Text and Photos
By Shari Benyousky
Guest Columnist

Column Note: In the 64th column in the Diners and Dives series, a small group of Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club members explore downtown Warsaw.

“While you’re in there, will you get me one of those coffee things with the Fruity Pebbles on top?” my son Daniel asked when he heard Diners and Dives would be lunching at The River Coffeehouse Downtown.

The River Coffeehouse Warsaw location can be found at 102 E. Center St. in Warsaw. The historic building has functioned in many ways but currently, it boasts a handsome black façade with a creamy white interior. We walked in and checked out the menu posted on the wall.

I asked the cashier what my son had meant by Fruity Pebbles. “Oh sure,” Erin pointed at the Summer Drink Menu on the counter. “He means the Breakfast Club Latte.” The Breakfast Club Latte is described as white chocolate mocha with Fruity Pebble cold foam. Apparently, it’s fantastic.

Erin thought that the Shaken Cuban (brown sugar latte with honey and cinnamon) or the non-coffee Lotus Energy drinks (Gold Lotus with pineapple, guava, orange, and coconut milk or Blue Lotus with kiwi passion fruit, and coconut) were probably the most popular.

Don’t Cross the River Until You Come to It

The Diners and Dives regulars queued to examine the lunch menu (breakfast ends at 10:30 a.m. and lunch is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) which lets you choose a whole or half panini and salad with chips or pasta salad for $10. All day you can also choose from assorted muffins, bagels, avocado toast, fruit, yogurt, cake pops, or peanut butter toast.

By the time I decided, our guest Quentin had arrived, and we had run into half of the population of Warsaw. The River stays busy: both inside tables and outside tables stayed more or less full the entire time we lunched.

Hi!” Optimist member Kyrie Maierle grinned from the next table where she was conducting an informal meeting. “I love it here,” Kyrie (she pronounces it Keer-e-ay) told us. “I’ve eaten here so many times that they even say my name right.”

“Hi!” Ivy Tech Professor and former DD guest Lori Roe stopped by. She showed us her new Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society T-shirt while she waited. She saw me hand Quentin a Diners and Dives T-shirt. “Where’s my T-shirt?!” she asked. I told her anyone could get one for $10 from the Papers Office at 114 W. Market St. and proceeds would go to the Optimist Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation.

Cry Me A River

When Lori’s lunch order was ready, they didn’t call Lori, they called out her chosen name: “Buehler? Buehler?” Titus Funeral Planner Brittany Lyon laughed and told us her family makes reservations under “The Kennedys.”

Orthopedic Consultant Kris Williams pointed out that choosing “Dahmer” would have more impact.

“Shari?” the counter called, holding my turkey avocado half sandwich and side salad. The regulars looked at me with some disdain for my lack of naming creativity.

“At least you’re a hell of a reporter,” Kris grumbled sarcastically. “Even though you always mess up my quotes.”

Go With the Flow

Our guest Quentin looked somewhat alarmed by the possibility of a misquote. I smiled my best smile and raised my pen and paper. “What would you like me to put into the article?”

We learned he works for Synergy, a local custom-home builder company. “We have a four-person team which is about to be 10.” Quentin told us about the quick growth of the company which is expanding from Warsaw into Fort Wayne. “We do everything with building houses from the ground up.”

I wrote this down and Quentin relaxed and picked up his Shaken Cuban with an extra shot of espresso. When I asked how the River theme connected with him or his business, it took him two seconds to answer, “That’s easy. I basically live on coffee. No one would like me without coffee.” Based on the number of coffee drinks ordered in an hour, Warsaw seems to agree.

Still Waters Run Deep

Next table over, Kyrie had finished her meeting and we basically forced her to scoot two feet over to join us. She and Brittany immediately wanted to know if Quentin had considered joining the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club.

“It’s way too early!” Quentin protested. The club meets on Wednesday mornings from 7–8 at the Shrine Building on the fairgrounds. Breakfast itself starts at 6:30 a.m. He’s not wrong.

Brittany shrugged. “I’m a member, and I just hate mornings. My preference for being alive is after 9 or 9:30 a.m!”

We discussed how much our friendships from being in a service club have helped our careers and networking.

We also returned to a familiar theme. “So, what actually defines a dive?” Quentin gestured around the creamy white walls doubtfully.

Prominent local realtor Jeff Owens chuckled. “We’ve had the conversation several times over the last year and a half of the column’s life. Technically a dive involves some sense of risk.” Clearly The River Coffeehouse doesn’t fit into that category.

Diners and Dives has expanded our reach. We appreciate all local restaurants and food providers these days. Even those not diners or dives.

Go Jump in a River

Kyrie had to leave to head to work. As she waved, she advised us not to “burn any bridges.” So, we pass that wisdom along to you. Don’t burn any bridges or you’ll have to swim to The River instead.

Do you know of an interesting place, restaurant, nonprofit, or person that you’d like to see featured in Diners and Dives? Send Shari Benyousky an email at [email protected].