Where’s Woody? 

That’s a question Mike Yost still fields almost weekly at Rustler’s Roost in Hayden, even months after buying the iconic eatery from the surfer dude and his brother.

“They’re surprised to hear he’s not here anymore,” Yost said, laughing. “A lot of them are shocked they sold the restaurant.” 

Once that shock wears off, customers sit down for breakfast or lunch, just as they always do. As the new owner, that’s precisely what Yost was hoping would happen. 

“Everybody’s just been awesome,” he said. “Our customers have been very welcoming.” 

Mike and Chris Yost of Spokane bought Rustler’s Roost from Woody and Daren McEvers, who had owned and operated it for 42 years, dating back to 1983 in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

Daren was more behind the scenes, the numbers guy who paid the bills, while Woody McEvers was more of the front man, greeting guests, serving food and chatting it up with those who came in the door. 

He also served more than 20 years on the Coeur d’Alene City Council and as mayor for 16 months before being defeated in the November General Election.  

Now, for the first time in decades, he’s not only out of elected public office but is also no longer co-owner of Rustler’s Roost. 

Both changes are still soaking in.

“I didn’t think I could do it anymore,” he said. “It’s funny because I never thought about retiring. I always worked. I never think about leaving something. You’re attached to your work.” 

The sale in October “kind of fell into place,” Woody said, and offered an opportunity to let someone else run Rustler’s Roost and let him try something new. 

“It was the right thing at the right time,” he said. 

Mike McNeil grew up in Hayden and was a longtime Rustler’s Roost customer. He loved the steak and eggs, the decor that included saddles and a rocking chair, and the friendliness of the staff.

The menu includes country names, like “Wagonmaster,” Maverick,” “Wrangler” and ‘Stagecoach.” 

“It has that small-town country appeal,” he said. “What don’t I like?” he added with a laugh.

In the early days, Rustler’s Roost served dinner before offering breakfast and lunch only. McNeil was a fan of the Thursday night “all-you-can-eat" ribs. 

It was more than a place to eat and drink.

Boy Scouts, he said, often held fundraisers in front of the restaurant just off U.S. 95 north of Hayden Avenue and did well because it was always busy. Bible study groups used to meet there Saturday mornings. 

He said through it all, Woody McEvers was always positive, a friendly face that could be trusted. 

"Just the way he conducted business,” McNeil said. “He was always the gracious host.” 

McNeil was glad to see the Yosts have reopened Rustler’s Roost seven days a week and plans to stop in soon. 

“All I know is, keep the good food coming,” he said. 

Mike Piper of Hayden is another loyal Rustler’s Roost customer, including when it was open on Sherman Avenue in Coeur d’Alene.

He went there often with friends like Ted Anderson and family, and he has many good memories, including one of his kids managing to climb up onto the roof from a rockery near the front door. 

“Our kids grew up around Woody,” Piper said. “Woody was always kind of a hero.” 

Chicken fried steak, burgers and German sausage were staples.

“The biscuits were good,” Piper said. “The gravy was good.” 

Piper was more impressed with Woody and how much he cared not just for the restaurant but also for the community. 

"It was pretty cool to find a place and a person like that,” he said.  

The downtown Rustler’s Roost opened in 1983. In 1989, it moved to Eighth and Sherman, the old site of Sambo’s. The Hayden location opened in 1993, while the Sherman location closed in 1999. In 2008, the restaurant moved into a new building at Rustler’s Trail. 

Through it all, it was a good place to sit down over coffee or the Pike Street Tea and talk politics. 

“It was a fun way of life,” he said. “It was a good friendship.” 

The Yosts said they are committed to preserving and building on the legacy that Woody and Daren created over decades of hard work.  

“We don’t want to change Rustler’s history at all,” Mike Yost said. “Only add to it.” 

They had been looking for some time to buy a restaurant and felt blessed to have the opportunity. Mike Yost previously worked with Denny’s in Spokane.  

They’ve made a few changes, like wood flooring, equipment and a point-of-sale system.

“It’s going really well,” Mike said. The crew is great. We feel really lucky.” 

Woody McEvers said after 42 years at Rustler’s Roost, he learned a lot about perseverance, about dealing with ups and downs and about himself. 

“I’m grateful. I don't think I'd be where I am if not for Rustler's Roost,” he said.