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