Hungry Rooster’s still crowing
Published 10:44 am Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Connie Whitehead, left, the former owner of The Hungry Rooster, sits with Randy and Denise Byrum, who bought the Boykins restaurant in March. With them is Jennie Prater, who also bakes, cooks and manages. — STEPHEN H. COWLES | TIDEWATER NEWS
Randy Bryum, co-owner of The Hungry Rooster, holds up one of the many homemade desserts prepared at the Boykins restaurant. He and his wife, Denise bought the place in March. — STEPHEN H. COWLES | TIDEWATER NEWS
BOYKINS—When Denise and Randy Byrum took ownership of The Hungry Rooster in Boykins last March, they weren’t walking in blindly.
“I was already working here with Connie and Gene Whitehead, the previous owners,” said Denise.
Randy said he grew up in a family that loves to cook.
“My cousin has a restaurant and my granddad was a chef,” he counted among the relatives connected to cooking professionally and personally.
When the Whiteheads decided to retire for personal reasons, they turned to the Byrums.
“We made them an offer they couldn’t refuse,” Connie said with a laugh.
Randy concurred, saying, “Opportunity knocked. It was a great opportunity.”
As far as changes go, the Byrums have applied for an ABC license and expect it to be in hand within a few weeks.
For the menu, the couple has already started serving breakfast again.
Steaks, shrimp baskets, onion rings and wraps are among items served later in the day.
At The Hungry Rooster, co-owner Denise Byrum starts work on a dessert to be served later in the day. “We don’t do instant anything,” she said about all the meals prepared at the Boykins establishment. — STEPHEN H. COWLES | TIDEWATER NEWS
The couple stressed the homemade quality of their food, right down to the homemade desserts – “and pretty much everything,” said Randy.
“We don’t do instant anything,” said Denise, adding they cut their own French fries.
The Byrums also serve $6.99 daily specials, which are consistent from week to week.
“It’s kind of what we’re known for,” Randy said. “Where else can you go?”
As before, the interior is designed to be homey and invite people in. Not surprisingly, there are roosters just about everywhere a person looks. Incidentally, Connie is the person who gave the restaurant its name.
Working with the Bryums is Jennie Prater, who they took under their wing. She bakes, cooks and even manages.
With them are waitresses Tommie Lee Prater and Becca Holton.
The restaurant’s open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and closed Sunday except for special occasions. As part of the Boykins Main Street Initiative, the Hungry Rooster hosts Bingo games the first Saturday of the month.
“We try to make it fun,” Denise said.
