Student-run Restaurant Is a Popular Pick For Lawrence Lunch Crowd
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There is always something delicious to be enjoyed at Bernie’s Place, a student-run restaurant at The McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology, 7250E. 75th Street, Indianapolis.
During the school year, Bernie’s Place, which has reasonable prices, draws a lot of hungry customers looking for a good meal. Gracie Sahm, with the school’s Culinary Arts Department, says the first day of lunch for the 2018-19 school year began Sept. 12.
“Bernie’s Place is named after Bernard K. McKenzie, a former Lawrence Township Schools superintendent,” Sahm says. “Many career and technical education schools have student-run restaurants. We like to think ours is the best.”
Bernie’s Place is open from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Wednesday-Friday when school is in session. The students are always welcoming new customers. Customers enter the restaurant through Door 2, in the southwest corner of the building.
“The students typically enjoy the restaurant environment,” Sahm says. “They go through all the rotations throughout the year, so they can get experience in each kitchen and dining room position and hone their skills.”
Bernie’s Place also provides a great educational opportunity. Kids get hands-on training.
“The students also learn The National Restaurant Association’s ProStart curriculum, which covers culinary topics, cost control and purchasing and inventory,” Sahm says.
Bernie’s Place also provides a chance for Indianapolis residents to sit down for a relaxing and tasty lunch.
“Some of our more popular items are The Southern Fried Chicken Salad, Tropical Chicken Salad, Fried Tenderloin and our Meatloaf Sandwich,” Sahm says. “We have weekly sandwich and salad specials, which are very popular. We have homemade dessert specials each week and homemade soup specials daily.”
There is also a Santa Fe Salad and a House Salad.
Other menu items include The Bernie Burger (an excellent choice), a one-third ground beef patty served on a toasted bun with lettuce and tomato, a Spinach Melt, a Spinach dip grilled with sliced bacon, tomatoes and cheddar cheese on toasted whole wheat, a Chicken Breast and a Club Panini with ham, turkey, bacon, Swiss Cheese, American Cheese, tomatoes and mayo on Texas toast.
Bernie’s Place also has a Barbecue Pork Sandwich, a Four Cheese Grilled Sandwich on Texas Toast Or wheat bread and a Blackened Chicken Quesadilla.
Other options are The Deep Fried Fish Sandwich or a BLT. The side items include french fries and sweet potato fries, a side salad, onion rings, coleslaw and Kettle Chips. The dessert menu includes freshly baked cookies, vanilla ice cream, a sundae or “Today’s House-Made Special,” where a student baker prepares a dessert for your dining pleasure.
Various specials are offered on their monthly calendar, too.
When asked what her favorite Bernie’s Place menu item is, Sahm says, “That is an impossible question for me to answer. I would not put any item on the menu which I didn’t love.”
Sahm adds that the restaurant’s loyal customers have kept the restaurant thriving.
“The community has been supportive of Bernie’s Place for the last 27 years,” Sahm says. “Since the renovation of Bernie’s Place two years ago, our customer base has increased dramatically. The kitchen is state-of-the art and the dining room is beautiful. Many of our staff eat here daily.”
“It’s the best-kept secret in Lawrence Township,” adds Carlotta Sullivan, a McKenzie employee.
Bernie’s Place is located in the McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology at 7250 E. 75th Street. You can give them a call at 317-964-8000 or find more information online at McKenzie.ltschools.org.
