One South Street sports bar and grill is expanding to Bucks County in a big way.
Founding Fathers Bensalem now sits in the former home of Quaker Steak and Lube in Bensalem, and this 14,000 square-foot space will house a restaurant, grill, sports bar and event/banquet space. The official opening date for the new venue is this Friday, Feb. 3, with a grand opening celebration featuring a Bob Pantano Dance Party and DJ Joe Castro spinning tunes starting at 6 p.m.
Dave Chiavaroli of Marmont and Ken Hutchings of Cavanaugh’s are the duo behind the new Bucks County spot, and they’ve partnered together before to open Cooper’s Riverview in Trenton. When looking for new space for Founding Fathers, they also added their general manager (who is now a partner) Zecheriah (Zek) Leeper to help open up the new venture.
“I’ve been a long time resident of Bensalem and I’m proud to finally serve the community in my own backyard,” Chiavaroli explained in a statement.
“We want to bring Bucks County an affordable new place for steak-lovers. While we hope to be a great spot for special occasions, our real goal is for repeat business and regular diners who are local business people and our neighbors. We want to be that place where you can come as you are from a long day in the office or dressed for a night out with the family, and enjoy a great and well-priced steak one, two, three days a week.”
The menu at this new location is helmed by Chef Tim Bennett, who has spent two decades in the food business, including 17 years spent in steakhouses.
The expansive menu features a large selection of appetizers, salads, tacos, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, entrees, steaks and sides, a release states. During the year, guests can look for a list of changing daily and weekly specials, plus some seasonal additions. Opening services will include lunch, happy hour, dinner and late night, with weekend brunch to launch later this year.
Some standout signature dishes from the new Founding Fathers Bensalem include a 30-ounce Bone-in Cowboy Steak, a Filet Oscar with crab meat and asparagus and a 9-ounce Filet Mignon. And as an extra bonus, the menu will be offered well into the night with the kitchen closing at 1 a.m., seven days a week.
“While we will be a restaurant, bar and grill first, we also will bring everything you love about Founding Fathers South Street – the great and welcoming staff, the extensive array of televisions for game viewing, a menu that also includes all your tailgating favorites – plus a large group dining space where you can invite 10-12 of your friends and have a corner of the restaurant all to yourself,” Chiavaroli continued.
Partner/Owner Zechariah Leeper has designed a bar program chock full of options for beer lovers, craft experts, wine lovers, cocktail fans and more as well. In total, the new Founding Fathers Bensalem will feature 24 taps spanning local crafts and Game Day domestics, a dozen wines, a large list of cocktails and more to be added come the spring.
Visitors can also check out Happy Hour every Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m., a nightly Late Night Special from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Thursday night Wing Nights, and specials for every sports team.
Eagles Games (and the Super Bowl of course) will feature $4 Miller Lites, 76ers games will feature $4 Founders Solid Gold drafts and Flyers games will have $3 Labatt’s Blue drafts. Sports team nights will also feature 1/2 price pizza and chipotle chicken nachos. In total, sports fans will find 30+ televisions around the entire space.
“Who doesn’t want to enjoy the Birds with a great steak and cold beer in their hand? We also aim to be the go-to spot for late-night eats, with hours later than almost all the kitchens around us. Our goal is also to stand out in an area that has a lot of chain restaurants – and bring a local, personal touch to dining on Street Road,” finished Chiavaroli.
Additionally, hospital workers, school teachers, first responders and active military are entitled to 25% off of food whenever they visit (dine-in only) according to a release, and there will be live entertainment every Friday starting at 6 p.m.
When the weather gets warmer, Founding Fathers Bensalem will also feature an outdoor deck and sidewalk seating. For the banquet room (which holds 150-200 guests), interested parties can reach out to [email protected] or call 267-408-4150.
Founding Fathers Bensalem (2900 Street Road, Bensalem) will start dinner service and host a celebration on Friday, Feb. 3, starting at 6 p.m. To find out more information, visit ffbensalem.com
