Best Restaurants in Southeast Missouri

A couple of weeks ago a little "birdie" clued me in and inspired me to take a quick trip south on the interstate to visit the Kelso Corner Grill, located at 151 S. Messmer St. in Kelso, Missouri. For those who have been around a while, the restaurant is located in the building that formerly housed the beloved "Ray's of Kelso" restaurant. ...

Late-ish on a Thursday night, I recently had a good meal in a restaurant that is absolutely like no other in our area. After a twisty and dark drive down State Highway C through the metropolis of Pocahontas, I turned right onto County Road 532. After an even more twisty-turny drive, I saw a long horizontal pole on the left side of the road, and a small "OPEN" sign was attached to it. ...

If you were hoping to read about my encounter with a massive beast of a burger, hang tight because all the details are coming soon to a newspaper near you. This week is all about a Lenten season tradition: The church "basement" fish fry. Now, before any of you get in a tizzy and accuse me of shoving religion down your throat, ask yourself a couple of questions: 1. ...

Pizza has often been on my mind lately. It has become a kind of treat food for me, a forbidden delicacy that I can only gift myself once in a great while. I know, I know, I can put a metric ton of emotional importance on food, but I've accepted that. ...

"Revival: an instance of returning to life or consciousness; restoration of vigour or vitality." Like many people, I choose a word to focus on and inspire me throughout the year. For me, it is a part of my spiritual practice and growth. Some people memorize complete Bible verses, I choose one word, have it printed on a bracelet, and wear it as a daily reminder. ...

I was surprised to realize that I have been writing for this feature since October 2018. It truly hasn't felt like this long, and I have enjoyed 99.7% of the places I visited (yes, that's very scientific and accurate, like everything I do.) But this time, I thought it might be interesting to take a look back at how the landscape of food has changed in the area, and perhaps spare a moment for those we have lost and still yearn for...

This week I explored the taste of India at one of my favorite local restaurants: The Spanish Street Farmacy. I stopped by and spoke to the brains behind the "virtual" operation, Frank Green. Green explained he became interested in the Gongora (Hibiscus sabdariffa) plant while breaking bread with friends from India. ...

There are some foods that I never want to cook at home because of the bother: pork rinds, a real steamed Christmas pudding, anything fried, especially chicken. Juicy, crispy, delicious fried chicken definitely tops that list. So the last couple of weeks, I started asking people where they like to get their fried chicken. Much to my (probably naive) surprise, many people told me Food Giant...

Whether a born-and- raised local, a regular, or someone just passing through Cape Girardeau, most people recognize The Library as a hub of the downtown nightlife. The Library, located at 10 S. Spanish St., offers a variety of entertainment options including happy hour, live music, karaoke, dancing, special events, televised sports, darts, patio games in their outdoor "Playground" area and a menu comprised of bar food favorites, salads, as well as heartier fare...

Don't be afraid to take chances, grasp for that brass ring, step outside of your comfort zone and experience the "other". For the fortunate among us, a mentor may present themselves and help us to take those first shaky steps into the unfamiliar and exciting unknown. If this happens, take their help joyfully and let the adventure begin...

In case you haven't noticed, baby, it's cold outside. Winter is a great excuse to stay cozy indoors. Being averse to temperatures below 60 degrees, I don't need to be told twice. Unfortunately, a book at Barnes & Noble was calling my name, and I figured if I was going outside, I would make the trip worth my while...

Foodies inherently have a deep and abiding interest in all things food. I enjoy seeing how food springs from various cultures, how it impacts traditions and holidays and how food even makes its way into art. Art created with food, such as pudding finger paintings when we were in kindergarten, haven't particularly interested me, but movies where food is the leading character, well those, those are intriguing...

It has been brought to my attention that an entire generation of young adults exist who either don't know Oprah Winfrey or do not fully grasp what she has accomplished in her career. This was brought to my attention via a tweet or a meme, which almost seems disrespectful...

The holidays are fast approaching, and with Thanksgiving's imminent return, I am already starting to feel the crunch. Cookies to make and freeze, family members to organize into a gathering where all can be present, presents to buy ... on and on and on, and most of the time, I kind of like the bustle. It makes my heart warm and fills the cold days with something to do. But sometimes, I need a breather, and I found the perfect place for that...

