There’s a new place in town, The Wooden Derrick Café.

A new restaurant has opened its doors in downtown Casper, with the hope to share with guests not only great meals but also Casper’s rich oilfield history. We spoke with Kelly Reyes, the owner of the new Wooden Derrick Cafe, located on 112 East 2^nd Street about her restaurant. Having a love for the hustle and bustle, Reyes chose downtown as the location of her business for a reason. “I love the downtown vibe. I knew I wanted my restaurant to be in a downtown setting” she explained.

As guests walk into the restaurant from the downtown sidewalks, they will be taken back in time to the history of our beloved oil city in a cozy environment. Along with the name of the café, Reyes strived to keep the history of Casper alive by transforming the space to be decorated with oilfield relics from the past. “I’ve had a lot of donations from people” she explained as she pointed out the items which include artwork, hats and jackets hanging from the walls. Soon, the main wall will even showcase the original plans for the iconic wooden derrick on Poplar Street.

With a vision to be a part of the community as an affordable option for families to gather, the Wooden Derrick’s menu is sure to have something for everyone. From breakfast favorites like homemade cinnamon rolls to dinner classics like chicken fried steak, Reyes emphasized that “Chef Mike will knock you off your feet with his menu!” Her favorite item on the menu? “The Ruben, it’s my number one,” she explains, “we brine our own corn beef here in the restaurant!”

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, this café style restaurant is open Tuesday-Saturday 6:00 am-8:00 pm, and Sundays 6:00 am-2:00 pm. So, next time you are downtown and feel like indulging in not only a wonderful homemade meal, but also in the history of the Casper oilfield, make sure to take a seat at the new Wooden Derrick Café in #MyDowntownCasper.