The restaurant logo is a copy of a picture of the Duchess of Busti Betsy Trusel's husband drew on a Valentine many years ago.
Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips and Cherry Surprise.
The latest buzz in Busti and the surrounding area is about the new cafe, Betsy's 5-Corners Kitchen, which opened a few months ago. Word has spread quickly about the delicious scratch-cooking served everyday but Sunday. One local man has never missed stopping for a meal that has occurred during the hours of operation since the opening. Many others have come by once daily with numerous people stopping three to four days per week. This may be due to the fresh, clean facelift or the cheery wait staff, but more than likely it is for Betsy's delicious dishes. Her reputation for good home-cooked meals started long before she opened on March 20 of this year.
Delicious food was not always an option for the restaurant owner.
The daughter took matters into her own hands at 9 years of age when she made her father's breakfast of bacon and eggs before he left for his out-of-town construction job. Meatloaf sandwiches were one of his favorites, so she asked her mother what ingredients went into meatloaf and without a recipe, she made a dinner of meatloaf and baked potatoes.
What brought her from a more than 30-year ER nursing career to owning her own restaurant? Each time the couple ate a meal out, she would tell her husband she could make the dishes better than the ones they were served.
They finally put their words into action by purchasing the business and spent a lot of time and energy making it into what they had pictured. Although Mr. Trusel isn't a handyman, they were both very pleased at the outcome of the wood floor he refinished. The vinyl tablecloths were removed to reveal attractive wooden tabletops, which were fitted with glass coverings. The kitchen was given a thorough cleaning and some of the kitchen equipment was replaced. Two 39-inch flat tops were traded for a 20-quart mixer.
Not only was the facility given a complete facelift, but the sewer system was given attention as well, including replacement of the lines. Larger gas lines were installed and a reverse osmosis water system was added to remove chlorine.
"Our drinking water is excellent," she brags.
The entrepreneur does all of the baking, including cinnamon rolls, five-chip cookies and four-layer carrot cake which are all made routinely. Various other desserts are randomly added. Sourdough and whole wheat bread is made every other day.
She makes a point of saying the filling in the strawberry cream cheese stuffed French toast is not the filling sold in the refrigerated case at the supermarket. Unlike some "homemade" biscuits, hers are not made from a mix. The gravy served with them is made from scratch, as well.
Scotch eggs, which are hard boiled eggs wrapped in sausage meat and coated in bread crumbs, are very popular and, in fact, frequently sell out. Although real maple syrup is served, Betsy has imitation and sugar-free syrup ready on request. The thousand island dressing and fry/dipping sauces are both homemade and the macaroni and cheese is made with three cheeses.
Even though the business opened just over three months ago, changes have already been made. A pasta night has been added on Thursdays from 5:30-8:30, the only night dinner is offered as of now. There are two options. Five ounces of spaghetti with three ounces of sauce and two meatballs served with a parmesan garlic roll is offered for $7.99. The second option is available for $11.99 and consists of eight ounces of spaghetti, six ounces sauce, four meatballs and two parmesan garlic rolls. Both options include a salad and beverage.
She hopes to start Betsy's Breakfast Bags soon, which will be available for those who don't have time to prepare breakfast before leaving for their morning commute. The grab and go bags will contain a "decent" breakfast sandwich or breakfast burrito, yogurt, fruit and coffee.
Since opening day, she has lived up to her reputation and has not disappointed her customers, who tell her the food is great, the dining room is bright and clean and the service is awesome. She feels blessed to have good help.
The restaurant seats 52 inside and a covered outdoor deck that seats an additional 24. The logo is a reproduction of a picture of the Duchess of Busti Trusel drew on a Valentine he made for his wife several years ago.
Mrs. Trusel's hobbies are numerous and interesting, but at present her time is very limited, as she not only runs her business but is currently working per diem at UPMC Chautauqua WCA.
She is "kind of a Sudoku nut case," has "an abnormal crush on professional basketball player LeBron James," and enjoys doing theater but hasn't had time in recent years. Both she and her husband have Segways. She has ridden hers from Busti to more than one location in Jamestown.
She has been an ER nurse for over 30 years and is a lifetime member and the first female member of the Busti Fire Department. She is very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints and is excited to be going to a weeklong girls' camp where she has been active for years as a nurse, but now for the second year is going as it's cook, where she cooks in Dutch ovens over campfire.
She has shared several favorite recipes.
Mrs. Trusel's "most favorite of all foods" is Persimmon Pudding served with cream. Even though persimmons don't grow in this area, she shares the recipe that has been in her family for years. There were many persimmon trees on the farm where her father grew up in south central Illinois near the Indiana state line.
Turkey Pillows is a good recipe in which to use Thanksgiving leftovers.
Breakfast is served all day at Betsy's 5-Corners Kitchen. Her hours of operation are Monday-Saturday 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. with added Thursday evening hours of 5:30-8:30. Special arrangements may be made for showers, receptions, Christmas parties and lunch or dinner meetings for groups up to 50 persons by calling 487-0145.
Sift dry ingredients together. Add egg & milk. Mix only until the dry ingredients are moistened. Add nuts and stir gently. Grease a loaf pan, line it with wax or parchment paper. Grease paper and then dust with flour. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. It is really good warm, but cuts and serves better after 24 hours.
Mix crumbs and sugar together. Slowly add melted butter, stirring with a fork until combined. Press into bottom only of a glass pan, 9" x 13″ or smaller. (I use a 9 " x 9″ square because I like a thicker crust.) May be baked or chilled. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes or chill in refrigerator for about 30-45 minutes.
Beat cream cheese. Slowly mix in confectioners' sugar until it reaches a spreadable consistency. Add flavoring, one drop at a time, taking caution to not overdo. Spread on the cooled crust. This should be a fairly thick layer. Chill for at least an hour. Cover with whipped topping. Spoon pie filling on top. Chill for one hour or more.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl combine fruits, sugars and preserves. Cover and refrigerate. Brush one side of tortillas with melted butter or spray with butter flavored cooking spray. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, cut in wedges and arrange in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes. Serve with fruit salsa.
1 tsp each baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla.
Stir until all ingredients are incorporated. Pour into an 8" x 8″ x 2″ pan and bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Serve warm with cream, half and half or milk or chill and serve with whipped topping.
Cut bread dough into 1/4″ thick slices and roll each one into a circle. Size will depend on how thick you like your crust.
In separate bowl, mix other ingredients, having chopped Turkey.
Use gravy to moisten mix slightly, to hold its shape.
Place small scoop of mixture slightly to side of midline on bread circle.
Fold over and seal edge. Place on baking sheet and bake at 350 until golden brown.
Ladle gravy over each "pillow" and serve.
Scrub and rinse potatoes a couple of times. Some of the peel may come off in this process. Bring to boil enough water to cover potatoes. Add potatoes and boil for three minutes. Drain. In a frying, melt 2 tablespoons butter per cup of potatoes. Cook potatoes in butter until tender and golden. Drain fat. Return potatoes to pan. Add one tablespoon butter per cup of potatoes. As butter melts, shake pan and roll potatoes in pan until they are golden and slightly crisp. Add finely chopped parsley or add herbs to last round of butter. Serve warm as a side dish.
Drizzle chilled dressing over salad. Gently toss to coat.