If Our Walls Could Talk

The walls of Schwabl’s tell tales as old as the traditions we continue to preserve. Let us take you on a tour and share some of the stories behind the images.

1. An original watercolor, created by the wife of Ray Schwabl’s cousin David and gifted to Gene and Cheryl Staychock by their employees.
2. “German maidens pass through the courtyard after leaving the cathedral.” Artist unknown.
3. A pen-and-ink work donated to the restaurant by private art collector and appreciative customer Phil Schleer.
4. The West Seneca Bee honoring our Beef on Weck sandwiches.
5. John Semlitsch, who ran the tavern preceding Schwabl’s in this building.
6. An image and business card from Semlitsch’s, the tavern preceding Schwabl’s inside this building.
7. Semlitsch’s Tavern, predecessor to Schwabl’s, 1940.
8. John Semlitsch and family, circa 1940?
9. Vintage newspaper clipping featuring David Schwabl.
10. A handbill for Klein Deutschland which was distributed at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, 1901.
11. Schwabl’s has been spotlighted in many national publications including this one, “500 places to eat before it’s too late.”
12. A handbill promoting Klein Deutschland, which stood in what is now the Pine Ridge neighborhood in Cheektowaga. The grounds featured a race track, picnic pavilions, beer hall, bowling alley, menagerie and even a baseball diamond.
13. John Schwabl, proprietor
14. Ray Schwabl, Jr.
15. The original Schwabl’s, and some of the tickets from events that were held in that hall.
16. “The German Soldier,” a pen-and-ink work donated by appreciative customer and private art collector Phil Schleer.
17. Our bar, which still stands and remains virtually unchanged since Schwabl’s opened in this location. The person standing behind is unknown.
18. When Buffalo Business First celebrated its 20^th anniversary, the weekly periodical featured the region’s oldest businesses at that time. Schwabl’s was the eighth-oldest active establishment when this edition was published.
19. Another national publication, another opportunity to showcase Schwabl’s to American food enthusiasts…
20. An honor by Buffalo Spree
21. Yuengling Brewery, founded in 1829 as Eagle Brewery, is the oldest such facility in the United States. Richard “Dick” Yuengling, owner of the family’s brewery since 1985, sent this to Schwabl’s in recognition of this family restaurant being nearly as old as his family’s brewery.
22. When Schwabl’s was featured in Gourmet Magazine…
23. Schwabl’s was the recipient of the 1959 Buffalo Pioneer Award.
24. Maxim Magazine, an international publication which premiered in 1995, featured Schwabl’s roast beef on kummelwick among America’s “Top 10 Sandwiches.”
25. Justin and Judy, current and former members of the Schwabl’s “family,” along with Cheryl Staychock.
26. A flyer advertising Klein Deutschland, where the Schwabl’s family made their name as creators of food staples still cherished today.
27. John, George, Henry and grandfather Sebastian Schwabl.
28. Even Anthony Bourdain has come to know Schwabl’s. The chef, author and television personality featured Schwabl’s on his Travel Channel program, No Reservations.
29. A vintage newspaper clipping featuring Schwabl’s.
30. A vintage map of West Seneca, New York, circa 1970s.
31. The Heritage Inn, a nearby business located not far from Schwabl’s which no longer stands.