BUTTE – When Brad and Robin Cockhill received a call from New York telling them that their Butte restaurant Matt’s Place had won an award from the James Beard Foundation, their first thought was that the call was a scam...
However, slowly but surely it began to dawn on the local couple that the call was real and that Matt’s Place – which has been mainstay in the Mining City since the 1930s – had just won the foundation’s 2016 American Classics Award.
Each year the award is given to five restaurants that have timeless appeal and are known for quality food that reflects the character of its community, the James Beard Foundation said in a news release. As one the recipients, the Cockhills will attend the James Beard Awards Gala in Chicago, where the foundation will hand out awards in a range of categories.
In case you’re not privy to the culinary arts scene, winning an award from the James Beard Foundation is kind of a big deal.
James Beard Awards typically go to restaurants in large cities – so having a recipient in a small community like Butte makes winning all the more special.
New Mexico restaurateur Rob Connoley agrees.
Connoley’s restaurant the Curious Kumquat, Silver City, a town of about 10,000 – was a semifinalist for the American Classics Award in 2014.
“The award is the single highest award in the culinary industry,” said Connoley, who joked that when he dies “James Beard semifinalist” will be the first phrase in his obituary.
So how does Matt’s exemplify a “timeless appeal,” and “food that reflects the character of its community”?
While one can only speculate about who nominated Matt’s Place and why, it’s safe to say that Matt’s – with its old-school soda fountain, vintage Coke icebox and rickety push-button cash register – has a classic appeal that’s hard to miss.
Reminiscent of the carhops of the 1930s and 1940s, Matt’s offers roadside service in addition to a traditional counter service (though Robin Cockhill said few patrons take them up on their carhop).
Menu highlights include milkshakes made from home-made cream, a variety of hamburgers (including the egg burger, which features a fried egg on top, and the nut burger, which boasts a hamburger patty topped with mayonnaise and mixed nuts) and assorted sandwiches.
The Cockhills also pride themselves on using local vendors and cooking with fresh ingredients...
Read on at The Missoulian