local foodie
Dining In and Out Charley Beck isn’t the type of guy to miss breakfast, especially around here. In fact, for the past several months, he’s been to 17 restaurants that serve breakfast in what he likes to call the “Evans-burgh” area. And he’s not just trying to eat the most important meal of the day. “It’s nice having local places that provide great meals, have unique atmospheres, and offer service by owners and families,” Beck says. With the help of Evansville Living’s Dining Directory, he’s been to a number of restaurants including Bits & Bytes Deli, Coffee Cottage & Café, Inlumi Café & Bakery, The Carousel, The Pie Pan, Libby & Mom’s Café, and the Darmstadt Inn. So far, he doesn’t have a favorite. Beck does praise the unique breakfast offerings at Inlumi, however. And since he works part-time at the Comfort Inn & Suites on E. Walnut Street, he uses the Dining
Directory as his resource when guests ask for dining suggestions. Beck was inspired to eat at locally-owned, non-national chain restaurants from the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” show, which stars Guy Fieri. This wildhaired, tattooed restaurateur features unique and interesting restaurants throughout the country, and Beck thought one of “Evans-burgh’s” restaurants might fit the bill. Beck still is looking, however, for the restaurant that, in his eyes, really stands out above the rest. “Eating at local eateries does tend to support diversity,” he says, adding that he likes the idea of helping local businesses. — Machael Wade
dining local // Charley Beck enjoys his breakfast at the Coffee Cottage & Café — a mixed-berry scone and coffee.
Photo by hannah jay
Charley Beck takes a culinary tour of Evansville
Turn to page 112 to browse our Dining Directory, or visit it online at evansvilleliving.com/dining.
hot dish
a little shack of goodness
Photo by laura m. mathis
Memphis-style, dry-rubbed, and
Memphis & Main BBQ is located at 4946 Indiana Hwy. 261 in Newburgh, Ind. For more information, call 812-858-0111 or find it on Facebook. Memphis & Main BBQ is open for lunch and dinner Thursday-Sunday from 11 a.m. until sell-out around 7 p.m., May-October.
slow-smoked barbecue has made its way to Newburgh, Ind. Originally founded by Brian and Katie Shonk in Paris, Ill., in July 2009, Memphis & Main BBQ became an established small roadside barbecue stand. With the mission to serve great food and take the guesswork out of barbecuing, Brian worked to perfect his barbecue culinary skills after studying the cuisines of the Midwest and Middle East. Brian and Katie, who lived in Dubai for a year, opened Memphis & Main BBQ in Newburgh in May. Similar to a yard barn, Memphis & Main BBQ is located in the middle of the parking lot at Newburgh Plaza. It offers a quick, drive-through service to those wanting hassle-free, good eats with hearty portions. If you’re in the mood to stay awhile, you will soon be able to take advantage of the restaurant’s fenced-in, al fresco seating area projected to be completed by the middle of July.
“The best barbecue places come with an explanation,” says Brian, adding that one customer called it a “little shack of goodness.” Memphis & Main BBQ takes pride in creating sauces made with natural ingredients and has incorporated some non-traditional aspects by using fruit-based items and no high-fructose corn syrup. Customers can choose from the restaurant’s five homemade BBQ sauces: Original, Sweet Pineapple, Carolina Vinegar, Sunshine Mustard, and XXX Ghost Pepper. Customers soon will be able to purchase Memphis & Main BBQ’s bottled sauces at the restaurant, online, and possibly at local stores. Memphis & Main BBQ meats are smoked over white oak instead of hickory, bringing back the old Tennessee methods of barbecuing, Brian says. “It’s just using the best meat, the best ingredients, and traditional cooking methods,” Brian says. “Our signature is simple — quality and doing it right.” — Kaitlin Crane
EvansvilleLiving.com July | August 2013 107