Less than 10 miles south of Spokane Valley, a new restaurant has opened its doors at 12212 E. Palouse Highway, in Valleyford.

The Porchlight, a trade name for Porchlight's On LLC, is owned and operated by entrepreneurs Karli and Joshua McKee, who also own Spokane Valley-based Atlas Staffing Inc.

The restaurant offers a menu of traditional breakfast items, including sausage gravy and eggs, breakfast burritos, and loaded tater tot bowls. Popular entree items include flatbreads, salads, and wraps, says Karli McKee. Small bites, such as chicken wings and quesadillas are also available, she adds.

The McKees operate The Porchlight with their family, she says. All three of the couple's children work at the restaurant alongside 10 employees. McKee manages the kitchen and bakes all the desserts, which include cheesecakes and warm chocolate cookies served with milk. To accommodate time for baking, Mondays are designated as coffee-only days, with limited hours from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“That’s kind of the only day I have to do all of that,” she says.

The rest of the week, The Porchlight’s regular hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

One of the things that makes The Porchlight stand out, McKee contends, is something she says guests may not even notice at first — everything on the menu is gluten-free.

“I have celiac disease … and I’m very sensitive,” McKee explains. 

When the McKees decided to open the restaurant — which features a small kitchen space of 9 feet by 12 feet — it was essential to create a space where she could both work and eat safely. That meant making the entire menu gluten-free, without compromising on the flavor and familiarity of traditional menu items. 

“It’s been really well received,” McKee says of the concept, adding that most people are surprised the items are gluten-free. “Our goal is to just have really good food regardless.” 

The restaurant opened to the public on May 30 in a building that has a long history in the Valleyford area, McKee notes. Previously, the space formerly housed the coffee shop On Sacred Grounds, and more recently, The Palouse Brew House. After sitting vacant since 2019, the McKees saw an opportunity for the property.

“We just live two minutes north ... with our goats, highland cows, and chickens,” McKee says, noting that she lives on a 20-acre farm. “We would drive up Madison (Road) every day … and ask, ‘what could that be?’ It would be so cool to have a place one day that the community comes and gathers. And so it worked out.”

True to its name, McKee says The Porchlight was created to feel like home. Inspired by lyrics from Tim McGraw's country song "Meanwhile Back at Mama’s,"  the restaurant aims to offer a welcoming space where guests feel like they’re dining with friends.

“There's a line that says, ‘The porch light's on, come on in if you wanna. Supper’s on the stove, and beer’s in the fridge,’” she says. “We want to see a place where people can feel like they're coming and sitting on your front porch and that they are family.”

The Porchlight offers outdoor seating for nearly 50 guests, with Adirondack chairs, umbrellas, and cornhole available. A firepit is planned at the site once burn bans are lifted.

“They love coming and sitting out there,” McKee says of visitors.

Inside, the restaurant has an occupancy of up to 35 people. Additional tables will be added indoors during colder months.

The Porchlight offers weekly specials, including Tater Tot Tuesdays, with $2 off bowls or free loaded tots dishes with the purchase of multiple entrees. Wing Wednesdays feature $2 beer with the purchase of wings. Trivia nights are coming soon, and in warmer weather the space hosts live music on Saturday nights, which was a big draw during the summer, McKee says.

Community response has been strong, she adds. 

“Some days, we’re like, ‘Call everybody in, we're packed,’” says Mckee. “And tonight, Freeman High School has a home game, so hopefully we’ll get some tailgaters ahead of the game.”

Though Valleyford may feel off the beaten path, McKee emphasizes, The Porchlight is closer than many anticipate.

“We’re not that far out,” she says. “We’re just 10 to 15 minutes from any point of the South Hill or in the Valley.”

Small Bites:

Bloody Mary Bash 2025, presented by Padrino Events and Ruby Hospitality, will be held Sunday, Oct. 26, from noon to 4 p.m. at Ruby on the River LLC, 700 N. Division, in Spokane.

The event will feature 13 regional bars and restaurants competing for the title of best bloody mary, all made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, says Padrino Events owner Dakota Goldman.

Some participating establishments include Uno Mas LLC, Blind Buck LLC,  Radio Bar Spokane LLC, The Lantern LLC, and others. Tickets are $35.

“Participants are encouraged to come in costume,” Goldman says. “There will be a costume contest, and we’ll have local haunters from Scarywood Theme Park that will be out in costume doing photo options.”

Ticket purchases include a 3-ounce bloody mary from all participating vendors, Goldman adds.