Village Inn offers free meals on Tuesdays
Tuesdays are the nights to eat out at Village Inn.
For the last three months Al Lewis from KVNU, 610 AM, has been doing his sports show at the restaurant those nights between 5:30 and 6:30. During this hour, those eating get buy-one, get-one-free on every meal, which has enticed customers to return and get a good deal.
John Chambers, Village Inn’s host manager, said because of the excitement with the athletic programs, people like to hear Lewis while they eat.
The radio show usually interviews a couple of student-athletes from different sports. Chambers said Lewis has brought in people from both the men and women’s basketball teams, along with track and soccer athletes and, as they talk, the show is broadcast over the Village Inn intercom.
“Some people come every Tuesday,” Chambers said. “It’s a good deal because they’re basically getting two meals for the price of one.”
Trent Merrell, a Village Inn waiter and USU junior in industrial hygiene, said people like to come because they see some athlete interviews and get a really reasonably priced meal.
He also said eating at Village Inn on Tuesdays would make a good date.
“A hamburger is usually about $5 so if you’re getting one free, it makes a really cheap $5 date,” Merrell said.
The radio nights have increased Tuesday business and kitchen manager Chip Lara said he avoids working those nights. He’d rather be at the bowling alley, a place less busy because he says, “Al Lewis takes the competition.”
That’s OK with waiter Nate Younker who said, “We all love to have Al Lewis here at the Village Inn.”
Merrell, who has talked to Lewis before and after the show, said he is really nice and knowledgeable.
Younker said the same and likes Lewis’ family as well. He brings his wife who likes the Village Inn omelet. Sometimes, his kids come. Younker said the show and Village Inn have become “a family affair.”
The radio show has also made Tuesday’s at Village Inn a community affair.
Merrell said local families and older people, not college students, are usually the ones to show up. He also said sometimes people come in big groups on Tuesdays because they’re getting such a good deal.
Lewis occasionally promotes Village Inn while on the air, and Chambers said that may entice more Tuesday customers.
-mnewbold@cc.usu.edu