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DIAGONAL – A Diagonal establishment is once again opening its doors for business.
The restaurant, 209 Broadway, is on target to open Aug. 31 under new management.
Mechelle Hingeley Reynolds, who has been hired to manage the venue, described the atmosphere as “rustic” and the food as “down home.”
Hingeley said the restaurant is reopening after members of the community rallied together. She said more than 20 people invested in the endeavor, which they hope will create jobs, offer the community a gathering place, and attract more people to the area for good food and entertainment.
“Not everybody wanted this building sitting empty,” said Hingeley.” They wanted someone who was really into this job and can handle it.”
Menu
Hingeley said the menu at 209 Broadway will feature an array of items ranging from oven-fired pizzas, Philly cheese steak, steaks and specialty burgers.
“Everyone has got to try the inferno burger,” said Hingeley. “It’s going to be a spicy burger. A very spicy burger.”
The Studebaker, which stands approximately 5 inches tall, is a feast in itself as it featureslayers of cheeseburger, ham, bacon, eggs, peanut butter, buns and all the traditional burger fixings on the side.
“And, cheese and another egg on top,” Hingeley said.
The steak menu will showcase hand-cut ribeye and sirloin in 8, 12, and 16 ounce cuts.
About Mechelle
Hingeley, who worked at the restaurant when it was the Back 40, said she has high hopes for the reopening and that the new menu is sure to please.
“I want to accommodate the community,” said Hingeley.
Hingeley is no rookie to the restaurant industry. She started her career cooking in the kitchen of the Lenox Cafe under Barb Shehan.
“She pretty much inspired me,” said Hingeley. “She took me under her wing. She had me do a lot of cooking so I could get it.”
It was at the Lenox Cafe where Hingeley perfected her lemon pie, which she makes from scratch.
Hingeley then worked at Clearview Nursing Home under Dietary Manager Helen Hinshaw, who she credits with teaching her how to multitask.
“You had to be on your toes,” said Hingeley. “She was very nit-picky.”
As she should be.
At the nursing home, Hingeley said the kitchen staff was responsible for cooking for residents with a variety of dietary restrictions, such as diabetes.
At the Dally Post in Lenox, Hingeley worked under Karen McKee, where she learned to bartend.
“She was my best bud,” said Hingeley. “She was a hard (person) to work for, but you learned how to be a great bartender.”
Hingeley comes recommended to 209 Broadway after customers raved about her cooking during her tenure at Bootleggers Bar & Grill, where she most recently worked and helped create many of the menu items.
“They had several people out of the community comment about my cooking,” said Hingeley. “My passion is cooking.”
209 Broadway
The new restaurant – formerly operated as Fireside Grill and The Back 40 under different management – will have a soft opening Labor Day weekend, giving employees and the owners a chance to try out the new menu and customers an opportunity to talk about the food and the restaurant’s aesthetic.
Hingeley said 209 Broadway will be open Tuesday through Saturday, and one Sunday a month. The 209 Broadway crew will serve lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner starting at 5 p.m.
In between the lunch and dinner shifts, the bar will remain open for drinks and appetizers.
Hingeley said that opening 209 Broadway would not have been possible without the support of the community – from investors to volunteers – all who have helped from donating time and materials to make their venue the pride of the town.
Applications will be accepted from 4 to 8 p.m. today at 209 Broadway in Diagonal.