Think about this for a minute: whenever we say "Waco's getting a … " it means a new chain restaurant is coming to town and we're at least a little excited about it.
There are varying opinions on chain restaurants. The most discerning of the restaurant snobs will turn up their noses at any place where he or she can't speak with the owner and/or chef during each dining experience. But keep an ear on those restaurant snobs. Sometimes they can be heard saying "Waco's getting a …" Now, that statement is possibly followed by a snide remark and roll of the eyes. Still, though, they said it. They're aware of it, which means they must be at least a little interested.
That's a long way of saying Waco's getting a … Let the suspense rise up in you for a moment before I reveal that Waco … is … getting … a … Quaker Steak & Lube.
What the heck? Right?
About a week ago, Waco Tribune-Herald business columnist Mike Copeland reported that Quaker Steak & Lube had signed to build in Legends Crossing.
What is Quaker Steak & Lube? Yes, it's a restaurant and has nothing, from what I can tell, to do with auto care. Yes, you can order a steak, but their speciality appears to be wings.
I'm assuming you will also be able to watch a ball game while eating whatever you choose to order. It's that type of place.
What's crazy to me, though, is that this will be Quaker Steak's first restaurant in Texas. It has locations in 16 other states and it's so excited about coming to Waco that Waco already appears on its website's list of locations. I drove over to Chuy's Crossing, I mean Legends Crossing on Sunday and found no evidence of any construction happening for the Quaker Steak store. They must be starting soon.
Obviously, I think Waco has a lot to offer a restaurant as we have a large portion of our city that enjoys dining out and we support a large and varied group of restaurants. The puzzling question remains, why would a chain like this choose to put its first Texas store in Waco, but Texas chains like Freebirds and Texadelphia haven't come here?
When I was a sportswriter, if I had a question like this, I would place a call at the University of Texas athletic department or the UIL or some place like that, and I could get an answer, even if it was dripping with political correctness.
But at the moment, I'm at a loss to explain things like this. Hang in there with me, I'll sort out how to get us some answers.
In the meantime, keep an eye out for the location of Quaker Steak & Lube. It's good that something is going to pop up in that specific area. Chuy's certainly seems to be doing well there as I don't think I've been in that Mexican food establishment when it wasn't at least 75 percent full.
