BLAKESBURG — A trip to DEKEL’s Steak House in Blakesburg is a treat for the palate.

The restaurant opened a little more than a year ago four evenings a week, from 4-9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday; and 4-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

“We are doing well in spite of the poor economy,” said Dean Deevers who with his wife, Kelly, owns and operate the restaurant.

A varied menu of steaks and sandwiches is available daily. Specialties include catfish fillet every evening; prime rib Friday and Saturday nights. The DEKEL burger on a homemade bun is a “big seller” and always available as is large tenderloin, as well as chef and taco salads.

“We came to Blakesburg because we felt that the community needed a good family restaurant and steak house,” said Deevers, who has been in the restaurant business for more than 19 years. “We knew what the community could do. We have a good following of local residents,” and are “drawing regulars” from a 60-mile radius.

“This is the only steak house in the area open until 10 p.m.,” he said. “If a customer walks through the door at 5 minutes to 10 and wants a steak, we will serve a full meal. I don’t want a person to drive to Blakesburg and then not get what he came for.

“There are not a lot of places that serve steaks like we do. I cut my own steaks to size daily,” Deevers said. “I want a person to be full, not go away hungry.”

The menus do vary each day and plans are to “expand the menu” in the future.

“The plan is to build slow, to train everyone right and be prepared to handle customers in a timely manner,” Deevers said.

Currently they have about a dozen employees, all local, including Deevers’ son, Jim, occasionally and his wife, Sonni, regularly.

His domain is the kitchen where he often cooks. He also makes a point of spending time each evening getting to know his customers. Wife, Kelly, is more often in the dining area, visiting with customers, waiting tables. Her cooking is done before the dinner hour including potato salad and the homemade buns for the DEKEL burgers.

Several class reunions, birthday and anniversary parties have been held at DEKEL’s. Kelly said she enjoys decorating the tables for these special occasions: “I like to do a little something extra for special events, at no extra charge.”

While the restaurant does serve beer, wine and wine coolers, the Deevers insist DEKEL’s is a family restaurant. Children are always welcome.

The restaurant is located at 103 E. State St., Blakesburg. The phone number is (641) 938-2084.