Just 2 Of These Old-School Southern Steakhouses Remain - And They Still Serve Their Iconic Rolls - Tasting Table

"Once a sprawling restaurant chain in the Southern states, Quincy's Family Steakhouse is now more or less a relic of the past. Without noticing, you might think it only exists in distant memories, but that's not entirely true. There are still two Quincy's locations left, one in Monroe, North Carolina, and the other in Florence, South Carolina, where you can still step in and feel as if you are transported back in time."

"For those who remember Quincy's early days, this unfortunate decline of branches might seem almost unreal. Founded in 1970 by Alvin McCall, Jr. in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Quincy's had a total of 212 locations across the South at its peak in 1990. During this time, there was no denying its impact as a regional staple - less so in the steak department and more so as a spot for buffet bars, mac and cheese, fried chicken, and most memorably, those signature yeast rolls."

"Nowadays, only two locations of Quincy's Family Steakhouse remain standing. The branch in Monroe has been around since 1978, being owned by the Cline family since 2000. It temporarily closed for two years due to a fire, followed by COVID-19, but has since returned with support from customers from far and near. The Quincy's in Florence is no less substantial in history, having started in 2001 and continued to hold up the chain's core value to this day."

Quincy's Family Steakhouse launched in 1970 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and grew to 212 locations across the South by 1990. The chain became known more for buffet-style offerings—mac and cheese, fried chicken, yeast rolls—than for steak. Competition, mergers, and repeated ownership changes reduced locations to fewer than 100 by 1998. In 2000, Austin Steaks & Saloon Inc. acquired 97 restaurants; roughly 50 closed in 2001 while 43 converted to WesterN SizzliN. Two original-brand locations remain: Monroe, North Carolina (established 1978; Cline family ownership since 2000) and Florence, South Carolina (opened 2001). Both retain a nostalgic atmosphere.

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