By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

"Premium Ribs or fresh cut steak?" That is an eeny, meeny, miny, moe question when dining at the Blue Moon Restaurant, because both are customer menu favorites. A Ponca City landmark for over a half a century, the restaurant, 1418 South Avenue, serves town, country, foreigners and celebrity customers, with the same philosophy, "good food and good service," according to the feisty owner, 82-year old Millie Norman Haas.

Four generations of customers have been coming to the Blue Moon to enjoy barbecued ribs, quality steaks or the Russian Salad, as well as a number of other specialities. Autographed pictures at the restaurant are testament to the quality of food and service. Oscar winning movie star Ben Johnson, loved to hang out at the Moon.

After receiving a gift of two slabs of ribs, Roseanne Barr of television fame, ordered more slabs and sent an autographed photo with greetings to the "Blue Moon gang." Chill Wills, vaudeville actor, was a patron. Movie stars Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton often dined at the Moon, while here filming the movie "Twister."

On an every day basis you can find politicians, bankers, lawyers, financial advisors, car dealers, ranchers, farmers and a whole lot of other folks and kids chomping down on menu favorites. Or carting home that those traditional barbeque or salad dressings. The authentic decor of the Moon is accented by the chimney lamp hanging chandeliers, and the wooden tables and black leather backed booths.

Millie has had a long history of restaurant experience here and in Weatherford, Okla., and California. She and her late husband Chick Norman (the official name of the eatery is Chick and Millie's Blue Moon), began their career as restaurateurs in 1960. Chick was the manager.

The couple purchased the former Dick and Runt's BBQ and tavern from Chick's relatives Frank and Sylvia Reagan. The Blue Moon had been located a block west of the present location. They purchased the land for the present location from Thad Tucker and decided to restore the original the Blue Moon. Over the years the building has been added onto and updated several times. Currently it seats 189.

Often groups of 20 or more, which may be family or business groups, dine at the restaurant. One of the funnier incidents happened when a large group of French visitors gathered to dine at the legendary restaurant with no interpreter. So to accommodate the Europeans, the Blue Moon kitchen prepared several dinners, so they could look at them and point to their menu choice.

Millie has put to use the skills she learned at Beverly's in Weatherford and at the Pen and Quill in Manhattan Beach, Calif., where she worked closely with the chef to learn the secrets of speciality sauces and dressings. She has recreated some of those dressings "close" to the California chef's and they are served in the restaurant. Pen and Quill was owned by Bob Reuben, who worked for Rueters of London. The restaurant featured framed pictures of celebrities and it was an honor to be "hung on the walls at Pen and Quill."

Although Patricia Feathers has been the manager for over 20 years, Millie still drops in regularly to check out the kitchen activities and to be sure everything is going smoothly and the customers are happy. Several of the Moore sisters and daughters continue to work at the cafe. The servers are always instructed to ask the customers if everything is all right and if something is wrong to let them know. The biggest tip was garnered by Feathers, who received $150 for a table of diners.

Basically the menu has remained the same, with the exception of adding deep fried boneless chicken breast, cod and halibut steaks. Also a light line has been added.

The Blue Moon is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday thru Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday.