THE CHEAT SHEET
Breakfast Buffet
Lesley ’ s Homestyle Cafe & Catering
I GREW UP IN A SMALL TOWN and have always loved locally-owned restaurants that embrace “ downhome cooking ” – added bonus if that also means including a bit of healthy fare on the menu , too . So , when friend Paul Kiger invited me and my family to New Middletown , Indiana , to enjoy breakfast at Lesley ’ s Homestyle Cafe & Catering , we were all in .
The drive from New Albany took a little more than 20 minutes and was beautiful , especially once we got off I-64 West . ( If you opt to take the Ohio River Scenic Byway , the drive is even prettier and will only take about 30 minutes .)
The town may be small – population 93 , according to the 2010 census – but the hospitality offered to visitors looms large . We were warmly greeted at Lesley ’ s Homestyle Cafe & Catering by employees and our fellow diners . Owner Lesley McPhillips ( who also happens to be Paul ’ s sister ) and her team are visible from the dining room as they whip up all kinds of goodies , wash dishes and greet guests . Known for her catering , there are lots of us who are thankful she decided to open up a brick ’ n ‘ mortar eatery .
My husband , our 2-year-old and I enjoyed the Breakfast Buffet ($ 8.50 ), which had a variety of dishes , including fluffy eggs , biscuits , sausage gravy , perfectly cooked bacon and fresh fruit , among other items . Everything was delicious and freshly made . Now , despite the fact that it was morning and far too early for dessert – plus , I ’ d done a decent job of eating healthfully – I ordered a slice of the Strawberry Delight Cake ($ 2.75 ) anyway because I ’ d been told it was a can ’ t-miss sweet made with love by Linda Windell ( Lesley and Paul ’ s mother ). That couldn ’ t be truer . Try the cake .
Lesley ’ s Homestyle Cafe & Catering is open 11 a . m . to 8 p . m . Tuesday , 8 a . m . to 8 p . m . Friday and Saturday and 8 a . m . to 4 p . m . Sunday . The breakfast buffet is served 8 a . m . to 12 p . m . Saturday and Sunday . Keep an eye on the Facebook page to stay up-to-date on the happenings . Recent highlights have included ribeye steak dinners cooked however you please , Taco Tuesday , a Friday night seafood bar and an Italian-themed menu .
By Angie Fenton
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LESLEY ’ S HOMESTYLE CAFE & CATERING 3975 Main St . New Middletown , Indiana 812.968.4813 @ cateringlesley on Facebook
42 EXTOL SPORTS / MARCH 2018