It's a Grand Island gem. It was one of the stops the WYRK Morning Show made on our tour of Grand Island on Thursday and what a surprise for all of us. When we announced earlier in the week that we would be visiting Grand Island, one of the suggestions was that we stop in Dick and Jenny's Bake and Brew. We had never heard of it before, but to say the least we were impressed.

Dale Mussen photo

When we arrived to do the third and final segment of our morning show it wasn't long before the tables started to fill up. The food is excellent, the coffee is hot and they even give you coffee mugs that are pre-heated.

Dick and Jenny's has quite a story behind it. The two of them met while working in a New Orleans restaurant, he as a chef, she as a server. They later married and decided to open their own restaurant and it was doing quite well for many years, but Hurricane Katrina changed all of that.

Dick and Jenny's home was destroyed. They needed a place to stay, so they left New Orleans and came to Grand Island to live with relatives until they could get back on their feet again. But instead of returning to New Orleans, they had fallen in love with Grand Island and decided to stay and open a New Orlean's-style restaurant here. The restaurant in New Orleans was sold to employees and is still successful.

Dick and Jenny's bought a building originally built in the 1800's and once served as a Pony Express stop and dance hall. It needed a lot of work and it took about a year to renovate. The building at the corner of Baseline and Love Roads from the outside looks like a bed and breakfast.

When you walk in you'll notice dozens of colorful plates on the walls with names of families and individuals. They are the people who supported them in their efforts to open their restaurant and to whom they are eternally grateful.

Dick and Jenny's is open Tuesdays thru Saturdays from 8 am to 2 pm for breakfast and lunch and from 5 pm to 10 pm for dinner. They have an incredible breakfast menu and their dinner menu changes each day. Reservations are suggested at 716-775-5047.