Houston Roadhouse survives first winter in business

HOUSTON -- Sitting on a hill at Mile 60.5 of the Parks Highway, between Houston and Willow, the Houston Roadhouse is a new business living in an old building. The place isn't elegant or modern, but it's not quite rustic or charming, either. With its pale yellow walls and odd smattering of d/cor, it just isn't much to look at. But the place is clean and crisp and cheerful, offering friendly service, good food and affordable rooms.

Harvel and Tina Young bought the old "Triple B" three years ago, transforming the long-empty tavern with a rugged reputation into a family-run, family-friendly little restaurant and eight-room motel.

The Youngs had been looking for a spot to open a business for some time, and were attracted to the property's location. They contacted owner William Henry with an offer to buy it, and went right to work on the place.

"It's a good location," said Tina Young. "There's a great view. Even with the highway so close, it's really a private, quiet spot up here." The couple lives on-site with three of their children.

It's been a lot of hard work for the family, but Young said they had a good idea what they were up against from the start. So far, they've replaced all the electrical and plumbing, and installed a new furnace. They gave the whole place a fresh coat of paint inside and out. They did all the work themselves, and it all came "out of pocket." The kids helped with the remodel, "and they continue to be a great help now," Young said.

As their struggling business grows, the Youngs hope to add a few special touches to the place -- things they hoped to accomplish before the place opened.

"We kept doing this major work," Young said, "then the little stuff. We finally figured that we'd never get the place open if we waited until every little thing was done."

They had been working on the place a couple of years, both of them also working in Anchorage. One day, Young said, they went to Anchorage for supplies, and the next day -- May 31, 2003 -- they put out their "Open" sign. Young has years of restaurant experience, but said she was still nervous, "and also very excited." She runs the place pretty much by herself, and brings in help only when things get busy. Harvel continues to work in Anchorage for now.

Young seems very good with her customers, calling them by name, joking with them, asking about their lives. She has obviously gotten to know the locals.

"My very first customer is now my part-time waitress, and my second customer has become a very good friend," she said.

As you enter the Houston Roadhouse, an empty room appears on the right, a big carpeted area with a few children's toys scattered about. This is where Young's children play when they are home from school, while Young runs the restaurant.

"This wasn't really intended to become a play area," Young said, "but children see the toys and they are drawn to them." They are also drawn to Young's friendly 5-year-old daughter, Anna.

"Anna, you have a customer!" sings Young teasingly when a small child comes through the door.

"A lot of people come in here with their families," Young said, "and they seem to appreciate the open play area."

Young said even customers without kids enjoy the fact that the kids can play peacefully in one corner of the restaurant while the adults relax and visit in another -- all within plain sight of each other.

Rooms at the roadhouse start at $25 a night, with monthly rates for longer stays. Alaska hunters and fishermen, and occasionally tourists, take advantage of the rooms, which stay full much of the year. Each room has a full bath and either twin or full beds. Three larger rooms have kitchenettes in them, and are often rented long-term.

Houston Roadhouse offers the road-weary traveler a good meal and a decent bed at a reasonable price, Young said. Folks looking for a romantic candlelight dinner or an elegant night out might want to keep driving -- they won't find any frills at this place. But anyone who enjoys a good cup of coffee, a friendly smile and a nice view might find the Houston Roadhouse worth a stop.