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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Gravy Train

Breakfast food in Evansville just got an upgrade. The regional southern comfort chain Biscuit Belly had its grand opening event at 7:30 a.m. July 21. Entering the parking lot at 6:45 a.m., a line of hungry customers could be seen winding around the building at 945 N. Burkhardt Road.

But Biscuit Belly — open 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday-Sunday — officially opened its doors July 17. So, why were patrons queuing down the block?

“The gift card!” says Evansville native Pat Schroeder.

To celebrate the grand opening, the first 50 people in the door received a $100 gift card for future purchases, with the following customers receiving free T-shirts and mugs while supplies lasted. Schroeder and her family and friends were the first in line and arrived at 1:15 a.m. to claim their spot for a gift card and a delicious breakfast.

“We heard there were a lot of good reviews on (Biscuit Belly),” she says.

Local coverage of the new restaurant has been overwhelmingly positive. From the clean, bright atmosphere of the dining room to the innovative twists on the menu, the reviews aren’t surprising.

Co-owners and founders Chuck Schnatter, CEO Chad Coulter, and director of Franchise Sales and Development Lauren Coulter oversaw the grand opening, even picking up silverware and setting up tables before unlocking the front doors and welcoming guests.

The Evansville spot is Biscuit Belly’s fourth company-owned store, but Biscuit Belly International, LLC also franchises locations across the region.

“The response has been phenomenal,” says Schnatter. “Yesterday, crowds were out the door before we opened, just like today, and we’re expecting a huge day today. This is not just a run-of-the-mill breakfast place. Our executive chef Tavis Rockwell designed the menu; it’s very unique.”

Based on biscuits and gravy, Biscuit Belly’s menu expands the traditional dish to create shareable appetizers, biscuit sandwiches, classic sides, four homemade gravies and sauces, and some sweet dishes.

The Rockwell biscuit sandwich is a standout in stature and taste. One of Schnatter’s favorite items, the buttermilk biscuit stuffed with fried chicken breast, cheddar cheese, and goetta (a German sausage blend) sausage gravy can be upgraded to a Rockwell Supreme by adding an over-easy egg and bacon to the towering dish.

While the Rockwell offers hearty, protein-packed flavors, the Go Goetta — signature goetta sausage gravy over biscuits — is still a go-to favorite for some, such as friends Sarah Barnett, Kylie O’Nan, and Sarah Hancock.

“We’re very excited,” says Barnett, who joined the line at 4:30 a.m. “We just love biscuits!”

From the crowd still growing outside Biscuit Belly as customers sat down to enjoy their long-awaited meals, it would seem much of Evansville shares Barnett’s sentiment. And after enjoying the Rockwell Supreme for breakfast, so do I!

biscuitbelly.com
 

Jodi Keen
Jodi Keen
Jodi Keen is the managing editor of Evansville Living and Evansville Business magazines.

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