5 Things I Love: Michael Kaltenmark

While his official title is director of external relations at Butler University, Michael Kaltenmark is immediately recognized on campus, in Indianapolis and throughout the Big East Conference as caretaker of Butler Blue III (aka Trip), the university's beloved live bulldog mascot. Kaltenmark and Trip will be on hand at the  game against Seton Hall — that's also the date of the sixth annual Pet Food Drive sponsored by Church Brothers Collision Repair. Fans and friends are asked to donate bagged cat and dog food to benefit the pet food pantry at FIDO (Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside). Collection barrels will be located inside Hinkle Fieldhouse entrances Monday through March 4. In the past five years, 17,250 pounds of food has been donated. As game day approaches, Kaltenmark shares his five favorites, all in close proximity to the Butler campus:

1. Metro Diner (4702 Sunset Ave., Suite 900) Not only is everything on Metro Diner's menu delicious, but this spot features generous portion sizes, friendly service and affordability to match. Start with the heavenly Fried Chicken and Waffles. and don't even second guess the signature sweet and spicy sauce that accompanies the dish. Who knew maple syrup and Louisiana Hot Sauce paired so well?

2. Cafe Patachou (4901 N. Pennsylvania St.) If the Cafe Patachou menu were an NCAA tournament bracket, the underrated Cuban Breakfast would be the Butler Bulldogs: upsetting traditional culinary favorites all the way to the championship round. The oddsmakers will always show favor to the cinnamon toast though, and rightfully so. Nonetheless, the Cuban Breakfast is so good that when you're finished, you'll wonder if it's poor form to order another round. Pro tip: Go all in on the spinach-jalapeno sauce and top it with Siracha for a kick.

3. Illinois Street Food Emporium (5550 N. Illinois St.) If you can resist the doughnuts display, order up the Avocado and Bacon Scrambler. That's scrambled eggs mixed with pieces of bacon and avocado, all topped with shredded cheese. Yeah, it tastes as good as it sounds. But if the doughnuts are still calling your name, then treat yourself and get a Cinnamon Twist. The Emporium's doughnuts are incredible, and the Cinnamon Twist won't disappoint.

4. La Mulita (5215 N. College Ave.) Swing by La Mulita for lunch and dive into some fresh guacamole with chips and a pair of street tacos. The Grilled Shrimp Tacos and Carne Asada Tacos are my favorites, but they are all worthy of your waistline and wallet.

5. Scotty's Dawghouse (4702 Sunset Ave., Suite 100) Mondays call for wings — all you can eat wings — and Scotty's Dawghouse has them along with an impressive array of Butler memorabilia. And since the wings are all-you-can-eat on Mondays, that means you can try all 12 different sauces. Fair warning: If you start with the Siracha Honey sauce, you just might forget that they even have 11 other sauces. If wings aren't your thing, then get the Bar-B-Q Chicken Pizza with Scotty's homemade barbecue sauce. Trust me.