Carson City landmark Woody's Diner to close

If you haven't had the Grunch or the chocolate and potato chip milkshake at Woody's Diner, you have until the end of the month to try out these eclectic treats before this locals' hangout closes its doors.

Frank and Patricia Gomez announced this week that they will be closing the longtime diner/liquor store/gas station on Aug. 31, one day before Frank's 75th birthday.

"We've had people coming in crying, they can't believe it, they are in shock," Patricia said. "I love the restaurant business. I cook, I waitress, I yell at people. I got my own way with people. Frank is quiet, and I'm the feisty one. I will sure miss it."

The couple can't agree on just how long they have operated the diner. Frank says 18 years, Patricia says 19.

But they do agree it's time for them to take a rest because of Frank's health. Patricia said there are some days when Frank can barely walk, and his hands are in so much pain that she has to be his hands for him.

"I looked at Frank and thought about my beautiful friends, and said, I don't want to do this anymore," Patricia said. "I don't. Frank is more important to me, and I don't know what I would do without him."

They will miss most the customers they have befriended over the years.

"We have met the greatest people here," Patricia said. "These are the kind of people I'd bring to my house for dinner, and I have brought some of them."

The nondescript little diner located between a lingerie shop and a Mexican restaurant on the south end of Carson Street may not look like much.

And not much has changed since Frank and Patricia bought it.

"About the only thing new in this store are the chairs," Patricia said. "When we put this desk in, the locals said, 'You can't do that! You can't change anything!' Frank put a new carpet in, and they had a fit. We only painted it one time. They won't let us do anything else. They want to preserve this. It is history."

What brings people in is the much-talked-about food, much of it derived from Patricia's special recipes, like the famous chocolate potato chip milkshake.

"Ben & Jerry don't even have that!" she laughed.

Then there is Grunch, which Patricia says is so good she doesn't even put it on the menu.

"If you don't pronounce it right, you don't get to have it," she said.

The Woody Cakes are pancakes bigger than a large plate. Patricia tells a story about a boy who she said has come in every week and has tried to eat a whole Woody Cake, but hasn't succeeded so far.

"She will come up with some weird recipes that no one else ever thought of," Frank said.

Patricia said the Food Network show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" asked to shoot a segment at Woody's, and she told them no.

"They said we would be the only place to ever say no, and I told them I don't care, because they would get my recipes," Patricia said. "And they looked at me like I was crazy."

But if someone wants to buy the restaurant and keep it going, Patricia said she would include those recipes with it.

If no buyer is found, the couple is ready to close the doors and walk away.

"I got to know a lot of people and I've made some great friends and I really enjoy doing the work," Frank said. "But you reach a point where you can't do it no more. And I've reached that point."