Call your wife and tell her you're picking up Babe's!!

"It's about to go down!" "We love Babe's!" Babe's is " ... the best in the country!" "Looks so good!" "Worth the drive." " ... one of my favorite stops when I'm over that way." " ... smells so freakin' good!"

Those are just a few of the comments I came across when I tried to find information about Babe's Fish Wagon, which is on the Illinois side of Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge in East Cape Girardeau.

According to the internet, the official address is 559 State Highway 146 in McClure, Illinois. I'm not going to confirm or deny that. I don't know the answer. I am, however, what some refer to as a "landmark" person when it comes to directions, so here goes: If you are in Cape Girardeau, drive just over the bridge into Illinois. You will quickly see a gravel parking lot to your left with a red shacklike building covered by a green roof. You have arrived. If the lot is full of cars and you see a person or two standing near the window, they are open. If the parking lot is completely empty, it's a good bet they are closed, but you should drive into the lot anyway just in case you've been lucky enough to catch them at a slow moment. If you determine they are closed, you may consider taking a moment to bang your fists on the steering wheel as you reflect on your misfortune, or maybe just take a couple of deep calming breaths before making plans to return. They are open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oh, and don't forget to take cash -- they don't accept cards.

What's on the menu? Fish. Obviously. It's right there in the name, silly. One reviewer put it this way, "They make a few simple things and make them exceptionally well." The options include catfish, buffalo, tilapia, or chicken strips. I was surprised to see "buffalo" on the menu and was informed it is simply another type of fish. Each dinner comes with hush puppies, slaw, fries, a slice of bread and onions.

I ordered a catfish dinner, took my number, and returned to my car to wait like everyone else. In the past, Babe's had a couple of picnic tables where patrons could sit in the shade and wait for their number to be called. Unfortunately, I imagine in the name of social distancing, the tables were nowhere in sight.

Submitted by Mary Ann Castillo

One by one, numbers were called and patrons returned to the window to collect their food. Eventually it was my turn. I carefully placed my plastic foam container in the passenger seat and willed myself not to sneak a bite on the way home. It smelled "so freakin' good." It was hot. Did I mention I was starving? Ugh. I could hardly stand it, but in an act of true self-discipline I made it home safe and sound. I even took time to assemble my meal on a real plate rather than eating it straight out of the container. Classy, right? It was good. It was fried. It was seasoned. What more can a girl ask for? In fact, I'm making myself hungry just thinking about it. Two thumbs up. Are you thinking of Babe's Fish Wagon yet? You should be.

If you're reading this at the office, call your wife and tell her not to bother with dinner because you're picking up some Babe's on the way home. It's good stuff, and she will get a kick out of your corny catfish "dad joke." What if she doesn't like your joke and locks you out of the house?

More fish for you.

Winner winner catfish dinner.