Origins in the Alabama Department of Corrections
When L.T. Binion and Doyle B. Cooper were up for parole from Draper Prison a few years ago they only knew two things to be solid facts: first, they would never be dumb enough to get caught again; and second, they were tired of prison food.
When L.T. Binion and Doyle B. Cooper were up for parole from Draper Prison a few years ago they only knew two things to be solid facts: first, they would never be dumb enough to get caught again; and second, they were tired of prison food.
Well, those prison gates swung wide. Binion and Doyle hitch-hiked down to Montgomery and dutifully reported to their parole officers to be fitted with ankle bracelets. Every Monday morning these two would meet down at the PO's office, assure the overworked little fellow they were on the straight and narrow, and go grab a bite of lunch after.
Expansion and a Name
During these times Doyle and Binion befriended some other local parolees like Fat Clemenza, Tojo Yamamoto, Bama Bing and No Grits No Glory. All of these characters had two things in common: Monday morning PO appointments and a love of food. Well, they were all ex-cons too, so I guess they had three things in common.
Needing a name, the group decided on Lunch in the Gump. This was because it was about lunch and some people refer to Montgomery as the "Gump" because you've gotta love it even though it's a little below average.
Why They Hardly Ever Leave Town and Won't Go to Applebee's
Because their ankle bracelets would go off if they got outside the Bypass, the gang never strayed too far from the middle of town. Sometimes the parole officers will show some compassion and let the gang check out an eatery or two outside the perimeter, but not often.
Binion and Doyle made a rule from the get-go that they would avoid chain restaurants because, well, ex-cons just have this thing about chains.
Why They Hardly Ever Leave Town and Won't Go to Applebee's
Because their ankle bracelets would go off if they got outside the Bypass, the gang never strayed too far from the middle of town. Sometimes the parole officers will show some compassion and let the gang check out an eatery or two outside the perimeter, but not often.
Binion and Doyle made a rule from the get-go that they would avoid chain restaurants because, well, ex-cons just have this thing about chains.
Lunch in the Gump is Lawyered Up
Given their common habitat in the shadowy underbelly of the legal system, the Gumpers also came to befriend a goodly number of shyster lawyers like Cornbread Carp, Reginald McLucid, Big Easy Slim, Mimi Furst, Matlock, The Younger, Bo Diddly, He-Who-Has-No-Nickname, Show Dog, Freddie the Rat, BB MAK and other not-yet-disbarred Officers of the Court.
Given their common habitat in the shadowy underbelly of the legal system, the Gumpers also came to befriend a goodly number of shyster lawyers like Cornbread Carp, Reginald McLucid, Big Easy Slim, Mimi Furst, Matlock, The Younger, Bo Diddly, He-Who-Has-No-Nickname, Show Dog, Freddie the Rat, BB MAK and other not-yet-disbarred Officers of the Court.
Diversity: Blue Bloods and Mutts
As time wore on, the lunch group came to include Chase N. Allpots, a blue-blooded snob who, as a convicted felon, can't go back to The Club anymore. There was also this little mutt dog who kept following the group around and came to be known as Shadow Pup. The group was amazed to learn that Shadow Pup could write reviews and communicate pretty well, especially with Tojo. If you are a follower of this blog you will also know that Shadow Pup's keen sense of smell has gotten the crowd out of many a tight spot.
Sadness Hits Lunch in the Gump
Sadly, LITG's founders have passed away, Doyle succumbing to a Chris' Hot Dogs meltdown and Binion smothered to death by the house specialty at Sundown East. The group carries on in their memory.
Lunch in the Gump Goes Global
Somebody suggested a blog, where the group's opinions of local lunch joints might be recorded for posterity. So Binion, being the brains behind the whole thing, set one up before his untimely and suspicious death. Now Lunch in the Gump has a bunch of fans, a Facebook group, a fancy corporate logo (pictured), business cards, flunkies, gofers, yes-men, groupies and bodyguards.
In recent times, Lunch in the Gump has diversified its operations to include hair salons, hole-in-the-wall bars and hospital cafeterias. We are bigger than Lehman Brothers.
Lunch in the Gump Goes Global
In recent times, Lunch in the Gump has diversified its operations to include hair salons, hole-in-the-wall bars and hospital cafeterias. We are bigger than Lehman Brothers.
