Oxford Canteen Opens with 'Fresh and Fast' Approach to Food

In a town that’s known for some great restaurants, Oxford is expanding its eating options once again. With the opening of Oxford Canteen, chef Corbin Evans plans to compete by concentrating on food that’s fresh and fast.  Oxford Canteen will open its doors Tuesday, serving folks who are into locally-sourced foods or want to eat on the go.
“We will have soups, salads, sandwiches, fresh deserts, juices, iced coffees but all farmer’s market-style foods — local and fresh.” said Evans.
Oxford Canteen is a café-style restaurant within the same building as the historic Lyric Theatre.  It features a pick-up window between The Lyric and South Depot with bar seating outside in the walkway between the two buildings.  The menu has some chef favorites.
“I like the ketchup fried rice and the roasted vegetable sandwich with the balsamic onion marmalade,” said Evans.
After graduating from culinary school in 1987, Evans has worked in restaurants all around the country. He was the head chef at the Inn at Ole Miss  until he decided to open Oxford Canteen. He says he’s hoping to share with his customers what he likes best about foods.
“I like the seasonality with cooking — different seasons offer different things – I always get excited for tomatoes and blueberries,” said Evans.
Ole Miss marketing major Karley Kitchens says she visits the Square to dine out at least three times a week and is ready to try something new. She believes people will appreciate the pick-up window.
“A pick-up window is perfect for the nights I don’t necessarily want to get dressed up to go eat, but I still want something decent for dinner. I think it’s a great idea,” said Kitchens.
Owner/chef Clint Boutwell of Oxford Grillehouse says he is always excited to see a new local business start. He knows firsthand how tough the restaurant business can be and he too thinks the pick-up window on the Square will work well.
“I think it’s a great idea. I wish my property had a place to do that. I am always getting call-in orders and a lot of the time, I just can’t comply with the need,” Boutwell said.
Oxford Canteen will open with a lunch menu to start but Evans says he quickly wants to start serving other meals as well.
“We plan to add a dinner menu and probably breakfast with all the catering we can get internally through The Lyric events,” said Evans.
Oxford Canteen will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Story submitted by Margaret Wood, Ole Miss journalism student.