< Back | Home

Ashley Barney, undeclared sophomore, works as a server for the new restaurant Michelle's located on South Joplin Street, a few block from PSU.

Michelle's brings home cookin' to Pittsburg

By: Larry Fleury

Posted: 11/19/09

As you step into the restaurant, a smiling hostess greets you at the door. Lunch customers fill about half of the 60 tables and booths in the building around 12:30 p.m., which is the restaurant's busiest time of day. The smell that permeates the air is similar to the smell of grandma's cooking on a family holiday. You soon realize that your hostess is also a co-owner, for whom the restaurant is name. Michelle's is a new restaurant located three blocks from campus on south Joplin where Marty's Deli used to be. Michelle and Brendon Nelson have been residents of Pittsburg for five months now, but this is their second week as business owners.
Michelle Nelson says there has been no official advertisement, but they are getting busier and busier everyday.
"It has all been word of mouth," Nelson said. "We've had no one come in when we opened at 6 a.m. last week, but we had eight this morning. All the advertising has been through people talking or they just drove by and saw the new place. We didn't want to start off fast because it's new. A lot of people going into business will have a grand opening and it'll start off great, but problems come up. We figured we'd eliminate the problems before we get too crowded."
Brendon Nelson is the main cook and co-owner, and says he went to culinary school in St. Louis, Mo., and it was his dream to run a restaurant.
"Michelle really pushed me into following my dream and doing this," Nelson said. "And after being married for 14 years, I dedicated the restaurant to her by naming it Michelle's."
The restaurant serves country-style dishes such as hamburgers, steaks and a variety of meats that can be served throughout the day, as well as french fries, potatoes and pie for dessert. The most expensive meal is under $10.
With restaurants like Ziggies closing, Brendon Nelson said owning a restaurant is a tricky thing.
"There is fear," Nelson said. "It's a risky business, but I'm here from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. I'm very hands-on involved in every single aspect that goes on here."
Dale Vaughn, a first-time costumer, ordered a steak and says from what he's tasted so far, it's pretty delicious.
"This is pretty good," Vaughn said. "In fact, I'm a pretty good cook myself, except I don't have to do dishes."
Rusty Bruneau and Ashley Minton were eating at Michelle's, also for the first time. Bruneau said he likes the down-to-Earth style of the restaurant.
"I used to come here when it was Marty's," Bruneau said. "I think I'm going to order a cheeseburger, but it all looks good. I came here because it's like a home cooked meal."
Ashley Barney, undeclared sophomore, is a waitress at the restaurant and says she loves the environment.
"I like how it's family owned," Barney said. "Everyone is more personable. I worked at a grocery store and it wasn't fun. Here, they're nicer and I like the atmosphere.
Michelle's best special is a breakfast sampler, which is offered from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., and there are a variety of foods to choose from, but the price is only $3.99.
The restaurant has changed the interior a bit, with new wood paneling and China cabinets placed around to make it feel cozy. In the background, music from all eras is playing, but mostly classic country music.