Jabo’s State of Mine–Local Restaurant Celebrates East Kentucky Heritage

It isn't everyday that a new restaurant opens in our local area, and it is a rare event indeed when a new restaurant opens that isn't a corporate chain. However, one local eatery that has hung out it's shingle is that wonderful combination of both good food and local culture. It is a place where you can go and immediately feel right at home while you enjoy some of the best food in the area. The name of this restaurant is Jabo's State of Mine located in Hazard, Kentucky.

My wife and I were out on a date night last Friday night when we decided on a whim to try out this new restaurant. We eat out a lot! In fact, several people might say that we eat out too much. But we say...if we don't have to cook it or wash the dishes then it is perfect! So, on our way to Hazard, we were going over our usual favorites. Nothing seemed to peak our interest until I suddenly remembered that some of my Facebook friends had been going on about a new place called Jabo's State of Mine. My wife agreed that she would like to try it out and so off we went.

Entering the place, I was very impressed with the atmosphere. I love restaurants that have low lighting because it gives the place a cozy atmosphere. Jabo's did not disappoint in this. The lighting was low enough to be cozy and to bring attention to the wonderful fireplace in the back. The combination of the low light and the fire made me feel right at home. I also appreciated the sign posted at the front that stated "In God We Trust." You just don't see enough of that in today's world.

After being seated very quickly, we scanned that menu. I loved the fact that everything on the menu is named after something in Kentucky. For example, instead of a Kentucky hot brown, my wife ordered an Eastern Kentucky Hot Brown. There were other examples on the menu that I could tell you about, but believe me....you have to go and experience this place for yourself.

While we were enjoying a hearty appetizer of cheese fries, I took some time to look around at the decor. For those of you who are into supporting coal and coal miners, you will truly appreciate the pictures that are placed around the restaurant. There are several pictures of coal miners, mines, and other pictures related to the coal industry.

After enjoying the appetizer and a great meal, I decided that I just had to write about Jabo's State of Mine. I asked some questions to our wonderful waitress who called herself Amazing Grace....and she was truly amazing! If you go, I hope you get to experience her cheery disposition and wonderful service! Grace informed me that the owner was in the place, and she immediately introduced him to me.

The owner, Jabo Clemons, is a man who knows the restaurant business. He has been in the business for over 4 years. After being successful in other areas in the business, he knew that he wanted to bring a nice restaurant back to Perry County where he has lived his entire life. Originally, the place was going to be a Tony Romas. However, he decided that he wanted to do something a little bit different....and in my opinion, better....here in our local area.

Mr. Clemons stated, "If I had opened a Tony Romas, I would have to put stuff on the menu that doesn't sell. But with a local business, I can put things on the menu that people want." So instead of opening a chain restaurant like Tony Roma's, the idea of Jabo's State of Mine came about.

When asked about the mining nature of the place, he stated that all of his family was into mining and he knew that it gets a bad rap. He wanted to have a place where people could see the other side of mining...the good side. Mining is a huge part of our local economy and it is great to see a business that supports it. This was easy to see with the large "Friends of Coal" signs throughout the place.

Jabo's State of Mine is a family restaurant with a full service bar. The bar is separated from the main part of the restaurant so that the family atmosphere is maintained. It is a great place to go and unwind with a nice drink. It is also a wonderful place to take your family out for a great meal. In either situation, you will be in a locally owned restaurant where the owner truly appreciates both the people and the culture of the area.

And speaking of appreciating the culture of the area, Jabo's State of Mine does something that I have never seen in any other restaurant. It takes suggestions for recipes from the people who visit! As Mr. Clemons stated, "Everyone is proud of their hometown. And they think that their grandma's chicken and dumplings are the best." So, in order to celebrate this, Jabo's has a box at the front of the restaurant for recipes. They also accept recipes on their Facebook page. Once a month, a different recipe is selected and is given a place of honor on the restaurant's menu. This month was Tammy's Taters. Although I did not try them, I am sure that they were delicious....just like everything we tried that night.

