Winchesters Saloon co-owners Jeff Reed and Darren Bartunek, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
PHILLIPS — Winchesters Saloon in Phillips made it to the ‘Final Fork’ in the second annual Tournament of State, hosted by Central Nebraska Today.com.
The Tournament of Taste featured 64 different central Nebraska restaurants and eateries that had been nominated by residents through a vote.
A bracket was set up and those businesses with the higher number of votes moved ahead. In the end, it came down to The Loading Chute in Hampton, Ol’ Ironsides Barbeque and Banquet Hall in Cairo and Winchesters in Phillips, with The Loading Chute winning as the “Chompion.”
During the Tournament of Taste, Winchesters went up against Odyssey, Jersey’s Sports Bar, Farmer’s Daughter and Balz Sports Bar.
A trophy and full bracket were presented to co-owners Jeff Reed and Darren Bartunek on April 28.
Winchesters is located at 511 West Street in Phillips.
Phillips is a community located on the western edge of Hamilton County and has a population of around 287.
The history of Winchesters dates back to the original Phillips Café that was located on the corner of West and 5th St. A fire would break out in 1975 and destroy the entire building.
By June of the same year, a new steel building was constructed, and the original Winchesters got its start. That restaurant operated for 29 years through two different owners, but closed its doors in 2004, leaving a void in the community, according to Reed and Bartunek.
Bartunek said he is a 26-year resident of Phillips and said he and Reed were acquainted through building homes together in the area.
They noted they spent many “think tank” sessions during late evening and the plan they dreamed up would come to fruition when the former Phillips Grocery and Café, located near the old Winchesters was demolished and the new Winchesters Saloon was built.
The new location opened its doors to the public in the spring of 2023. “We’re just a small-town bar and grill doing our best to serve fast and delicious food and drinks,” according to Winchester’s website.
The menu features many offerings, including appetizers like pickle chips, pretzel bites or Gouda Macaroni bites.
According to Reed and Bartunek, their entrees feature smash burgers, melts, chicken sandwiches, chicken baskets, wings, wraps of various kinds and salads.
The hours are Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 1 a.m., the location is closed on Sunday and Monday.
“The new eatery has a feel-good vibe, featuring modern décor, a simple yet unique menu and a wide variety of your beverages of choice,” Kurt Johnson of the Aurora News-Register wrote in 2023, “Winchesters is getting a good look since opening the doors in early May. Based on our experience, many of those folks will be back as well.”
In addition to their regulars from the area, Reed and Bartunek noted they also see a good number of people who travel from outside of the Hamilton County area for a chance to try the food at Winchesters.
They noted people have been more willing to travel to try new restaurants in the area and they often entertain car clubs or bike clubs that are passing through the area.
When asked about the Tournament of Taste, Reed and Bartunek said they noted they began to see more and more attention as the tournament progressed and as they kept advancing. They noted they were happy to be nominated at the start and to make it as far as they did.
Both men said Winchesters prides itself on its food and fast service. They encouraged everyone to make the trip and it out for themselves.
