A HIDDEN GEM IN PRATT
Destination Pratt was created by Lisa Coss and Raul Rios of RaRa, Inc. with a simple but powerful vision: to share the stories that make Pratt special. From highlighting local businesses to mapping nearby towns like Haviland, Greensburg, and Cunningham, the magazine has become a place where the community’s hidden treasures are celebrated.
One such treasure is tucked away on the campus of Pratt Community College, where Jim Lemon has been running the café for nearly a decade. Though many assume the café is just for students and staff, it’s open to the entire community—and it’s worth the visit.
From Temporary to Timeless
Jim never planned to make the café his long-term home. Years ago, a friend asked him to fill in temporarily after another staff member left. He agreed, thinking it would be short-lived. Nine years later, he’s still here.
“When I first started, it was basically concessions,” Jim recalls. “Popcorn, candy, a few snacks, and a little home grill.” Things have changed dramatically since then. With vision, persistence, and a lot of help from student workers, the café has expanded into a full-service eatery offering breakfast, hearty lunches, sandwiches, rice bowls, and salads. Today, it’s not unusual for lines of hungry students—and community members—to form at the counter.
Jim’s path to PCC combined his love of food with his knack for numbers. He and his wife, Robin, first met while managing Sonic before moving into positions with Long John Silver’s and Arby’s. Eventually, Jim turned his focus to business and accounting background that has proven invaluable. “College runs on measurements and numbers,” Jim explains. “I’m the same way. I like to see how we’re doing, what’s working, and where we can improve.” That business mindset is part of what keeps the café thriving, even in the face of rising food costs.
Robin has also played an important role in this journey. She works at the café and has been a tremendous support to Jim since he first started there, offering help on and off for many years. Her steady presence and dedication have complemented Jim’s work, making her an integral part of their shared story.
More Than a Meal: A Classroom in Action.
What makes the café truly special is the role students play. Many of the staff are work-study students, subsidized through federal programs. Jim doesn’t just give them a job—he gives them real-world business training. “The sophomores interview the freshmen. They make the work schedule. They help with training. By the end of the year, they even choose who will lead the team next,” he explains. Students don’t just learn how to cook; they learn customer service, accountability, and even the basics of money management. “Counting change isn’t something many kids are taught anymore,” Jim says. “Here, they get those life skills.”
His influence extends beyond the café. Jim has even hosted an international student, offering her a home while she attended PCC. That student also created one of the café’s most popular dishes— the chicken and rice bowl, now a customer favorite.
A Community Café
The café is open Monday through Friday, serving breakfast and lunch until 2 p.m., with evening hours during the week when games are being held in the Beaver Dome. And yes—the public is welcome. Locals might be surprised to learn the menu consists of many crowd-pleasing items: giant pancakes, breakfast burritos, biscuits and gravy, Philly fries, fresh salads, and their famous rice bowls.
Everything is made to order, affordable, and served with care. “I don’t think people realize this isn’t just for the college,” says one longtime fan. “If they knew how good the food was, they’d come. I enjoy visiting Jim as he is always so kind and welcoming.”
Customers can dine in or call ahead for takeout. Bringing your friends or family to games, grabbing dinner and catching a PCC matchup makes for a fun—and affordable—evening out.
Looking Ahead
As the café grows, Jim hopes to see more updates to make the kitchen more efficient, like a new point-of-sale system and layout improvements. But even as technology changes, his focus stays on people—feeding them, teaching them, and creating community. Perhaps that’s why the café has quietly become one of Pratt’s best-kept secrets. If you’re looking for a hearty meal, a warm welcome, and a glimpse of the heart behind PCC, stop by Beaver Bites café and visit Jim. It’s more than just food—it’s a place where students learn, friendships form, and the community comes together.
LOCATED INSIDE
Denish Lesh Sports Arena Room #59
HOURS:
Monday thru Thursday
9:00 am - 1:00pm
6:00 pm-10:00pm
(During semester. Grill shuts down at 9:30pm)
Call ahead to place order at
620-450-2555
