HERNANDO, MS -
(WMC TV) - THIS WEEK'S BIG TIP: Buon Cibo, Highland Court Shopping Center, 2631 McIngvale Rd., Hernando, MS, 662-469-9481, http://www.buonciborestaurant.com, CLOSED SUNDAYS & MONDAYS!
Local ingredients and produce.
Everything's made in house.
Better food fast -- that's not fast food.
Good food. The English translation of Buon Cibo.
"You just get a better quality food than going to, say, a fast food restaurant where everything's processed," said daily regular Holly Renee Seymour of Hernando.
There was already plenty of processed food in Hernando. For years, the idyllic Desoto County hamlet was just burger and barbecue joints surrounding a big hole that could only be filled by a fresher, farm-to-table approach.
One year ago, Josh and Katie Belenchia stuffed that hole like one of their Heritage Farmworks meatloaf sandwiches.
"There's farmers all around Hernando," said Josh Belenchia, a native of Cleveland, MS. "I use farm-fresh eggs, milk from Oxford, cheese from Tennessee, coffee, grits.
"Hopefully, it will bring awareness to that you can get your food locally, and it is better for you."
Better order one of their speciality pizzas. They are named after Mid-South locales - The Nesbit, The Oxford, The Como.
The Memphis Pizza -- loaded with ranch, mozzarella, cheddar, kielbasa, pepperoncini and seasoning -- was one of Buon Cibo's limited-time-only specials until I tapped it as a permanent addition to Buon Cibo's menu.
Fresh greens, scratch soups and pies (you must sample Katie's chocolate pie!) and sales of local farm products round out why Buon Cibo wins locals who love to eat local.
"They're local people, good people," said Olive Branch customer Dano Napoli. "It's good food. It's local food. I know what they're putting in it.
"If you're trying to eat healthier and know what's in your food, it's a good place to come."
WHAT ANDY LIKES: The Memphis Pizza, The Jackson Pizza (marinara, applewood-smoked bacon, caramelized onions, roasted sweet potatoes, mozzarella), Coconut Chicken Noodle Soup, Cuban Sandwich, Expanded Weekend Dinner Menu
SCORES OF THE WEEK:
Taco Bell, 5320 Knight Arnold Rd., Fox Meadows/SE Memphis, 96 on March 15
KFC, 727 S. Highland St., Orange Mound/S. Memphis, 96 on March 13
Jack's Rib Shack, 5099 Old Summer Rd., Cloverleaf Shopping Center/E. Memphis, 95 on March 14
River Oaks, 5871 Poplar Ave., I-240/Poplar/Ridgeway, East Memphis, 95 on March 14
On The Border Mexican Grill, 4552 Poplar Ave., Laurelwood Shopping Center/East Memphis, 95 on March 13
Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches, 2293 N. Germantown Pkwy, Cordova, TN, 94 on March 15
Backyard Burgers, 3801 E. Shelby Dr., Southeast Memphis, 93 on March 13
Maria's Restaurant, 6439 Highway 70, Bartlett, TN, 92, date not listed
Wendy's, 749 S. Highland St., Orange Mound/S. Memphis, 92 on March 13
Wendy's, 4972 E. Shelby Dr., Southeast Memphis, 92 on March 13
McAlister's Deli, 7710 Poplar Ave., White Station Area/E. Memphis, 92 on March 14
Firehouse Subs, 7685 Farmington Blvd., Germantown, TN, 92 on March 14
Taco Bell, 3378 Poplar Ave., East Memphis, 92 on March 13
Holiday Deli & Ham, 7652 Poplar Ave., Germantown Village Shopping Center/Germantown, TN, 91 on March 14
Quizno's, 671 S. Highland St., Orange Mound/S. Memphis, 91 on March 13
McDonald's, 2994 Poplar Ave., Chickasaw Gardens/E. Memphis, 91 on March 12
Half Time Café, 5757 E. Shelby Dr., Capleville/SE Memphis, 90, date not listed
Panera Bread, 7850 Poplar Ave., Germantown, TN, 90 on March 14
Chili's, 4609 Poplar Ave., White Station Area/E. Memphis, 90 on March 13
Sonic Drive-In, 3285 E. Shelby Dr., Airport Area, 90 on March 13
T. J. Mulligan's, 8071 Trinity Rd., Cordova, TN, 90 on March 13
Bombay House, 1727 N. Germantown Pkwy, Cordova, TN, 89 on March 14
Wendy's, 2895 Poplar Ave., Chickasaw Gardens/E. Memphis, 89 on March 12
Qdoba Mexican Grill, 2257 N. Germantown Pkwy, Cordova, TN, 88 on March 13
Chick-Fil-A, 2849 N. Germantown Pkwy, Wolfchase Area/E. Memphis, 88 on March 15
China Inn II, 2829 Covington Pike, Bartlett, TN, 88 on March 15
Lenny's Sub Shop, 2893 Poplar Ave., Chickasaw Gardens/E. Memphis, 87 on March 12
Backyard Burgers, 8079 Trinity Rd., Cordova, TN, 86 on March 13
Fulin Chinese Restaurant, 1357 N. Germantown Pkwy, Cordova, TN, 86 on March 16
O'Charley's, 2844 New Brunswick Rd., Bartlett, TN, 86 on March 15
Backyard Burgers, 9000 Highway 64, Arlington, TN, 86 on March 13
Piccadilly Cafeteria, 2055 Exeter Rd., Germantown, TN, 85 on March 13
Backyard Burgers, 1685 N. Germantown Pkwy, Cordova, TN, 84 on March 14
Yum's Sandwich Shop, 2265 Park Ave., Orange Mound/S. Memphis, 84 on March 14
Reese's Bar-B-Q, 4606 Winchester Rd., Parkway Village/SE Memphis, 84 on March 13
New Asia Palace, 2075 Exeter Rd., Germantown, TN, 84 on March 13
El Puerto Mexican Grill, 775 S. Highland St., Orange Mound/S. Memphis, 80 on March 13
Yum's Restaurant, 7190 Winchester Rd., Hickory Hill/SE Memphis, 79 on March 14
Sam's Donuts, 2235 Whitten Rd., East Memphis, 78 on March 13
Wang's Mandarin House Express, 544 S. Highland St., U of M Area, 75 on March 13
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