in the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis. George "Jig" Warren III and Gary "Moe" Meszaros came up with the idea of preserving the culture of old gas stations and high-powered muscle cars. They opened Quaker Steak & Lube, initially a "cook-your-own-steak" restaurant that showcased old muscle cars. The original location includes a 1936 Chevrolet on the original hydraulic grease rack.[2]

On November 16, 2015, the company was acquired by TravelCenters of America (T/A) immediately after Quaker Steak & Lube filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. T/A plans to expand the chain both in its chain of truck stops as well as in standalone locations.[3]

Locations

As of October 2016, there are 50 restaurant locations in 12 states. The majority of the current locations operate in eastern Ohio and western and central Pennsylvania. Locations do, however, span the United States including one location each: outside Clearwater, Florida, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Sulphur, Louisiana, Columbia, South Carolina, & Sevierville, Tennessee There was also a Quaker Steak & Lube location inside the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from 2009 to 2014. The original location in Sharon, PA hosts Bike Nite every Wednesday in the Summer. This tradition has expanded to other locations as well.

Wing sauce

FlavorScoville units[4]
Eat Heat 1,500,000
Triple Atomic (discontinued) 500,000
Atomic (discontinued) 150,000
Super-Charged (formerly "Suicide"[5]) 30,000
Dusted Ghost Pepper 11,700
Buckeye BBQ 5,000
Cajun 3,870
Hot 3,000
The Lube's Sriracha (Discontinued) 2,750
Dusted Mango Habanero 2,550
Arizona Ranch 2,050
Golden Garlic 2,030
Haute Parm 1,935
Thai 'R' Cracker 1,850
Dusted Salt & Vinegar (Discontinued) 1,500
Medium 1,440
Thaisian 1,400
Premium Garlic (Discontinued) 1,300
Smoked Jalapeño Honey 1,250
Louisiana Lickers 1,220
Fiery BBQ (Discontinued) 1,190
Tequila Lime BBQ (Discontinued) 1,150
Boom Boom 1,130
Asian Sesame 930
Dusted Chipotle BBQ 900
Parmesan Pepper 870
Mild 740
Honey Mustard (Discontinued) 310
Smokin' Texas BBQ Lite (Discontinued) 110
Kentucky Bourbon 110
Dusted Tex Mex Ranch (Discontinued) 100
Smoky Gold BBQ (Discontinued) 90
"Original" BBQ 90
Ranch (Discontinued) 90

Awards

As of 2009, the chain has won over 100 awards.[6]

Media

The Pointe at North Fayette location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was featured in the Travel Channel series Man v. Food.[7] The episode's challenge was to consume six "Atomic" chicken wings, at the time the strongest wings on Quaker Steak's menu.[7] Host Adam Richman completed the challenge in the allotted time and was awarded a commemorative bumper sticker and a place on the restaurant's "Atomic Wall of Flame".[8]

The chain has since discontinued Atomic and added a "Triple Atomic" sauce, which registered 500,000 Scoville units. The Triple Atomic was discontinued and replaced with an even hotter sauce, the scorpion pepper-based Eat Heat. In order to complete the hot wing challenge, one must sign a waiver.

References

  1. Roknick, Michael (15 August 2015). "Community leader, Lube co-founder, Gary Meszaros dies". The Herald. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "Quaker Steak & Lube - History". Retrieved August 10, 2009.
  3. "Bank says Quaker Steak in default on $4.3 million loan".
  4. "Quaker Steak and Lube menu" (PDF). Retrieved August 10, 2009.
  5. The News Now Network » Quaker Steak Caves To Community Complaints
  6. "Quaker Steak & Lube - History/awards". Retrieved August 10, 2009.
  7. "Quaker Steak & Lube featured on Travel Channel". Youngstown Vindicator. December 16, 2008. Archived from the original on August 24, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  8. Rozwadowski, Thomas (January 8, 2009). "Viewers win battle of "Man v. Food"". Green Bay Press-Gazette.
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