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A Last Chance to Drive-In



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Brian and Misty Bown at the helm of Last Chance Drive-In. The Bowns bring a long term working partnership and passion for caring for customers to their new restaurant in Loa. Jillian Fahey

LOA – Misty and Brian Bown have made a long time dream come true in starting the Last Chance Drive-In. As the definition of a mom-and-pop restaurant, Misty works the front, ice cream, and drinks while Brian cooks the meals. When things get busy, two of their three daughters, Raven and Kasha, come in to help. It’s definitely a family affair.

The dream is a bit of a compromise. Misty has wanted Brian to do a food truck for years, while he has always preferred to cook at places where customers sit down. When the chance to lease the drive-in came along, it seemed like the perfect fit. It is also the first time in three or four years that they have been able to work together, as they have off and on for the thirty years of their marriage.

The Bowns got into restaurants through a mix of necessity and desire. Necessity because when they got married at sixteen and seventeen, Brian needed to find a job quickly, so he started at Denny’s. As for the desire, Brian says that there are no set parameters for a restaurant so the workers can still be themselves. Making food is a natural thing for him. Misty says “He likes to take care of people. At home I never cook dinner, he always does.”

When asked why they called the restaurant the “Last Chance,” Brian explained that going into Torrey all the restaurants are polished and focused on tourists. The other direction into Salina, there is nothing whatsoever until you get to McDonalds. So, they are the last chance to get a good, carefully crafted, fresh meal. They use real ingredients as they slice potatoes for their chips, hand cut the french fries, and smash the meat for the burgers themselves. They also make delicious scones in house.

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The Last Chance Drive-In offers a surprising variety of sandwiches, burgers, seafood and salads. Jillian Fahey

From when they first got married, this is a couple that has always done their own thing. Their desert themed restaurant has their special stamp. Their son-in-law designed the property’s buffalo skull sign, keeping even their design in the family.

Misty had surgery on her foot when they first ,which made it difficult to keep set hours. Happily, she is healing well, and they are open Tuesday through Saturday from eleven in the morning to seven in the evening. The Last Chance offers a surprising variety of sandwiches, burgers, seafood and salads. Check out their Facebook page for their menu.

They offer a fun variety of desserts with ice cream cones, sundaes and seventeen different flavors of shakes which can also be customized with additional choices. They even offer a deep fried ice cream shake. Scones are featured in their Last Chance Sundae on a Scone.

With a different special every day, this restaurant has many options for those who decide to drop by. So go ahead and check it out; don’t let the name scare you. Even if you decide to just grab an ice cream cone—as Misty and Brian’s grand kids do—it will be worth it. Every time their grand kids enter the restaurant, they go straight for the ice cream machine to get their free snack, and as Misty says, “That’s why we do it.”

The Last Chance Drive-In is at 193 E 300 S, Loa – Highway 24 on the east side of town. Open hours are 11 am to 7 pm Tuesday to Saturday. Come in and enjoy their food and welcoming atmosphere.