Williams notes 30 years at Panhandler Pies

SANDPOINT — February marks 30 years of Panhandler Pies ownership for Rex Williams, who purchased the restaurant and bakery all those years ago from Beaner Johnson on a “gentleman’s handshake.”

“I drove over from Montana and met with him, we agreed on the terms, and I went back and loaded up and came over,” Williams said.

The rest is history, as they say.

Williams, along with his wife and co-owner Maria Williams, are celebrating the 30-year milestone with buy one entrée — and two drinks — and get a second entrée free. The deal will be available for the entire month of February.

That is one thing Panhandler Pies is known for, besides the pie of course, is the specials. As has been tradition for 30 years, for example, customers can stop in on their birthday and get a free meal, drink and pie. There has also been a special running on two sirloin steak dinners, complete with a baked potato, soup or salad, and cornbread for $25.

And a meal at Panhandler Pies is not just any meal. Much of the food, especially the pie, is homemade, and purchased products are high quality, Rex Williams said, as they try to stay away from all of the additives and preservatives that come so readily these days. Some of the things they make from scratch are dressings, gravy and whipped butter — which goes great with the homemade cornbread.

“Everyone tries to get our cornbread recipe,” Maria Williams said. “It is top secret.”

People “love” the Panhandler burger as well, she said. The half-pound patty with homemade thousand island dressing and all the fixings and sweet potato fries on the side has been called the “best burger in town,” she added. Gluten free meal options are available as well.

And, of course, people love the pies. The 20 different kinds, which are made fresh daily, include favorites such as Mounds of Joy and Razzleberry, the couple said. The apple is always a hit as well.

Over the years, Rex Williams said he has seen two and three generations of families come through the doors, and he has made a lot of friends. While there are many new and returning customers on a regular basis, however, he said there are hundreds of people who live in the area who have never been to Panhandler Pies.

“So I want to encourage them to come and see what we are all about,” he said.

And in the wintertime, Maria Williams said, the restaurant depends on the locals.

“That’s who keeps us in business,” Maria Williams said. “That’s why we keep our prices affordable, and we serve good, big portions.”

The couple put Panhandler Pies up for sale about two years ago, but as the perfect owner has not yet come along, the restaurant remains on the market. Maria Williams said they are hoping someone local will come in and keep it going. In the meantime, the couple said they will continue to run the business as always, with good food, good prices and friendly service.

When it does sell, Maria Williams said it will be time for retirement, with aspirations of travel. While they plan to stay in the area, one of the first places they want to visit is Bryce Canyon in Utah.

“We want to take the doggies, load up the trailer and just do a little road trip,” she said.

To get the buy one get one free February deal, visit Panhandler Pies anytime throughout the month for breakfast, lunch or dinner and tell the server, “Happy 30th anniversary.”

Information, photos and a menu are available on the Panhandler Pies Restaurant & Bakery Facebook page, bit.ly/2HJ40UK.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.