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Show vt,, w fV' I V 1 t i ; Ir- V Li I , - , , n , photo by Randy Hanskat Bob Beasley (left) and Medford Leake, part owners of the Stew Pot, sample their creations in the sunny interior of the restaurant. Stew Pot menu includes a dash of Southern hospitality by Randy Hanskat "People hear we are in the Deer Valley Plaza and immediately associate that with high prices. But we aren't any part of Deer Valley. We're closer to being rednecks than snobs." That is the way Bob Beasley and Medford Leake, part owners of the Stew Pot restaurant, lament the mistaken mis-taken public perception of their business. In actuality, the prices at one of Park City's newest and most innovative restaurants are very reasonable, say the pair. But they can't get the locals to give the Stew Pot a try, at least not as many locals as they would like. If you like stew and soup, the Stew Pot is a dream come true. There are 15 different kinds of stew on a menu which stays the same for lunch and dinner. There is the Old Fashioned stew, a traditional stew, on one side of the scale. And then there are stews such as the Belgium Beef stew, which is cooked in beer, on the other side of the scale. The Stew Pot makes stews with beef, lamb, veal, and pork. In addition, Beasley and Leake cook up to 20 to 25 different types of soups, with specials every day. Soup lovers can Qnd anything from beef vegetable to New England clam chowder on the list. And all the stews and soups are served with homemade home-made whole wheat bread, honey and molasses. One of the two stew specialists is at the restaurant restau-rant at all times to make sure everything goes right. Beasley said they cook with "practically no grease, so our food is good for you." Everything is homemade, with no preservatives, he added. But don't think the Stew Pot doesn't offer anything else. Leake said their menu also includes sandwiches, chili, and salads. In the summer there are plans to add more fresh fruit to the menu. To go with the food the Stew Pot can serve beer and setups. But those desiring stronger libation can walk just across the way in the Plaza building and will find a state liquor store to suit their tastes. Beasley and Leake came by the label "redneck" iwnestly. They were raised in Tupelo, Mississippi. "Elvis, Mel, and me are from Tupelo," said Beasley with a chuckle. Their southern upbringing gives the Stew Pot another plus over other restaurants they claim. "We've got a friendly attitude," Leake explained. "But it's not just a fake friendliness to get the business. We simply believe that's the way people should be treated." But with all that going for the business, it has been difficult to get people to try the Stew Pot, Leake said. They hope that word-of-mouth will bring more and more people in. A deck which is being built off the side of the restaurant may soon make the Stew Pot a popular spot on a sunny day. The restaurant is located on the back of the Plaza, so it looks out over a lake. The interior already is complete with many large plate glass windows. Beasley said construction on the deck should be finished by the end of the month. The first Stew Pot restaurant restau-rant has been in Aspen for over 10 years. When the owner of that restaurant, Rob Robinson, decided to expand, Beasley and Leake did the looking around, chose Park City, and became part owners of the new branch. The Stew Pot is open seven days a week from 11 :30 a.m. to 9 p.m. |