Jun 22, 2017

Keystone Roadside BBQ by HMSHost Now Served on Pennsylvania Turnpike

New QSR concept offers BBQ sandwiches and bowls to drivers at three locations

BEDFORD, PA — Just in time for road-trip season, summer travelers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike now have a new BBQ joint to stop at when hunger sets in. Global restaurateur HMSHost, the food and beverage operator for the PA Turnpike, has introduced original concept Keystone Roadside BBQ to the Allentown, Bowmansville and Lawn travel plazas. This QSR BBQ brand was designed exclusively for travelers of the Pennsylvania Turnpike looking for classic, rustic BBQ.

“We are very excited about opening Keystone Roadside BBQ with our partners at the Pennsylvania Turnpike,” said HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Michael Price. “We are thrilled about launching this new brand and look forward to serving this great new option to hungry drivers.”

Like any proper BBQ joint, Keystone Roadside BBQ’s menu features a down-to-earth list of smoky staples that are available alone or paired with exciting side dishes like burnt ends baked beans, tater tots and sesame ginger slaw. The meat is the star of the show and the starting point for deciding what to order, but guests also have the option to add their choice of any BBQ meat to a side dish to make a complete meal. The meat choices including sliced beef brisket, pulled chicken, pulled pork and smoked kielbasa sausage can be made into either a sandwich or bowl.

“Our 17 service-plaza locations set us apart from many other motorway options, and our customers really value having them available to make their excursions more fun and convenient,” said PA Turnpike Chief Executive Officer Mark Compton. “We are delighted to partner with HMSHost to offer Keystone Roadside BBQ as an additional food choice to our customers exclusively.”

The first location opened at the end of April, and the next two followed in May. Guests have already begun to gravitate toward Keystone’s tempting menu, the brisket sandwich and bowl quickly gaining popularity. However, drivers that prefer something lighter are also opting for the Nittany wedge salad which can be ordered with BBQ chicken, pork, or beef as protein options.

The service plazas offering Keystone Roadside BBQ are conveniently located at Allentown (milepost 55.9 north and southbound), Bowmansville (milepost 289.9 eastbound), and Lawn (milepost 258.8 westbound). All of HMSHost’s restaurant locations on the Pennsylvania Turnpike can be viewed here.