Otis Grill

As some people hurry through Otis Orchards’ main crossroads, others have found a place to slow down.

The atmosphere at the Otis Grill, at Wellesley Avenue and Harvard Road, encourages lingering. It could be the early model Fords parked outside, old-fashioned ice cream shakes, seeing neighbors across the room, or the freedom for large groups to have tables pushed together.

“People don’t feel rushed here,” explained Ronda Emerson, who waitresses part-time and owns the restaurant with husband, Vance. “We’re not into turning the table. We keep filling beverages. We don’t ignore you.”

“I tell people we don’t charge room and board. Some people like to sit and visit.”

She and Vance see people from all walks of life – couples, seniors, singles, families and regular groups. The tables fill with bus drivers, the Early Ford V-8 Club, clusters of people after sports or church, police officers, construction workers, Kaiser retirees and friends from Otis Orchard’s former high school.

“In the summer, we get a lot of car clubs,” said Vance. “We have Tuesday night cruise nights in the summer, and we give away T-shirts and have specials. If it’s good weather, it’s nothing to have 40 cars in the parking lot.”

Although those times can get crazy, not everyone’s eating all at once. People are known to linger looking at cars with hoods up.

The Otis Grill stays open seven days a week and also draws in nearby Newman Lake and Liberty Lake residents. History first saw the site as a gas station, Pringle’s Garage. It became Norma’s Burger Barn, then Norm’s Burger Barn and later the Burger Barn. Often, area people use the formerly red structure as a landmark.

After buying the restaurant in 2004, the Emersons cleaned, remodeled and repainted the exterior a light brown. Inside, decorations range from pop culture images of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe to black-and-white photos of Otis Orchards’ past.

What remained was catering to locals, families and passers-by with ‘50s-style grill favorites – eggs, hamburgers, sandwiches, steaks and chicken. Friday and Saturday nights feature prime rib, and most lunch and dinner plates come stacked with thick steak fries.

On a recent afternoon, a group of 10 calling themselves “The Chester Lunch Bunch” gathered at Otis Grill. Coming from Spokane Valley, Post Falls and as far away as Wallace, all are former students of the original two-room Chester School. Two members had recommended the Otis Grill as a good meeting spot.

“We pick a different restaurant each month,” said Joanne Kerbs.

Ronda, who grew up in Spokane Valley, remembers coming to Otis Orchards as a child to visit family. Her father, as well as aunts and uncles, attended to Otis Orchards schools and her grandfather played in a band at Stateline.

“When I mention my family members who went to school here, people will know all of my family,” said Ronda, about restaurant customers. “I think they support you because you’re local. Older people really like looking at all the old pictures.”

“We have a ton of local, really faithful people. We have people who were born and raised here. A lot of people who went to Otis Orchards High School meet here.”

Vance, a salesman for Snyder’s Bakery, knows many locals too, including families he met as a volunteer coach. He and Ronda have lived in the Newman Lake area for about eight years. Ronda regularly sees people she knew while working at two area grocery stores.

“Ronda knows many people by sight and by name,” said Vance.

The Emersons and restaurant employees also try to reach out to the community, such as offering free Thanksgiving food to needy families. They have supported Mountain View Middle School’s track and wrestling programs with proceeds from an event.

“People gave us donations and at Thanksgiving, we sponsored a local family of five,” Ronda recalled.

She hopes people walking into the restaurant feel welcome.

“When people are here, we want them to feel they’re like invited into your home,” she said, “that it is a welcoming, clean place. We have people come in who just drink coffee, and they’re here for two hours.”

Both she and Vance say many area business people and builders are regulars, too. In fact, Spokane Kia employees often order breakfasts to go on weekends.

“You meet so many people you know here, or you meet new people,” said Ronda.

“It’s just a good community to live in. It’s family-oriented. People still believe in going out to lunch after church or as a family. A lot of parents are involved with their kids. It’s nice when you know the people around here.”