Just Like Home

Food is often the thread that brings a community together. Gathered around tables conversations occur that are missed in passing on the street. It takes a special location to foster those conversations and by all appearances Steve & Sue Seamon and their daughter Rachel Bing have that location. Located on North Main St. in Somerville, it’s hard to miss the Main St. Eatery sign hanging at an angle, inviting you to come inside. As you step in, a woodsy scent mixed with coffee and something homey (might be biscuits!) fills your senses. The tables are scattered throughout the restaurant in such a way as to dispel an air of pretense. A hearty hello is hollered from somewhere within the restaurant by more than one waitress. On a good day you might even get a hello from the sweetest hostesses you can find, Hazel and Shoshanna Bing, daughters of Rachel & Zach. Pull up a seat at any table and you’ll find you aren’t in a regular restaurant, no, you’re almost home.

8 years ago, Rachel Bing approached her folks, Steve & Sue Seamon, about buying “The Main Street Eatery” operated at that time by Patricia Yager. It was a thriving restaurant and Rachel felt God calling her to open a restaurant for people who needed to be loved. Though her dad had never had interest in owning a restaurant, he knew this was Rachel’s dream so with his support the family went all in. With Rachel’s 7 siblings and her soon-to-be husband, there was no shortage of creative help within the Seamon family. Her husband-to-be, Zach, helped with electrical, her brothers built her one-of-a-kind pallet wall and her sister Grace rounded out the team by photographing the food and providing creative ideas. A breakfast menu was created and within 2 short months of purchase, Main Street Eatery was open for business.

It’s hard to be a café without having that special something that brings people in. Rachel knew what that special something had to be:  filling people both physically and soulfully. Rachel, and her staff are passionate about loving on every patron that comes through the door. This might be the only place a guest sees a smile all day, so the Main Street Eatery staff makes it their goal to be that one smile. Coffee and tea cups are never empty. The food is southern comfort with a twist because it’s all made with real ingredients. It’s farm-fresh whenever possible. Though the restaurant serves some incredible biscuits & gravy and burritos, it’s the specialty pancakes that make breakfast extra memorable. Sue Seamon is the designer of these culinary wonders. Where else can you find Double Delicious Turtle Truffle or Southern Banana Pudding or Stellar Strawberry Cheesecake? These pancakes will most decidedly elevate your breakfast experience! When it’s time for lunch, a wrap, their famous Chicken Salad or a hard-to-pass-up daily special hot plate are worth stopping in for. In a hurry? You can order online or call your order in. Gluten free? They’ve got you covered. The majority of items on their menu have a Gluten Free option, including the mouth-watering pancakes. No matter what, your meal is delivered with a smile and a thank you.

I asked Rachel what it was she wanted people to know the most about Main Street Eatery. She said, “We love the community and appreciate the locals. We are trying to bring love and joy to Fayette County, to be the light in a dark world. It’s our ministry.”  For the last eight years that’s been the goal. Sometimes that means pivoting and selling food curbside hours after the world shut down in 2020. Sometimes walking that out looks like taking an abused woman from drug court under your wing. She came to life in the kitchen, Rachel tells me, she just needed someone to believe in her and offer her love. Sometimes it’s sharing the story of how God met their needs to the dime while they were trying to care for others during Covid. It’s always about doing the best for their customer.

If you’re looking for a family and budget friendly breakfast or place to relax at lunch, Main Street Eatery is where to find that. They are open Monday through Friday from 8-3 and on Saturday from 7-1. They have just begun offering breakfast all day on Friday and Saturday. It’s a great way to start the weekend! You can find them on Facebook and online at www.mseatery.com Remember to shop local and shop Fayette first!

Written By: Karri Buck