There’s a new steakhouse in Dickens County with a name that goes way back. The owner’s deep roots in Dickens County, specifically Afton, play a role in the name.
When the town that is now known as Afton was originally established in the 1890s, it was called Beckton.
Therefore the husband and wife ownership team of Becky Styles and Jason Collinsworth, named their new restaurant Beckton’s. Styles grew up in Afton and graduated from Patton Springs school in 2001 before going to college, and living and working in Lubbock and the Metroplex for many years before coming back “home” 18 months ago.
A hankering for going out to dinner with someplace that had really good mashed potatoes served as Style’s inspiration for ultimately getting into the restaurant business.
Beckton’s Chop House and Tavern— it is a private club which serves alcohol to members-- has been open in what was the former Espuela Steakhouse location in Dickens on Highway 82 for a little more than two weeks.
“The community has been so wonderful and supportive and welcoming,” Styles told The Texas Spur. “Our motto is we want hot food and excellent service,” Styles said, “and everything is cooked to order.”
In addition to mesquite grilled steaks, the restaurant has a Fish Fry Friday, chicken fried steak and chicken, salad bar, burgers and more.
Service is a prime focus as their goal is to turn 120 tables in every 3 ½ meal service. Sixteen staff members were hired to ensure the restaurant’s aspirations are achieved, and the dayto- day aspects of the Beckton’s are managed by husband and wife team Katie and Ian Seward who moved to the Dickens County from San Angelo to manage the restaurant.
Beckton’s is open Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., but only lunch is served on Sundays. “We are a very family-oriented restaurant,” Styles said, “We want our staff to have two days off together and to have Sunday nights off for family needs.”
Speaking of family Styles’ family which includes 6-year old son Peyton, has returned to Afton, living down the road from her parents and brother. “I wanted my son to have the same kind of small town experience I had,” she said.
There’s a lot of history in restaurants in the Beckton’s location. Kathy Green owned Espuela Steakhouse in that location for more than 20 years, and before her, a barbecue café operated there for many years. With Beckton’s Dickens County residents can return to a tradition of “eating out” in a familiar location nestled on Highway 82.
ONE BIG CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK Chicken fried steak and chicken friesd chicken are only two of the entree specialties on the menu at Beckton’s, which specializes in mesquite-grilled ribeyes and other steak cuts. | THE TEXAS SPUR
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.
