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PHAT Daddy's
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a PHamily aPHair(P.H.A.T. = Pretty Hot And Tasty)Marengo, Iowa doesn't have much of a tourism industry. In fact, it doesn't have much at all. But the town of 2,500 people has tucked away one of the state's crown jewels. It isn't hiding too hard though; people from all over Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and the entire Midwest have found PHAT Daddy's and keep coming back. Owner Mike Curry has had his hands in a number of culinary adventures over the years. He has prepared cuisine in country clubs, hotels and restaurants in Florida and Iowa. He's owned a pastry shop and a comedy club restaurant. Without a doubt, Curry speaks of PHAT Daddy's with a different tone than all the rest. This restaurant is his passion and his life. PHAT Daddy's started in 1999 as a take-out restaurant called Chef 2 Go, located across the street from it's current home. Customers loved the food so much, they were constantly requesting Curry open a dine in restaurant. Less than a year later, Curry purchased two storefronts and opened the town's first fine dining experience. PHAT Daddy's is certainly a family affair. Curry's mother, Carol, is the pastry chef. She prepares all the fresh bread and desserts and loves to bring unique flavor combinations into the salads. "I like putting things together that people don't normally combine, like watermelon, red onion and black olives." Once people try them, they usually like them," says Carol Curry. Curry's dad, Ken, also helps out. He does general maintenance and is always ready with input on Carol's salads. Not to left out, Curry's brother and sister, John and Holli, are involved too. Holli is a graphic designer and has designed everything from the menus to the packaging for PHAT Daddy's all-purpose seasoning, raspberry barbecue sauce and pepper jelly. Even Curry's niece and nephews get in on the action, helping out in the restaurant. Curry says his wife, Lorrainne, is his partner in life and in business. "I couldn't have made my dream possible without her." This is a family that not only works together, but does philanthropy together. PHAT Daddy's has been involved in many fund raising efforts including having and African themed dinner to help raise money for a hospital in Africa. Every Thanksgiving, the family and community come together to offer a free Thanksgiving dinner. All are welcome and after dinner, they play cards and games. "We don't want to see anyone alone during the holidays," says Curry. The leftovers aren't wasted; turkey sandwiches are donated to a nearby nursing home. Leftovers seem to inevitable here; the portions are huge and the food is nothing short of fantastic. Both Chefs Schneekloth and Roberts confess a love for cooking seafood, which is flown in daily. "You can do a lot more exotic things with seafood. I like pairing it with fruits," says Chef Roberts. Chef Schneekloth says his favorite ingredient is shellfish. He says, "We don't get recipes from anywhere, really. We just think them up on our own and see what works." In 2006, Curry purchased a third store front in line with the other two and opened Phool's Gold, a bar where you can order an array of PHAT Daddy's appetizers. Although the locals seem to be Bud Light kind of people, Dean Sabin, a bartender at Phool's Gold, likes to experiment with mixing drinks. As him to try the Monthly Special, but don't ask what's in it first. You may have never planned to visit Marengo, but you should - if for no other reason than to experience PHAT Daddy's. The Currys will make you feel like family. |
