The Pink Feather Restaurant & Lounge
On a recent sunny Saturday afternoon, this writer and fellow contributor Gerry Villani met up for lunch with Editor Bonnie Carter. The Pink Feather Restaurant and Lounge has defied all odds by thriving at the same location on 141st & S.E. Division for 50-plus years. It was the perfect place for friends to catch up with each other’s busy lives and indulge in some good, old-fashioned home-style cooking.
The Pink Feather’s décor is like going back in a time machine. Red flocked-velvet wallpaper, stained glass chandeliers, Victorian artwork and ornamental carved wooden appointments provide a plush and comfortable atmosphere. Cushy, roomy red velvet booths encourage guests to savor their meals and linger in the restaurant in total comfort. The adjacent lounge has a fireplace and more quiet booths. The swinging, louvered doors make you wonder if Marshall Dillon himself might come busting through and sidle up to the bar for a whisky and strap on the feedbag.
There’s no place to tie up your horse, but there is plenty of free, off-street parking available. The Pink Feather’s management is already planning a cruise-in, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 13. The entry fee is just $10 plus two cans of food to benefit Snow Cap Charities. The event will be hosted by the group Fords of the ‘50s.
The Pink Feather Restaurant is a carnivore’s haven. The venue is famous for its delicious broasted chicken, one of the first restaurants in the country to offer the specially prepared poultry, back in the day. Probably only Colonel Sanders can lay claim to selling more of the succulent recipe. Meats galore are offered on the menu; in addition to the chicken, steaks, pork chops and prime rib are all featured and are cooked exactly as ordered. This writer chose a steak sandwich but also got to taste the pork chops, Editor Carter’s all-time favorite. Both meats were so tender and juicy that they nearly melted in our mouths. The venue is entirely smoke-free, except for the smoky aroma wafting off the grill where the chef prepared prime rib for the dinner menu. Heaven scent!
If you are in the mood for something a little bit lighter, halibut, shrimp, lobster, burgers and sandwiches are also available. New to the regular menu is blackened catfish with hush puppies and black-eyed peas for just $9.95.
A new weekly menu of specials proves that, even in this crazy economy, you can still get a quality meal at a fair price. Monday night it’s prime rib tidbits–eight ounces of prime rib and garlic toast for only $8.95. On Two-fer Tuesday, T-bone steaks and the works are just $37 and it comes with two glasses of wine. For Wednesdays, spaghetti with garlic toast is served all day. Thursday, steal the top sirloin for two for only $28 with the works (minimum $5 beverage purchase). Friday, that aroma will draw in the crowds for prime rib dinner with the works for a mere $12.95. Go all out on Sundays with prime rib dinner and lobster with the works for one $26.95, or two for $53.90. A hand-lettered sign brags of the Sunday dinner special—homemade meat loaf!
The Pink Feather also has an extensive appetizer menu for snacks or light eaters. Four pieces of fish & chips—halibut in their own golden batter with French fries—is just one example. Hot off the grill or deep fryer are onion rings, ‘shrooms, clam strips, cream cheese poppers and mozzarella sticks. For the kids, there are hot dogs or chili cheese fries.
In keeping with the tradition of giving the people what they want, The Pink Feather offers lunch specials daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Examples include a BLT with a green salad or fries; the halibut basket and coleslaw; or a bacon cheeseburger and fries, all at fire sale prices. For this visit, the homemade, thick and hearty chowder garnered a “yummy” from Villani. Accompanying the scrumptious steak sandwich were a mass of hefty steak fries and a fresh and crispy side salad with blue cheese dressing, chock full of chunks of savory blue-veined cheese. The appetizer menu’s deep-fried green beans with ranch dip sounded tempting and it was a surprise and special treat when some were tucked in amongst the fries served with the steak sandwich. They tasted a bit like onion rings, but were a milder, more nutritious option. The pork chops were served with a dab of applesauce.
Little touches like this are part of what bring the crowds back for more and Chef Michael Shubelka knows how to delight with unexpected surprises. He brings to the kitchen more than 40 years experience—four years at the Pink Feather and previously with the renowned Marriott Hotel chain. Add to the mix great customer service from the likes of waitress Carolyn Hubbard and you’ve got a winning combination that can’t miss. Top it off with a drink special, The Pink Feather, a tasty concoction of vodka, pineapple juice and grenadine, served with a pink feather stuck into the straw and you may never want to leave!
But wait…there’s more! Don’t forget that The Pink Feather also serves breakfast Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to noon, and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. for those of you who want to sleep in but still indulge. Bring your appetites for a big country-style breakfast or one of their huge omelets.
The Pink Feather Restaurant and Lounge is a full-service enterprise. They feature live music or Karaoke on the weekends. See Music on Tap or the display ad in this issue for the schedule. They also have Texas Hold ‘Em Monday and Thursday nights at 7 p.m. in the lounge.
So, whether it’s your first time, or your 50th visit, head over to 14154 S.E. Division any time for a sure thing—excellent food, great service and a comfortable atmosphere are ready to welcome you any time of day or night.