let’s eat dining in arkansas

Colby’s Café offers hometown comfort foods

BY ROB ROEDEL odney Young likes to tell people fresh bun. The result Rthat in 1993, he entered Colby’s is a pretty darn good Café in Wynne for a and packed came out with a wife. with great f avor. Young’s wife, Leann, who worked at During a recent visit, the restaurant back then, has her own I sampled the onion version of the story, saying that “Well, rings, which were PHOTOS BY ROB ROEDEL it wasn’t quite that easy.” They both absolutely delightful. agree, however, that they did meet at Next, Rodney the restaurant, eventually marry and brought an offering have two children. And in 2009, they that looked similar bought Colby’s, which has been in to fried mushrooms Colby’s Gourmet Burger is a two-handed treat and the homemade operation since around 1975 and is a and grinned when onion rings are a great side. long-time hometown favorite. “We use the original recipes with “We started offering fried a twist here and there,” Rodney said. f sh on Fridays, but now it is a “We do things the old-fashioned way very popular everyday menu and don’t use any mixes. We make our item,” Rodney said. own soups and hand-form fresh ground Colby’s Monte Cristo beef for our patties. Each burger has made me want to give a unique shape. We tried pre-shaped Rodney a hug. This specialty patties, but our customers preferred the item features wheat bread with hand-formed burgers.” Swiss and that is The Gourmet Burger is Colby’s dipped in a special pancake tribute to beef. The half-pound, two- batter and then deep fried. It patty burger features grilled onions is topped with powdered sugar Colby’s hand-breaded fi sh and fries. and mushrooms, cheese, a few strips of and served with a strawberry bacon, lettuce and sliced tomato with a dipping sauce. special secret sauce served on a he told me it was fresh, hand-breaded For those looking for something broccoli bites. I am not a broccoli man, on the lighter side, a variety of salads but I dug in to his creation. These are offered, including the Club Salad the eating essentials broccoli f orets were a treat to eat, featuring fresh-made fried chicken especially when they are dipped in to tenders. The chicken blends well with homemade cheese sauce. COLBY’S CAFE the lettuce, sliced avocado, shredded As if that wasn’t enough, Rodney and tomatoes. A piece of 805 South Falls Blvd. brought a f sh entrée to my table. garlic cheese toast provides a great Wynne After a sample of the golden f lets it is (870) 238-3636 compliment. easy to understand its star menu status In the desserts arena, there are many Hours of Operation as the hand-battered f sh is cooked to selections at Colby’s, including the Hot Monday - Saturday: crisp perfection and has a great fresh Fudge Cake and Delta Bomb Brownie. 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. taste with a “just right” breading. Fish The Hot Fudge Cake is a chocolate Sunday: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. dinners include sliced onion, coleslaw lover’s dream with vanilla ice cream and fries.

40 JUNE 2015 The Monte Cristo Sandwich will please your sweet and salty taste buds! sandwiched between homemade chocolate cake that is covered in a rich, creamy hot fudge sauce topped with whipped cream and a cherry. Get your own as you will not want to share one bite of this treat. The Delta Bomb Brownie is equally as good. It features a large, homemade brownie topped with two scoops of vanilla ice cream that is drizzled with hot fudge and caramel sauces. Several favors of hand-dipped ice cream are also available along with other desserts.

The Delta Bomb Brownie is a house dessert specialty.

“If you leave hungry, it is your own fault,” Rodney said. If you are looking for a place to love, give Colby’s Café a try. It’s worked out pretty well for one couple for 22 years.

Dining recommendations? Contact Rob Roedel at [email protected]

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