The sign read “The Lakehouse Restaurant and Lounge.”
It had been hanging on the side of the building for years. So when the Barnes family set foot at 165 Sunset Beach Road in Cheat Lake, they couldn’t part with the piece of history residing on the side of what was to be their new restaurant.
Fast-forward 20 years and the Lakehouse Restaurant is approaching its anniversary on Fourth of July weekend.
Dustin Barnes, Suzy Barnes and Shane Klingensmith, all co-owners, are preparing for the busy weekend to come. For their anniversary, they will sell 20th anniversary T-shirts and will be giving some away.
They will also host local bands through Sunday, with a different band performing each day. Dustin said some beer distributors have given them Fourth of July-themed merchandise to give away, as well.
The restaurant recently underwent some renovations, including a new deck and roof. The kitchen was also remodeled this year, with new flooring. They put in new windows and doors to the deck, too.
When they arrived to the new location, both Suzy and Shane said that they kept the same menu as their Sabraton restaurant. Over time, though, the menu at the Lakehouse Restaurant was gradually updated and changed. Now the menu is being updated constantly. Dustin said they like to try new menu ideas and they collaborate with head chef, Travis Fortney, to determine what might sell.
When they initially opened, Suzy said they closed the restaurant for January, since a lot of the boaters came during the warmer months and business in winter was slow.
“We just didn’t have the people,” Suzy said.
But now, the population has grown in the region, which allows the business to stay open year-round.
And that makes their customers — many of whom are regulars — happy.
“You get to learn everybody’s name,” Dustin said.
One customer in particular, Larry “Bolt” Hanes, was a regular customer who recently passed away. The meaning behind Hanes’ nickname is a mystery, but what is clear is he was well-known at the Lakehouse. Dustin said he has known Hanes for over seven years.
“He was a good customer here — he was here twice a day,” Dustin said.
Suzy said that Hanes was a staple at the restaurant.
“He was part of the place,” Suzy said.
That idea of “being a part of the place” didn’t stop with Hanes, either. The Lakehouse is a place “engrained in the community,” Shane said.
The co-owners said the lake has very few public access points, which is what makes the Lakehouse even more popular. The marina is always full every summer, according to Suzy.
The restaurant seats over 250 people in the summertime and around 110 in the winter months, when the deck is closed.
Dustin said there is usually a full crowd. After the boats are tied up, and the sun starts to set, the restaurant is full of chatter and good food.
“Sometimes you get [everyone] at once,” Dustin said.
They have over 10 selections of fish, including salmon, tuna and mackerel. The fish arrives fresh every week from all over the world — from Florida to Norway.
Not only does everything come fresh, but each meal is handmade, Dustin said, like the ranch dressing made from scratch.
Dustin said although there is a lot of seafood on the menu, there are options for everyone. They also serve certified Angus steak, wings, Italian food and more. The menu even offers kid-friendly options, Shane said.
All the kid’s meals are named after one of the family members’ kids — “Addisyn’s Tenders,” or “Jagger’s Grilled Cheese Samich,” called after Dustin’s children.
The environment is all-inclusive. The owners are big WVU fans, and the restaurant does catering for football games and hosts tailgate parties. They also have a good crowd of people that come to watch the games and eat lakeside.
With the community and family coming together, Suzy said Lakehouse wouldn’t be the eatery it is without the kitchen crew they have had over the years. Matt Blosser, Jason Hammack, Shane Valentine and Denny Statito have all left their marks at the restaurant. Statito was the first chef at the new restaurant when they opened by Cheat Lake, and he recently retired.
The kitchen is the most important part of a restaurant and Suzy said that both her son Dustin and nephew Shane are not afraid to jump on the line and help out.
“Your kitchen’s your backbone,” Suzy said. “They won’t ask anybody to do something that they wouldn’t do. I’m proud of them.”
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