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Benton man’s dream of operating eatery realized April 1, no fooling |
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Monday, 08 June 2009 |
 Dan Reed of Benton behind the counter at Dan’s I-30 Diner on the access road in Benton. Reed always dreamed of operating his own restaurant.
Dan’s I-30 Diner, located on the south service road just past exit 117 in Benton, attracts the regular breakfast crowd and more.
Reed, who has been in the food service business for 12 years, said he hopes to offer restaurant-goers a place to come for quality food and good service.
“I like to eat, I like to cook and here I am,” he said. “I just want to make a good product for the public.”
Reed has lived in Benton for about 20 years. He is a single dad and when he’s not busy at the restaurant his life centers on his his 8-year-old son, Joshua.
At the restaurant, he is constantly reminded of family, however. Adorning the walls, shelves and in the front counter are various collectibles and antiques from his father, Bill Reed. There are old medicine packages, glassware and Elvis memorabilia — just to name a few.
His mother, Mary Reed, runs the cash register, and his brother, Ty Reed, helps in the kitchen. “It’s a family affair,” Dan Reed said. “I’ve received lots of help from my family and it’s a blessing.”
While there have been some wrinkles to iron out since taking over the restaurant, Reed said what he likes best is working for himself and taking on the challenge of serving the public with good food and friendly service.
Before the restaurant, Reed was a broker for Imperial Marketing, working mainly with Cisco Foods, and he worked in the circulation department for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Hours of operation are from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Saturday. For lunch each day there are set plates.
“Breakfast is what drives the place,” Reed said, but he looks forward to expanding the menu and looking for ways to change the restaurant and make it better.
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