Growing up in the Midwest, I’ve attended my fair share of summer barbecues. Pulled pork, brisket, and chicken smothered in barbecue sauce are some of my favorite quintessential summer foods. But in college, good barbecue has been hard to come by. The dining courts just don’t cut it. That’s why I was so excited when I found Eddie Joe’s Icehouse, just a quick 15 minute drive from Purdue’s campus.
Owner Lee Stanish is the grandson of Polish immigrants who had a butcher shop in their basement. Lee spent much of his childhood borrowing his 4H leader’s smoker to barbecue meat from his grandparents’ shop. Eventually he built his own smoker so he could make barbecue whenever he wanted. Throughout all this, Lee always considered this more of a weekend hobby.
Years later, Lee graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Agricultural Economics. When Lee was in college, he became close with the owners of a local restaurant in the small community of West Point, Indiana. When they decided to retire and sell the business, Lee decided “Yep, let’s do it.” He bought the restaurant facility, and opened Eddie Joe’s Icehouse in 2016.
Over the years, Lee has worked to combine fantastic Tex-Mex and barbecue food with a homey, local feel, saying, “even if you’re not a local, it seems like you become one.” As soon as I stepped into Eddie Joe’s I was reminded of the summer barbecues I used to share with my family as I looked around at the families enjoying their meals, laughing and having a good time together.
“We really want the food to speak for itself,” Lee said. And speak for itself, it does.
In addition to offering conventional barbecue entrees, Eddie Joe’s also has a variety of Tex-Mex entrees like the pulled pork enchiladas. They’re made by stacking flour tortillas like pancakes and sandwiching the pulled pork in between the layers, creating a nice balance between Mexican-style food and traditional barbecue.
I went the traditional route and had the Combo Platter with pulled pork, brisket, burnt ends, and chicken, and I have to say, my favorites were probably the burnt ends and the chicken. While everything was delicious, I found that the peppery, smoky flavor really came out in the chicken. I love burnt ends because they are typically cut from the best, most fatty part of the brisket, and these were delicious.
Eddie Joe’s also offers a variety of classic barbecue sides like coleslaw, green beans, mac and cheese, beans, and more. I paired my meal with a sweet potato muffin that was so good I had to take one home for later. It came with cinnamon butter, which was a great way to satisfy my sweet tooth. The muffin was moist, flavorful, and the pecans baked in added a nice crunch. I have no way to describe it other than it tasted like fall.
The meat on its own was delicious, but what really made the meal for me was Eddie Joe’s barbecue sauce, made from Lee’s own recipes that he developed when he opened the restaurant. There are four barbecue sauces, each of them providing a unique flavor profile. They’re even available to take home if there’s one that you’re particularly fond of!
I have always been a lover of barbecue sauce, and the Chipotle sauce added a nice spicy kick to my meal. If you have more of a sweet tooth, you’ll love the Peach barbecue sauce. It adds a nice summery-sweetness to your meal without being too overwhelming. Even without the barbecue sauce, Lee has truly achieved his goal of having the food speak for itself. From start to finish, I couldn’t put my fork down.
Looking for a way to cool down from all that barbecue? Eddie Joe’s offers a large, homey bar where you can belly up like a local. Their selection of beer and cocktails pairs perfectly with your meal, making Eddie Joe’s the perfect place to unwind after a long day.
Over the years, Eddie Joe’s Icehouse has expanded to offer both food trucks and catering services, allowing you to enjoy Eddie Joe’s all over town and at your own personal events.
The next time you’re in the Greater Lafayette area, be sure to make a stop at Eddie Joe’s. You’ll leave feeling like a local with a full belly.
For my fellow barbecue enthusiasts and foodies alike, be sure to check out HomeofPurdue for more craveworthy eats in the Greater Lafayette area!
Purdue University Student, Elyse Straka, shares this blog. This blog is part of a series of articles submitted to Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette through a cooperation with a 400-level travel writing class at Purdue University.
