Hwy 270 Grill brings down home cooking to Poyen
Daniel Ellison bought the square block where Hwy 270 Grill now sits last August. While he originally had different plans for the location, he eventually decided that a new restaurant would serve the City of Poyen well.
Considering that 2020 was one of the worst years on record for businesses around the world, it was a risky proposition for Ellison to even consider bringing a new dine- in spot to Poyen. “I’d actually grown up in the restaurant business,” Ellison said. “It had a lot of the bones, so we just decided to go ahead and give it a whirl.”
Ellison grew up in Missouri where he knew family friends that were in the restaurant business. He came to Arkansas in 2000.
Ellison’s current business, Arkansas Municipal Equipment, sales trash trucks and recycling equipment to municipalities. That business is conveniently located right next to the Hwy 270 Grill.
While Ellison’s other venture occupies the lot next to the new restaurant, he still uses the grounds behind the grill for some A. M. E. business. “When we bought this property,” Ellison said, “we needed more parking spaces and I have a whole city block here. I’ve got trucks parked behind the restaurant.”
By virtue of Ellison’s prior experience with restauranteering, he was able to open Hwy 270 Grill mere months after purchasing the building. “We bought it in August and we were opened by Thanksgiving,” he said.
The building was a restaurant previous to Ellison’s acquiring it, but he still had to make some changes before turning on the opening sign. “We did an add- on on the back, remodeled the front, and brought in some equipment,” Ellison said.
While Ellison didn’t have one particular inspiration for the menu at Hwy 270, he knew basically what he wanted to serve. “I grew up in the restaurant business, and they made everything from scratch there,” he said.
“In 1998, I got into sales,” he continued. “Traveling the state of Arkansas and everywhere else, it seemed like a lot of places were just going to instant potatoes. My biggest inspiration is to make homecooked food.”
With a menu that includes everuthing from chicken strips to chili, southern- style cooking is Hwy 270 Grill’s M.O. The only thing not made from scratch are the appetizers.
Ellison’s main goal is to provide quality food for a good price. “We have fair pricing and pretty good menu options,” he said. “If you haven’t been here, come out and give us a try.”
Hwy 270 Grill is open from 10 a. m. to 7 p. m. from Mon. to Thurs., 6 a. m. to 8 p. m. Fri. and Sat., and 6 a. m. to 2 p. m. on Sun. You can reach the grill, which is located at 14223 Hwy. 270 in Poyen, at ( 501) 601- 5305.