Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
The Kup's Egg and Ted's Meatball are popular pies at Katie's Pizza & Pasta in Rock Hill.
One sunny morning we were eating the Jonathan’s Famous Fiery Scramble at Southwest Diner when we wondered, “Who’s Jonathan, and why does he own this breakfast?” That got us thinking about other dishes named after people, which in turn got us thinking about the people after whom they’re named. And that all led to this, an investigative report on the names behind the names of things we like to eat.
Kup's Egg / Ted’s Meatball
Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria
These pizzas are named after a couple of the restaurants’ co-owners. Ted Collier, husband of namesake Katie, loves meatballs; business partner Mike Kupstas is a sucker for the combination of sausage, oyster mushrooms, and egg.
Dad’s Green Chile Cheeseburger
Owner Steve Gontram named this burger after his father, Bob Gontram, who opened the original 5 Star Burgers in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where green chilies are quite popular.
Karlin’s Tender Basket / Underhill’s Steak Sandwich
The owners of this restaurant are obsessed with the 1985 movie Fletch, starring Chevy Chase. Jerry Karlin is the name of the police chief in the film, and Ted Underhill is a rude restaurant patron.
Susie’s Sheet Cake
The Susie in question is Susie Gallagher, the homemaker–turned–restaurant proprietor whose desserts have always been famous with her children and are now known throughout the Metro East.
Jonathan’s Famous Fiery Scramble
When co-owner Jonathan Jones was working as a waiter, he’d make this dish for himself at home after a long shift. The recipe is simple: scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and Sambal sauce. It’s just the type of unfussy, deeply flavorful food that’s made Jones’ diner such a smashing success.
Mysteries Remain
The host at Old Standard has no clue who Mrs. Edna Mae is or why she is the namesake of the restaurant’s pimento cheese. Likewise, a Fozzie’s employee says he knows that the Gracey sandwich is named after an owner’s grandmother but has no idea who the Ed’s St. Louis Slaw Dog is named to honor.
