culinary
Revisited
Over the years, Travel Indiana has recognized some of Indiana’s Top Chefs. In this issue, we’re reflecting on some of our favorites from past issues and hoping to reignite the excitement to support local businesses and restaurants. These chefs are still doing what they love— creating dishes and memories that can only be made by family and friends sharing a meal together. Below are excerpts from three of our best Top Chefs features…
story by Elizabeth Granger
Patrick Rice: The Tin Plate in Elwood The table is set 24/7. The candle is lit at 6 o’clock every evening. But the guest never comes. He’s still missing, or he’s already gone. And the owners of The Tin Plate restaurant know that. That’s their point. The table honors military personnel who have sacrificed the ultimate: A few are still MIA (missing in action) or POWs (Prisoners of War), and many have died. It’s a way for restaurant owners Pat Rice and his son Patrick Rice to honor them and to encourage their diners to do so also. The Missing Man table has been set for almost five years – the restaurant opened in 2015 – but the Rices’ commitment to honoring the military goes back much further. Pat’s Father is a US Army veteran. Pat was an Elwood police officer for 28 years. And Patrick’s service began when he was a youngster. Trumpet lessons in grade school led to his membership in the world champion Star of Indiana Drum & Bugle Corps during high school. He hasn’t stopped playing; he’s a member of Bugles Across America and still plays “Taps” at military funerals throughout Madison County. Patrick said, “I voluntarily play for as many military funerals as are called 84
traveliN Staycation 2021
for so the family does not have to endure the military honors ceremony with a recording. It’s done live.” As for the restaurant, it’s something the father/ son duo had thought about for a long time. Both had already been in the food industry for years, and they were looking for a location in early 2015 when the building in Elwood’s American Tin Plate neighborhood came up for sale. There’s been a lot of remodeling – the new kitchen is much bigger than the original, for example. The Tin Plate’s breaded tenderloin rapidly became their signature dish. Also popular are fried and battered cheese curds; ribbon fries loaded with pulled pork BBQ, shredded cheese, sour cream and jalapeños; and a roast beef Manhattan with red gravy. But always, in the forefront, is that homage to the military. “You’ll see a lot of restaurants set up a (Missing Man) table on Memorial Day or Veterans Day, then take it down,” Pat
said. “Ours is there 24/7. It’s there 365 days a year.” “Because those guys are there 365 days a year,” added Patrick. “They’re not there just two days a year. MIAs, POWs, those buried in the jungle, unknown – they’re there all the time.” “And they’re missed everyday of the year,” Pat said.
The Tin Plate 2233 S. J St. Elwood (765) 557-8231
