By Tracey Lamm
for The Beacon
The sign out front on The Broadway Cafe, Bar and Grill says “Additional Parking Lot in Back” — which is a good thing because Saturday afternoon it was needed. Every space out front was full mid-afternoon on a chilly January day in West Burlington.
A look inside showed where all of the motorists had gone. They were inside to eat and enjoy the sports bar ambiance at the Broadway, Cafe, Bar and Grille.
The Broadway, 113 Broadway, West Burlington, is a neighborhood staple, once home to Otis Campbell’s Bar and Grill. On Jan. 1, Jesse and Shayna Smith became the new owners, and business has been non-stop since.
Jesse gestured toward seating that was at about 85 percent capacity Saturday and said, “It’s pretty much been like this every day since we took over.”
Not a bad way to start out.
The Smiths are no strangers to bar operation. They own Doris’ Tavern on Roosevelt Avenue in Burlington. And for a time, Jesse worked the Pub and Grub Food Truck in the parking lot at Doris’. The weather became his stiffest competition.
“It was cold in the winter, windy in the fall — too hot in the summer,” Jesse said.
When the opportunity to purchase the Broadway presented itself, it seemed the next logical step to doing something he had always wanted to do — own a restaurant.
Food truck operation and catering gigs with a friend, Tony Vanorder, plus 20 years of experience behind the meat counter at Hy-Vee, has led to this venture.
“Most everything is scratch-made. We hand bread the tenderloins, cut our own steaks. I would say 70 percent of the original (Broadway) menu is the same,” Jesse said.
As for Shayna, she said she is in it to support her husband. Jesse and Shayna grew up in West Burlington and now live in Fort Madison. The couple has four children, ages 18, 13, 6, and 2.
When asked about finding a balance between work and home life, Jesse said, “We’re still working on that.”
The full menu is replete with bar and grill staples from fried appetizers to a bevy of meal-size salads, sandwiches, and wraps; approximately eight burger options, plus hand-cut steaks and pizza.
Shayna said the crab Rangoon pizza has become a popular menu item.
Weekly specials include tacos on Tuesday, Thirsty Thursday, and prime rib on Friday and Saturday.
Plans are already in place for a reservation-only four-course meal on Valentine’s Day. The number to call and get on the list for this special event is 319-752-8577.
The Broadway Cafe, Bar and Grill is open seven days a week at 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner. The grill closes at 9 p.m. daily, and the bar remains open until 11 p.m. The location also has room for large parties and events.