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Broadway Diner boasts new interior, dishes

The Flying J Truck Stop has been family owned since 1963, and last summer, was completely remodeled, adding beer and wine to the menu. The truck stop is open 24/7 and is visited by several hundred trucks a day. The Alsaker family of Spokane Valley own it, and seven other Flying J franchises. From left are Pat Dean, restaurant manager; Tom Hemingway, partner; Bernice Alsaker, owner; Dan Alsaker, owner and Chet Reilly, vice-president. (J. BART RAYNIAK / The Spokesman-Review)
Juli Wasson
The Flying J Truck Stop has been family owned since 1963, and last summer, was completely remodeled, adding beer and wine to the menu. The truck stop is open 24/7 and is visited by several hundred trucks a day. The Alsaker family of Spokane Valley own it, and seven other Flying J franchises. From left are Pat Dean, restaurant manager; Tom Hemingway, partner; Bernice Alsaker, owner; Dan Alsaker, owner and Chet Reilly, vice-president. (J. BART RAYNIAK / The Spokesman-Review)

The restaurant at the Broadway Flying J Travel Plaza has had a makeover.

The transformation comes in the form of an updated interior, a new menu and even a new name.

“This remodel just completed updated our freeway truck stop restaurant to a diner … for the motoring public and to our locals who support us, giving them a new option – a new look and a new flavor of the menu,” said Dan Alsaker, who is at the helm of the longtime family-owned company.

Now called the Broadway Diner, the restaurant remodel comes complete with new comfy seating for 100 and decorative highway road signage and stoplights. The update gives a more contemporary feel and includes booths and tables that can be moved to accommodate large groups. Alsaker says the new “community” circular table has been popular among guests who enjoy visiting with others while dining.

Its traditional and popular menu items have remained, such as the chicken-fried steak. Added to the menu are such options as grilled salmon and a few new salad selections, says company executive and food guy for the diner, Pat Dean.

He said the company opted for a menu that allowed for flexibility in ordering side dishes or substitutions, too. Also offered are daily specials referred to as Signature Specials and include dishes such as homemade lasagna and stuffed pork chops. The specials are priced at $10 or less.

“To make a visit more casual and entertaining, we added beer, wine and five flat-panel TVs so our guests can enjoy sports or news during their visit,” Dean said. “This obviously has appeal for our local neighbors who are not professional travelers, just those looking for a good home-cooked meal once in a while without having to do the dishes or break the bank when dining out.”

The Broadway Truck Plaza was first purchased in 1963 by the late Don Alsaker and his wife Bernice with partners Chuck and Agnes Williams. The Alsakers became sole owners in 1971. Bernice Alsaker remains active in the company administration and has seen the many changes through the years with expansion to its current network of eight travel plaza locations that include restaurants, fueling and big truck repair stations, convenience stores, motels, and small casinos across Nevada, Montana, Iowa and Washington.

The company employs 500 people, including 30 employees at the Broadway home-base location.

Are you opening a new business in the Spokane Valley? Is your business expanding, moving or remodeling? Are you wondering about that new store that has opened in your neighborhood? Send an e-mail to Juli Wasson at juliwasson@gmail.com or contact us by fax at 927-2175 or by writing to Business Notebook, Valley Voice, 13208 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99216.