Three and a half years ago, in April of 2019, I accepted an invitation to brunch at Rusted Route Farms. Approximately three and a half weeks ago I happily accepted a second invitation to experience the Rusted Route Farms brunch extended by marketing manager Samantha Prost...

We can take for granted a person or an item that we interact with daily, but if you change the backdrop, suddenly they become new again. On vacation, you may notice the way the tropical sunset hits your loved one's face and remember how beautiful you find them. Or maybe when you are hiking and you find a lovely scenic spot to eat and pull out your favorite sandwich, and it tastes better because of all of the fresh air and the view. The backdrop matters...

I relish stories involving serendipitous moments, especially when the story is mine. I wasn't supposed to be downtown that Saturday morning. I should have been at the gym hours earlier. Instead, it was 9 a.m., and I was still trying to coax myself out of bed. Unfortunately, my usual self-talk tactics were not working, and I was on the brink of sabotaging my progress by officially declaring it a "me" day and scrapping my workout...

When I was a kid in Michigan, one of my favorite things to do after the first frost was pick apples from my great-uncle's farm (that was tradition up there, folks said it made the apples sweeter). It was an old apple orchard full of huge, gnarly trees, and it had been let go for some time. ...

Do you crave Mexican food? Are you a sucker for a quick, open and airy street food experience? Do you like the adventure of tracking down food trucks? If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, you should plan on making the Mexico On Wheels food truck your next stop...

This Spooky Season, I got an invitation from a friend to go see the doubleheader of new Halloween movies at Marcus Cape West Cinema. The third and final installment is coming out soon, and she thought it would be fun to have a refresher so we wouldn't miss any of the third movie's references. ...

I was on a mission a couple of weeks ago. It all started when, after months of preparation and training, I faced an unexpected obstacle. I had no control over the situation and wasn't sure getting back on track was possible. I prayed while holding tightly to doubt and fear. Then, I got an idea. If I was going to achieve my goal, I needed to get my mind right. I needed unshakeable focus and discipline. I needed to become like the ninjas of lore...

It was that quiet time between storms, that magical couple of hours between lunch and supper when most restaurant workers can catch their breath and people like me can eat without braving a crowd. Speck Pizza + Street Food at 430 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, having just opened for business on Sept. 1, still had a decent crowd but it was by no means full. Perfect...

Coming off of a spectacularly hectic weekend that saw me taking three trips to St. Louis in four days, I found myself on a Monday staring at a Tuesday deadline for this article. Honestly, this is nothing new. Procrastination is life for me. It's when I'm most productive, precisely because I have to be. ...

There are many new dining options coming to our area. Unfortunately, most are weeks to months away from their opening dates. Luckily, while considering interesting restaurants to explore and share with you, I ran into an old friend. She always has the scoop on delicious things in the area and has never steered me wrong. When she recommended a sweet, indulgent, strawberry breakfast item from "The Kozy" in Bloomsdale, Missouri, I trusted the drive would be worth it...

Teaching oneself how not to take things for granted is a hard path to choose. The love of people, the reliability of businesses, and even the weather for the day; it is far too easy to take these things for granted. Sometimes, I just need to stop, recenter, try to see things in my life with new eyes and appreciate them. That is the trick, the appreciating. And to let those we appreciate know it...

The more I travel twisty back roads looking for new places to eat, the more I love this part of the country I live in. This is a beautiful time of year to drive a country highway. The rain has been kind to us (sometimes too kind), and the trees are green and full of leafy glory. ...

Last week, I was on the lookout for a new-to-me restaurant for a lunch that wouldn't demolish my nutritional or financial goals for the day when I came across the menu for the Los Boys Hideaway in Egypt Mills. While several popular menu staples were listed under the appetizer, burger, sandwich and salad categories, the "Buffalo (bison) burger" is what caught my attention...

Once again, writing this article every two weeks has led me to a place I would have never found of my own volition. Following a tip from my friend, I visited Vitality Market at 117 W. Main St. in Jackson. Disclaimer time: The food I am about to talk about at Vitality Market is a small but vital part of this multifaceted store. ...

