Big Daddy's serving up southern fare
|
|
October 18, 2013 |
 |
By Mike Weland
 After more than a decade of sitting empty, an
historic Porthill establishment is once again
open and vibrant, with a new look in keeping
with the old, a spirit of days long missed, and
a return to fun and food the entire family can
enjoy.
For decades, Roy’s Place was a community Mecca,
a place for good food, convivial company, great
music and good times.
The late Roger Guthrie waxed eloquent on KBFI in
its waning days in the late 90s about he and his
brothers playing dances there in the 40s, 50s
and 60s, talking of the fun they had.
“I believe I introduced the hogophone at a dance
there,” he told me in my days as a DJ. “People
loved it, but a hogophone was hard to play … you
held a pig under one arm, and tried to squeeze
him so he’d sing the right note at the right
time …”
It’s not Roy’s Place anymore, but Ploman
Sheppard, now manager of Big Daddy’s Bar & Grill
in that historic venue, aims at bringing back
the charm, good times and great food Roy’s was
once famous for, of reviving a local legend to
glory.
He credits his Dad, Mike Sheppard Senior, and
his big brother, Mike Junior, owners of the
Porthill Mercantile, with coming up with the
vision, more than a year in the making, and with
plenty of work yet to go.
They opened June 10 this year, and they’re still
at work.
Well beyond the date they held their Grand
Opening, barely announced October 5, over 400
filled the house, feasting on authentic southern
barbecue, skating the dance floor to great live,
local music, shooting pool, throwing darts.
That’s what Ploman said the goal is.
“This is a place where the whole family is
welcome,” he said.
The renewed interior, full of natural wood
furnishings both comfortable and inviting, isn’t
too far a cry from the establishment’s heyday of
years gone by.
“My dad has put together a history of this
pace,” Ploman said. “Long before it was Roy’s
place, this was a home, and he talked to two
girls who were born and raised here. They’re
both in their 90s now.”
I apologize profusely, I haven’t yet talked of
food.
Pizza piled high and heavy, far bigger than a
small Army can eat for $20 or less.
Hot southern chili with nary a frijole (no
beans) piled high with melted cheese and enough
kick to make you think you met a mule.
They offer softer fare for the less adventurous,
(or not … try their monster two foot bratwurst)
… beer, wine and soft drinks.
But if you truly want to enjoy all Big Daddy’s
Bar & Grill has to offer, visit on a Friday
evening, between 4 p.m. to closing.
Racks of barbecue pork ribs that will melt in
your mouth and make your taste buds want to get
up and dance, your choice of dry rub or house
sauce. Either way, a good time is guaranteed.
It’s almost like going to the best house in
Louisiana or Mississippi, except you drive
north.
Big Daddy’s Bar & Grill is open from 11 a.m. to
9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and from 11 a.m.
to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, serving
both lunch and dinner. To find out more, call
(208) 267-0434. |
|
Questions or comments about this
article?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
