Li'l Red Barn serves up big fun

Dreaming up a dessert, meeting your mate and gathering in a comfortable place: What do all of these have in common? The answer is The Li'l Red Barn, a local cafe.

Husband and wife Jerry and Julie Farrow and a young businesswoman, Shawna Klingel, own the restaurant. The the owners enthusiastic about their endeavor; Shawna admits adding a dessert to the menu after dreaming about it.

"I came to work the next day, and made the creation that I had dreamed about," she said. Shawna's Belgian Dream Waffle includes ice cream, whipped cream, cherries and nuts with chocolate sauce on top.

An order waited to be served Monday at Li'l Red Barn in Fruitland. Home-cooked food is the norm and not the exception at the restaurant. (Kit Doyle)

"It is a restaurant with good food and good service," said Jim Crittendon, a longtime customer. "Plus, I met my wife here."

Many of the customers are regulars. Julie Farrow said you can almost set your clock by them. Because of its Fruitland location, many Procter & Gamble employees frequent the restaurant. Although many customers are return visitors, newcomers are always welcome.

The restaurant features diagonally placed wall paneling and a hardwood floor. On the wooden tables with red Formica tops, napkin holders display mini restaurant menus.

Near the front door, a big-screen TV entertains customers. Or dines can test their video games skills at a few arcade games while waiting for their meal. For further entertainment, the restaurant hosts karaoke on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights.

The menu includes a variety of sandwiches including the turkey club, hot roast beef and cheese, and grilled chicken breast.

"Our crab legs beat Red Lobster's," Julie Farrow said. "We have had only one person be able to finish the entire pound."

Li'l Red Barn is open Wednesday and Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon, and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a Sunday brunch served from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The restaurant is at 5841 U.S. 61 in Fruitland.

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On the Menu

Appetizers

Potato skins: Filled with cheddar cheese and bacon bits, served with sour cream

Buffalo wings: Made with choice of sauces ranging from mild to hot or honey barbecue

Sandwiches

The Big Boss: The king of all hamburgers with 1 pound of ground chuck served on a 9-inch bun with fries and cole slaw

Fresh Monster Steak Burger: Made from a finer grade of chuck and served on a Kaiser bun

Dinners

King Steak: Choice New York strip

Queen Steak: Choice rib eye

Marinated Bourbon Peppercorn: Choice top sirloin specially marinated

King Crab Legs: One pound of king crab served with melted butter and lemon slices

Desserts

Shauna's Belgium Waffle Dream: one Belgium waffle, three scoops of ice cream with whipped cream, nuts and chocolate sauce drizzled on top