Relationships can be beautiful things. They nourish our souls. They bring peace to our days. They can be a source of joy and laughter. The best ones require commitment, understanding and grace. A good relationship is a great investment with amazing rewards...

When I was younger, it never crossed my mind that my immediate world would change: That the same stores and restaurants wouldn't be in the same places forever, that I wouldn't enjoy the same hobbies until I died, that the faces of my parents, siblings and grandparents wouldn't always look the same, that people I loved wouldn't be with me forever. But this life changes, and while I've come to embrace the changes, I also deeply appreciate those things that remain constant in my life...

The name "Disney World" often evokes images of family-friendly fun and a magical experience. They achieve it by carefully orchestrating an atmosphere that fully engages all of the senses. Disney's exquisite dining options are in such high demand many people make restaurant reservations before they have even booked their flights...

In the beginning swells of the Mississippi River Hills, in a tiny town named after a Native American princess, lies a cinderblock building with a robust pavilion behind it. For many years, this was a business built and owned by a wonderful couple, who founded a restaurant called the Bayou Bar and Grill. ...

Once upon a time, there was a man named Jamie Turk. People near and far knew him simply as "Turk." Turk and Suzana had four children: Kayleigh, Lizzy, Jeffrey and Justin. Turk loved baseball, so it was no surprise when his twin daughters became a force to be reckoned with on the softball field. ...

This week, I took a step back in time a few decades at Ewald's Bar-B-Q in Perryville, Missouri. Located in the lovely historic downtown, Ewald's is in an unassuming building that always seems to have vehicles lined up outside. The name of the restaurant is printed on a fading Pepsi sign up on a pole outside, and the Pepsi logo is not a modern one. Before stepping foot inside, I already loved it...

There are all kinds of "to do" lists this time of year. There are lists of activities to do with your children over the summer and lists of things to do to get beach ready. There are lists of things to do before heading off to college, along with lists of ways to deal with a newly-empty nest. You can find an endless number of "to do" lists on a wide variety of topics ranging from travel, hiking and fishing to home renovation, lawn care and everything in between...

I try to spend more time outside in the warmer months in a futile attempt to tame nature and nurture my plants. I know that the weeds will regrow, but that's OK. Year by year, I get to watch my plants grow taller and stronger, bloom more and spread their own offspring across the flower beds. ...

It was bittersweet when Zoi's Gyros closed it's doors a couple of months ago. I was one of many who braved the long lines for a final bon voyage buy. Then, as it always does, life went on without much more thought about gyros. Until last week, that is, when my mind signaled I was in need of a gyro fix. ...

Ideas for this column tend to hit me at odd moments in my day. This article was no exception. When I was waiting at a doctor's office scrolling through the current day's news and saw an article about a new beverage trend called "dirty soda," I knew that I had to know more...

New love is a beautiful thing. The sun shines brighter. Birds sing louder. Flowers appear to be painted in Technicolor bold, and everyone you meet seems to exude warmth, love and joy. For a moment, everything feels right in the world. I know, I'm gushing. I can't help it. They say it always happens when you least expect it, and I can confirm that is true...

My favorite thing about trying new places is discovering a dish that I've never tasted before, something brand new and unique. I went to Smokin Double Barrels BBQ in Perryville, Missouri, last week, hoping to find just that, and boy, did I! Smokin Double Barrels BBQ is in a small white building, unassuming but neat as a pin inside. ...

After driving past 811 Broadway in downtown Cape Girardeau for months on end waiting for any signs of life, I was rewarded Saturday afternoon. Speakeasy Coffee Company finally opened. I wrapped up some business a few doors down then wandered over. I wish I could say I was dressed in my "glad rags" on my way to shimmy the hours away in a dimly lit lounge, but it isn't that kind of speakeasy...

Anticipation can be so sweet. Being able to wonder, to imagine what an experience will be like, to have something to look forward to; that feeling can be like magic. This excitement, to varying degrees, is how I feel when a new restaurant is about to open. ...

