Downtown Review: Just Rennie’s

After my air appointment today, it was nearly 1:30 and I was starved. Next door is Just Rennie’s, a much welcomed new eatery that is owned by Doug Rennie and his wife. They offer catering, cookies, and lunches.

Today, there was a private party in the banquet room, so I only saw the “Cookies” part of their building. It is very small, but inviting all the same. There is a display case that offers up the lunch fare in bowls and platters, next to it is a table simply covered in various types of cookies and brownies. This all is very near to the door, but I wish that they would push it back just a bit, because when I was there with just 5 people in line, being in the back, I felt very smashed. There aren’t tables in this area, I think the idea is that most people are coming from downtown offices and are either going to eat it back in their office or on the river. Behind the counter, you see all their baking supplies as well as a few people baking. It is very much an “open operation” in a sense.

It’s not a place that offers a wide variety, but what it offers it specializes in. I had chicken salad on a steak house roll with a side of fruit salad and pasta salad. The chicken salad was simple-mayonnaise based with celery and dill. I’m not a fan of dill, but I was really surprised at how great it tasted and the quality and preparation of the chicken was outstanding (I am very picky about eating chicken). I was worried the roll would be hard, but it was nice and soft. The pasta salad was penne with a light pesto dressing with a few cherry tomatoes. The fruit salad consisted of large pieces of grapes, cantaloupe, honeydew, and pineapple-all of it was perfectly ripe and juicy.

Other offerings include ham, turkey, roast beef, or club wraps or steak house rolls. There is also a curry chicken salad (which I hear is delicious for even people who are not curry fans) and tuna salad. Other sides are red potato salad and tomato-cucumber salad. They also offer 4 salads such as the Mixed Greens with chicken or Southern Belle salad.

I mentioned there was a table covered in cookies and brownies, and I’m happy to report that Just Rennie’s also specializes in this. The cookies are big and thick, as are the brownies. I got 8 cookies and a brownie bowl-a brownie bowl! The cookies they offer are the peanut butter chocolate chunk, oatmeal raisin, chocolate chunk, double chocolate chunk, chocolate chunk walnut, white chocolate pecan, peanut butter, double chocolate chunk, and “Chef Doug’s gourmet” (chocolate, walnuts, cinnamon). They also offer brownies, blondies, and brownie bowls.

Just Rennie’s is a very welcome addition to downtown Evansville. Everything I had was delicious, I couldn’t get enough, and yet, there was enough that I wasn’t able to finish. My meal (including steak house roll sandwich and two sides cost $6. 95, which I think is very reasonable for the quality of the food. Although there is no seating, that’s fine, the food is worth it, and I can enjoy it at home or the park. I hope you all go visit soon and support a local chef and his new business.

Just Rennie’s is located at 102 SE 4th St., Downtown. 812-490-8098. Tues-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 10am-2pm.