Auburn's Town Tavern - Map
1343 South Main Street
Auburn, IN 46706
(260) 925-0555
Strarving Auctioneers Rating: 4 Gavels out of 5
On a cold Monday in December there is not much going on in Auburn, Indiana. The crops are off and the locals are getting ready for Christmas. However on this December morning the 220nd class of the Reppert School of Auctioneering was in session and Peter was presenting Ohio Auction Law and a discussion of Auction Technology to a classroom full of auctioneering students from across the country, Canada and South Africa. As you might expect after a morning of talking and often talking fast Peter developed a mighty appetite. Tim Kruse, Vice President of Reppert (and friend from CAI) knew just the place: Auburn’s Town Tavern.
The Town Tavern is as local as local gets. Looking like a converted home The Town Tavern is a continuous tread that often binds small communities together. An institution in Auburn there really was only once choice for lunch and that was the fried fish with mashed potatoes. That is what we all ordered. Sometimes local joints survive on a lack of competition. This place survives on fried fish and tartar sauce and lightening fast service. I could have gone for seconds but that is never cool on a business lunch. The company was of course great, a mix of auction school students, Tim, his brother Daniel and an intuition at Reppert’s Ron Chaffee the Dean of Instruction. Our table looked like a bunch of Lumber jacks eating the first meal after clearing half a forest rather than a bunch of guys who had just spent the morning talking auctions. I was surprised the waitress was able to keep the drink glasses full without getting bitten.
The students and Ron had to leave in order to be back in time for the afternoon session and that left Peter and the brothers Kruse to enjoy peanut butter pie and catch the opening segment of The Young and Restless coming on in a TV in the corner.
UPDATE (December 2009): David Helmer, the Kruse Brothers and Peter found themselves eating at The Town Tavern again just over a week later when David and Peter concluded their Rampage Road Trip 2009 with a visit to Auburn and Kruse Auction Park to pick up items purchased at an auction there over the weekend. We are happy to report the same great food, service and soap operas.
UPDATE (July 2010): Starving Auctioneers returned yet again to the Town Tavern for another great meal. On hand were Tim Kruse, Jack Christy, Ron Chaffee, Peter D. Gehres, Dennis Kruse and students from the lastest class of the Reppert School of Auctioneering. The Tavern is fast becoming the go to place.
Bamboo Garden in Greenfield, IN
Bamboo Garden - Map
2160 North State Street
Greenfield, IN 46140
(317) 467-8881
Starving Auctioneers Rating: 2 1/2 Gavels out of 5
Recently we traveled deep into flyover country in southwestern Indiana to pick up the most unique collection of pottery we have ever seen. The collection was 100% modern, contemporary and studio art pottery with a focus on Indiana and Midwestern potters. This was a very interesting collection and a far cry from the Roseville, Weller and Rookwood we typically handle, all of which is between 60 and 100 years old. The entire collection required our full and careful packing and after a day of handling pottery our thoughts focused on our next task: dinner. Having left Columbus, Ohio at 6:00 AM and working through lunch we were hungry. Even though it was two hours away from the pick up there was really only one option: Bamboo Garden Chinese Buffet.
As we pulled away from the house Greg’s exact words were “I’m hungry and I’m going to make them pay today.” Much like a lion stalking its pray we were heading in for the kill. Granted this lion was in the form a lumbering van and trailer full of pottery but you get the idea.
The Bamboo Garden is our home away from home when we are hungry and find ourselves in the Hoosier state. Their motto is reassuring: “Not Only Cuisine, But Also Clean.” It does not get much better than that folks. The Bamboo Garden offers a full array of authentic Chinese buffet items including my personal favorite the 5 gallon bottomless heated vat of sweet and sour sauce. We had the pleasure of dinning that evening with some happy Colts fans fresh off a victory. We all enjoyed the slightly above average selection of sushi this buffet offered.