Last Friday I had a plan. It was as loose plan, but a plan nonetheless. My indecisive self had narrowed my eating exploration down to two locations of considerable distance. However, when I woke on Saturday morning I just wasn't feeling my usual spontaneous, road-trip-eady self. I was not in the mood to drive 30 to 60 minutes for something I wasn't sure I would enjoy. I was looking for a sure thing, and I knew the perfect place...

The sense of smell is tightly linked to memory. A quick Google search confirms that our olfactory nerve that lets us process smell lies close to our hippocampus, that part of our brain that is most important to storing memories. It even has a name: the Proust Effect. ...

A friend's answer to my usual end of the week question, "So, do you have any plans for the weekend?" led me 47 miles away from home the very next day. She said she and her husband planned to take a little drive out to the Shady Oak Market in Bloomfield, Missouri, for lunch and some shopping. The way she raved about their sandwiches made this bread-loving woman salivate like Pavlov's dog...

Galati's Ristorante is located inside of a small building tucked into the corner of an intersection in downtown Perryville, Missouri. When you walk in the door, you will see a small place, only 10 tables, and a visibly busy pizza baking station to the left. Galati's is intimate, and if you want to be sure to get a seat, arrive early...

Downtown Cape Girardeau has something to satiate almost any craving for entertainment: fine dining, cheap eats, art, live music, arcade games, antiques, resale shops, specialty boutiques, live music, sports bars, ice cream, coffee and micro-breweries...

When my friend, who lives in Scott City, told me that the country fried steak at Sandy's Place was huge, as big as the plate, I was sold. This was not the first time that a Scott City resident had recommended Sandy's Place to me. The locals seem to love this eatery...

A spiritual journey recently led me to Egypt Mills. Egypt Mills is an unincorporated community located approximately 12 miles from Jackson, in east Cape Girardeau County. I previously visited the area to shop at a cute little boutique, but this time I was on a journey to Wat's Smokin' BBQ to make smoked salmon my first lenten lunch ever...

When I decided to try Bandana's Bar-B-Q as a possible food article target, I already knew it was a chain restaurant. Lately, I've been trying to give chains the benefit of the doubt, because we know that all franchises are not created equal. Bandana's has been in town since 2019, and I had not visited it yet. ...

Last Friday I took a midday trip to the SEMO PETS parking lot located at 180 Weston St. in Cape Girardeau. Ordinarily, I would have been there to drop off a donation or to volunteer (aka play with all the sweet puppies and dogs waiting for their forever homes), but this time I was on a different mission. I was looking for the newest installment to the local food truck scene: 1UP Catering...

Hack: v. to use a computer to gain unauthorized access to data in a system. But when did the word "hack" come to be used as a term for breaking into a computer system instead of just roughly chopping something up? According to tripwire.com, the current use of "hack" started in 1961 with MIT's Tech Model Railroad Club. ...

This week I was prepared to give you the scoop on Mana Tea downtown. Imagine my surprise when I discovered Rebecca LaClair beat me to the punch with her column last week. You know what they say about great minds ... I enjoyed the creamy ube taro milk tea I picked up after shopping at the cute boutique next door, Belle Ever After. ...

Peace, tranquility, kindness, the perfect drink; all can be found at Mana Tea at 411 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. As I was searching for somewhere new to go, I found Mana Tea online and instantly smiled. "If," I thought, "this company doesn't take advantage of that pun and use a manatee for a logo, I will be highly disappointed." I wasn't disappointed. ...

Last week I made a bunch of bad decisions after seeing we had nasty weather headed our way. I don't enjoy being cold, but I can certainly appreciate the excuse it gives me to stay warm and cozy at home indulging in all kinds of comfort foods, so off to the store I went to load up on "supplies."...

Recently, I found myself up at the ungodly hour of 6 a.m. and driving around Cape Girardeau, evidently the only soul on the street at that hour. The city was eerie then, like traveling through a ghost town, and I was struck with the thought once again that we don't really know what goes on in the world for the dark half of the day. ...

Where do you put all the "leftover" love when you lose someone much too soon? That is the challenge Yameka Robinson and her family faced in August 2019 after a senseless act of gun violence left 20-year-old Ryan Robinson injured and ended the life of 15-year-old Madison "Madi" Robinson...

