Border Fare Restaurant: More Than Just Mexican Food

Hidden Gems: From Super Premium Ice Cream to Home-Cooked Favorites

When Jeff and Lori Swensen purchased Border Fare Restaurant in July 2001, neither had any food service experience. Jeff was a formerly in electric motor repair, while Lori was a homemaker. Today, over two decades later, their restaurant has become a cornerstone of Harlan's dining scene with offerings that extend far beyond what many locals realize.

"I think even after this business has been here so long, people still just think it's Mexican food," Jeff explains, highlighting one of the biggest misconceptions about Border Fare.

The restaurant offers a unique blend of dining options that go well beyond what many people expect when they hear the name "Border Fare." As Jeff puts it, their food is "basically kind of a Tex-Mex, very Americanized Mexican food, not authentic whatsoever."

An Unexpected Journey

The Swensens' journey into restaurant ownership came about entirely by chance. "One day we had stopped in and noticed little table tents on the tables advertising the place for sale," Jeff recalls. "I just happened to ask one of the girls that worked there how things were going on getting the place sold, not even having any thoughts of purchasing."

That casual conversation in 2001 led to a major life change for the couple, who have now been married for nearly 38 years. Though they had no restaurant experience, they were fortunate to retain some key staff members who helped them learn the ropes.

"We had some real good employees that came with the place. A few of them actually trained us," Jeff remembers fondly. "They were really, really helpful."

A Menu Full of Surprises

While Border Fare is indeed known for its Tex-Mex cuisine, the restaurant offers much more than many customers realize. Their signature dish is the "Burrito Grande," which Jeff describes as "a gigantic burrito with about everything you can imagine put in it" topped with an in-house made enchilada sauce.

For those with smaller appetites, there's the "Little Grande," a scaled-down version that Jeff himself prefers these days. The menu also features fresh chicken—a favorite of Lori's and many customers—100% non-frozen Angus beef burgers, hand-breaded chicken tenderloins, pork loins, and the typical array of Mexican favorites like nachos, tacos, tostadas, and chimichangas.

But perhaps the most surprising menu section is the ice cream. What started as a small addition has grown significantly over the years.

Homemade Ice Cream: Border Fare's Sweet Secret

Using a small batch freezer that makes just half a gallon at a time, Jeff creates super premium homemade ice cream with a 12% milk fat base. After making each batch, it goes directly into a blast freezer to quickly bring it to the perfect temperature.

"We typically have about seven to nine flavors available at any time," Jeff explains. Popular options include Oreo, butter pecan, caramel cashew, bourbon maple praline, black walnut, red raspberry, peach, strawberry, butter brickle, vanilla bean, and double chocolate brownie—which "doesn't last very long after I make it."

Seasonal specialties appear throughout the year, with cinnamon, apple pie crunch, and pumpkin flavors making appearances during the holiday season. Jeff can even make bulk orders for you to take to your family gathering.

Beyond the premium batch-made ice cream, Border Fare also offers soft serve options with "flavor burst" technology that infuses one of eight flavors as the ice cream comes out of the machine. Customers can choose from options like black cherry, blue goo (cotton candy), cheesecake, and caramel.

Each soft serve order includes up to three mix-ins with the price, allowing for nearly endless combinations of flavors and textures.

Community Connection

The close-knit nature of Harlan played a significant role in keeping Border Fare afloat during challenging times like the pandemic. Jeff and Lori are emphatic about preferring small-town business over city life.

"I would never ever choose to have a restaurant in the city. Harlan is perfect," he states. "Especially through the pandemic, Harlan residents supported us so much."

That community connection continues today. After only having their drive up window open for four years during and after the pandemic, Border Fare has gradually reopened the dining room. Monday through Thursday, with hopes to expand to Friday and Saturday once staffing allows.

Jeff and Lori have been delighted to welcome regulars back into the space he describes as having a "lodge type look" with a "real cozy" atmosphere.

Inside, customers find more than just comfortable seating. A complimentary salsa bar offers free chips, mild sauce, mild relish, pico de gallo, pepperoncini peppers, jalapeños, and homemade hot and mild sauces.

A Family Affair

The restaurant remains very much a family business. During daytime hours, Lori cooks while their daughter Cynthia manages the front of the restaurant. Meanwhile, Jeff does the ordering and daily maintenance. Jeff and Lori show obvious pride in their teamwork.

Lori particularly enjoys the culinary side of the business. "I love making the food," she says, adding that she especially enjoys when they get busy. "We run three or four people per shift, but during the day, we only have the two of us."

The energy of a bustling restaurant clearly inspires the mother-daughter team. As Jeff puts it, "They're quite the team."

Drive-Through Convenience with Fresh-Made Quality

Border Fare's drive-through window offers something special – restaurant-quality food with added convenience. This feature has become a cornerstone of their business.

"Our drive-through window is a huge part," Jeff explains. Unlike typical fast-food service, Border Fare makes everything fresh to order – no pre-made items waiting under heat lamps.

For the best experience, Jeff recommends calling ahead to 712-755-5544. "It's mostly call in and pick up is what we prefer," he notes. While customers can order directly at the window, they should expect to wait for their freshly prepared food, especially for items like chicken that require longer cooking times.

This approach delivers the perfect balance – the convenience of a drive-through with the quality of freshly prepared food that Border Fare is known for.

Looking Ahead

With the dining room now welcoming customers again Monday through Thursday, the Swensens are enthusiastic about Border Fare's future. The restaurant's interior already maintains its warm, inviting lodge-like atmosphere that customers have missed, and now exterior improvements are next on the agenda.

"This spring, we're gonna start pouring concrete and maybe re-siding," Jeff shares with excitement. These renovations will give the beloved local establishment a refreshed appearance to match its cozy interior, completing the vision the Swensens have for their restaurant's environment.

"We keep it nice and warm in there in the wintertime and it's just a real cozy place to come in and eat," Jeff says, describing the welcoming atmosphere that keeps customers coming back year after year.

The Border Fare Difference

After more than 20 years serving the Harlan community, the Swensens have created something special: a restaurant that combines Tex-Mex favorites with American classics and homemade super premium ice cream, all served with small-town attention to quality and consistency.

"In a smaller area, it's more repeat customers you have to rely on," Jeff observes. "You have to make sure and try and keep your food consistent."

This commitment to quality, combined with their unique menu offerings and connection to the community, has helped Border Fare become a Harlan staple. From their signature Burrito Grande to Jeff's handcrafted ice cream creations, there's always something new to discover.

"Harlan is perfect," Jeff emphasizes with genuine appreciation. "Harlan residents supported us so much."

That connection with the community continues to fuel their passion for serving up delicious food and creating a welcoming space for the town they love. Whether you're coming for the "very Americanized" Mexican food, the fresh chicken that Lori loves, or a scoop of bourbon maple praline ice cream that "doesn't last very long after I make it," Border Fare offers a taste of Harlan's hospitality at its finest.

Visit Border Fare Restaurant at 1704 Chatburn Avenue in Harlan to experience their unique blend of Tex-Mex favorites, freshly prepared American classics, and homemade super premium ice cream. Follow them on Facebook for menu updates and to see what new ice cream flavors Jeff has created. The dining room is currently open Monday through Thursday, with drive-through service available throughout their business hours. Call 712-755-5544 to place your order ahead for faster pickup through their convenient drive-through window. Whether you're craving a Burrito Grande, fresh chicken, or a scoop of Jeff's homemade maple bourbon praline ice cream, Border Fare offers a taste of Harlan hospitality you won't want to miss.