INDIANA BEER
SOLD HERE
Parky’s Readies Hog Haven
Barbecue restaurant will open soon
in Lebanon
by Jamie Hall/The Daily Sun
Originally published in The Daily Sun on October 11, 2006
Lebanon — Parky’s Smokehouse, located on north Lebanon Street in the old “Garfield’s” building, has created quite a buzz in Boone County—without even opening its doors to the public. Questions such as “What will be served?” and “Who are the brains behind the operation?” have been circling for weeks now; curious restaurant goers are eager to get the first taste.
Soon enough.
Slated to open in late October—no exact date has been announced—Parky’s Smokehouse will offer one-of-a-kind dining in Lebanon, and the county, really: smoked pork, chicken, sausage, baby back ribs and prime rib are just a few of the tantalizing menu items, predominantly created in the home kitchen of Julie and Gary Parks. The couple, both gurus in hotel and restaurant management, have taken their self-professed “passion for barbecue food” to new heights in the development of their first independent dining venture.
“It’s a transformation from patio to restaurant,” said the in-sync couple just after lunchtime Tuesday. “All the menu items are family recipes or those of our close friends,” added Gary Parks.
Those family recipes include Barbecue Angel, a unique dish that pairs angel hair pasta with pulled pork and barbecue marinara; the Great Smokehouse Mountain burger, topped with cheese, smoked pulled pork and signature “Curley Ques;” and Parky’s Authentic Smokehouse Pizza, an alternative to the traditional pie. For dessert: Comfort Bread Pudding with Praline Sauce, described on the menu as “warm bread, rich vanilla, sweet raisins, comfort and love generously topped with velvety praline sauce and whipped cream.” That’s a deliciously accurate description. (Click here to see the entire menu.)
When patrons enter Parky’s, their gaze will likely be drawn to a whimsical mural on the back wall. “Parky Pig and the Moos” was painted in 80 hours by 2006 Lebanon High School grad, Chad Waples.
“He did such a good job—we had so much fun with it,” said Julie Parks. “It was funny because I told him I wanted sexy cows, you know, cows with curves. He had trouble at first with the sexy cows. But it looks great and it’s exactly what we wanted.”
As far as barbecue’s concerned, Parky’s rubs and sauces were perfected by the couple over the years. Gary and Julie Parks have lived in Lebanon for 10 years; they share two sons, John and Tom, both Central Elementary students in first grade and kindergarten, respectively.
“Johnny Tender and Big Tom,” said Julie Parks, laughing in one of the restaurant’s booths. “Our friends said, ‘They have to be on the menu,’ so that’s what they are.”
From cones to bones
Gary Parks’ career in the restaurant industry began nearly 45 years ago, growing up in and eventually managing a family-owned Dairy Queen business in upstate New York. He has an Associate Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, with a minor in Business.
Gary took a position with International Dairy Queen as a District Manager and moved up to Regional Manager over 8 District Managers and 400+ stores. He moved on to work for Allied Domecq—Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin’ Robbins and Togos Sandwiches—in various management and franchise sales capacities for nearly 20 years. Gary has also been in site procurement and franchise sales in the tire industry, and has served as a consultant in franchise licensing. Gary’s main areas of responsibility at Parky’s Smokehouse will be to oversee day-to-day operations; cost controls; labor and inventory management; and equipment, facility and property maintenance.
Julie’s career in hospitality began at age 12 when she served lasagna and oyster stew each year at her parent’s annual extravaganza. In high school, she began waitressing at a local diner in southern Minnesota, and eventually put herself through college waiting tables and bartending at a full-service restaurant. Julie graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Her career path has included opening new Dairy Queens and Dunkin’ Donut stores across the United States; acting as a District Manager for more than 50 stores with International Dairy Queen; opening a new facility as Kitchen Manager for G.W. Sharkey’s in Castleton, now known as Charleston’s; and product procurement and catalog design for a restaurant equipment company. Julie’s career path changed when the catalog design sparked a new interest. She took a job with printing company and eventually launched her own business in desktop publishing 13 years ago. Julie Parks’ main responsibilities will include menu development, marketing, accounting and administration.
Gary and Julie Parks display great pride in their Parky’s management team, which boasts 102 combined years of service.
“We have such a good team,” said Julie Parks. “We’re very proud that these people have faith in us—in this.”
Julie and Gary Parks don’t anticipate slowing down at Parky’s any time soon, and have a plethora of plans for the restaurant’s future. The couple has developed a simple mission statement that’s already in place.
“Our motto is ‘If it’s good for the guest, it’s good for us,” said Gary Parks.
If You Go
Parky’s is located at 2479 N. Lebanon Street. They can be reached by phone at 765-482-1 OINK (1646). Parky’s is open daily by 11:00 a.m.
