Wooden Spoon continues family-friendly offerings
The Wooden Spoon restaurant was nominated for ‘The People’s Choice’ award
GENTRY — The Wooden Spoon restaurant, located at 1000 S. Gentry Blvd, was nominated for “The People’s Choice” category in The Arkansas Food Hall of Fame award.
Husband and wife Justin and Emily Allen are the owners. After 22 years, The Wooden Spoon continues to serve the community classic Americana dishes.
The first thing welcoming visitors to The Wooden Spoon is the flowery landscape and natural stone walls at the entrance. Inside guests can appreciate the architecture and interior designs of the restaurant, which has all the modern amenities while retaining the authenticity of the restaurant. It features hanging chandeliers, huge wooden beams from an 1870s Michigan barn, and a portrait of the restaurant that was painted so long ago — no one knows its origin, only its signature: Savage.
But the crown jewel of The Wooden Spoon is the chimney, which is made of natural stone. It stands dead center in the restaurant and, from floor to ceiling, it warms guests during the coldest days.
For 22 years it’s been an attraction for all travelers.
“We are, basically, a destination restaurant that people have come to know and love,” said Justin. “It’s the place that, whenever someone’s coming and bringing family in from out of town, this is where they want to show off to the family.”
The Wooden Spoon serves dishes that are familiar to the country table, but it’s the tender love and care put into their dishes that separates them from competitors.
“Everything we make is from scratch. It’s home cooking like grandma used to make, and I would say that our “chicken fried chicken” is a really popular item,’ said Justin.
“We have people come in all the time and say, ‘That’s the best catfish I’ve ever had,’” added Emily.
The Wooden Spoon uses a “premium cut catfish” for its dishes. Justin asserts that, although they aren’t a catfish house, they invest in premium cut catfish because it makes a difference in the taste. This very fine white meat of fish has a less “fishy” taste, which is appealing to customers.
While visitors love their entrees, both Justin and Emily agree that what brings customers through their doors isn’t the entrees; it’s the desserts.
“Our tagline is: ‘Come for desserts, stay for dinner,’” said Justin. “Really, the first thing people are coming here for is the desserts.”
Justin recalls that when his family would come to The Wooden Spoon, they would call ahead to save their favorite desserts because they knew they would be gone by the time they arrived.
The Wooden Spoon serves a variety of desserts. From pies to cakes to bread pudding and more. Its “Caramel Pecan Cream Cheese” is a specialty and a fan favorite among the locals.
The Allen family was a loyal customer for many years with The Wooden Spoon’s previous owners, Cam and Jane Klassen. And when the Klassens were ready to retire, they offered the business to the Allens — a family they’d served for more than 10 years.
The Wooden Spoon is a family restaurant and almost all the members of the family work together. Seven out of eight children lend a hand helping at the restaurant. Each child has his or her own responsibility, even their 9-year-old daughter who enjoys bussing tables.
“Our kids work in the restaurant with us and they really love it,” said
Emily. “I think it’s really great for them to learn a good work ethic and work with the family.”
Along with their seven children, The Wooden Spoon has a staff of employees. On weekends, the restaurant is closed to accommodate employees and their families.
The Wooden Spoon is open Monday through Friday. The restaurant serves lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and only on Friday is dinner served from 5 to 9 p.m.
Justin and Emily Allen commented on what makes The Wooden Spoon so special to them.
Justin says that The Wooden Spoon has “the best customers you’ll get to meet in your life” and feels the restaurant has given him an “extended family” because every week he gets to see the same faces he’s seen over the years.
For Emily, it’s about the effect it has on her family. “I think my favorite part is really what it’s meant to my family, my kids, and what it’s teaching them and the opportunities they have through it.”
It’s clear The Wooden Spoon isn’t just a place to enjoy good food. It’s a place where customers can gather together and grow their “extended family.”