On the way out Peter picked up a brochure in preparation for another Pulitzer Prize winning review and was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Bamboo Garden uses only 100% vegetable oil…if you could not read or did not know what this meant they had little broccoli graphics to help you out. You have to love a Chinese Buffet at a no name exit in the middle of Indiana.
2160 North State Street
Greenfield, IN 46140
(317) 467-8881
Starving Auctioneers Rating: 2 1/2 Gavels out of 5
Recently we traveled deep into flyover country in southwestern Indiana to pick up the most unique collection of pottery we have ever seen. The collection was 100% modern, contemporary and studio art pottery with a focus on Indiana and Midwestern potters. This was a very interesting collection and a far cry from the Roseville, Weller and Rookwood we typically handle, all of which is between 60 and 100 years old. The entire collection required our full and careful packing and after a day of handling pottery our thoughts focused on our next task: dinner. Having left Columbus, Ohio at 6:00 AM and working through lunch we were hungry. Even though it was two hours away from the pick up there was really only one option: Bamboo Garden Chinese Buffet.As we pulled away from the house Greg’s exact words were “I’m hungry and I’m going to make them pay today.” Much like a lion stalking its pray we were heading in for the kill. Granted this lion was in the form a lumbering van and trailer full of pottery but you get the idea.
The Bamboo Garden is our home away from home when we are hungry and find ourselves in the Hoosier state. Their motto is reassuring: “Not Only Cuisine, But Also Clean.” It does not get much better than that folks. The Bamboo Garden offers a full array of authentic Chinese buffet items including my personal favorite the 5 gallon bottomless heated vat of sweet and sour sauce. We had the pleasure of dinning that evening with some happy Colts fans fresh off a victory. We all enjoyed the slightly above average selection of sushi this buffet offered.
On the way out Peter picked up a brochure in preparation for another Pulitzer Prize winning review and was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Bamboo Garden uses only 100% vegetable oil…if you could not read or did not know what this meant they had little broccoli graphics to help you out. You have to love a Chinese Buffet at a no name exit in the middle of Indiana.
New Riegel Café in New Riegel, OH
New Riegel Café - Map
http://www.newriegelcafe.com/
14 N Perry St
New Riegel, OH 44853
(419) 595-2255
Starving Auctioneers Rating: 5 Gavels out of 5 - TOP TEN
In 2009 we have had the pleasure of conducting three auctions in our neighbor to the north the great state of Michigan. One of the best things about doing auctions in Michigan is where we eat on the way home. New Riegel Café in tiny New Riegel, Ohio is a Starving Auctioneers Top Ten places to eat. It boasts of number of unique traits that make it worth the extra minutes it adds to our trip back to Columbus.
Among the most important features is the food. New Riegel Café has a very unique and flavorful style of ribs with super secret sauce that is the stuff of mystery and legend. Not like any typical ribs and BBQ sauce combination, these ribs come out quick and covered in just the right about of sauce. If you want more sauce the ribs go back to the kitchen, you don’t get anything on the side lest you steal the Holy Grail. Words can’t describe the subtle flavor and the way the ribs and sauce combine for a perfect meal.
The place doesn’t take credit cards or checks, serves beverages by the bottle or can and the wait staff doesn’t have a whole lot of patience’s for people that don’t know the story. They are friendly and fast however if you get with the program. The menu at the New Riegal Café stays on the table because it is so small it fits nicely on one of the plastic table tents. There are other things on the menu but we really don’t think anyone cares. They have bologna and cheese appetizer that has GREAT bologna and Kraft style cheese singles…no kidding…sounds bizarre but it works. They say they serve chicken but who wants that when ribs are waiting. Clean up is pretty easy as everything is served in paper boats like the county fair. There is also an attached gift shop.
The food is so good that people (like us) travel from miles around to visit this town of 300 in the heart of Northwest, Ohio’s farm country. If you find yourself south of Toledo and in the middle of nowhere you are likely close to New Riegel and this place deserves your attention.
