Let's talk restaurants.. (Nixa, Battlefield, Granby: co-op, school, places to eat)

[StormiEssence]

Originally Posted by 8 SNAKE

As in Richard's Hog Wild BBQ based in Aurora? I've heard great reviews of that place, but never seem to make it out to Aurora to find out for myself. I'd love to see a new location in Springfield.

SORRY, I WAS INCORRECT ON THE NAME OF THE NEW BBQ RESTAURANT ON EAST SUNSHINE!

New restaurant is called WHOLE HOG CAFE and it will be located at
224 WEST SUNSHINE in SPRINGFIELD, MO.

[ozarksboy]

According to this expert in another thread, no place in Springfield serves a decent meal.

Originally Posted by betwixt & between

We got a job transfer to Springfield, and finanically it was a good deal, and we will make the move very soon. Now it looks there will be an opening for the same job in Columbia with a little higher pay. We both like the outdoors and the arts, God's nature and city lights. At the moment it seems Spg has an edge with closeness to all those lakes and rivers (no real restaurants, sadly) and the population in SPG is much bigger than the college town of Comumbia, but there might be more going on in Columbia even though it seems like both places aren't exactly culture centers.

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by ozarksboy

According to this expert in another thread, no place in Springfield serves a decent meal.

Sometimes it gets so bad around here that I have to stay home and fend for myself!

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Where can I find the best burgers on/around Table Rock Lake. Have car, will travel for REALLY great ones!

Of course the BEST ones are cooked in my back yard.

But if you're out & about...

Billy Bob's Dairyland on 76 in Branson.

Shorty Smalls on 165 or at the Landing in Branson has a pretty good burger.

Danna's...tho' it's known for BBQ...they have REALLY good burgers. On East 76 in Kirbyville, on 165 in Branson, and on 13 in Branson West. And during the summer, they operate the floating cafe at State Park Marina.

Again during the summer months, there's a new boat-up restaurant/bar at Rock Lane Resort on Indian Point...the Barefoot Bar. Great burgers. Cook 'em right outside.

Devil's Pool Restaurant at Big Cedar Lodge off Hwy 86 in Ridgedale.

...and honestly folks, I really like the burgers at Steak 'n Shake.

[urogallo]

My favorite restaurants in Springfield are always going out of business, lol.

Right now, OceanZen on Glenstone is up there and they've been around for a little bit.

Haruno is my favorite sushi, but between them, Nakato's, Hinode or even Fuji, there's plenty of good sushi/bachi in town. For those looking for a deal, Fuji's all-you-can-eat sushi on Wednesday nights (no, it's NOT a buffet) is the best bang for you buck around.

For my favorite Mexican food, the tamale, I go to Tamale King. It's on that strip mall in the SW corner of Sunshine and Fort. It's the closest thing to good, authentic home-cooked tamales that we'll get here in Springfield. Those who think Mexican Villa's burrito enchilada-style is the acme of latin cuisine might be disappointed. Don't get me wrong, it's good stuff, just not Mexican. I'd like to eat it more often, but dietary concerns and MOARNG height/weight standards preclude me eating that particular hillbillyMex morsel more than once a year.

For the absolutely best Pizza I've had in Missouri (come to think of it, anywhwere here in the States) you need to go to Joplin and check out Pizza By Stout on Range Line--it is by far superior to anything I've sampled anywhere else and is well worth taking exit 11 North if you're trucking through that area of I-44. Prices are very reasonable as well, especially for the buffet.

[Arrby]

I find no mention of my favorite fine dining establishment in Springfield: Gilardi's on E. Walnut. It claims to be Italian, but the menu is really more general. Portions can be a bit large, so to enjoy a complete dinner my wife and I will order one salad, one appetizer, one entre, and one dessert. Even at that we are stuffed - and broke. Do not be put off by the unimpressive exterior.

I see lots of mentions of Canton Inn here. My in-laws lived about two blocks away and we frequently had carry-out from there. They thought it was great. I do not care for it at all. For chinese fast food counter service (with a small dining room), I think Peking House on East Sunshine is the best in town. Many of the dishes are, to my taste, as good as the better sit down restaurants; I've only had one dish there I didn't like. Mr. Yens is good to very good. Their more traditional chinese dishes bring out their best efforts.

