That wonderful home cooked meal that college students crave is no longer two hours away: it can be found in the Historical Rose Court of Downtown Muncie on the corner of Charles and Mulberry streets in a restaurant known as Two Johnny's.
In addition to the variety of homemade soups, salads and sandwiches, Two Johnny's also provides meals with a home cooked feel, such as chicken and noodles or baked steak.
"From the moment I walked in, it just seemed kind of homey," Lucas Meadows, senior computer technology major, said. "It was very personable and the smell, as I walked in the door, it just encompassed home cooked meals. It was just a nice restaurant overall. Everyone around me seemed to enjoy it."
Two Johnny's opened in May 2009 in the Historical Rose Court of Downtown Muncie, a building that opened in 1926 and has been home to several businesses over the years. After working at White River Landing for several years, Matt Zocek decided it was time to open his own restaurant business.
Along with fellow owner Anson Shull, they run and operate the restaurant with only themselves as employees. Although it's only the two of them, they are usually able to handle the restaurant when it gets busy.
"We just kick it up a notch, we are usually able to handle it," Zocek said. "The fact that the economy isn't any good and people are not spending anywhere what they used to on going out to eat, it's really a necessity to run with two people."
With only two guys working there it does however allow them to get to know their customers and it helps to provide a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
"The fact that it's the same two guys working everyday makes it unique; you definitely know who's going to wait on you when you come in here." Zocek said.
Two Johnny's makes all of their desserts and soups from scratch daily.
"We buy our produce every day, so you know you are going to get a really fresh product," Zocek said. "We truly do make a lot of our own food. It takes a lot of time to do that."
Among the variety of daily homemade specials, desserts, soups, salads and sandwiches, Two Johnny's is known for their Cuban sandwich and olive burger.
"I usually recommend the Cuban or the olive burger, just because they are our two best sellers," Zocek said.
In addition to serving the Muncie community home-cooked meals, Two Johnny's also hosts "Smooth Saturdays," a live event every other Saturday that consists of Jazz music, an annual ping pong tournament, art galleries and other live band performances.
Two Johnny's is always looking for new people to come play, especially from the Ball State community.
"I would like to find out who's out there that plays music," he said. "We're interested in all styles and varieties [and] we are looking for people who do what they do and do it well. We're definitely interested in people playing here on Friday and Saturday nights."
Two Johnny's is currently open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. On the Fridays and Saturdays that have events, they may even be open as late as 1 a.m. Planning to open at 8 a.m. in the near future, Two Johnny's will be adding homemade biscuits and gravy along with locally roasted coffee to the menu this week.
"That's about it," Zocek said. "It's going to be very simple, just a really good biscuits and gravy. We'll probably expand to breakfast sandwiches and such, but I'm in no hurry."
Being run by only two people, Two Johnny's maintains a flexible schedule.
"The hours change here a lot because it's a business run by two people," Zocek said. "I've got a family of three children and a lot of things come up. Sometimes, we just put a sign on the door that says ‘be back in an hour.' That's kind of the spirit of owning a small restaurant."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
