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1 • Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018 - The Independent-Register
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Take a trip to Orfordville’s Outback By Michele Benesh CORRESPONDENT
There is no need to fly for hours to Australia in order to travel to the Outback. Just go to Orfordville and visit K’s Outback Café. If you’re looking for a locally owned “simple, down home, family restaurant,” this is the place to go. When asked where the name came from, owner Kay Nelson laughed and said, “Well, it’s in back of the highway and in back of the tracks.” Located at 407 South Wright Street in Orfordville, the café is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day except Friday, when closing is at 8 p.m. due to their Friday Fish Fry. Kay and her husband, Gordy, opened the café on June 9, 1997, after purchasing it from another couple. She remembers the date as though it was a family birthday, and in a sense it was. Kay always worked in the hospitality industry as a waitress and cook, and it was her life-long dream to own a restaurant. At first, she didn’t think they could
MICHELE BENESH PHOTOS Brodhead Independent-Register
K’s Outback Café is located at 313 West Brodhead Street in Orfordville.
swing it, but the price was right so the couple took the plunge and never looked back. They did a lot of remodeling and renovation, and everything went well until the place was completely gutted
Gordy and Kay Nelson stand proud in front of their café.
by a tragic fire in November of 2009 - an electrical fire that started inside a wall. The only things that were salvageable were a few tables and chairs – all the kitchen equipment was destroyed. The Nelsons didn’t think they could come back from the devastation, but they were urged by friends and community members to rebuild, so after three plus months they reopened on March 18, 2010. Kay could not say enough positive things about her husband, Gordy, to whom she refers as her “anchor,” and
their loyal employees, whom she describes as “amazing.” She says that if it weren’t for Gordy supporting her and working side by side with her all these years, she would not be there. She also said that they have very little turnover in employees, who are like family and play a huge part in the success of the business. There are eight workers who cover the various shifts throughout the week. One has been there all 21 years since the opening, and another for 16 years. Kay tries to give them as much time off as possible over holidays, be-
lieving that nothing is more important than family. Her own family plays a huge part as well, with not only her and Gordy, but also a daughter and son all working there. Living only two blocks away from the café comes in very handy for the couple, especially in bad weather. Kay said she doesn’t cook at home because after a long day she’s “had it!” She said that she would like to travel while both she and Gordy are strong and healthy, but so far they have never been away from the café together for even as long as five days. Kay also does all of the bookwork involved with the business by herself. Asked if they had ever tried staying open over the dinner hour on other days besides Friday, Kay said that they tried it for a little while, but decided that nine hours a day was enough, and that they are surrounded by several other good restaurants, so they prefer to remain within their niche and concentrate on good food, good service, and an early opening for breakfast (which they serve all day). It was clearly a good decision. Kay said that she doesn’t really have a favorite part of operating the café, because she has always enjoyed working with people as well as cooking. Her attitude shows in the loyal clientele that fill the tables of Kay’s Outback Café on a daily basis.
K’s Outback Café is grateful for repeat customers and invites new customers to enjoy the various menu items.
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