If you want a real treat that will support a locally owned business and also the local coal culture in our area, you have got to try some of the wonderful food, drink, and atmosphere at Jabo's State of Mine. Located in the shopping center where Big Lots and Rite Aid are located, it isn't hard to find. There is a wide variety of food on the menu that is sure to please just about anyone. But if you ask the owner, he is most likely to say that his favorite is the ribs. The place has a huge smoker that turns out a wide variety of barbeque.

The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. every day and stays open till 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, till 11 on Friday and Saturday, and till nine on Sundays. For more information about the restaurant you can check out their Facebook page or stop by.  They will have a website up and running very soon.   They are located in the Village Shopping Center.

So stop by the next time you are in Hazard and bring the entire family. Believe me....you will be very happy that you did. In fact, I think that my wife and I have found our new favorite place to eat....Jabo's State of Mine.

Until next week.....class dismissed!

What Drives You?

Everyone gets up each day with a clean slate ahead of them. We are faced with literally hundreds of choices that we can make from what to wear, what to eat, and how to interact with others. One thing that I find interesting is that we not only have an effect on ourselves with these decisions. We also have a major impact on other people around us. For example, let’s imagine that you are really grumpy because you didn’t win the Power Ball jackpot. Because of this, you are very rude to the waitress at Hardee’s while you are getting your morning biscuit and coffee. This brings down her mood and so she takes it out on other customers who innocently walk in wanting some breakfast. These people might feel bad enough to snap at their kids when they get back in the car.

Wow! Your one little action just created a big negative vibe for several people in the community. What a bummer. Just imagine what we could do if we took the time to always be aware of how we are acting. If we tried to be positive and have a great outlook on life even when we didn’t really feel like it, just imagine the possibilities. You may have heard the term, “Fake it until you make it.” That isn’t what I am talking about here. I am talking about taking the time to be genuinely caring to others around us. It doesn’t take as much effort as you might imagine. And believe me…people can tell when you fake it.

Now that I have gotten this little tidbit off my mind, I want you to focus on why you do the things that you do. What is it that drives you to be the person that you have become? For me, the answer is pretty easy.

When I was growing up here in Breathitt County, my family didn’t have a lot. I wouldn’t say that we were poor, but I never had everything handed to me either. Like a lot of other people, I knew what it was like to do without. One positive aspect in my life was school. I had some wonderful teachers when I was growing up who really showed that they cared for me and encouraged me to grow.

I literally went from a quiet child who was afraid to say boo to anyone to someone who can talk to just about anyone. Of course, I'm a much better writer than a speaker...but everyone has their strengths.

When I decided to become a teacher, I knew that I wanted to teach in Breathitt County. There are a lot of kids in this county that are growing up and facing the same things that I faced when I was their age. So, I guess that I could say that the main thing that is driving me to do the things that I do is the fact that I want to help others the way that I was helped. I want to be a positive influence in their lives. I really care about the future of this county.

Today, I was telling my students that there are a lot of outside powers that would love nothing better than to keep people in this region poor and uneducated. If people are poor and uneducated, they are easier to control. I told the kids that they owed it to themselves to work hard and to get as smart as they could. Smart people ask questions. Smart people are not easy to control. Smart people work to better their lives and the lives of the people around them.

If you watch how the media portrays people in our area, you often wonder what happened to all of the good things? We have people in Eastern Kentucky who make a great living, live in decent housing, and drive pretty nice automobiles. We have professionals…and yes, we have poverty. But then again…so does every region in the United States…and the world. Why does the news feel the constant need to berate and belittle people in the Appalachian region? It makes good ratings, and that equals more dollars for them.

So once again, I ask you….what drives you? What makes you do the things that you do each day? Take a moment to think about it. The answer may just surprise you. Until next week…class dismissed!