By Robert Barron
In Jet your last chance for a good meal may be the Last Chance Diner, a family-owned restaurant featuring family recipes.
David and Lynnie Campbell own the restaurant, and their daughter Chancey works in the establishment, which opened in September.
The menu features family recipes like a hot bean burrito, Philly cheese steak, and a homemade roast beef dinner, or a grilled hoagie sandwich.
Although they have never been in the food business before, Lynnie said they have joked about it for 10 years.
Lynnie’s menu items are recipes she was taught by her father.
The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Monday and Tuesday. On those days Lynnie may be working in her beauty shop which she operate in her home.
Campbell said the restaurant has as much business at lunch as supper.
“We fell into it. This building was a former restaurant and had been vacant for four years,” Lynnie said.
David Campbell, a teacher, is a Jet native and Lynnie has lived there 18 years.
The secret of success is a large menu and daily specials, she said. It also helps to be the only restaurant in town.
During the busy times, Lynnie’s friend Cheryl David comes in and helps out.
Business is brisk during the tourist season, when visitors come to see the Great Salt Plains. The lake has an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people a year.
“I have no idea what summer business will be,” she said.
As the owner, Campbell does everything, from cooking to cleaning the kitchen when she’s done.
Lynnie said she enjoys operating the restaurant, but feels especially good when people tell her they enjoyed the food.
The restaurant in the town of 300 people has caught on. Campbell is careful to always talk with the customers and see how they like the food, refill their drinks. That is another part of the business she enjoys.
“I love people,” she said.
She thinks the restaurant has been good for the town.
After years of joking about going into the restaurant business, Lynnie seems to have made The Last Chance Diner a regular stop for residents and tourists alike.
“It’s good country cooking, friendly service and a homey atmosphere,” she said.
