Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe's go-to order at Indy's Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place
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Football great Shannon Sharpe over the weekend let the world know that Indianapolis’ Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place is a Hall of Fame-worthy restaurant.
Sharpe, who recently exited Fox Sports 1’s "Undisputed" sports talk show, laid out his praise — and his usual order — on Twitter.
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The props for the Indy institution, currently serving take-out at 1417 Commerce Ave., started when a Kountry Kitchen customer on Saturday took to social media to describe its lemonade as being addictive.
After the restaurant noted the tweet, the three-time Super Bowl champ weighed in with a Shirley Caesar-esque list of foods that make up his go-to order.
“I defy anyone to find something on the menu that doesn’t hit harder than a brick. Anytime I’m in Indy I stop by,” he tweeted. “Fried catfish, wings, mac&cheese, neck bones, corn bread and lemonade. That completes my order.”
I defy anyone to find something on the menu that doesn’t hit harder than a 🧱. Anytime I’m in Indy I stop by. Fried catfish, wings, mac&cheese, neck bones ,corn bread and lemonade. That completes my order 🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/1cCD54sHRu
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) June 25, 2023
Co-owner and cook Cynthia Wilson has his personal phone number and he's sent NFL coaches that way during the NFL combine, he said.
Cynthia has my personal # . When superbowl was in Indy I ate there 4x. I send all friends that coach in the NFL. I send them there during the combine. https://t.co/qK5DiHUsZi
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) June 25, 2023
The shop apparently takes good care of the “Club Shay Shay” podcast host; having his usual ready for him even during short visits to town.
Flew in for 24 hrs, spent 3 hrs driving to pick up a dog. Called, told them who I was asked to speak to the owner. She got on the phone said give me what always get. I arrived it was ready chatted with her 4 10 mins left. Bck 2 hotel, ate went to airport, left on a flt with my… https://t.co/m2cgtn2C99
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) June 25, 2023
Some of his followers wonder how the buff Sharpe maintains his physique with such a diet.
That’s not a problem, said Sharpe, who has rings from his time on rosters of the Broncos and Ravens.
“Bruh, I eat like that only IF* (I) go to that restaurant. I’m not a big eater,” he said.
Bruh, I eat like that only IF* go to that restaurant. I’m not a big eater. https://t.co/1OQ2Ie2BYY
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) June 25, 2023
Some followers made efforts to get Sharpe into other Indy Black-owned restaurants.
Unc, if you ever want to try another amazing soulfood Black-Owned restaurant in Indy...check out Pa & Ma's Backyard BBQ. 1st meal on us ♡
— Sula Mae (@fupadupafly) June 25, 2023
unc next time you here you gotta try His Place Eatery, they even better than Kountry Kitchen ‼️
— SLEEZE 🐍 (@_DirtMcGirt) June 25, 2023
Sharpe and Caesar are among many celebrities, politicians and civic leaders who have frequented the restaurant. Photos of them taken at the restaurant, along with those of President Barack Obama and Indianapolis luminaries Babyface, Mike Epps and Tony Dungy, grace the Kountry Kitchen website.
Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place has been temporarily operating take-out and catering service from the 1417 Commerce Ave. co-working and food incubation space since November 2020. The 100-year-old 1831 N. College Ave. building in which Isaac and Cynthia Wilson started the business was destroyed in a January 2020 fire.
The restaurant will reopen in a new building at 19th Street and College Avenue in early August.
Contact the reporter at 317-444-6264.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: This Indy restaurant scores with Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe