As you walk into the bright yellow building on Ambler Avenue, prepare yourself for one of Abilene’s newest restaurants: Walker’s Crossing. A native of the Big Country, Tina Walker and her daughter, Courtney, are the dynamic duo behind Abilene’s newest gourmet sandwich shop.

The shop, which opened on Dec. 26, is located at 542 E. Ambler Ave., in the former Free Kick Soccer location.

Family is important here, Walker said. Most menu items are inspired by or actual recipes of Tina Walker’s grandmother. Even the name Walker’s Crossing comes from a homestead that Walker’s grandparents had in Waco.

Walker served as a waitress for various restaurant and truck stops such as the Beehive and The Loft for 25 years before going back to school to own her own restaurant, a longtime dream of hers.

“When you don’t have someone looking over your shoulder, the job is fun,” Walker said.

Menu options include salads, soups, sandwiches, wraps, and potpies, which happen to be a favorite among the male crowd, Walker said. There are also plenty of options for vegetarians. Everything is made from scratch and uses fresh ingredients. A small sandwich with a side of chips is $3.75 and a large pasta with a side of toasted baguettes is only $5.95.

“We serve a variety of healthy and hearty lunch selections,” she said. “I grew up growing my own vegetables, so it was important that I bring that into my restaurant.”

For customers with a sweet tooth, desserts are all made in-house and you can pick up a slice of cheesecake or a triple-chocolate brownie for only $3.

Walker’s Crossing is open Monday – Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to allow Walker, a single mother, to spend time with her four children on evenings and weekends. They are also open by reservations for groups such as Bible studies in the mornings or afternoons and are also available to cater for events.