JENNERSTOWN, Pa. – Practically 30 years in the past, Tina Buckham woke as much as the sound of a curtain rod hitting the ground and the scent of thick smoke.
Buckham stated he was in a position to escape the quickly spreading fireplace along with his life and little else, aside from a drawing of a flying lion he made years earlier in highschool.
As we speak, that lion is the inspiration and title of his restaurant on U.S. Route 30 in Jennerstown.
And on the within, whether or not it's the work on the partitions or the way in which she runs the enterprise, Flyin Lion Pub & Eatery displays the trail that introduced it right here, Buckham stated.
“I believe issues in life revolve and ultimately land someplace,” he stated, referencing how a lion he as soon as drew on a whim now adorns his restaurant, 1498 W. Pitt St.
Life has been related for Buckham herself.
He spent a long time within the restaurant business at Hidden Valley Resort, the previous Turillo's Steak Home in Jennerstown, and even a company restaurant, whose infinite “one-size-fits-all” administration practices he detested.
She labored in all aspects of the restaurant's operations, from waitressing to cooking to banquet administration and different duties.
“I believe I at all times knew I may do that,” he stated of the concept of working his personal restaurant. It was merely a matter of time and alternative, she stated.
With the assistance of a buddy and enterprise advisor, the North Star Excessive Faculty graduate was in a position to buy a closed bar in 2015 and debut Flyin Lion later that summer time.
For Buckham, 50, cooking is one other type of artwork.
Lots of his creations – even the sauces he tops them with – are the results of experimenting with flavors, he stated. That features the sun-dried tomato-rich bacon-Parmesan dressing you add to ribeyes, ribs, and filet mignon steaks, or the fragrant apricot glaze that tops your candy, savory pork thigh.
Buckham stated he historically has an ever-changing menu of specialties that embody cuts of duck, seafood or different harder-to-find entrees.
However Buckham has strived to maintain The Flying Lion a “neighborhood restaurant” with a mixture of menu gadgets that please all tastes within the Jennerstown space.
Their aim is to supply a menu between dinner fare and the signature dishes discovered at locations like Bedford's Jean Bonnet Tavern.
“We're a part of a small neighborhood,” he stated of Jennerstown. “You possibly can't supply folks a $15 hamburger right here.”
As a substitute, entrees begin at round $11.99 and go as much as greater costs.
Flyin Lion's menu additionally options sandwiches, together with third-pound burgers, hen sandwiches and wings with greater than 20 toppings or sauces.
That features every part from conventional spicy or butter-garlic concoctions to originals like blackberry ginger hoisin and a “candy and clean” pineapple chipotle.
Like his menu, Buckham has discovered to seek out stability in his life. She and her accomplice, Mary, would quickly discover themselves taking one other leap in life: they adopted two kids within the years after opening the restaurant. The kids are actually 5 and eight years outdated.
His photos additionally adorn the 4 partitions of Flyin Lion, painted in an outside setting that additionally represents his household's grey space farm.
“They maintain us busy,” he stated with a smile.
He stated he managed to maintain his restaurant thriving with a core group of loyal workers.
Realizing that you just had been as soon as of their sneakers, you belief them to deal with prospects the fitting manner and repair issues if an order goes unsuitable.
After they have concepts, Buckham stated she listens to them and famous that once they determined to pool and cut up their suggestions each day, she supported the concept.
Everybody makes not less than $15 an hour on the restaurant, he stated.
Like virtually each different restaurant within the business, Flyin Lion would additionally want extra workers, however he stated treating those he has pretty has helped him maintain the nice ones.
“I'm fortunate to have plenty of actually good assist,” he stated.
Working a restaurant will not be for everybody, Buckham stated.
It's arduous work, lengthy days and a labor of affection.
“Nevertheless it works for me,” he stated.