Friday, Nov. 09, 2012
Diamond Rays serves big variety on small budget
Restaurant continues to build customer base
Print
E-Mail
AIM
ReprintThere’s still plenty of room at the table at Diamond Rays in Harrisonville for lunch or evening meal on the budget.
Under the same ownership of Harrisonville’s former Partner’s Restaurant, the casual family restaurant located at Mill-Walk Mall celebrated their two-year anniversary Oct. 29.
“We’re still getting people coming in and finding out that it’s us,” Owner Diamond Coffey, 47, said. “We had a really good clientele and made a lot of friends when we were Partner’s. We’re trying to get that back out. The hardest part is getting people to come across the (291 Highway and U.S. 71 Highway) bridge, and we kind of get forgotten over here.”
Named after Diamond and his longtime buddy, Ray Plante, the Coffeys stepped away from Partner’s in 2008 after having been in business for 10 years to focus on raising their young son, but reinherited the property two years later and made the decision to bring back local favorites.
But they gave the local diner a new name.
“It’s been enjoyable. We’ve always been in the community, but it’s really been fun seeing your regulars coming back, and revisit, rekindle that friendship that you’ve had with a lot of them over the years,” Coffey said. “Once you get them in, we really don’t have a hard time getting them back.”
Steaks, cut fresh daily, are the signature menu item, in addition to hand-breaded tenderloins, sandwiches, burgers, salads, seafood, and a few pasta options, are helping the eatery once again become a popular spot for an affordable lunch or dinner.
In recent months, Diamond Rays has brought back a senior menu by request, and the restaurant also features a variety of daily and weekly specials, along with a children’s menu.
“We try to keep the price down so the people who have come in and had the steaks will return for the simple fact its saves them,” Coffey said. “We got a lot of people who come back in here to eat for the fact it’s a lot less (than the chains).”
He said they aim to keep their prices below the prices of corporately-owned chain steakhouses in the area.
Four different lunch specials are also available 11 a.m.-2 p.m.Tuesday-Friday for $6.49, and includes a beverage.
Choices include a fried shrimp basket or chicken tender basket with fries, a chopped sirloin plate, or a chicken pasta bowl.
“The food is real similar to what it was when we were Partner’s,” Coffey said. “We try to give them value. I would rather serve a lot of people for less than three or four people at a high price.”
A quiet lounge area has also been added onto the restaurant for those wishing to enjoy adult beverage while dining, but the Coffeys stressed that the restaurant is family-friendly and is smoke-free throughout the establishment.
“We’re like a Cheers, a nice, little family bar that we have a lot of regulars that come in and everybody knows everyone,” said Tina Coffey, 47.
Diamond’s wife added that quality staff makes for a pleasant dining experience.
“I think our service is good,” she said. “We try our hardest to take care of everybody.”
Jake Talley serves as the general manager for the restaurant.
Diamond Rays is open Tuesday-Sunday for dining in or take out. The restaurant is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
Take-out is also available.
FUNDRAISER:
Diamond Rays and Anders Air Heating and Cooling are teaming up to raise money for the Cass County Toy Shop this holiday season. Donate by Thursday, Dec. 6.
SPECIALS:
Lunch specials 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday: Fried shrimp basket, chicken tender basket, chopped sirloin plate, or chicken pasta, with a drink - $6.49.
Friday special: 8-ounce bacon-wrapped sirloin, served with a 5-ounce chicken breast or four pieces of shrimp, a potato, vegetable and bread - $13.99.
Saturday special: 10-ounce KC strip sirloin, served with potato, vegetable, bread - $13.99. Available through Dec. 31.
