HOLT — Soon, residents can enjoy another, more local option for down home cooking.
Holt’s Diner, off U.S. Highway 90 beside the Holt post office, is undergoing renovations before it opens Sept. 29.
When it does, the restaurant will offer something the community needs, manager Michelle Dzwonkowski said.
“The home-style country cooking is in high demand here, and we want to please,” she said.
In addition to serving dine-in blue plate specials — including meatloaf, fried pork chops and fried fish — the diner will offer deli meats and cheeses, homemade soups, fresh baked breads and casseroles to go.
“I know working people don’t always want to go out and eat,” Dzwonkowski said. “If they want to grab a casserole, a sandwich or a meal to go … they can call it in and we will have it ready.”
The menu eventually will include even more items, she said.
'IT'S WHAT'S NECESSARY'
Since renovations began, residents have stopped by and asked about the activity, Dzwonkowski said.
“People would stop by, before we even announced anything … they would say they sure hoped it would be a restaurant, because Holt needs a restaurant,” she said. “It’s what’s necessary for this community.”
Austin Valani, Dzwonkowski’s business partner and store manager for neighboring Brown’s Grocery, said he noticed a market for such a restaurant after seeing Brown's daily business.
The diner also will benefit those passing through Holt, Valani said.
“I’ve had people come off (Interstate) 10 and ask me if we had a place where they could just sit and eat,” Valani said.
Once it’s open, he plans to suggest Holt’s Diner, whose hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays.
“I think this is going to be a good thing (for the community),” he said.
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Diner brings 'home-style country cooking' to Holt