By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com
UPDATE: Now open seven days a week, including Mondays.
Come on in, the food is great! Leanah Bailey, new owner and manager of Rick’s Restaurant just west of Pratt on US Highway 54, loves feeding people. Even though there have been some bumps in her start as a restaurant owner in the past week, she couldn’t be happier about this new place she is at in her life.
“We have some wonderful customers here who have been so supportive,” Bailey said. “This is such a blessing to have offers to help in whatever way just to help me get going here. I just love the people here as they visit, eat, socialize – such a blessing.”
Bailey said she was still happy to be the new owner of Rick’s, even as the fryers went down last week, the cook got hurt, the credit card machine quit working, and the winter weather caused unexpected closings.
“These kind of things happen. I’m just rolling through it,” she said.
On Sunday, February 16, Bailey ran out of meatloaf early on in the lunch rush. The specialty was advertised as meatloaf with sides and salad bar.
“We were out of 10 lbs. of meatloaf by 12:30 p.m.,” she said. “Every day is a new lesson here. I thought I had made plenty, but this place seats 96 and we were completely full several times. I guess Sunday’s are really, really busy here and now I know that!”
Bailey said she was so thankful for a staff that works well together and is willing to help out in difficult times.
“I was so grateful to Prairie, our head waitress, for jumping over to help cook in the kitchen so I could waitress. They wouldn’t want me in the kitchen.”
Bailey said she has hired new staff and a part-time cook is doing a great job helping out lead cook, Sue. She still needs more help however, and welcomes applications for cook, waitress, and dishes.
“I really would like to open up in the evenings as well,” she said. “We just need more staff and we are ready to go.”
Bailey said she planned to keep the name of the restaurant and much of the menu the same as when the establishment was owned by Rick and Marcia Stahl. She has already increased the salad bar options, however, and plans to add more specials, like chicken-fried steak and meatloaf, which have already proven to be very successful. For those who love homemade pies, Rick’s will still have the favorites, like coconut cream, chocolate cream, apple, cherry, blueberry. Bailey said she would be adding some cheesecakes and fruit crisps (peach and apple) in the near future, as well. She said she welcomes coffee drinkers and anyone who wants to come in and get a bite to eat and socialize a bit.
“I’m just happy to be here,” she said. “I loved stopping in here when I visited family in Haviland and was living in Illinois. I moved here several weeks ago and began working here part time. It has always been my dream to own a restaurant like this. We were finally able to work things out and it is just a win-win situation for us all.”
Bailey said open hours at Rick’s remain the same, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday – Sunday, barring snow storms or any other major problems. She regularly posts updates and specials on Facebook. Rick’s is closed on Mondays.
