Fun served at Monterey Pub n' Grub

Things are a little different at Monterey Pub n' Grub, Cheney's newest restaurant. All it takes is a glance at the menu to figure that out.

With names like "Hip Hugger," "Junkyard Dog," and "Thai One On," it's clear owners Ray Wilson and Misty Staley operate with a different frame of mind when it comes to dining.

"We live by a motto, 'we're in the business of fun,'" Wilson said.

Take for instance a pizza called "Chinese Downhill," named for an activity Wilson and friends perform where one begins at the former K-Mart location on North Division and proceed to hit every Chinese restaurant on the way downhill to downtown.

"A lot of names are Misty's dogs," Wilson said of other pizzas and entrees.

Monterey Pub n' Grub is the latest venture for the two veterans of the Spokane restaurant scene. Wilson has managed several venues and owned locations such as the former Boulevard House of Music downtown.

Eventually, Wilson said Staley wanted a restaurant and he agreed. They opened Monterey Café at Sprague and Washington in Spokane about six and a half years ago.

Their success led them to desire another Monterey location, and with Staley's family living in Cheney, the city seemed the perfect place. Wilson said they considered several spots, and on one scouting trip were introduced to local developer Steve Emtman.

"He said 'if you want a place, I've got a place for you,'" Wilson said.

After concluding the deal, Wilson and Staley moved into space in Emtman's Odd Fellows Building. It was an easy move for several reasons, the first being the location next door to Jimmy John's Sandwich Shop was formerly a coffee shop and was therefore plumbed and ready to go, requiring just some painting.

Because of Wilson's tenure in the restaurant scene, he already had a lot of equipment in storage. Monterey Pub n' Grub opened for business Oct. 23, and things have been steady ever since.

"We've been really happy out here," Wilson added. "Everybody is so nice."

Monterey's menu begins with 10 different starters, priced from $9 – $11. Wilson said customer favorites are the "Get Baked" Monterey Nachos, like the Buffalo Nachos with buffalo chicken, gorgonzola and crispy bacon nachos served with blue cheese.

There are a variety of salads that include "Strawberry Almond Feta," with mixed greens, feta, craisins, cucumbers and almonds served with raspberry vinaigrette dressing. Add chicken for an extra $2.

"It's a go-to for catering," Staley said. "It's pretty, people see that and go 'oh yeah.'"

There are 13 different Monterey Wraps, priced at $9 including choice of daily, fresh sides. Wilson said they went with the wraps instead of hoagie sandwiches in respect to Jimmy John's next door.

When it comes to pizza, Monterey Pub n' Grub has everything in their 26 varieties, which range from $20 – $25, including one called "The Kitchen Sink." There are two, the "Crazy Mac" and the "MacDaddy" that feature - you guessed it - macaroni and cheese, several for barbecue lovers such as the "Texas Hold 'Em" and one called "The Inferno," known at the Spokane location as "Hell Pizza."

"People eat that and they sweat," Staley said.

Customers can turn any of the pizza items into "Cali" Zones, which Wilson said are prepared more like East Coast stromboli, except with the sauce on the inside instead of outside. And there is the Monterey Smokehouse BBQ, featuring Wilson's recipe for ribs, smoked for six hours, and two kinds of sauce, a Texas red and a Carolina, a yellowish-red sauce made with apple cider and vinegar.

"I'll put my ribs up against anybody," Wilson said.

Monterey Pub n' Grub portions are generous, and they are working on several specials, including a "Wine Wednesday," which Staley said customers have requested. Happy hour is Monday – Friday from 4 – 8 p.m. with drink and appetizer specials.

Monterey Pub n' Grub is split into a bar and dining area with comfortable booths and easy lighting. It is located at 321 First St., phone number 235-2640.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].