West Plains is experiencing explosive growth on many fronts. The area, which includes Spangle, Cheney, Medical Lake, Reardan, Davenport, and Airway Heights and is home to Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane International Airport, two ever-expanding tribal resorts, and most recently the sprawling Amazon Fulfillment Center, has seen a boom in housing and business .
This is one of the reasons McKenzie DonTigny decided to open Billie's Diner in Airway Heights in September 2022. second reason? Cultivation with a difference – on farms.
"There is obviously a strong consumer base"; says DonTigny, "but I wanted to be in an easily accessible place to work on farms."
It may not be immediately apparent from a location on South Hill or a stroll through downtown Spokane, but it is throughout County there are about 2,500 farms that produce agricultural products, livestock, dairy products, etc. For example, the burger at Billie's
West Plains is made with spangle-browned beef and onions from LINC Foods of Spokane. Northwest Garden Benedict and French Toast with Custard are made possible by Reardan's Spokane Hutterian Brethren eggs.
Local sourcing means seasonal menus and communicating with customers about their process, says DonTigny.
“Now we have to get very creative, which is an exciting opportunity for us and really gives us an opportunity to start a conversation with customers: 'Oh, can't you see the tomatoes on their burgers' right now because Tomato season is over."
DonTigny knows her approach to the farm is more work, but she doesn't mind.
"One of my goals was that I never want to get to the point where I do something just because it's convenient," says DonTigny, who named the restaurant after his father, Billie, who painted his mother's watercolors on the restaurant's walls.
"First and foremost, I take my role as a farmer very, very seriously and I don't want to give them up unless it's absolutely necessary," says DonTigny. "So it's important to me that we do our best, because that's reflected in the quality of our food and I feel like the People rave about us.”"
Red Lion Pub
126 N. Division St., Spokane
Even if you've never been to the Red Lion Pub, chances are your parents or someone you know has been to a downtown restaurant. 1959.
"I didn't realize how much people loved it until it closed," says Jon Tampien, who bought the building in 2020 and spent two years renovating it.
The menu has obviously changed but it's still the place for ribs like grilled brisket, mac #039; Cheese, burgers and fish and chips in a Samual Adams beer batter.Add a beer or Bloody Mary to brunch while watching the game with friends, or take the little ones on a family outing to this all-time favorite for lunch and dinner.
Lokey Cafe
903 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane Talk about a convenient location. In December 2021, LoKey Cafe opened in downtown Spokane across from the Post Office and County Courthouse, offering truly healthy ready meals, especially for those on a keto-friendly diet. . Try the veggie bowl, dark chocolate chia pudding, or Monte Cristo breadless egg bites.And for drinks, LoKey serves local Indaba coffee and tea from the Revival Tea Company.
Chowderhead
825 N. Monroe St., Spokane
Soup is definitely Chowderhead, offering standard dishes like smoked steel chowder and classic New England clam chowder, as well as rotating specials. Also keep an eye out for sandwiches, salads, and breakfast items to take with you on the go.
Chef Travis Tveit opened Chowderhead on North Monroe Street in Spring 2022 in a cozy space that was once the home of McRuins and formerly Ruins, both owned by Chef Tony Brown, for whom Tveit worked. And like its predecessor, Tveit likes to keep it fresh with a seasonal menu and regular specials like spicy Korean fried chicken and noodles.
Comments
Post a Comment