"I watch storms come through here all the time," Lohmeier said. "Everybody was out in the parking lot watching the storm, but I started to see the clouds rotate and it just got wild. Everything happened so fast."

Lohmeier clambered across the roof to the south side to get a better view, but the intensity of the winds convinced him to turn back and seek shelter.

Inside, the winds and changes to the atmospheric pressure caused the windows to shake. Debris — staff are not sure entirely what — broke through several windows on the south side of the packed dining room. The power went out, causing the kitchen to fill with smoke as the vent hoods shut off.

Drake Kann, a grandson of the owners who works behind the bar, said a few customers crawled under tables at the height of the storm, but there were no reports of injuries.

Once it was over and the wait staff ensured everyone was OK, food embedded with shards of glass was replaced, candles were lit to provide enough light for the dinnertime rush, and bills were waived for the evening, said waitress Madelyn Walton.

Outside, however, the Lee's Chicken sign was shredded, unrecognizable, while Pioneer Pete, the restaurant's iconic chicken mascot, remained unharmed, still standing tall over the parking lot.