ToquiNotes: Unraveling the Mystery of Long Deceased Restaurant among First Offering Now Common Option
By Jeff Toquinto on April 13, 2025 from ToquiNotes
I still remember going there. I was maybe 7 or 8 years old. It was located in Clarksburg, in the area where Sheetz is situated today just across from the Veteran’s Administration Park.
My brother, Tim, remembers it, too. He confirmed my thoughts along with one of the offspring of a North Central West Virginia food dynasty.
Back in the 1970s, there was a restaurant called Better Quality Foods. Or, as my brother and I have called it, BQF.
How long it was there, I do not know? When it opened, I do not know? Who owned it, well, I thought I knew.
For years, I was certain BQF was part of the many food establishments under the umbrella of the late James Patrick O’Mara. He had multiple restaurants, many of the local variety, and was even a franchisee of Burger King. He also owned Bonanza, USA Steak Buffet, Snapps, The Cooper Kettle, and The Mark Anthony.
Assuming he owned BQF was not a reach. In fact, when I talked to his son Pat O’Mara, he may have helped clear up my confusion.
“He didn’t own it, but I think he was involved at some level with the guys locally that did,” said O’Mara. “That was not unusual in that time period to see people helping one another out. Still, I’m not sure how involved, or if he was involved, with that restaurant. I just know he didn’t own it.”
After contacting the O’Mara siblings to see if they knew anything, the consensus was that there was also a Better Quality Foods at Hills Plaza. However, it was Hills Plaza in Fairmont.
“After discussion, we think that the original BQF was in Buckhannon,” Pat said. “Again, not certain, but that’s our thinking.”
Part of this blog is to reminisce about BQF and hopefully stir some memories. Another part is to hopefully stir strong enough memories that folks will be able to provide additional information on the eatery.
There is a good reason why I remember it beyond the fact that it was a steakhouse. It had, at least for me, the very first all-you-can-eat salad bar I can ever remember going to.
Even though I was not big on salads, there were a few additional items on that bar because I can remember going back up multiple times certain I had reached food nirvana at an early age.
There is one item I can remember that came back to when talking to my brother this week. The salad bar had a massive block of cheese – we both believe it was cheddar. And by massive, I mean about the size of a couple of bowling balls. You could walk up, grab the cheese cutter, and slice as many pieces of cheese off as you wanted. Cheese was one of the few things that this formerly picky eater had already built up a healthy appetite for.
I honestly do not think I went to BQF more than a couple of times. Back in the 1970s, going out to eat for my family and many others was a luxury as opposed as a way to save time.
Sometime after either my only or one of a few visits, it left. After that, and again this is not certain, my brother and I believe the building was occupied by Dr. Michael Taylor. He was my doctor for years until he relocated out to Route 98, and then eventually relocated to another part of the state.
After that, my brother and I think the building and the property was utilized by the group that either was – or become – Star Motor. This we are far less certain of, but at some time the original building was demolished, the property was cleared, and Sheetz went into place on the parcel.
I imagine the likelihood of all-you-can-eat salad bars was not the creation of BQF. But it was the genesis for my love of salad bars and anything in a buffet style of quality foods.
Here is where I leave it up to you – the reader. I am looking for additional information, as is the O’Mara family that still have plenty of ties to current and past establishments in the restaurant industry.
Do you know who owned it? Do you know what was featured besides steak and a salad bar? Do you know about the Clarksburg, Fairmont, and perhaps Buckhannon locations? Do you have any photos other than solo shot of the sign I have here that was emailed to me years ago and I have no idea who sent it?
Anything is welcome. Put it in the comments below. Post it on Twitter or Facebook. Help me to solve my personal mystery of Better Quality Foods.