Greg has been a regular at the New Riegel Café since his CRAZY bachelor days while attending nearby Heidelberg University. He and his chums would refuel at the Cafe after cheering Heidelberg’s The Student Prince on to victory on the gridiron. Yeah The Student Prince, a real award winning mascot; to think people make fun of Brutus the Buckeye?! Beside Peter’s farm in Van Wert, the New Riegel Café is the best place to be in Northwest, Ohio.
http://www.newriegelcafe.com/
14 N Perry St
New Riegel, OH 44853
(419) 595-2255
Starving Auctioneers Rating: 5 Gavels out of 5 - TOP TEN
In 2009 we have had the pleasure of conducting three auctions in our neighbor to the north the great state of Michigan. One of the best things about doing auctions in Michigan is where we eat on the way home. New Riegel Café in tiny New Riegel, Ohio is a Starving Auctioneers Top Ten places to eat. It boasts of number of unique traits that make it worth the extra minutes it adds to our trip back to Columbus.Among the most important features is the food. New Riegel Café has a very unique and flavorful style of ribs with super secret sauce that is the stuff of mystery and legend. Not like any typical ribs and BBQ sauce combination, these ribs come out quick and covered in just the right about of sauce. If you want more sauce the ribs go back to the kitchen, you don’t get anything on the side lest you steal the Holy Grail. Words can’t describe the subtle flavor and the way the ribs and sauce combine for a perfect meal.
The place doesn’t take credit cards or checks, serves beverages by the bottle or can and the wait staff doesn’t have a whole lot of patience’s for people that don’t know the story. They are friendly and fast however if you get with the program. The menu at the New Riegal Café stays on the table because it is so small it fits nicely on one of the plastic table tents. There are other things on the menu but we really don’t think anyone cares. They have bologna and cheese appetizer that has GREAT bologna and Kraft style cheese singles…no kidding…sounds bizarre but it works. They say they serve chicken but who wants that when ribs are waiting. Clean up is pretty easy as everything is served in paper boats like the county fair. There is also an attached gift shop.
The food is so good that people (like us) travel from miles around to visit this town of 300 in the heart of Northwest, Ohio’s farm country. If you find yourself south of Toledo and in the middle of nowhere you are likely close to New Riegel and this place deserves your attention.
Greg has been a regular at the New Riegel Café since his CRAZY bachelor days while attending nearby Heidelberg University. He and his chums would refuel at the Cafe after cheering Heidelberg’s The Student Prince on to victory on the gridiron. Yeah The Student Prince, a real award winning mascot; to think people make fun of Brutus the Buckeye?! Beside Peter’s farm in Van Wert, the New Riegel Café is the best place to be in Northwest, Ohio.
Fukuya Japanese in Hilliard, OH
Fukuya Japanese
http://www.fukuyajapanese.com/
2469 Hilliard Rome Road
Hilliard, OH 43026
(614) 850-0888
Starving Auctioneers Rating: 3 1/2 Gavels out of 5
Business meetings at Belhorn Auction Services rarely happen in anything resembling a traditional setting. Today was no exception. Today’s meeting was called to order at the new Japanese Restaurant in Hilliard, Fukuya Japanese Steak House and Sushi. Before we get to the review, all you really need to know is that we will be back and you need to go soon.
While the steak and dinners are very good we where there for the sushi and by sushi we mean Americanized raw fish consumption with all the bells and whistles our great country can add to an otherwise unsuspecting cuisine. To further clarify what we both really wanted was Makizushi for those diehard sushi lovers and Japanese culture fans. For everyone else we will just call it sushi. In a past life Peter was a youth ambassador to Japan so it is important we get this sort of information correct. Peter was the only member of the delegation to gain weight on their first trip to Japan.
Greg ordered a California roll with no cucumber (the mysteries never cease) and the ‘special’ Dragon roll. Peter was a bit offend at this selection owing to Greg’s continued disregard for the over hunting of dragons that has brought their population to near extinction…when was the last time you saw a dragon?? Peter ordered the far more sustainable Buckeye Roll which is shrimp tempura topped with spicy crab and Hawaiian Roll which is tuna, cream cheese, crunch avocado topped with crab. Peter seems to be very interested in food inspired by the states of the union.
