This month, Speed Queen (1130 W. Walnut St.) is celebrating its 70th year in business. Founders Betty J. Gillespie and her husband Leonard Partee started serving family-recipe BBQ in a storefront on Fifth and Vliet in 1956, later moving to 12th and Vine. Since 1975, Speed Queen – the name Gillespie was given for her quick service – has owned the northeast corner of 12th and Walnut.
Now operated by second- and third-generation owners, Speed Queen is condensing its anniversary festivities into one day – July 13. This is when guests will have the opportunity to sample new menu items (the lobby is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m.), as well as reminisce. You can share your memories of both Speed Queen and co-founder Betty, and your favorite menu items, using an online form Speed Queen posted on its Facebook page.
The restaurant is known first and foremost for its ribs and sliced (not pulled) pork shoulder cooked in a massive BBQ pit, built on-site by Arthur Gillespie, who married Betty in 1970, after Partee’s death in 1968…