Delicious Detour Starts Shaquille O’Neal’s All-Star Weekend

If you’re in Indiana for the All-Star Weekend and looking to calm your stomach, Shaq’s got you covered. TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal kicked off the All-Star Weekend coverage on Inside the NBA on Thursday and has taken a pitstop on Friday. He’s savoring (pun intended) the All-Star Celebrity Game and the Rising Stars Challenge with some well-deserved comfort food.

“i’m n indiana for the all star game and the best soul food spot ever is Kountry Kitchen at 1831 N College Ave. OMG macaroni on point,” the restauranteur and food connoisseur posted on X. If it’s Shaq-recommended, you know it’s good.

Kountry Kitchen shared Shaq’s visit on their official Instagram page. The Big Aristotle in his Hall-of-Fame hoodie is hugging the owners in a post captioned, “Y’all already knew Shaq Diesel @shaq was going to come home. #worldfamous.” 

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This humble and historic eatery is famous among celebrities. A day before Shaq, Shannon Sharpe dropped by for a meal. He and more ESPN veterans like Stephen A. Smith have been fans of Kountry Kitchen at least since 2020. Barack Obama also visited this place during one of his Indianapolis stops. Kountry Kitchen has a moving backstory too. One that Shaq can relate to.

Indiana business’ All-Star comeback

They have a special All-Star menu for the All-Star Weekend that’s being hosted in Indianapolis for the first time in four decades. They’re also open for extended hours this week. That’s not what makes Shaq’s visit special.

The family-owned business began in 1988 and served athletes, musicians, and former presidents. This restaurant suffered a setback during the pandemic when the old building burned down. O’Neal knows that pain well as his Krispy Kreme store in a historic location in Atlanta also went up in flames in 2021. Both restauranteurs promised their cities they’d make a comeback.

Kountry Kitchen didn’t stop operating during the three years it took to rebuild in the same location. It operated a takeout and catering service from a temporary kitchen to fulfill orders.

Shaq’s Krispy Kreme in Atlanta’s Ponce De Leon reopened on October 10, 2023. Around a week later, Kountry Kitchen in Indianapolis reopened on October 19. They celebrated their reopening with a new Sunday Brunch Series and a ticketed event at the 910 North Events Center. This is one Shaquelin-star restaurant you must visit. Though what other places would fans recommend to the big gourmand?

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