Bringing it all back home

Batavia Station
600 W. Main Street 732-9800

Batavia is sleepy, some may even say it’s dead. In spite of Batavia’s steady decline, the area surrounding this tiny town is growing by leaps and bounds. Yet the town couldn’t even claim a single decent eatery (aside from the obligatory pizza joint). When EV sat down with Batavia Station owner Dennis Clepper we learned why he chose to open a restaurant in this otherwise near vacant village. “We wanted Batavia residents to feel like this was their place... their local restaurant... a good place to get a burger and beer with friends” Batavia Station is just that. Good food and good friends.
But why bother with Batavia? Dennis explains “My grandfather came from the West Virginia coal mines and got off here at Batavia Station... he walked up this hill with nothing but a sack of clothes, by the 50’s he was a millionaire”. Back then Batavia Station was an actual train stop. It’s just a memory now but the Cleppers have adopted the name for their family restaurant. One restaurant may not wake the dead in this little burb, but they’re certainly giving it a much needed breath of life. Batavia folks are damn glad they bothered too.
This isn’t the Clepper’s first stint in front of a stove either. The family has owned Ike’s Catering since 1971. Ike’s has thrived by offering quality food, so the transition to opening a full service restaurant wasn’t hard. After purchasing the old Hardee’s building (600 W. Main), they spent many months remodelling. When they were finally ready to open, the family just transferred Ike’s standards of quality and caring to the Batavia Station. It all becomes apparent when you see the plate. It’s an all American menu and it’s all good.

Get a gander at this Batavia Station signature burger “The Freight Train” (above). It’s 3/4 lb. of fresh beef, hand patted, cooked perfect and smothered with grilled portabella shrooms, sweet vidalia onions and swiss. It comes just as pictured (a side & slaw) for $7.50. It’s one of many big ass gourmet burgers they offer.
The beef don’t stop there either. They also offer fresh hand cut Rib Eyes, N.Y. Strips and Filet Mignon. The portions are fat and the prices are skinny (your average joe schmo corporate chain up the hill can’t even compare). Each steak is hand cut to order, feast your eyes on that sexy slab of Rib Eye (below ). It’s was just resting there quietly waiting to be sliced and sizzled! Sweet.

Lest not forget the chicken. The Station serves it’s Southern Fried Pride by the piece, dinner or box. They’re up for any chicken challenge. In fact they are so enthusiastic about getting the opportunity to take down the area chicken masters we agreed to put an Eastside Wide Fried Chicken Challenge in the works. Skip the crap ass KFC people, this is what your cravin’ when your belly is kickin’ for chicken. Don’t doubt that.
Batavia Station is big on portion and even bigger on flavor. You can have your fill of both at their buffet.

There is a daily lunch buffet spread and a dinner buffet. The lunch buffet can’t be beat at just $7.95 (Mon-Wed) and $8.95 (Thurs-Sat). The dinner buffet is a themed affair featuring BBQ on Thursdays, Seafood on Fridays and an All American Night on Saturdays. Golden Corral ain’t got nothin’ on these dishes. Don’t doubt that either.
See all those bottles behind Mr. & Mrs. Clepper and their son Tim? That’s what keeps the patrons happy at the full bar. They even serve Harmony Hill wines. The produce is local, the products are local, the staff is local and the bands are local too. That’s right, there is a rockin’ band jammin’on Tuesdays (for bike night) and weekends. Batavia hasn’t had bands in forever and a day. Now, the night air rings with song for the first time in a long time. Amen to that.
Grandpa Clepper sat in a Trustee’s seat for 40 years, but if he were alive today we bet he’d prefer a bar seat at the Batavia Station. He’d be proud to see his descendents and the dedication they have to bringing something back to the sleepy little town he made his home so long ago. Who’s to say, maybe he is there after all, right back where it all began so long ago. Amen to that too.