“The Lighthouse” brings Tex-Mex flare to Perkins County
Just South of Highway 23 on Road 341 in Madrid, Nebraska, The Lighthouse is now open for business, offering a new meal solution in a shorter drive than Ogallala or Imperial from Grant.
Located inside the Eastern Sky tire shop and owned by James Harms, The Lighthouse is a “Tex-Mex” style restaurant that officially opened its doors to the public on Monday, Sept. 24.
Offering a variety of menu items ranging from tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, salads and even burrito bowls, they will serve dine-in, take out, online and a unique twist on a drive thru, which will even accommodate large trucks and tractors.
The Lighthouse has three employees, led by Brian Pankonin, long time owner of Pankonin’s Heaven Scent Bakery. “They’re not going to come to see me,” Harms said, “they’re going to come to see Brian, especially if they remember his cakes”
Pankonin said he has had an interest in culinary arts since high school when he took career education center and was in the restaurant division, and that’s where it all began for him.
Served in a similar fashion as popular “Tex-Mex” cuisine chains,” patrons can select their meal, their desired protein, a choice of white rice with cilantro or brown rice, black or pinto beans and then choose from a variety of “fillings.” The filling options include fajita peppers, queso, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, fresh cilantro and more!
Also employed in the eatery are Bridgette Palu of Madrid and Casey Johnson of Grant.
Harms hopes that the establishment can be a gathering place for anyone looking for a meal, or just need a place to go rest, and maybe have a friendly conversation.
He recalled being at a tire shop with his dad as a young boy and a trucker in came who was having a bad day, and he visited awhile, and when he left, Harms recalled how they felt that he was lonely, and just needed to see people and chat for awhile, he just needed a friend.
Harms hopes The Lighthouse can be just that, noting that is what inspired the name. Quoting Matthew 5:16 Harms said “It’s for the Lord, ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven,’ I want it to be a lighthouse, people sometimes just need a safe space to come to,” he said.
Harms mentioned that he doesn’t see anything unusual about the combination of a tire shop and a restaurant, “lots of gas stations and co-ops have little c-stores,” he said.
In addition to the hot food items, The Lighthouse at Eastern Sky also has several refrigerators with things like drinks, ice cream, and even breakfast burritos on hand that can be taken cold or heated up on site for the road.
The Lighthouse offers call ahead ordering that caters even to farmers and truckers who can pull around back and have their meal hand delivered to their equipment or vehicle “drive-thru” style.
They take cash, check and credit cards and are offering gift cards as well.
The Lighthouse is currently working on some issues with online ordering but hopes it will be up and working soon.
The Lighthouse will be open from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. weekdays and is located at 76030 Road 341 in Madrid, Neb. They can be reached at 308-228-2292 or via their facebook page.