By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com
It could be the extra-large cinnamon rolls loaded with icing, or the homemade pies, both of which go great with a good cup of coffee. It could be the soup and salad bar filled with choices reminiscent of grandma’s kitchen. Or maybe it’s the fall-off-the bone smoked ribs that taste so good. Whatever it is, something special keeps customers flocking to the old-time diner called Rick’s Restaurant along U.S. Highway 54/400 on the west side of Pratt.
“These are our friends here,” said owner Marcia Stahl, who along with her husband Rick, has been serving Pratt area locals and travelers off the highway good food for more than 27 years.
Walking into Rick’s Restaurant is kind of like the old “Cheers” show on television. Everyone is welcome and friendly hellos come from owners, employees and other customers alike. It’s just a real friendly place.
But it hasn’t been easy for the Stahl’s to keep going. They are getting tired and sometimes good help is hard to find.
“Sometimes it seems like no one wants to work anymore,” said Rick Stahl. ““I really don’t know what’s keeping people in money. We are always advertising for a cook, another waitress, dishwashers. Just need good help so we can get away every now and then.”
Past retirement age, Rick and Marcia dream of quitting someday. But the lack of help and finding a buyer for their restaurant, which has been listed for sale for more than two years now, makes that impossible.
“I’ve gotten older and I just can’t do all that stuff that I used to do,” Rick said. “We’ve done this a long time. If it wasn’t for the fact that all these people who keep coming in here are our good friends we’d probably try harder to close; but we love these people.”
The restaurant that is now an icon for Pratt was built in the 1960s by the owner of the Evergreen Hotel nearby. People were hesitant to stay in a hotel with no eateries nearby, so the owner built the current Rick’s structure as The Evergreen Restaurant. It was sold to another restaurateur before Rick and Marcia Stahl acquired the place in 1997. They had moved from Denver to Pratt 24 years earlier where Rick had been a police officer. He knew that he did not want to raise his children in a big city. There was too much substance abuse.
“I’m glad we changed everything and moved to Pratt,” he said. “Our kids grew up safe. They’ve all got good jobs now. They’ve settled themselves really well. It’s just that none of them wanted to take over the restaurant.”
Marcia Stahl had family who farmed north of Cullison in Pratt County, so the Stahls moved into the area to do that, though agriculture turned out not to pay enough. Rick joined the Pratt County Sheriff ’s Department where he eventually served in almost every position.
“From a road deputy to a jailer, to being in charge of the jail, to being in charge of the patrolmen, to being undersheriff, I did all of that,” he said.
Running a restaurant turned out to be more fun, however.
“It was so different because I worked nights and we arrested people and none of them were happy. Then we got this and it was nice to see people that were actually happy. All the laughter and stuff, that made the years go by really fast,” he said.
The Stahls are still having fun with their customers. Collections of old metal signage and western-themed items decorate the walls. For Christmas and Halloween, the restaurant is decked out in holiday paraphernalia from top to bottom. Look out for the jumping spider in the doorway at Halloween!
Marcia noted that the restaurant has earned several awards through the years. One was from Kansas Sampler for their biscuits and other bread products.
“We were also recognized as Best Breakfast in the Area by Yelp! or somebody. We didn’t even know about that one until our daughter saw it on the internet,” she said.
So it might be the many good food choices that bring customers to Rick’s Restaurant, but more than likely it is that good old hometown feeling people get when they stop in, whether it’s their first time in the door or visits beyond counting.
The place remains for sale, but the Stahls said it won’t be sold to just anybody. They are hoping for someone who will keep the ambiance going, along with the reputation of good, home-cooked food.
“We’re not going anywhere soon,” Marcia said. “Stop by and visit awhile. We look forward to seeing you.”
