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An early 2008 update: We visited the Columbus, Ohio location again,
and were pleasantly surprised with the results. They had scraped the
rusting NASCAR heap off the side walk. The wings were exceptional (with
much coaching on cooking from raw to extra crisp in one 15 minute cycle) and the
Suicide sauce was to die for. The fries were outstanding, as were the
celery and blue cheese. The salad was phenomenal in it's quality and
quantity. We rated this as the best visit to the Lube in several years.
A late 2006 update: We visited the Columbus, Ohio QS&L, and were
disappointed in the fries - really cold and greasy for a change. The wings
were too large as usual, but ordering them extra crisp gave us something to
nibble on around the edges. We've graduated away from the Atomic sauce, it
was just too painful the morning after. Now we order hot with a side cup
of Suicide sauce and it's just right. The server seemed alarmed that we
wanted them cooked from raw to extra crisp, and was concerned that it might take
up to 15 minutes. We decided against the quick, par-cooked garbage wings
and insisted on freshly cooked product. This is no longer the brand of
choice to use up your wing splurge on regularly - We vote for WingStop!
A mid-year 2005 update: Fin Burton and I visited on our way to Watkins
Glen and found the wings to be truly excellent. We specified extra-small
wings during the ordering, along with extra-crisp. The Atomic sauce once
again proves to be the hottest on the planet, but with a great flavor. If
only we could convince Quaker Steak that big wings are not necessarily good
wings.
An early 2005 update: Ask for Matt or Jen in Columbus, OH for the best service. We last visited QS&L in February, 2005 and ordered the Suicide Wings with a sidecar of
Atomic Sauce and twirled the drummettes in the sauce before eating - after the
first piece we had steam coming off the top of our head. We blew our nose on the
2nd, 3rd, and 4th piece respectively. We were working a serious wing high
at that point. Later in February we attended splurge wing eating sessions
in Pittburgh, PA and Cleveland, OH. Both were found to be up to the high
quality standards originally set by the Columbus, OH location. The one
location we might avoid in the future is the Knoxville, TN location, which is
smaller and does not meet the normally high QS&L standards of Ohio and
Pennslyvania.
We also visited QS&L in Pittsburgh, PA, near the airport and found the wings
and fries to be of a superior quality. The total dining experience was
terrific!
We first heard of Quaker Steak and Lube in the early days of
Wingazette® when
Dan O'Connor (read Dan's Profile In Wing Courage)
told us about the original location in Sharon, PA. We were shocked to discover
that they never made the Hot 100, what with all of our Pittsburgh readership...
Whilst traveling through Ohio, close to Pittsburgh, our curiosity was heightened
by some billboards and flyers, and we decided to risk life and limb to evaluate
one of their restaurants just north of Columbus, OH.
As we approached the building, we detected the wonderful scent of wings
wafting across the parking lot. We were startled by the presence of a NASCAR
racer on display on the sidewalk. We usually take points off for too much
NASCAR on display, but then we realized that it was an experiment in
biodegradability. Mark Martin’s former car had a bit of rust forming on the
fenders, and we realized that Quaker Steak & Lube was torturing the beast. We
proceeded inside.
The first thing we noticed were the door handles were made from gas pump
handles, accentuating the automotive theme that is prevalent in the concept.
Walking through the front door, we saw television sets mounted in the floor
under glass panels, and many automotive things on the walls. They even had a
sprint racer and two full-size Corvettes on display raised up above the dining
areas.
While looking at the menu, we noted that after they opened the Sharon, PA
location in 1974, they have not been closed one single day. They remain
open 365 days a year, so no matter where you are, you can always get wings.
We liked the fact that you can call ahead and pick them up at the drive-through
window if you’re in a hurry. They listed eleven locations in Ohio and
Pennsylvania, and after checking the website we found one location in Florida
and one in Tennessee.
On the front of the menu, we noticed that if you order Atomic Wings, you
must sign a release form
before they will serve the product. If you finish the order, you can have your
name put on the Wall of Flame. We will definitely be back for an evening meal
to attempt this feat. They claim over 150,000 Scoville units and that “one bite
will set your pores a steamin’ ears a hummin’and temples a throbbin”. The order
is served with jalapenos to cool your palate. This is our kind of place.
We continued to explore the menu for quite some time, as it is very
interesting. We have scanned the entire presentation for your enjoyment and
research. Click on each thumbnail for a larger presentation.
We placed an order for a Supersize Single Hot (forgot to order Suicide) and
fries and carrots and celery and blue cheese. We weren’t happy about having to
pay extra for veggies and blue cheese, since that’s an original Buffalo Wing
tradition, born at the Anchor Bar, but the portion was quite generous. We also
placed an order for a “sidecar” of Atomic sauce. We were only slightly
disappointed that they didn’t ask us to sign the release form; I guess you have
to place an order of Atomic wings for that.
The wings arrived in a flourish about 15 minutes later, customary for fine
establishments that cook wings to order, accompanied by the fries. The wings
were large for our preference, following the pattern of so many restaurants that
like to brag about how big their wings are. We all know that big chicken is
tough chicken, and prefer a smaller, tastier and tender bird. We had to deduct
points for lack of crispness as well, but at least they were cooked through to
the center.
The Hot sauce had a good flavor, but we’re not sure if we would call it
hot. We need to re-visit and try the Suicide sauce next time. (We
stopped in again a few weeks later, and tasted the Suicide, augmenting it with
Atomic sauce and achieved a most pleasant buzz...)
Things started getting better when we dipped a drumette into the Atomic
sauce. Sure enough, our pores started a steamin’, ears a hummin’, and temples
were a throbbin’. This is some SERIOUS stuff, the kind of sauce that creates
the fear factor for the Wing General, who was
recently in the news again after visiting a salad bar. WG, what did we tell
you? That health food is going to get you killed!
We played around with the Atomic sauce carefully after the first wing,
drawing a thin line of the thick, dark-brown sauce on each piece that we ate,
achieving a good 15 minute afterburn after the meal was over.
The Supersize order contained 17 wing pieces altogether, and the post-meal
forensics yielded only 10 drumettes to the 17 wingettes, not exactly achieving the
required 50-50 ratio. (On our second visit, we observed the required 50-50
ratio)
The fries were of high quality, with the skin still on the potatoes. Heinz
catsup was provided on request. The blue cheese dressing came in three little
sealed containers, packed especially for Quaker Steak and Lube with their own
label on top. It was of excellent quality as well. The celery contained some
knuckle joints, so we’ll need to coach this concept a little in the finer
techniques of preparation.
The menu had almost too much variety, but at least we couldn’t find any
evidence of pasta salad. They even have Gardenburger on the menu!
As a final touch, when the check was delivered, a hot towel was served for
handwashing and two strawberry Twizzlers were presented as a bonus.
We will definitely return to Quaker Steak and Lube. Even though it’s been a
while since we’ve done a Hot 100 update, this fine concept will force us to put
them right behind Café Hot Wing 8 and
Wingstop as some of the best places in the land for
Buffalo wings. Our hat is off to you Quaker Steak and Lube! Be sure
to ask for Matt or Jen for the best service!
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