Jesse Loyd's T-10 Recruiting Food Joints

We began looking for our staff for Summer 2014 this week.  Andy, Lauren and Erin are at John Brown University this week and we will invade the YOU of A next week.

There are 3 major things I judge a recruiting trip on at the end of it:

            3. Quality of Applicants

            2. Time with Former Staff

            1. FOOD!

I love food and I like to think of myself as somewhat of a Northwest Arkansas Food connoisseur.  If you need a good place to eat while you are up here let me know and I will try to steer you in the right direction.  For a reference just ask Ryan Fuller.  I sent him to some pretty good places this past summer.

I am putting together my T-10 Restaurants in towns that we recruit at for you to enjoy.  You should check them out and let me know what you think.

Here is the some of the limiting factors to this list:

1. Not a “chain” restaurant.  There can be multiple locations but nothing that is regional or national.
2. Under $15.  There are lots of places that you can eat well for a lot of money.  I am looking for places where you can eat well and not spend a fortune.  Value is key.
3. Schools I recruit at.  Keep in mind that I have not been everywhere that we recruit.  I have never been to Manhattan, KS or Bolivar MO.  So let me know if there are restaurants that I have missed on this list due to me not have going to that school

SOOOO without further adieu… here is my T-10 Recruiting Food Stops

10. Red Rock Bakery- Stillwater, OK

Red Rock Bakery is a great stop for breakfast or lunch.  Great sandwiches, salads and soup go really well with their amazing assortment of baked goods.  My guess would be that this would be on the Top of the Seaton’s list!

9. Marias Mexican Restaurant- Springfield, MO

I really enjoyed Marias in 2010 when we took the MSU, Evangel and SBU staff here for our staff dinner.  I filled up on their chips and queso and had their steak fajitas.   Maria’s has a great location and vibe to it as well in downtown Springfield.

8. Vidalia’s Café- Tahlequah, OK

Jen Rediske and I ate here several times on our trip to recruit at NSU in 2008 and 2009.  They have a great assortment of sandwiches and soups, but don’t forget about dessert.  Pies, cakes and cookies!  A must stop in Tahlequah!

7. Lamberts Café- Ozark, MO

You have to drive a little ways out of Springfield for this but it is well worth the drive.  Lamberts motto is “Quality is more important than Quantity, but we offer both!”  You need to come hungry because there will be food literally thrown at you.  They are famous for their “throwed rolls,” but their food is very good.  You order your meat and then the servers walk around with country style sides.  Lambert also has a great atmosphere and is a definite stop for myself and Greg Taylor when in Springfield.

6. Thai Café- Stillwater, OK

Sometimes you go to a restaurant and one entrée changes everything for you.  The Coconut Crusted Shrimp at Thai Café is one of the best entrees I have ever had in my life. It is shrimp that is batter fried in flour and coconut over a bed of rice with the most amazing sweet coconut sauce over it.  Thai Café is pretty unimpressive as you walk in, but this entrée will change your opinion fast!

5. Hammontree’s- Fayetteville, AR

This Fayetteville spot serves gourmet grilled cheese and soups.  It has become a favorite place of mine in my hometown because each time I go they have a different option of cheese or things to put in your grilled cheese.  The soups are great as well. I usually go with the “Jack of the Future” with the Black Bean Tortilla Soup.  It is definitely a place to get the whole “Fayetteville” experience.

4. Tiny Tim’s Pizza- Fayetteville, AR

This one might be unfair because I grew up in Fayetteville and Tiny Tim’s has been a Loyd family go-to restaurant for 20+ years.  Tiny Tim’s has a great setting and even better food.  Be ready for a wait if you try to go on Sunday’s after church or evenings on weekends.  The Tim’s International Pizza is their version of a Supreme and it is loaded with good toppings and fresh mozzarella cheese.  Add Tim’s homemade Ranch dressing and you have a killer slice. 

3. CJ’s Butcher Boys Burgers- Russellville, AR

CJ’s has become a staple for the Arkansas Tech Staff Meal on our recruiting trips.  There is another local burger joint that gets a lot of press, but CJ’s fresh beef and fries knock them out.  You can’t find a better burger for my money.  They are grilled on the spot when you order them and they even have a free jukebox.   Russellville has a real gem in CJ’s!

2. Hugo’s- Fayetteville, AR

Hugo’s is located in a basement in Fayetteville’s Historic Downtown District.  Hugo’s is known for their burgers, homemade French fries and their famous Beer Cheese Soup.  If there is one place in Fayetteville to get the whole “Fayetteville” experience, this is it!  I order the Guacamole Burger every time while Darrick and Jenny get their “Burger of the Damned” (not on the menu, gotta ask for it).  You can’t go wrong with Hugos!

1. Stoby’s- Russellville, AR or Conway, AR

There are 3 reasons that Stoby’s is #1on my list.  1. Cheese Dip!  They have world famous cheese dip.  You can get it in Yellow or White and I can give you first hand experience that they are both amazing.  Kris Allen (2009 American Idol Winner) was given free cheese dip for life! 2. Pie!  You can’t go and not get pie.  Stoby’s is a stop for the CWE Staff after Video Shows and whenever we want something sweet while in Russellville or Conway.  I love the Possum Pie, but the Chocolate Crème and Peanut Butter Pie are great as well.  3. Train Whistle! The Russellville location is on an old Train Car that is equipped with a fully functional train whistle.  It was probably meant for children but I get a pretty big kick out of pulling it when I am there.  I didn’t even mention the entrees!  There are many great menu items at Stoby’s!  It is a restaurant I will go to multiple times while in town.

