The not so Broken Wheel

KELLOGG — The Broken Wheel in Kellogg is looking anything but broken since getting a complete makeover following new ownership and is scheduled to reopen by the beginning of the New Year.

Owner Barb Kriedeman said that when she and her husband, David, bought the building in March, they were originally interested in investing in the apartment complex above the restaurant; however, Barb said once she got started with renovations, she just couldn’t stop.

“Initially it was just, ‘I don’t like that wall, let’s take it away’, and it just kind of blossomed. We tried to keep the old look with the new look and keep some of its historical value.”

Kriedeman said that mixing the old with the new was also the intent when deciding on the restaurant's new menu.

Head chef Bryan Smykal said the staff chose to keep the restaurant’s salad bar, which is a well-known local favorite, as well as add some unprecedented entree selections.

“We are going to be serving Black Angus beef that is all certified and branded,” he explained. “All of our steaks and burgers — any red meat that comes through here will be top tier Angus beef. It goes through a certification process where out of 10 cattle, only the top 3 get selected and sent here.”

Smykal said the only other restaurant in North Idaho that shares the same certification is Beverly’s at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

The restaurant will also be presenting a new chef, Meranda Tylluan, who will serve as the kitchen's second-in-command.

A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Portland, Tylluan said she originally came to the restaurant seeking employment as a pastry chef.

“They thought I was a little more qualified, which is great,” said Tylluan. “I’m really excited to work together (with Smykal) and be able to create lots of fun stuff.”

Restaurant manager Tee Jay Larson said Tylluan and Smykal formed a quick chemistry, and she looks forward to watching their ideas come to life.

“I’m very excited to watch them work together, and also to have my kitchen run smoothly,” Larson said.

Plans are being discussed for The Broken Wheel to host its grand opening in weeks to come, although a date has not yet been finalized.

While anticipating their grand opening, the newly remodeled bar area has been serving both beer and liquor on the longest bar top in town, boasting 43 feet in length.

The bar is currently open to the public on Saturdays starting at 3 p.m., with a weekly dart tournament starting at 7:30 p.m. for players of all skill levels.

During the tournament, players are eligible to win a cash prize from the “mystery pot” drawing that has now reached $2022.