Strawn’s Eat Shop Recognized for Good Eats
Published Mar 07, 2008
Strawberry pancakes are one of Strawn’s specialties, along with strawberry pie.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, than Strawn’s Eat Shop is twice blessed.
The legendary eatery opened in 1944, and was taken over by Gus Alexander in 1958. Under his leadership, along with that of Lula McCoy (the fried chicken maker), Ella Hamilton (the pie lady) and Gladys Duncan (the great waitress), the restaurant grew to cult-like status for residents and visitors alike.
In 1989, Buddy and Nancy Gauthier bought the restaurant, making some changes along the way – seating tripled from 50 to more than 150 – but keeping the great food and icebox pies intact.
The Gauthier’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed: Southern Living magazine has featured the pies twice, and the Food Network’s “The Best Of” has stopped by. But Strawn’s is still by, for and about the local folks, says Buddy Gauthier.
“We know most of the folks who walk through the door,” he says. “We serve around 1,200 people a day, and I probably know 700 of them by name.” He credits the restaurant’s success to sticking with tried and true food, tradition, and “mom and pop” atmo sphere. And it must be working, because business has been so good that Gauthier’s daughters have opened Strawn’s Too and Strawn’s Also, in 2002 and 2004 respectively. The makings of a dynasty-run chain? Maybe, maybe not.
“They’ve done very well with them,” he says of his offspring’s offshoots. “We have two boys and if they’re interested, there may be two more. Otherwise, this is it.”
Story by Joe Morris
Photo by Wes Aldridge
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