D.T. Kirby's

605 Main Street, Lafayette, IN - (765) 429-6666

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Posted By Steve Panza on 12/22/2009 11:13:00 PM

Located approximately 120 miles south of Soldier Field, this relative newcomer (2008) to the Lafayette food scene is quietly making a name for itself. D.T. Kirby's, located at 605 Main Street in downtown Lafayette, IN is the brainchild of Chicago native Don Kirby. Described as "...a dive bar that's more dive than bar...," D.T. Kirby's offers more than just bar food, with signature sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs that will please pretty much every palate; a taste of Chicago. They even have Old Style, a Chicago favorite, on tap.

The first time I entered the place, Don was out by the bar talking to customers, and greeted me as a long lost friend. Everyone who walks in is a friend of Don's. You can find him tending bar, in the small kitchen, or taking drinks or food out to the tables. The sandwiches are things Don has come up with over the years, serving them up to friends and family at home. The food served at D.T. Kirby's is not for the faint of heart; it is hearty.

The signature sandwich, the 6th and Main, is a tribute to the location of the restaurant, on Main Street near 6th Street. This monster has six different meats and four cheeses with four slices of bread. I had them slice it in half so I could try to tackle it in sections. I ended up eating the second half at home the next day. They also offer a smaller Dagwood sandwich that is only a triple-decker. Other sandwiches include a Cuban, pastrami, Ruben, pork tenderloin, and a thing called Uncle, among others.

Their burgers are half-pound Angus. The lineup includes the Wimpy (the basic burger), chili burger, the bar burger (with two half-pound patties), and the Grilled Cheese Cheeseburger, which is so good.

One thing that has been lacking in the area is a good Chicago-style hot dog. With the relatively close proximity to the Windy City, it is sad that no one had a good dog. That was until D.T. Kirby's came to town. Featuring a quarter-pound Vienna Beef dog, the Chicago Dog sports mustard, neon green relish, and sport peppers just like you would find outside Soldier Field or in Wrigleyville. They don't stop there. D.T. Kirby's has a whole roster of hot dogs covering the entire spectrum, including favorites consumed in New York, LA, Italy, and Brazil.

Currently, D.T. Kirby's offers a limited breakfast menu on the weekends, starting at 8 am. Their freshly made sausage gravy rivals, and may even surpass, the gravy from the famous XXX (or Triple X) across the river in West Lafayette. D.T. Kirby's features bread from Great Harvest Bread Company in Lafayette, delivered fresh daily. The kitchen is open until 3 am every day. Future plans are to be open 24 hours a day (possibly as soon as mid-January 2010).

Scorecard

Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip

Fried Muffin Breakfast Sandwich	Cuban Sandwich
Grilled Cheese Cheeseburger	Buiscits and Gravy
Pastrami Sandwich	6th and Main Sandwich
Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich	You-Build-It Omelette

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"The combination of two favorites: the grilled cheese sandwich and cheeseburgers. Whenever I think about this sandwich, I can hear my mom admonishing me. So bad for me, but sooooo good."
Steve Panza

"Pastrami sandwich on toasted rye."
Steve Panza

"Omelette with sausage, Swiss cheese, and mushrooms. I love the marble rye Kirby's uses. It is thickly sliced and toasts well."
Steve Panza

"The Fried Muffin Breakfast Sandwich: it may be small, but it packs a flavor punch."
Steve Panza

"Grilled pork, ham, and salami with pickles and Swiss cheese makes D.T. Kirby's Cuban sandwich a crunchy, savory delight. "
Steve Panza

"The tenderloins are brought in fresh twice a week and breaded when ordered. The breading is lightly done; it does not overpower the meat."
Steve Panza

"Pictured is a half-order of B&G. Freshly made biscuits from Great Harvest smothered with fresh sausage gravy is a great start to any morning."
Steve Panza

"Banners and pictures of the Chicago Bears festoon the walls. D.T. Kirby's is a Bears Den for Chicago expats and fans who live in the area. Never fear, though. Everyone is a friend of Don's."
Steve Panza

"Really subdued, one may have to look twice to realize where D.T. Kirby's is. There is usually a sign out front featuring lunch, dinner, and drink specials."
Steve Panza