Gas Lite - Steubenville

The Gas Lite, in Wintersville just outside of Steubenville, has been one of my favorite spots for years. A friend of mine who lived in the area introduced me to this unique establishment. We shared many a leisurely lunch here filled with steaks and martinis.

The Gas Lite is the quintessential roadhouse steakhouse. It is as unpretentious on the outside as it is in on the inside. Unless you know it is there, you would probably drive right by it. Walk in, and there is a small bar to your right, and two rooms with standard booths and tables. The tables are covered with plastic table cloths. It is family run, with an ambience and easy going attitude I guarantee you won’t find anywhere else.

Here’s the kicker. Frank Sinatra used to hang out here when he performed in Pittsburgh. For those of you unfamiliar with Steubenville, it has a huge Italian population (hometown to Dean Martin). And as such, you will find some nefarious characters, less now than in years past; but the flavor of the place still remains. The walls are covered with pictures of entertainers that have been patrons, as well as other pictures of the owners with big-wigs both here and in Las Vegas. And of course, rat pack chic music plays in the background.

The menu is somewhat limited. The first time I went there I was asked if I wanted the house dressing on my salad. I asked what other kind of dressing they have, and I was told the house dressing. It has gotten much better since then. At any rate, there are a limited amount of Italian dishes on the menu, and some chicken and fish…but mostly you go there for steak.

They have a large steak ($23.00), and a smaller steak ($16.00). Both of these are marinated. They know how to cook them, medium rare means medium rare. The marinade makes them especially flavorful and juicy. Their onion rings are outstanding so I always order two portions…because once you start eating them you just can’t stop and the person next to you is going to want to share, even if it’s your wife!! Slurp them around in the steak juice and you will think you died and went to heaven. The onion rings, of course, are extra. But a salad and choice of potato comes with the meal.

Bread is served in a plastic basket in a baggie. They bring you the standard tiny whipped butter tubs, but will bring you a chunk of real butter if you ask them. Opt for that. More butter more salt always makes things taste better. The drinks are fine. The service is down home friendly.

This is the one place where I can kick back, relax, and enjoy a steak dinner without feeling I need to be trendy or cool. No gimmicks. No sommelier trying to sell you a $50.00 bottle of wine. Just friendly steak and potatoes!

So if you are anywhere down on the river…this place is worth driving to. It is exactly 30 miles from East Liverpool.

Gas Lite gets an unpretentious 4 meatballs.

The Gas Lite
820 Canton Road
Wintersville, OH 43953
(740) 264-2225