Tarkio and area residents have been flocking to the newest restaurant the town has to offer. The Roost Eatery has opened for business at 401 Main Street. Open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the business has been booming with hungry patrons happy to finally have a place to sit down and eat a “homestyle” meal besides in their own homes.

Right now, the cafe side – named The Early Bird Cafe – is open for business and includes bar-style food, as well as a full breakfast menu served all day. From 6:30 to 9:00 a.m., grab and go food options are also available. The restaurant is also serving The Dirty Bird specialty soda drinks.

The restaurant is owned by Tarkio’s Brooke Vette and Doc and Katie Williams, who recently moved to Atchison County. Doc is also the chef and their children, Jaysen and Maysen, manage the restaurant. Brooke and the Williamses have been friends for decades and for many years, discussed opening a restaurant together. The Williamses have been in the food business a long time in multiple states, with Katie and Doc having their hands in running Burger King, Five Guys, Whiskey Creek, PepperJax, Good Evans, and Go Chicken Go restaurants. When the restaurant space became available in Tarkio, Brooke called them up and asked if they were interested in getting something going here.

Run by the Williamses and around 10 to 20 employees, the non-smoking restaurant has been a much-needed boost for Tarkio. By the first of next month, Brooke and the Williamses hope to have the bar side up and going as The Night Owl Bar & Grill. Besides food and beverages, it will include darts, a jukebox/radio, and a selfie photo booth.

For more information or to check out their menu options, visit The Roost Eatery on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. For carry-outs, call 660-736-0177.