Rural Missouri - February 2014 - (Page 19)

O U T O F T H E JnL2 W A Y E A T S Unique dining destination combines a deli, meat market and bistro Others were created just for JnL2 by a close friend. The Dutchmen - a nod to the local high-school mascot - is a combination of turkey, uests who visit the JnL2 roast beef, ham and salami with Market in Owensville are Swiss cheese and yellow mustard. understandably confused The Lower East Side is sliced paswhen they walk through trami with Swiss cheese and horsethe door for the ﬁrst time. "Is this a radish sour cream on marble rye. grocery, a meat market, a deli or a Then there's the Butcher Block, restaurant?" they might ask. JnL2's signature sandwich. Some To this, Larry Lonigro simply photo by Jason Jenkins will struggle to open wide enough replies, "Yes." to eat this massive sandwich creThe eatery established ﬁve years From left, Luke, Larry and Joe Lonigro prepare to enjoy three favorites from their JnL2 ated in answer to Larry's demand ago in what was once a garage is bistro in Owensville - King Philly Cheese, Butcher Block and Firework sandwiches. that customers get a lot for their all of these things and a most woning," a blend of equal parts salt, pepgreat aroma." money. It's piled high with smoked derful place to eat. Here Larry, his per and garlic powder. Another thing that sets JnL2 apart turkey, ham, salami, brother, Joe, and son, There are 10 salads for those dinfrom the competition is the fresh roast beef, sharp chedLuke, offer a unique ing on the lighter side. The most ingredients. With a meat market so dar cheese, lettuce, concept in dining. popular is the Caesar, which features close at hand, beef for the 10 signatomato, onion and "We wanted to build a homemade dressing from Larry's ture steak burgers is ground only as a place where if you To watch a video featuring House Herb mayonmother-in-law. needed. Try the Firework Burger, a wanted something to JnL2 in Owensville, click this naise. Topping all of With so many family members favorite topped with pepper jack and this is JnL2's bacon. eat, come in here and button inside our involved in the business, it's not surcheddar cheeses, bacon and fried "It's smoked, it's very we can ﬁx it for you. digital edition, online at prising that a welcoming atmosphere jalapeño and onion straws. thick sliced," Larry says You can buy what you www.ruralmissouri.coop. greets guests. Locals dressed in farm Corned beef for the Reuben sandof the popular bacon. need to ﬁx it yourself. clothes mingle with businessmen in wiches is cooked in the kitchen, "There's only 11 slices to a pound, Or, we have it hot and ready to go suits, and it's not uncommon for the not bought ready to go. Pulled pork so that tells you a lot right there. We for you," Larry says. conversation between tables to be and brisket is smoked on the grill use it exclusively in our kitchen for A small stock of staple items such boisterous. outside. Steak sandwiches are made anything that has bacon on it." as sauces, salad ﬁxings and fruit The extensive menu - which with meat cut from tender rib-eye, One constant is the fresh-baked are crowded into one corner of the includes platter selections such as porterhouse or New York strip steaks. bread. "That was one of our original 100-plus-year-old structure. Center fried chicken, catﬁsh, pork chops Then there's the steaks, for which ideas," Larry says. "Whatever came stage is a row of gleaming showcases and steak tacos for those who want the bistro is famous. Only USDA out of our kitchen was going to get with the ﬁnest meats you're likely to more than a sandwich - caters to Grade Choice steaks are served, and served with bread that we bake here. see in a small town, including steaks locals who eat here multiple times they can be cut exactly the way the "My wife does most of the bakand a dozen or so different types of during the week or even the day. customer wants them. All steaks are ing. Whether it's cinnamon rolls, bratwurst. Nearby is a rack of freshAnd while the menu is lengthy, the seasoned with "Dynamite Seasoncookies or fresh bread, it creates a baked goods, the source of a pleasLonigros will cook you any food ant aroma that hints of homemade found in the building. breads, chocolate chip cookies and Your order might even end up on cherry turnovers. JnL2 the menu, as it did for the Kohl famThere's a huge deli, with fried ily, who once asked for an unusual chicken and everything to go with Specialties: Signature hot and cold Owensville set of toppings on the bistro's thinit. Racks of made-in-Missouri wine sandwiches and steak burgers, steaks and crust, St. Louis-style pizza. Now othand beer round out the offerings. * St. Louis-style pizza. ers can order The Kohl, a pizza made Then you turn the corner and with olive oil, chicken, spinach, ﬁnd the family's vision of a bistro Prices: Appetizers starting at $3; entrées green peppers, onions, mushrooms, ready for you. Those who choose to from $5.50 to $10; steaks $15 to $27 and olives and banana peppers. dine in are presented with a menu sandwiches starting at $6. Accepts checks, Another unusual aspect of this ﬁlled with amazing delights. cash, major credit cards. eatery is the wine. Customers can As expected from a deli/bistro, buy a bottle of Missouri wine, take it sandwiches both cold and hot domito their tables, and bring the unﬁnnate the menu. There are 23 sandDetails: Open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; ished portion home with no corkage wiches listed. But these aren't the Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 fee or upcharge. run-of-the-mill recipes you might p.m. Seats 100. Full bar. No smoking. Private party space availIt's all part of a philosophy: "All ﬁnd elsewhere. able. Reservations recommended on Friday and Saturday. my life, I've only wanted to make Some are traditional offerings people happy," Larry says. "You've such as the King Philly Cheese. Address: 101 W. Lincoln Ave. (Highway 28) in Owensville. got to see this to believe it because JnL2 offers this in steak and pulled it's very unique. The food is phechicken, with a provel cheese made Contact: 573-437-5652; www.JnL2.com. nomenal, and I mean that with all on The Hill, St. Louis' Italian neighmy heart." borhood. by Jim McCarty jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop G FEBRUARY 2014 19 http://www.JnL2.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - February 2014

Rural Missouri - February 2014
Contents
Comments
Columns
Ministering to motorists
A mid-winter read
Fighting more than fires
Outdoors
Out of the Way Eats
Metal & music
Honest Abe
Hearth and Home
The Missouri Dinosaur
Around Missouri
Marketplace
Neighbors
Just4Kids

Rural Missouri - February 2014