The Tipsy Biscuit opens in Elkhart, serves up family's homemade biscuits

 

ELKHART, Ind.—It was the southern home cooking that the Gibson’s grew up with that became the driving force behind their new Elkhart restaurant, The Tipsy Biscuit.

“We’re used to a nice hearty breakfast with biscuits and gravy,” said James Gibson. “Once we decided we were doing a breakfast place, we knew that biscuits were our thing.”

James, who moved to Elkhart with his family as a teenager, said his Grandma Lois’ biscuit recipe made the trek from down south to Michiana as a menu staple.

“We make them fresh every morning,” James said.

James, along with his mom Diana and sister Andrea, bought the building at 231 N. Main Street in Elkhart in September. Together, the three worked together to create the breakfast restaurant with nods to their childhood.

“I found the decorations everywhere. In my garage, my barn. The measuring cups were my great-grandmother’s,” Diana said.

Diana described the restaurant’s atmosphere as “quirky.” Inside, you’ll find everything from roosters to owls lining the walls and the restaurant’s first dollar proudly displayed on the kitchen window.

“With the concept we did in the interior, I just wanted it to feel like you were coming in for a great meal in your grandma’s kitchen,” James said.

The breakfast food menu, which is available all day, offers everything from chicken on a biscuit and chicken and waffles to eggs benedict and stacks of pancakes.

“Everything kind of tastes like your grandma made it,” James said.

For lunch, items like Mama’s Meatloaf, wings and burgers are available.

“We do everything scratch-made, from the sausage that is homemade and the biscuits that are homemade every morning and our gravy. We try to offer vegan and vegetarian options as well as gluten free, we also have keto-friendly items," James said. "We’re trying to stay up with the trends while offering classic rib-sticking dishes so that everybody can come in here and feel comfortable and welcome.”

Drink menu offerings include a Green Bloody Mary with shrimp and bacon and mimosas.

James said that his family is honored to be a part of what he calls the revitalization of downtown Elkhart.

Since opening officially for business on January 28, James said the restaurant manned by the three family members has seen more customers than he initially expected.

“It’s been a little crazy. We have gotten so much support, we feel so blessed that Elkhart and the Michiana area has flooded our Facebook.  They’ve been flocking through the doors,” James said. “We thought this would be a slow starting, slow burning. We thought people would catch on to the great food and it’s been exactly the opposite of that. We’ve been a little overwhelmed but we can’t complain, it’s a great problem to have.”

The Tipsy Biscuit is open Tuesday through Friday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. 2 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.