YAKIMA, Wash.- A local bar is celebrating their regulars this holiday season with free dinners on Thanksgiving. The Dutch closed its full-function kitchen to make room for a feast of the classics including turkey, ham, dressing and pies.
For the bar, it’s the owner, Jim Weaver’s way of showing his gratitude to his patrons.
“As a thanks for frequenting his business throughout the year, ” says Manager Hailey Wilkins. “We care for our patrons just like they’re our family. We see a lot of the same familiar faces year after year. Especially for those that frequent The Dutch, it’s a great opportunity.”
The regulars of the bar show up throughout the day for the food. Wilkins says the kitchen finished its cooking after weeks of prep around 11 a.m. with the first diners showing up around a half hour later.
The food is a part of the charm for the Thanksgiving meal. Wilkins says the cook, Herb, plans weeks ahead and stays on top of the buffet-style table throughout the day.
“I’ve been coming in here for a long time,” says Jim Sherry, a regular of the establishment. “The food is great. I’ve never had a bad dinner.”
There are two dishes that the diners enjoyed more than others. Both because of Herb’s special preparations leading up to it being served.
“My favorite is always his ham or his dressing,” says Wilkins. “He puts a glaze on the ham, and he won’t tell anybody what it is, but it’s great. His dressing, there’s no comparison. It’s the best dressing around.
“Killer pecan pie,” says Sherry who likened the pie to a Payday candy bar.
Sherry says he’s been coming to The Dutch’s holiday meals for around five years.
“I’m retired now,” says Sherry. “My wife passed away; my kids are all grown. My grandkids do their own thing, so I don’t have no Thanksgiving thingy, Christmas stuff.”
He says the bar really do treat him like family and he’s always welcomed in.
“People like me who are single and don’t have anywhere to go,” says Sherry. “It’s a nice place to come, and that’s kinda what it’s all about.”
While enjoying his meal, Sherry was one of many patrons donning matching clothes with others. As the Seattle Seahawks faced the San Francisco 49ers in the primetime game, many were wearing their “12” jerseys in preparation for the big showdown.
Sherry says the jerseys are nothing compared to how far some fans will go.
“Some people come in, they have their blue and green wigs, and all that stuff but they have a good time,” says Sherry.
The Dutch says the owner has plans to continue this tradition for a Christmas meal, but both of this year’s holidays have something a little different brewing.
“We just thought since we’re giving back to the community, people are always asking if they can donate,” says Wilkins.
This year, The Dutch is hosting a Thanksgiving food drive of non-perishable goods to donate to local food banks. For Christmas, it will be collecting animal supplies to give to the Yakima Humane Society.
Thanksgiving’s drive will last through next week. To donate, The Dutch has boxes set up inside its building.
