INEZ — Ginger Fletcher is about to realize her dream of becoming a small-business owner. Supported by her husband Ronnie, her daughters Skyler and Kayla, and son-in-law Zak Kirk, she has broken ground to start this adventure. Weather permitting, excavation on the footer for Fletcher’s Roadside Grill will begin Jan. 15 in Inez.
“Our family is honored to be able to offer the wonderful people of Martin County a variety of fresh meals and made-to-order sandwiches,” Ginger stated, adding that a portion of Fletcher’s menu has not been offered anywhere for over 15 years.
“Our special friends, Walker and Becky Fields, founders of the famous Walker’s Restaurant franchise in the late ‘70s, have offered to share some of their recipes and expertise in helping our little business,” said Ginger.
“Here at Fletcher’s Roadside Grill, it’s a great honor to be able to offer Walker’s Pizza, the Walker Burger and Walker’s Hotdogs, made with their special family chili recipe, with the option of topping it off with my very own coleslaw recipe.”
Before the grand opening, Walker Fields will be in the kitchen at Fletcher’s Roadside Grill teaching Ginger to make his pizza, burgers and chili.
Fletcher’s Roadside Grill will be a drive-thru restaurant on Route 40 about a quarter of a mile east of the old Sheldon Clark High School. The address is 2222 Blacklog Road in Inez.
Along with the drive-thru option, they will have a walk-up window. Customers can enjoy fellowshipping with friends and family in a sitting area in front, complete with Amish-style porch swings.
Fletcher’s windows and phone lines will open at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday, ready to serve breakfast. She has yet to determine the opening times for Saturday and Sunday.
The breakfast menu will include the Fletchers’ longtime family recipe for “made from scratch” Cathead Biscuits. Complementing the homemade biscuits, Fletcher will have bacon, sausage, ham, bologna, gravy, eggs, chocolate gravy, potatoes and more.
Fletcher’s will offer daily specials at lunchtime consisting mainly of home-cooked meals “such as our Mommy’s recipe for chicken and dumplings, soup beans, homemade vegetable and beef soups, chili, meatloaf, chicken strips and fish, to name a few.”
Fletcher’s will have a few salad options along with their very own in-house ranch dressing.
The restaurant will begin serving lunch at 10 a.m., offering Steak sandwiches, Submarine sandwiches, Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Kid’s burgers, hotdogs, Footers, kid’s meals (burgers and chicken nuggets) with sides of fries, onion rings or chips and others.
“As an option for the hard-working, career-oriented citizens, we will offer limited delivery services within city limits Thursday and Friday from 11:30 a.m. until around 1 p.m.,” said Ginger.
The second week after opening, Fletcher’s will serve Walker’s Pizza. The pizzas will only be offered Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons starting at 3 p.m. during their startup period.
“For your sweet tooth needs, we will be introducing our very own specialty item, our “Earthquake,” which is an explosion of your favorite treats blended to perfection with our soft serve ice cream. We will have soft serve ice cream cones, milkshakes, sundaes, parfaits and cold treats,” promised Ginger.
“Walker advised us, ‘You have to serve great tasting, quality food in order to get repeat customers.’ Here at Fletcher’s Roadside Grill, we are going to abide by those words.”
Fletcher said there are far too many people to thank for her opportunity, “but we are most thankful for the good Lord allowing us this opportunity. Our family has overwhelmingly supported us in this venture. The encouragement from our friends keeps us motivated to give it our all.”
She added, “We at Fletcher’s Roadside Grill would like to give special thanks to Lisa Stayton and her staff at the Mountain Citizen for allowing us to make this life-changing announcement using their respected platform. We are looking forward to serving our community.”