Well… that is my list.  I must add that I will be going to Lawrence Kansas to recruit.  Molly says that I will be a big fan of TheBurger Stand aka “The Casbah” and Michelle Nelson has told me to visit BuffaloBob’s Smokehouse. 

What is your favorite eating spot in your college town???

Have you ever wondered what happens when you fill out a maintenance request during the Summer?

Like, who replaces the light bulb when your kid bashes his head on the light fixture and breaks the whole thing? Have you ever thought about how the new cabins get built, or why is there a stream down at the nature center? Well, the maintenance team is the main proprietor in all of those enterprises. You may have had some interactions with any one of us throughout the summer, but mostly, we try to stay out of sight for most of the day. Our motto is “If it’s broke, fix it, but don’t let anyone see you doing it.” Just in case you haven’t met any of us here is a short bio of all of the guys that keep this place running.

ROB

The first person you should probably know is Rob Whorton. He is our fearless leader. He is the boss. All decisions made in the facilities department go through him. He actually lives here on camp property. If you have been on SWAT you have probably been to his house for a bible study at some point or another. He and his wife dawn have two boys, Jacob and Caleb, and one foster girl, Catlin. You might have seen his boys playing smashball  this summer.  

SCARY TERRY

Then there is Terry, or as I like to call him “Scary Terry.” Contrary to the name, Terry is not scary at all. In fact, he is one of the nicest guys you will meet. Terry has been at camp since the inception. He helped build this place so he is our walking encyclopedia of knowledge about camp in general. Terry is the go to guy for where water lines are buried, what trees are dead and need to be trimmed, how much water the fishing pond leaks a day, when the sprinklers come on, and everything in between. He probably knows more about the facilities of camp than everyone else combined.

RED-HAIRED ROB

You might have seen Rob Kahle in the wood shop from time to time. A good distinguishing feature of the second Rob is his red hair. Some people like to call him “Red-Haired Rob.” Real creative, I know. Rob came out to camp mid way through the building of the place so he has seen everything grow throughout the years. He takes care of all the water around camp. He keeps the pools and cove clean so everyone can swim in them, but one of his favorite things is the derby car races on Friday during mish-mash.

HOLLYWOOD

The lake is a hot spot around camp. And for those of us who have been on lake crew at one point or another, we all know it is a full time job just keeping the boats up and running. That’s where Daniel Sherry comes in. Our resident boat mechanic, welder, and bus guy; he can fix most anything mechanical that we can throw at him. Daniel also helps light the fire works for Red, White, and Blue and WaterWorld. He says it satisfies the inner pyromaniac that we all have deep down inside of us.

RAUL

Raul Rodregez… What to say about Raul? If you know Raul at all, you will agree with me in saying that he is crazy. But the good kind of crazy. Raul brings entertainment to all of us all of the time. I don’t think that I have seen him sit quietly for more than 30 seconds at a time. Raul made the jump from Ozone staff to maintenance staff a few years ago. He is probably one of the most meticulous carpenters I have ever met and helps out in the wood shop when he can. He is also the guy that most of the maintenance requests fall upon so he might have replaced a light bulb or two for you in your cabin. Remember to thank him for it.

JUAN

One of the hardest workers I know goes by the name of Juan Trevino. He is in charge of the upkeep on the light vehicles (Vans and trucks). During the off season, he does most of the staining of fences and buildings around camp. One fun fact you may not know about Juan is that he used to play semi-pro baseball in Mexico before he had to have shoulder surgery. We recruited him for our softball team and at 57 years old, he is the best player on the field. Seriously, you should watch him play, It is pretty impressive.

RICH

One of our newest additions this year is Rich Holliday. He just recently married Sara Cory who works here in the office on September 14^th.  All of the landscaping lights around camp have been his baby since he started working here. All of the little lights on the fences and in the steps have been personally installed by Rich. Rich is another one of our carpenters and helps out on various wood working projects that are going on around camp. And for all of you hunters reading this, he is also a skilled taxidermist specializing in deer shoulder mounts and does some great work.

CUBBY

If you worked in the chow hall at any point this summer, you might have ran into Steven (CubbY) Hoover. During the summer Cubbie is kind of Bear’s go to guy in the chow hall. He does anything that is asked of him. Now that the summer is over however, he has made the switch to be on maintenance and is our heavy lifter. He has had his hand in more than a few different projects since he started working here. Cubbie is married to Sydney, who also works here in the office.

JUSTIN

Last, but not least, is me; Justin Pianalto. During the summer, I am in charge of SWAT so I have met a good number of you but not everyone. In the off season, I am Rob’s right hand man. I pretty much do whatever needs done. I do purchasing and some design research. I have been charged with projects such as the foam machine and the nature center stream. I started here 6 years ago as a lake crew guy and moved up to top staff for 2 years and then full time staff 2 years ago. As I am writing this, I am 3 days away from marrying Sarah Burgess and I can’t wait.

So next year when you show up for camp take note of everything that has changed. Then take a step back and remember the guys that make stuff like that happen. And next time you see any of them around, remember to thank them for the thankless jobs that they do.