ATOKA, Okla. (KFOR) – You can now add “restaurant owner” to Reba McEntire’s resume.
“This is a dream come true,” Reba told visitors during the restaurant’s grand opening on Thursday afternoon.
Shelley Johnson, an employee at Reba’s Place, said the store’s first day was filled with excitement.
“Everybody loves it,” Johnson said. “Everybody loves her.”
The three-story restaurant, bar, entertainment and retail store is located in Atoka, about 12 miles south of Reba’s hometown of Chockie.
“We now have another excuse to go back to our state,” Reba said. “It will help our town, it will help our community, it will bring in jobs.”
The restaurant’s “soft opening” took place earlier this month. So far, Reba’s Place has drawn large crowds from all over the country to eat and check out the memorabilia throughout the building.
“People came from Florida and Wyoming,” Johnson said. “The other day I sat down with a couple who came here from Winsconsin. It’s pretty amazing.
The menu is said to have been inspired by food Reba grew up in southeastern Oklahoma, as well as choices inspired by cities and regions associated with her career, including Nashville, Tennessee. Items include apps and entrees such as “Slow-Smoked Choctaw Beef Her Brisket,” Nashville-Style Hot Chicken Sandwich, and “Southern Charcuterie Board,” featuring country ham and boiled peanut hummus.
Fans of Thursday night’s grand opening didn’t have to turn on the radio to hear Reba’s music. Reba wowed the guests with her performance.
“Music is what made this place,” said Reba.
Just before Reba took the stage, Choctaw Nation Senior Executive Officer of Commerce Janie Dillard also gave Reba ample praise.
“Her hands are all over this property here tonight,” Dillard told diners at Thursday’s event. “She says, ‘The team did this, the team did that.’ No, she’s a very involved woman She’s a smart businesswoman She chose all the dishes you brought to your table tonight She chose all the colors The curtains, the color scheme, the color palette, everything.She is very enthusiastic.
“She’s on every call. Without her there’s no call,” Dillard said.
According to the restaurant’s website, Reba’s Place is open daily from 11am to 9pm.
