Sally Sexton
CNHI
Cool —
When Millsap’s Denise Tabnor purchased the old Farmhouse Restaurant in Cool back in August, it was an outlet and chance to change up her career.
Working as a waitress for several years, among other jobs, Tabnor decided she just wanted to work for herself.
Thus, Dee’s Hometown Diner was born.
“I had worked several different jobs and I really just decided that I wanted to be my own boss,” Tabnor said.
A native of Ohio, Tabnor moved to Texas where she met and married her husband almost 30 years ago.
Now a resident of Millsap, Tabnor opened the diner with the hopes of mixing traditional home cooking with her Lebanese origin.
“I wanted to bring something different that you couldn’t get in Mineral Wells or Weatherford,” Tabnor said of her menu. “Of course, we carry the traditional home-cooked meals, such as chicken fried steak.
“You have to keep that.”
The diner’s menu boasts the usuals, including sandwiches, salads and catfish.
But the back carries a surprise in the Lebanese cuisine, which includes Cusa, squash stuffed with meat and rice, Kibbe, a Lebanese meatloaf with pine nuts and onion, spinach pie and grape leaves.
After Tabnor bought the property, she spent time cleaning, recarpeting and repainting. Dee’s Hometown Diner had its grand opening Saturday.
Located a little ways off of Highway 180 toward Millsap, the diner is one of three in the area.
“We wanted to be competitive and I think the location is good,” Tabnor said. “We’re in the process of getting signs made to put on 180.”
Dee’s Hometown Diner is located at 112 S. Farm Market 113 in Cool. For more information, contact Dee’s Hometown Diner at 940-682-4600.