Those who order fresh sushi know that it can take awhile for an order to come up owing the nature of its preparation. However this was perfect as there was plenty to discuss between an upcoming auction in Michigan, a pottery pickups in Indiana, and the early 2010 auction calendar.
When everything did arrive it was great. What makes Fukuya special is that it is SO close (to us anyway) and so good. Sushi ain’t cheap but good food seldom is but it was reasonable given the rarity of fresh dragon these days.
http://www.fukuyajapanese.com/
2469 Hilliard Rome Road
Hilliard, OH 43026
(614) 850-0888
Starving Auctioneers Rating: 3 1/2 Gavels out of 5
Business meetings at Belhorn Auction Services rarely happen in anything resembling a traditional setting. Today was no exception. Today’s meeting was called to order at the new Japanese Restaurant in Hilliard, Fukuya Japanese Steak House and Sushi. Before we get to the review, all you really need to know is that we will be back and you need to go soon.While the steak and dinners are very good we where there for the sushi and by sushi we mean Americanized raw fish consumption with all the bells and whistles our great country can add to an otherwise unsuspecting cuisine. To further clarify what we both really wanted was Makizushi for those diehard sushi lovers and Japanese culture fans. For everyone else we will just call it sushi. In a past life Peter was a youth ambassador to Japan so it is important we get this sort of information correct. Peter was the only member of the delegation to gain weight on their first trip to Japan.
Greg ordered a California roll with no cucumber (the mysteries never cease) and the ‘special’ Dragon roll. Peter was a bit offend at this selection owing to Greg’s continued disregard for the over hunting of dragons that has brought their population to near extinction…when was the last time you saw a dragon?? Peter ordered the far more sustainable Buckeye Roll which is shrimp tempura topped with spicy crab and Hawaiian Roll which is tuna, cream cheese, crunch avocado topped with crab. Peter seems to be very interested in food inspired by the states of the union.
Those who order fresh sushi know that it can take awhile for an order to come up owing the nature of its preparation. However this was perfect as there was plenty to discuss between an upcoming auction in Michigan, a pottery pickups in Indiana, and the early 2010 auction calendar.
When everything did arrive it was great. What makes Fukuya special is that it is SO close (to us anyway) and so good. Sushi ain’t cheap but good food seldom is but it was reasonable given the rarity of fresh dragon these days.
Ali Baba in Ann Arbor, MI
Ali Baba
601 Packard Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3313
(734) 998-0131
Starving Auctioneers Rating: 4 Gavels out of 5
Our most recent pottery pick up saw Peter traveling to rural Michigan just north of the Ohio-Michigan boarder to pick some outstanding examples of Rookwood, Weller and middle period Roseville. After the pickup Peter travelled to meet up with friend and fellow auctioneer David Helmer in Ann Arbor and he filed this review.
David Helmer and I’s friendship is a product of the often cited ‘conversations in the hallway’ of an NAA event. We meet at the Certified Estate Specialist (CES) designations course held in Ft. Wayne, Indiana in November of 2006. Over the last three years we have partnered on auctions large and small. We often partner on lunch.
We entered lunch with great expectations of all the ‘work’ we would discuss. That didn’t happen and never does. We returned to one of Ann Arbor’s finest Middle Eastern establishments: Ali Baba. The restaurant is billed as Iraqi food but our waiter was from Morocco so I was a little disappointed. We both ordered a dish that consisted of chicken, beef and hummus. Basically meat and potatoes for those without potatoes. However you can get a side of fries, which we did so we still got us some potato action. The food was good and the service on point if not ethnically consistent. The price was right and the portion size was good. The place was clean if not a little worn, but what hole in the wall place isn't...that's what makes them great.
