Having never before done a food review, I was a little apprehensive on saying yes. Sure, I knew it entailed going to a restaurant, eating their food and giving my (long-winded) opinions on the matter but, what about the food? I wouldn’t call myself a picky eater, but my boyfriend and my mother sure would. It’s not that I’m picky, I just happen to know what I like, what I don’t like, and tend to stick to things that I’ve had before that passed. Going to a brand new place and trying something new gives me a mild case of anxiety. Obviously, I said yes for food is food, and boy do I love food, besides, I’ve been wanting to try out Main Gate Sports Bar & Restaurant anyway…
Nestled along Main Street downtown, this area is known for eateries that produce good food. While I come here once a month, it’s never any longer than to drop off the latest issue of this magazine. It’s always inviting, and every time I walk in, I’ve always wanted to hang out just a little longer. With nine flat screen televisions (all tuned to various sports programs, of course), and a brightly lit digital jukebox this place is ready to show its customers a good time, but it’s also evident that this good time isn’t going to involve Jell-o shooters, or plastic pitchers of beer. This is bar where everyone will eventually know your name, and a jolly man named Norm will have his seat to be able to see the entire bar. (I’m told there is a “Norm,” even says so on his stool.) This isn’t a typical sports bar. There are not clouds of smoke impairing taste buds and eyesight and nothing on the menu is “beer battered,” although some things may be lightly fried.
After choosing my seat at the bar, not in Norm’s seat, but one in the middle so I can still get a full view, I give the menu a once-over while owner Paul Hoskins gives me some insight on what to choose. I learn that many of the items have been around for years, all stemming from by-gone establishments. Like the Stromboli sandwich was thought up in Indianapolis in the 60s. I never know exactly where to start when perusing a menu, so I start at the top, and as much as I would like to indulge in the fried variety of vegetables, mushroom and zucchini especially, I decline and get right to the good stuff. What jumps out at my first is the grilled pork tenderloin sandwich. I consider myself an authority on all things tenderloin, and find myself disappointed with the outcome most times. Hoskins informs me he too loves a good tenderloin, and on that I’m sold – order up!
My meal arrives to the bar lightning fast, the wonderful and delicious smells reaching me before the solid food does. Here a steaming basket of the house fries and the sandwich are accompanied by a small tub of coleslaw. I try the potato portion first, which are wedges of a large potato seasoned and then baked to a golden brown. It’s nice to see sides baked in a bar. So many times it just seems easier for the cooks to throw them into a deep fryer for a while. I am so entranced with the potatoes I get sidetracked and forget about the real part of the dish I chose. I pick up the pork tenderloin sandwich and already know I’m in for a treat, which is confirmed by my first bite. Just like the potatoes the meat is seasoned to perfection, juicy, and has an overall smoky char that I thought only came from outdoor grill masters. I ate it plain, no need to muck up the tastes with extra dressings. Between bites of my fries and my tenderloin, I was able to fit time in for the coleslaw. Crisp, and tangy and again seasoned to perfection. As I was finishing the main course, an option of desert came up. Hoskins loves his cakes, and changes them up each week. This week it was a chocolate cake with a Heath bar twist, and the weekly cheesecake was a blackberry/blueberry combination. While I love cheesecake, I love chocolate more, and am glad those fries were baked because this PIECE of cake is enormous. Three layers, covered in homemade whipped cream, and caramel butter cream icing, but well worth the caloric intake of the next two days. They don’t call cake a “treat” for nothing.
It’s certainly a pleasure to dine in restaurant that offers such a casual, yet upscale feel. And while it’ll take me another dozen or so visits to enjoy the entire menu, I believe this is a place where picky eaters can go and be satisfied.
_______________________________________________________________________
Photo Credit Daniel Knight
