It was officially recognized on Tuesday that Schwabl's restaurant in West Seneca is now the "Home of the Beef on Weck".
"The marker you dedicate, or we dedicate today is part of our brand new nationwide 'Hungry for History' grant program, which helps celebrate America's food history by telling the stories of local and regional food specialties," read a statement from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, as recounted by West Seneca town historian Jim Pace. "You are part of a select group from across the United States who spotlight their community's history with a Pomeroy Foundation roadside marker. Pomeroy funded markers are well-researched with primary sources reviewed by professional historians. That is what sets your 'Hungry for History' marker apart, and makes it the gold standard of historic markers.
"We commend your efforts to showcase the significant local history of beef on weck, and extend our appreciation to the West Seneca Historical Society, the Town of West Seneca, Schwabl's restaurant, and all those involved with obtaining this marker. We know it will stand as an enduring testament of your community's history and culture for generations to come."
The marker, which stands in front of the restaurant just left of its front entrance, describes the sandwich and its popularity around Western New York. It also states that it was "believed" to have been first served in the late 1800s.
"All of our stories, legends, lore says it originated in the 1800s, but we couldn't find a primary source that said that," Pace said of the wording of the marker. "I was determined to have that 1800s data on there. We could've said, 'Yeah, it was the 1940s because we had a menu that said that,' but everybody knows it went back further than that. That's why we tweaked the language and had 'believed first served in the [late] 1800s,' and that worked. That's how we got that."
It was a six-month process for Pace and all parties involved to get Schwabl's recognized as the "Home of the Beef on Weck". Pace was able to get a letter of intent approved with the William G. Pomeroy Foundation in June, which then led to the group sending the proper documentation to the foundation for proper verification. Here is some of what went into the process to determine Schwabl's as the "Home of the Beef on Weck":
- It must be a ready-to-eat dish, such as an entree or dessert
- There are more than two ingredients to the dish
- The dish was originated before 1960
- The dish must be historically significant to the greater community or beyond
- The dish, or a variation, must have origins in the local and regional community
- The dish is still being served today
Now with the marker officially set in place, it is just the seventh installment of the "Hungry for History" marker in the United States, and the first of its kind in Western New York.
"The beef on weck far outdates the chicken wing, as a historic item in Western New York history," Pace said.
"[Schwabl's] got this recognition and we put this marker here because we feel that of all of the places in Western New York, they've served beef on weck the longest, consistently going back to the 1800s. It's a generational family; the Schwabl family have maintained this tradition, and now the Staychocks that took it over after them, have maintained those same exact traditions. So it's very fitting that they should get a marker commemorating this."
"It's just Earth-shattering," said co-owner of Schwabl's, Cheryl Staychock. "I just can't believe it. It's so cool, because I am definitely a history buff."
Also on hand for Tuesday's ceremony was Betty Schwabl-Elmer, who's family started the business and was recognized for this achievement. She believes that her ancestors are looking down on this day honored to have this recognition bestowed upon the family name.
"It's the stories we heard all of our years growing up, talking about our grandfathers, great grandfather, great-great [grandfather], coming from Germany, probably being braumeisters and settling in Buffalo," Schwabl-Elmer said. "There were many Schwabl's taverns all over Downtown Buffalo. Our father had the last one at Humboldt and Ferry up to 1942 when he fortuitously found this [establishment and] couldn't afford to buy it... He took a chance on a lottery, it might have been at a church picnic, and he won $1,000 or $2,000, and he said, 'Thank you, God! Now I can buy this building!' So we all grew up working here, and it's our whole life."