Kwik Way facts for kids
The original Kwik Way was a fast food restaurant chain that started in Oakland, California. It opened its first location in 1952. Two partners, Lehman and Mahoney, owned the restaurants. They opened a second Kwik Way in 1954. Then, in 1956, they opened a third restaurant called the Grand Lake Drive In.
All three restaurants worked the same way when they were popular. They were all owned by the same people. When Lehman and Mahoney stopped managing the business, they sold each restaurant to its manager. This meant the original Kwik Way chain in Oakland came to an end.
Only one of these locations is still around today. The Grand Lake Drive In eventually took on the Kwik Way name. This was just a name change, not a return of the old chain. This restaurant, located near the Grand Lake Theater, had different owners over time. It was later bought by the Ecumenical Association for Housing in 2018. They plan to build 50 affordable homes on the site.
What Was Kwik Way?
Kwik Way was a well-known fast food spot in Oakland. It was famous for its quick service. For many years, it was a popular place for people to grab a meal.
Kwik Way's Reputation
The later Kwik Way restaurants became quite famous, sometimes for not-so-good reasons. People often complained about the food and the service. Neighbors also had concerns about the crowds it attracted late at night.
Despite some of these issues, Kwik Way was part of Oakland's culture. A hardcore band from Oakland even named themselves Kwik Way! The restaurant was also featured in a music video. This video was for the song "Two Triple Cheese, Side Order of Fries" by the band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen.
Even famous people knew about Kwik Way. Frank Oz, who grew up in Oakland and is known for his work with the Muppets, once said he ate there a lot. He joked that he was surprised he survived eating so much Kwik Way food!
Changes and Closures
In 2005, there were talks about turning the last Kwik Way into a Fatburger or a McDonald's. However, these plans were met with protests from the community. In the end, the deals did not happen. The restaurant eventually closed down.
