MONDAY,AUGUST 18.2003
OFFTHEHILL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 7TH
DINING
Meat Market caters to those with hunger for hamburgers
By Amy Kelly akelley@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
Zach Straus/Kansan
Tongue is permanently placed in cheek at Captain RibMan's Meat Market, 811 New Hampshire St., which opened May 28. And co-owners Rich Davis, also of KC-Masterpiece fame, and John Sprengelmeyer would have it no other way. After all, they are also the creators of the restaurant's namesake, Captain RibMan, a superhero with an unnatural adoration of barbecue ribs.
"It actually seemed pretty natural for Captain RibMan to have his own place." Davis said. "In a college town where we're doing a college paper, it almost seemed obvious."
For singles on the prowl, the latest meat market in Lawrence isn't necessarily the place to hook up with a hot date. But its owners are prepared to provide the ultimate rendezvous for their fellow carnivores.
Captain RibMan's misadventures began in 1996 and are syndicated through the Tribune Media Services and www.uclick.com. Yahoo! Internet Life voted it the Best Online Comic Strip in 2001.
Kara Morgan, Holton junior; Denise Spidle, Hesston junior; Cathie McLeod, Lenexa junior; Jessica Sands, Ozawkie sophomore; and Corinne Spalding. Westwood graduate student, thrust plates of meat to the sky in front of their workplace, Captain RibMan's Meat Market, 811 New Hampshire St. The Meat Market opened on May 28 and is dedicated to giving Lawrence "a quality carnivorous experience," founder Rich Davis said.
After several conversations a few months prior with co-owners Rodi Foreman, radio host Randy Miller and former Bleu-Jacket owners Chris Hanna and Dan Almanza, the Davis and Sprengelmeyer duo knew that Lawrence was the perfect town for a restaurant dedicated to the animated superstar.
The closing of BleuJacket in November provided an optimum location as well, Davis said.
"There could not have been a better space for a sports bar in Lawrence," said Davis, who added that he would not disrupt the original construction on the front of the restaurant.
The interior holds an abundance of eye candy for customers, who will find anything from kitschy old photos of a
"We're part of this building," he said. "It's just one of the classic buildings in Lawrence."
woman doing calisthenic exercises, to A Mighty Wind star Fred Willard's golf glove.
Davis and Sprengelmeyer
wanted to gear Meat Market's food to a college town that thrives on its pizza, burger and hot wings businesses. The menu is prone to
making customers chuckles while their mouths water.
Hamburgers are $3.99, but the more toppings you add, the less it costs. Placed beside this pricing oddity, RibMan appears to be working out the mathematical reason behind a cheeseburger costing less than a hamburger. The superhero's creator admits the brawny character does not have the mightiest brain in the galaxy.
"He has a few mental issues he's trying to work through," Sprengelmeyer said.
The desserts stray far from the run-of-the-mill cheesecake. The owners want customers to indulge themselves in rarer delicacies like Fried Twinkies or the plate-sized, innuendo-seeped chocolate "Bite-Me Bar."
If you order the vegetable of the day, expect to shell out $24.97. Yes, health nuts pay mightily at Meat Market.
Free State Brewery manager Chuck Magerl does not feel threatened by the novelty of Meat Market despite its relatively close location to his own
establishment.
"Anytime there are new restaurants, they have an impact," Magerl said. "We've been in business for enough years that we are known for our continuity, service and quality."
Davis said customers could expect little surprises now and then like a Playboy Playmate sitting at the next table.
"It really probably wouldn't be unusual before too many months go by that some of our celebrities we've worked with will fly in and spend some time here, too," Davis said.
The Playmates used in the comic strip actually were the reason Meat Market got its name. In one strip, a group of girls ask Captain RibMan to open up a meat market in town, but the superhero had ribs on the mind when he came through with the request
"He was a bit off the mark," Davis said. "It still worked out, but Lawrence could have had a really exciting dance club."
— Edited by Ehren Meditz
Bella Lounge kicks butts; awaits student reaction to regulation
By Amy Kelly akelly@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
For those who enjoy sipping a martini as Old Blue Eyes croons in the distance, start spreading the news; The Bella Lounge has arrived.
The bar at 925 Iowa St. exudes the essence of the 1960s Rat Pack, from the dim lighting to the photographs of Dean Martin. But one key prop of the cocktail kings is missing; the cigarette.
The Bella Lounge is the only non-smoking establishment in Lawrence. Owner Rob Farha who also owns The Wheel, 14th and Ohio streets said that when he decided to take over the former Fifi's site, he didn't plan on making it smoke-free.
The community supported the idea and Farha said he decided to take the chance.
The move seems to have paid off with the bar's patrons.
"We love, love, love that it's non-smoking," said Lawrence
resident Trish Simons, who was accompanied by her husband a smoker.
"I smoke, but I love it here," Tom Simons said. "I don't go home and have clothes full of smoke."
Whether or not the younger crowd would feel the same remained to be seen, Farha said.
"It's a risk," Farha said. "I have a stack of ashtrays in the back just in case."
Since opening almost one month ago, Farha has relied on word of mouth to spread the
word about the bar.
"It takes a lot of patience." Farha said. "I've been pleasantly surprised."
Waitress Jessica Wachter, a Lawrence resident, said opening in the summer made it hard to tell whether the lounge would lure college students.
Farha is cautiously gauging how the public responds to the non-smoking rule.
"In the winter, will people still want to go outside or are we going to lose a lot of business?" Farha
questioned. "It's definitely a risk."
The Lounge's ethereal interior contrasts with Farha's wood-clad Wheel. Chairs are padded with thick cushions, and the ceiling has wavy artistic touches.
Customers are expected to abide by a dress code of no T-shirts or hats. An exception for hats is made on Wednesdays - a day that golfers come out in droves.
"We've had people come up who weren't properly dressed in our opinion," Farha said.
"They've said, 'No problem.' They turn around and come back 30 minutes later."
At 10 p.m. on Fridays, a deejay and dance floor replaces Sammy Davis It's golden oldies.
Jazz bands perform Saturdays from 9 p.m. to midnight, and Farha said he may schedule solo folk acts in the future.
The Bella Lounge is open Monday through Saturday from 4:30 p.m. until 2 a.m.
- Edited by Richard Gintott