The Main Street Tavern quickly has become a favorite dining spot for folks in Montevallo.

Jeff and Misty Webster opened the doors a few months ago without a lot of fanfare, but news of the good food spread, and today you’d never know they had not been there for years.

Jeff explained when he first looked in the window of the building and saw the authentic tin ceiling, he knew it was the place he wanted to be. They completely redecorated, painted, lined the walls with beautiful old Montevallo pictures, reupholstered the booths and polished the gorgeous old bar.

The menu is varied with different meats and vegetables every day, including salads, sandwiches, burgers and desserts.

Debbie Weldon and I had lunch there not long ago, and she is still talking about the absolutely wonderful buffalo chicken burger. She said it was the best she ever ate. On another visit I met Mike Allen and his brother, Ronnie.

Mike was eating a huge fried pork chop, some colored butterbeans and fried okra.

“This is delicious,” he said. “The food here is always good. We are so glad to have the Tavern in Montevallo.”

Jeff explained that everything they serve is made from scratch. When asked about the most popular items, he said that the chicken salad goes like hotcakes at lunchtime and the dinner favorite is hamburger steak. The fish and chips served on Fridays are especially popular, too.

I can confirm the goodness of the chicken salad. I have it often along with the delicious steamed broccoli and another vegetable. On a recent Friday, I had the fried catfish, too. It was great — crisp and tasty! So far I have been able to resist the desserts, but the bread pudding with cinnamon sauce is on my “gotta have” list.

Jeff has always been in the restaurant business.

“When I was 16,” he said, “I wanted to earn my own money. My dad’s friend gave me a job washing dishes in his restaurant. I absolutely loved it. I’ve loved working in a restaurant ever since. My passion is cooking and I love making people happy with their food. If they like the food and they smile, that’s enough for me.” Before coming to Montevallo, he was manager of a Ruby Tuesday’s restaurant.

Operating the Tavern is a family affair. Jeff’s mother, Debbie, does some of the cooking and Misty helps, too, but she is busy with their two small children and working on a master’s degree in education.

Plans call for an expansion of the Tavern to provide a venue for special parties, wedding receptions and increased catering. Jeff is emphatic in stating he plans to be in Montevallo for a long, long time; and that’s fine with the rest of us.

Catherine Legg can be reached at clegg2@bellsouth.net.