PD Ward, her husband CT Ward, and daughter Amanda opened Wonkey Donkey, a wood-fired pizza restaurant, on Calvert’s main street in November 2019. Just 5 miles away from their miniature donkey ranch, Wonkey Donkey got its name from Ward’s spouse.
“My husband doesn’t call them donkeys all of the time,” says Ward, owner of Wonkey Donkey. “They’re usually wonky this, crazy that, or dang donkey—things of that nature.”
If the wacky name isn’t enough, the restaurant has large, turquoise doors and a 6-foot donkey standing out front. Inside, a few of Ward’s paintings of her donkeys hang around the restaurant, and even the bathrooms look like a donkey barn. The 4,000 square foot building, built in 1890, has been completely refurbished with Ward’s “repurposed” decor. A real silo in the front hosts their gift shop with handmade horseshoe art and candles, as well as other gifts.
“We have a lot of little things that you can’t imagine unless you came in to see it,” says Ward.
One table is a tailgate from a Chevrolet truck hanging off the wall, and the chandeliers are made out of wine bottles. This eclectic eatery also has pool tables, TVs, electronic darts, cornhole, and a jukebox to keep customers entertained. Every third Saturday of the month, the Wonkey Donkey hosts a karaoke night and towards the end of the month hosts a craftsmen lineup, including woodworkers, forgers, ceramic painters, and chainsaw artists. Each month has a theme played out in special menu items, decoration, and the kids crafting corner on the second Saturday of the month.
“We try to do a lot of interesting things to keep in a good flow of entertainment as well as the food and the drinks,” says Ward.
Wonkey Donkey offers a full wine bar, collaborating with nine vineyards, and a decent-sized beer menu. Ward and her team also have small menu items kept on a regular basis like jalapeno popper hamburgers, waffle fries, barbeque brisket paninis, pulled pork nachos, tomato bisque soup, salads, and more. But, the pizza is a new must for Calvert locals.
“I’ve had a couple of them say we’ve ruined them because they used to go to a chain pizza company,” says Ward. “Now they just can’t because it’s just not the same.”
Wonkey Donkey has around 20 to 30 regulars, some of whom, even through quarantine, have ordered from the Wonkey Donkey every week. As a new business in a small town, the Wonkey Donkey was heavily affected by the pandemic, doing about65% less business than before COVID-19. Opening to 50% capacity was helpful for this large restaurant that’s able to accommodate a lot more people than smaller venues. The spacious setting has also hosted big events such as dinner parties, Christmas parties, and live concerts.
“It has the capability to do higher-end events with linens and then it has the capability to be a honky tonk,” says Ward. “I want to call it ‘ranch elegance.’
“For bigger events, Ward has help from friends and family from Arkansas and Galveston. Even members of the local sheriff’s department sometimes tend the bar or help in the kitchen. One of Ward’s goals for the Wonkey Donkey is for it to become more of an event center for the small town of Calvert.
“I want to know I’m doing enough entertaining things to keep a small local town excited,” says Ward. “You know we need something to do.
“Kids are always welcome at the Wonkey Donkey, but usually past 10 p.m., the restaurant has more of an adult environment. Ward emphasizes children are welcome anytime and the restaurant is prepared to entertain them too.
“I’d love for everyone, safely, to see it first hand,” says Ward. “I’m hopeful for the future because I believe in the Wonkey Donkey. It has a lot to offer.”