The Chef's Hat

ADDRESS: 13686 N. 75th Ave., Peoria, at the corner of 75th Avenue, south of Thunderbird Road.

PHONE NUMBER: 623-412-0200.

HOURS: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

OWNERS: Ross and Jackie Beatty.

CUISINE: American cafe.

SEATS: 80.

OPEN SINCE: June 5.

SPECIALTY OF THE HOUSE: Burgers and melts; cod filet - deep fried and served with fries and cole slaw; variety of large salads - "People's eyes pop out when they're served our salads," Ross Beatty said.

POPULAR LUNCH ENTREÉ: Chef chicken Caesar salad; Southwest mushroom burger; Cajun bacon burger.

POPULAR DINNER ENTREÉ: Fish and chips - 12-piece cod with fries; capallini pomodoro with angel hair pasta.

POPULAR DESSERT: Strawberry shortcake; homemade cheesecake.

AVAILABLE FOR: Dine in, take out.

PRICE RANGE: $2.99 for a garden salad to $14.99 for 12-count chicken tenders.

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW: The restaurant offers kids' plates for lunch and dinner, as well as curbside service. Diners may call in their orders and give a description of their vehicle. In 15 to 20 minutes, they may park in front of the restaurant, and their meal will be brought to the car. The restaurant does not serve liquor. Other menu items include build-your-own-deli sandwiches, top sirloin and daily specials.

UNIQUE TIDBITS: Beatty said when the weather cools down, they plan to offer Friday night family cookouts, where families can enjoy steaks and burgers on the patio. "If the sales are there, we'll do live music," Beatty said. Beatty said he believes the restaurant's location "out of the rat race of Bell Road" offers something for businesses that want to meet for lunch in a casual, quiet, relaxing environment.

FUTURE PLANS: Beatty said he and his wife plan to to retire in five years and want to build up a good reputation for the restaurant, put money aside and eventually turn the business over to one of the chefs. "It's an incentive for them to work hard," Beatty said, adding if everything goes well, they might think about franchising.

Know of a great restaurant in the West Valley? Let us know! Call Brittany Woodruff, 623-876-2527, or e-mail bwoodruff@yourwestvalley.com.