Memphis-style miracle on Marion St. ...
I've been there twice in the past 6 days ... and I'll be back.
I'm talking about Lovey's BBQ, the kind of place I never thought I'd see in Winnipeg. Real southern BBQ. Cooked low and slow. Makes me think I'm back in Memphis, Nashville, and Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Roger LeBleu is the pit master at Lovey's. Roger spent a lot of years on the road as a salesman, stopping at dozens of bona-fide BBQ restaurants scattered throughout the American mid-south. He caught the BBQ bug, started BBQ'ing in his back yard, and this past year decided to open up Winnipeg's first and only real southern BBQ restaurant.
I'm sure glad he did. I head south every year for two reasons: the food and the music. You can get the music up here in Winnipeg, but you can't get the food. At least you couldn't until Roger opened up his restaurant. I owe him a debt of gratitude. Long winters in Winnipeg just got a whole lot easier.
I shared the Lovey's Mixer ($29.95, feeds 2-3) on both of my visits. Ribs, chicken, your choice of beef brisket or pulled pork, and sides of beans, slaw, cornbread, and fries. Everything is fantastic, including the sides. And to wash it all down, Roger's got my favorite Honey Brown on tap along with Hog Spit, a Sleeman's special brew for Lovey's customers. Could anyone ask for more?!?!
If you've never had southern BBQ, head on down to Lovey's at 208 Marion Street. Southern BBQ is a fine art. Very different from the burn and turn BBQ we have up north. Pulled pork is cooked for 15 hours, brisket is cooked for 20 hours, and ribs for 7 hours. The meat is moist and tender, it falls off the bone, and the flavor is incredible.
You'll love it ... or I ain't no rock 'n' preacher.
BTW: it looks like Lovey's is a good news story on a number of different levels. Roger and his co-owner and daughter, Jocelyne LeBleu, recently received an economic development grant from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
Indian and Northern Affairs is no stranger to controversy. Both aboriginals and non-aboriginals regularly complain to me about how IANA money is allocated. In 2006/2007, for example, IANA handed out $5.6 billion in grants and contributions. $3.75 billion (67%) of that money went straight into the hands of band councils. Another $1.3 billion (23%) went to organizations created or mandated by band councils (e.g., tribal councils and social service agencies). All this band council bureaucracy doesn't necessarily translate into benefits for reserve residents (just ask them).
In a beautiful example of government spending gone right, Roger and Jocelyn used their IANA economic development grant just as intended ... for economic development. Three months after they got their cheque, they were open on Marion St. making the best BBQ north of St. Louis and spurring the local economy ... and all of Winnipeg is reaping the benefits.
Might just make me glad I pay taxes.
Labels: Indian and Northern Affairs, Jocelyne LeBleu, Lovey's BBQ, Memphis, Nashville, Roger LeBleu, south, Tennessee
posted by Rev. Greg Glatz, the Rock 'n' Roll Preacher at
2/27/2009 11:13:00 PM
3 Comments:
Knowing now that Lovey's got help to get started, makes me all the more furious that they are not helping their own young employees further themselves. Employees have been told by the owners, that they are not entitled to tips. Even if the gift is given directly in hand, they are to donate to the management. Employees make very little at minimum wage and with the economy as it is every extra dollar counts. Whether your just getting started, new parent, or a struggling student I believe the public needs to be aware that this is what's happening. This is becoming more and more common in the hospitality industry. So next time you decide to leave that little extra to the person that made your meal that much more enjyable,or even your day. You might want to ask what is the tip policy at that restaurant. Be Aware.
Anonymous:
It looks easy to everyone else, but there's probably nothing harder than running a restaurant (unless it's running a church). I tip my hat to Roger and other entrepreneurs who keep Winnipeggers fed and watered ... at the prices we demand.
That said, I agree with Anonymous: patrons tip with the expectation that tips go to servers. If a different arrangement is in place, patrons should be informed. Keep it simple and straightforward.
Lovey's sucks....Owners keep all the tips for themselves and nothing for the hardworking minimum wage employees. Roger and Jocelyn must be ashamed as they don't publish this item in their company policy book!!!!
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