Great Starkville Restaurant Challenge Winner: The Biscuit Shop!
During the month of May we held a 32-team (restaurant) bracket from local Starkville dining establishments, and the winner based on your vote is The Biscuit Shop. Congrats to The Biscuit Shop on a remarkable run through the bracket in a very fun event that brought lots of enjoyment to us as a staff and hopefully you the reader.
(as you can see, I learned how to spell “biscuit” correctly during this process).
The Biscuit Shop didn’t sneak past anyone, that’s for sure. They beat formidable foes: Starkville Cafe, Central Station Grill, The Little Dooey, Stagger In and Harvey’s. That is an impressive group.
Fans of The Biscuit Shop really supported the restaurant. The “Biscuit Lady” had over 1,000 votes alone in almost every match-up. The championship round was another example of an impressive showing, but the match of the tournament was definitely Little Dooey vs. Biscuit Shop, which had over 2,800 votes and nearly 12,000 people viewed the poll (oddly, an average of only 30% of viewers actually voted in the polls each day – perhaps because they hadn’t eaten at both places?)
The challenge had several unique twists. We caught some grief (or I did since I made the bracket) for pitting Restaurant Tyler vs. The Veranda in Round one – but I wanted to have similar restaurants in that round and also drum up some interest with intriguing match-ups. Ultimately, however, the Veranda got their panties in a wad after the second round when they lost to Casa Bravo. Owner Jay Yates contacted me suggested we were trying to make money off his hard work (this is a hobby, Jay) and several other off-base claims.
Dave’s Darkhorse Tavern also wanted out for some unknown reason. Both of those restaurants actually campaigned hard to win their first round match-ups, but then wanted to take their ball and go home. We didn’t let them as it would have destroyed the integrity of the vote. They both lost in Round 2 anyway and good riddance.
Nearly all of the other restaurants involved were excited about the voting process and wanted to win. Standouts were The Little Dooey, Harvey’s and Stagger In. But no one topped the Biscuit Lady! She was fired up and rightfully so as her supporters came out in mass to vote for the biscuit.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the bracket was Casa Bravo. After just getting by Mi Hacienda by two percentage points in Round 1 they beat The Veranda and Bulldog Deli in Rounds two and three respectively. Obviously there is something more than the usual Mexican fare there.
The championship round between Harvey’s and The Biscuit Shop was an interesting one. An old Starkville tradition vs. a new one. But those biscuits must be something else to create such a flood of votes.
Honestly, I’ve never eaten at The Biscuit Shop. But after this incredible showing, I’ll be frequenting their establishment whenever I’m back in Starkville. Congrats to The Biscuit Shop on winning the Great Starkville Restaurant Challenge!
Next: Mississippi State vs. Southern Miss Game Time Announced