After lunch we sampled the styling’s PJ's Records & Used CD's just a few feet away and up a flight of stairs. Every college town seems to have one of these outfits and Ann Arbor’s holds a special charm because once the two shopkeepers, David and I were in the store there was little room for anyone else. I might be tempted to say I have never seen that many LP’s in one place before but I have: an estate auction in Columbus where it was our job to move them all from the basement in milk crates. We lost a lot of good men that day and gained great appreciation for the iPod
We went there looking for original Larry Norman LP’s. We didn’t find any but David did find and purchase enough to earn him a place in the PJ’s Hall of Fame. They have a strange and inexplicably long check out procedure made worse by David’s attempts to stump our hosts with 1970's music trivia. The shop keepers are examples of what happens when you are into sex, drugs and Rock’n’Roll…professionally. At least they have their music.
601 Packard Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3313
(734) 998-0131
Starving Auctioneers Rating: 4 Gavels out of 5
Our most recent pottery pick up saw Peter traveling to rural Michigan just north of the Ohio-Michigan boarder to pick some outstanding examples of Rookwood, Weller and middle period Roseville. After the pickup Peter travelled to meet up with friend and fellow auctioneer David Helmer in Ann Arbor and he filed this review.David Helmer and I’s friendship is a product of the often cited ‘conversations in the hallway’ of an NAA event. We meet at the Certified Estate Specialist (CES) designations course held in Ft. Wayne, Indiana in November of 2006. Over the last three years we have partnered on auctions large and small. We often partner on lunch.
We entered lunch with great expectations of all the ‘work’ we would discuss. That didn’t happen and never does. We returned to one of Ann Arbor’s finest Middle Eastern establishments: Ali Baba. The restaurant is billed as Iraqi food but our waiter was from Morocco so I was a little disappointed. We both ordered a dish that consisted of chicken, beef and hummus. Basically meat and potatoes for those without potatoes. However you can get a side of fries, which we did so we still got us some potato action. The food was good and the service on point if not ethnically consistent. The price was right and the portion size was good. The place was clean if not a little worn, but what hole in the wall place isn't...that's what makes them great.
After lunch we sampled the styling’s PJ's Records & Used CD's just a few feet away and up a flight of stairs. Every college town seems to have one of these outfits and Ann Arbor’s holds a special charm because once the two shopkeepers, David and I were in the store there was little room for anyone else. I might be tempted to say I have never seen that many LP’s in one place before but I have: an estate auction in Columbus where it was our job to move them all from the basement in milk crates. We lost a lot of good men that day and gained great appreciation for the iPod
We went there looking for original Larry Norman LP’s. We didn’t find any but David did find and purchase enough to earn him a place in the PJ’s Hall of Fame. They have a strange and inexplicably long check out procedure made worse by David’s attempts to stump our hosts with 1970's music trivia. The shop keepers are examples of what happens when you are into sex, drugs and Rock’n’Roll…professionally. At least they have their music.
Portside Seafood Restaurant in Cambridge, MD
Portside Seafood Restaurant
http://www.portsideseafood.com
201 Trenton Street
Cambridge, MD 21613-2406
(410) 228-9007
Starving Auctioneers Rating: 3 1/2 Gavels out of 5
A recent pottery pick up took us to the Maryland. We have never been to Maryland as a destination. Everyone has driven through Maryland just like everyone has driven through Indiana or ran from gate to gate at the Atlanta airport. This was our first real chance to enjoy the state of Maryland. We drove from the most western point, across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to Cambridge, MD. Cambridge seems like a nice enough place, no different than any other. Our pick up was at a typical slice of Americana ranch style home. It seems many of our pottery pick-ups are at normal homes. Pottery folks appear to spend their money on pottery and not real estate and we are thankful for it. We picked nearly 300 pieces of Roseville, Weller, Hull, McCoy and Gonder.
With the Chesapeake Bay within sight of the front door was asked about a local eating establishment to sample the fruits of the bay…or at least the fruits of some body of water. Our host directed us to Portside Restaurant.