Avanzare's is popular with many, but for the money I'd rather go to Zio's (a chain, I know) three or four times. For Mediterrainian food I really like Nonna's on South Street downtown. If I ever have to request a last meal it might just be their seafood lasagna.

Mexican Villa is either loved or hated. I go to the original on National when I am really hungry. I love their burrito. About $5 with tip, and all the homemade chips and salsa you want. Is it Mexican? No. Their tacos, as someone mentioned, are small. That is why they have a 3 for $4.25 price. I love those as well. Tip: Mexican Villa makes all their own chips, taco shells, etc. I do not believe they operate the bakery on weekends, and the chips have seemed stale a time or two when I was there on a Sunday. I could be wrong.

Best fried chicken: Heritage Cafateria, Battlefield at Freemont. Really. Amazing place. Everything, and I mean everything, is exactly the same as it was when the original Heritage opened in the early 60's. It is like stepping into a time machine. Taylor's Drive In is the same way. As is the Mexican Villa on National. As is Casper's (chilli). As is The Pizza House - although they just recently moved. As is Aunt Martha's. I'm not recommending these places necessarily, I just find it fascinating that they have operated for so many decades with no change to the menu and little to the decor.

For the best burger's I go home. Same for pizza. Same for most things, in fact. I hate sitting at at table thinking about how much better it is at home.

[20yrsinBranson]

If anybody gets over to Shell Knob, I can heartily recommend the Ihok Restaurant, (formerly the Road *something* grill (Roadhouse, Roadside).

Anyway, it's just south of the Shell Knob bridge on the West side of the street. Used to be a Mexican restaurant a year or so ago.

THEY HAVE A BAR TOO! woo hoo

Good food, good service. Great place. Check it out.

20yrsinBranson

[Arrby]

I just did another search and find no mention here of Casper's other than my own. You cannot be a "local" until you have eaten at Casper's. Once may be enough, but you have to go once.

They have been serving the same basic menu since 1905, if I remember correctly. Chili - without tomatoes - hamburgers, bean soup, ham sandwiches, that may be about it. They used to always have a couple of homemade pies as well. I assume they still do; I haven't been there for a couple of years. The decor is, what can I say? Ecclectic. Eccentric.

The place is a quonset hut. They were located for decades next to Aunt Martha's on Glenstone in a quonset hut and lost their lease. The owner committed suicide shortly thereafter. A couple of the employees bought the equipment and business from the family and managed to find another quonset hut for rent or sale. Anyway, there they are. The food is cheap, honest, and good. They open the day after labor day and close on Memorial day for the summer. I quit going there because it is not conveniently located for me and it can be difficult to impossible to get a seat, especially on cold winter days.

Now that I think about it, I've got to drop by someday soon before they get so terribly busy. Maybe they still make pecan pie....

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by Arrby

I just did another search and find no mention here of Casper's other than my own. You cannot be a "local" until you have eaten at Casper's. Once may be enough, but you have to go once.

They have been serving the same basic menu since 1905, if I remember correctly. Chili - without tomatoes - hamburgers, bean soup, ham sandwiches, that may be about it. They used to always have a couple of homemade pies as well. I assume they still do; I haven't been there for a couple of years. The decor is, what can I say? Ecclectic. Eccentric.

The place is a quonset hut. They were located for decades next to Aunt Martha's on Glenstone in a quonset hut and lost their lease. The owner committed suicide shortly thereafter. A couple of the employees bought the equipment and business from the family and managed to find another quonset hut for rent or sale. Anyway, there they are. The food is cheap, honest, and good. They open the day after labor day and close on Memorial day for the summer. I quit going there because it is not conveniently located for me and it can be difficult to impossible to get a seat, especially on cold winter days.

Now that I think about it, I've got to drop by someday soon before they get so terribly busy. Maybe they still make pecan pie....

I have eaten there. They were slow and stupid the day I went. Took them almost a 1/2 hour to prepare a "to go" order of chili and a sandwich. The people who were behind the counter had no personality at all. Ok, mabye it was a really, really bad day. But I never bothered to go back. It was not a good first impression.

20yrsinBranson

[christina0001]

I ate at the Mongolian BBQ on Glenstone yesterday, and unless you enjoy food that is bland and dried out, I'd skip it.