By JANET STOICA

Did someone say Wild Bill Hickok?  Nope, he’s not in right now. But is there someone else who can help you at Saloon 6?  How about the on-point staff of cooks, waiters, and bartenders?  Ahhh yes, at last there is another well-run and efficient restaurant in the Webster environs and the owners are no beginners to the restaurant trade.  Bob Zalewski and Eric Gulkin are partners in this newest dining venture. Mr. Zalewski used to run the Doc Holliday Restaurant at the same location a number of years ago. Both partners knew what they needed and wanted on their staff and menu. The goal? Good and delicious portions of food served up well for the amount paid. And, it seems to be working. 

Their menu is extensive from a fried Fisherman’s Platter filled with haddock, scallops, whole-belly clams, and shrimp served with hand-cut fries and house coleslaw to a 14-oz. prime rib and everything in-between including homemade pizzas and BLTs. Appetizers include calamari with hot pepper rings to salmon cakes served over farmer’s salsa topped with cilantro aioli, even boneless spicy maple chicken wings. Desserts are few but simply delicious like their house-made whoopie pie with ice cream and whipped cream. Hungry yet? 

“We’ve had so many diners visiting us that we’ve been running out of food. We are happy to use only local food service vendors and they have accommodated us in our crunch times. We pride ourselves on good quality food at a fair price,” said Mr. Zalewski. “We’ve planned a good variety to our menu. Our pizza dough is made fresh daily and proofs overnight for the next day so when we run out, that’s it until tomorrow. Our juicy fried chicken and waffles is a big hit with our customers as well as our good-sized burgers, homemade fried mozzarella slices, and fresh-cut fries. All of our food is made fresh daily.”  Bob also notes that the staff is absolutely phenomenal and all areas are kept very sanitary and up to code. Tracy Sweeney is the restaurant manager. Additionally, they are in process of installing acoustical ceiling tiles to create a more pleasant restaurant experience.

Live weekend entertainment has begun on Saturdays from 9-11 p.m. with a late night menu during entertainment hours. 

But Saloon 6. What’s up with the name? Both Eric Gulkin and Bob Zalewski appreciate western themes so, if you’ve ever been to Wild Bill Hickok’s haunt out west, you’d know that right off 

Interstate 90 in Deadwood, South Dakota is a place named Legendary Old Style Saloon No. 10 famously and traditionally known as the stomping grounds for America’s Old West legend, Wild Bill Hickok. Here is where Bill met his maker. They say he was gunned down playing poker in 1876. He held a two-pair poker hand of aces and eights along with a nine of diamonds that has come to be known as a Dead Man’s Hand.  So, if you’re ready for an adventure, hop on your steed and gallop your way down the Mass Pike West, otherwise known as I-90, all the way to Deadwood where you certainly won’t be disappointed as re-enactments of Wild Bill’s last moments are held daily. The atmosphere is pretty authentic. By the time you return to the humbler surroundings of Webster, you’ll be ready to chow down on some of the best food east of Deadwood and your belly will thank you for it.

Oh, and you won’t see any tumbleweeds rolling through their parking lot as diners’ vehicles are packing the place daily. A very fortuitous outcome for the owners and staff. The time must pass quickly for their culinary and wait staff with non-stop orders being cooked up and served up for their customers’ welcoming appetites. They probably could use a chuck wagon out back! 

Saloon 6 Bar & Eatery, 141 Worcester Road, Webster MA 01570. Phone: (508) 461-7216.

Hours: Sun-Wed 11:30-11 p.m. Kitchen closes at 9 p.m.; Thurs/Fri/Sat open until 1 a.m. Kitchen open until 11 p.m. with late night menu from 9-11 p.m.  Find them on Facebook. 

Contact Janet: [email protected]