Portside Restaurant is a local joint with vinyl table covers, booths and chairs that are all reaching ‘the end of their useful lives.” There is a well worn bar and outside patio and a view of the bay. You can eat on the water at Portside which we always avoid because of the ever present danger of attacking sea creatures. It was ‘Please Seat Yourself’ hour and we did.
Greg ordered the Broiled Platter with a side of Crab Imperial. Crab Imperial was new to us both, we are live in Ohio and eat at Wendy’s so cut us some slack. Peter ordered the crab cakes. We both ordered “Crazy Potatoes” and a salad as sides. We shared an appetizer of scallops wrapped in bacon swimming in BBQ sauce. Meat on meat in BBQ sauce – always a winner. The service was satisfactory if not a bit slow. Food was good and the place was a mixture of a girl’s soft ball team and old locals drinking wine and wishing their kids would call. In homage to our local radio show host and armature restaurant critic, John Corby, we checkouted the facilities; no good news on that front but at least it had running water.
The price was at the high end of our budget but unlike crab dishes in the Buckeye state these dishes contained actual crab which was a welcome change. The place had Keno and big screen TVs for watching the nearby Ravens beat up on Ohio’s perpetual man made disasters Browns and Bangles.
We entertained ourselves on the way back to Ohio though the dark, fog and rain by watching the recent crack in our windshield spread. We used a magic marker to track the progress as we hit potholes and rumble strips. Like mom marking your height on a door jamb we marked the crack through Annapolis and Hagerstown, Morgantown and Zanesville.
http://www.portsideseafood.com
201 Trenton Street
Cambridge, MD 21613-2406
(410) 228-9007
Starving Auctioneers Rating: 3 1/2 Gavels out of 5
A recent pottery pick up took us to the Maryland. We have never been to Maryland as a destination. Everyone has driven through Maryland just like everyone has driven through Indiana or ran from gate to gate at the Atlanta airport. This was our first real chance to enjoy the state of Maryland. We drove from the most western point, across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to Cambridge, MD. Cambridge seems like a nice enough place, no different than any other. Our pick up was at a typical slice of Americana ranch style home. It seems many of our pottery pick-ups are at normal homes. Pottery folks appear to spend their money on pottery and not real estate and we are thankful for it. We picked nearly 300 pieces of Roseville, Weller, Hull, McCoy and Gonder.With the Chesapeake Bay within sight of the front door was asked about a local eating establishment to sample the fruits of the bay…or at least the fruits of some body of water. Our host directed us to Portside Restaurant.
Portside Restaurant is a local joint with vinyl table covers, booths and chairs that are all reaching ‘the end of their useful lives.” There is a well worn bar and outside patio and a view of the bay. You can eat on the water at Portside which we always avoid because of the ever present danger of attacking sea creatures. It was ‘Please Seat Yourself’ hour and we did.
Greg ordered the Broiled Platter with a side of Crab Imperial. Crab Imperial was new to us both, we are live in Ohio and eat at Wendy’s so cut us some slack. Peter ordered the crab cakes. We both ordered “Crazy Potatoes” and a salad as sides. We shared an appetizer of scallops wrapped in bacon swimming in BBQ sauce. Meat on meat in BBQ sauce – always a winner. The service was satisfactory if not a bit slow. Food was good and the place was a mixture of a girl’s soft ball team and old locals drinking wine and wishing their kids would call. In homage to our local radio show host and armature restaurant critic, John Corby, we checkouted the facilities; no good news on that front but at least it had running water.
The price was at the high end of our budget but unlike crab dishes in the Buckeye state these dishes contained actual crab which was a welcome change. The place had Keno and big screen TVs for watching the nearby Ravens beat up on Ohio’s perpetual man made disasters Browns and Bangles.
We entertained ourselves on the way back to Ohio though the dark, fog and rain by watching the recent crack in our windshield spread. We used a magic marker to track the progress as we hit potholes and rumble strips. Like mom marking your height on a door jamb we marked the crack through Annapolis and Hagerstown, Morgantown and Zanesville.
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