Handle on Business: Hayden has new option for Mexican
The name of the place is Tequila Joe’s, and it has plenty of standard Mexican foods and beverages. However, it also has pastas, burgers, steaks, sizzling skillet-plates, lunch specials, a kids’ menu and more.
It opened in late October at 9510 Government Way (on the east side of the street almost to Hayden Avenue) in the building that housed Toro Viejo before it moved elsewhere in Hayden. In two large, nicely decorated rooms, the restaurant seats 80 customers in booths and at tables and a counter. It also has a full bar and a 3 to 6 p.m. happy hour daily.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 3 to 9 p.m. Saturdays. The staff includes a chef with 40 years’ experience. Phone (208) 772-6747.
Paul Bunyan opens fourth place
Speaking of experience, let’s talk about Paul Bunyan! One of North Idaho’s first burger joints, Paul Bunyan opened in 1952 in Coeur d’Alene. It later opened eateries in Post Falls and Hayden.
And Nov. 4 it opened its fourth place at 30340 Highway 200 in Ponderay. In the building that formerly housed Duke’s Cowboy Grill, the place has seating for 80 customers and a drive-through. The menu includes any burger (some humungous) for $1.99, fish, chicken, fries, onion rings, milkshakes and floats.
Owner Scott Ovnicek and Manager Adrianne Bower have 20 employees. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Phone (208) 265-5777.
Bargain Foods now Handy Mart 2
As long as we’re on foods today, let’s stay there.
The business that was Bargain Foods & Books at 811 N. Fourth St. is now Handy Mart 2. The building previously housed a Sears store and Rodell’s Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge dealership.
New owners Jess and Robin Moss offer the place as an outlet food store with items in containers that were dented, crushed, discolored or outdated and books for “literary souls.” Much of the inventory comes from containers that were damaged while trucks were unloaded. They also have beer, wine and tobacco, and a Handy Mart at 312 N. Spokane St. in Post Falls.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 to 5 Sundays. Phone (208) 664-1166.
This week’s tidbits
• Last week we previewed a major construction project between Seltice Way and Interstate 90. However, details on the Mill River Seniors’ development actually ran in the same issue. So, we’re covered!
• But we’ll tease another item for next week. The hint is a going-out-of-business antique sale at the Painted Pig at 901 N. Fourth St. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. More news on that location next week.
• Check out the huge photographic mural in the newly renovated Wells Fargo Bank in downtown Coeur d’Alene. The interesting work includes a train that unloaded at the foot of First Street. Too bad a train isn’t there now – going to Spokane and even Spokane International Airport.
• Kootenai Health Center officially made all its locations tobacco-free Thursday with the Great American Smoke-Out. Of course, they are places of health care.