"New Year, New Me" always seems like an exercise in futility to me. Don't get me wrong, I am an optimist, a mostly happy person, and I do keep trying to improve myself, but I don't want a completely new me. I want to strive for new experiences, new knowledge, new joy and awe, but that doesn't mean I place a greater value on the new than those experiences, learnings and joys that have come before. ...

On Christmas Eve eve I grabbed a pen and notebook and headed over to Pho 8. I was looking for a steaming hot bowl of comfort food and hoping to find inspiration for this column along the way. I get a little anxious at the culmination of each year. While most people are worrying about their New Year's Eve attire or who they will be kissing when midnight arrives, I feel pressure to make everything THE BEST EVER before 2021 slips away into the past...

My favorite part about food is running into a unique dish that leads me to a flavor I've never experienced before. I have an especially good time if this new flavor comes from a culinary destination I think I am familiar with, that I think doesn't hold any surprises for me any longer, like Mexican food. ...

Throughout my career I've had some great mentors. One, a retired marine, exemplified integrity by treating everyone with care, dignity, and respect. He was one of many who set the bar high for the kind of person I wanted to become. I tell his story over and over. ...

Fast food is a necessary evil, and sometimes I just want something fast that doesn't come between two pieces of bread. You know, what I refer to as "real food." (I still love you, fast food, don't be hatin'.) And I've found the ultimate place to get fast, real food. ...

This is your brief glimpse into the (not so) glamorous life of a local foodie writer. Food is probably the last thing anyone wants to think about after the planning, preparation, expense and gluttonous feasting that is Thanksgiving. I am no different...

Life is hectic, and I am a terrible planner. I can't plan a menu for a week like my mom. I do try. I always end up throwing out food that has gone bad before I can even think of cooking it. I love food, but I don't always like giving up the time to cook it. Convenience has become an issue for me, though, with the diabetic diagnosis. A burger and fries won't work and eating a bunless burger and side salad gets old really fast. I wanted to share one of my favorite go-tos lately...

We are at the time of year when many are beginning to fantasize about their favorite holiday dish. Thanksgiving turkey. Stuffing. Pumpkin everything. Eggnog. Christmas decor is everywhere, and retail workers are already ending their shifts ready to fight anyone who so much as whistles one more Christmas tune. ...

Foodie experiences can reveal themselves in myriad places. Sometimes, it's a restaurant that tickles our taste buds, makes our eyes widen in pleasure and surprise. Sometimes, it's a recipe that reminds us of a childhood memory, brings us back to that time in the kitchen when we couldn't see over the counter yet. And sometimes, a foodie experience will be inspired by a movie...

The only thing I enjoy more than good food is good food with a story. A powerful story. This week as I returned to the familiar grounds of Fuel Bar + Taco in Jackson (634 W. Main St.), I found myself on a culinary journey that led to an emotional and educational undertaking beyond my expectations...

Acting on a tip from a friend, I visited the cutest little place this week. At 1326 Main St. in Scott City, tucked into an old brick building with the door diagonal to the corner of two streets, is a little shop, Southern Charm Nutrition. My friend told me there was a tea place in Scott City. ...

October is here! Many people are excited because it is officially Halloween month. The leaves have started to change color, fall decor is invading our indoor spaces and some women have put away their white shoes, and stepped (albeit prematurely) into their winter boots as if their efforts will summon cooler temperatures. It doesn't appear to be working — temperatures remain plenty warm. Maybe wearing Sherpa pullovers next week will help? It's worth a try...

Not too terribly long ago, Watami in Cape Girardeau reopened after what felt like a very long closing due to a remodel. I didn't suffer too badly, but I did finally get to revisit them recently to see if it was still as delicious as I remember. I feel like I write about sushi often because I love it, and while I did order sushi, and it was incredible, you won't hear me desperately urging you to try it if you haven't yet, or praising its complexity and vivid play of flavors. ...

Eight years ago, director David Fincher brought actor Ben Affleck and some Hollywood glam to the corner of Spanish and Themis Street when he selected "The Bar" as one location for the filming of his movie "Gone Girl." I remember feeling the buzz of excitement in the air as the crowd of onlookers patiently waited for an opportunity to take a photo with Affleck. For a moment, we experienced a bit of Hollywood right here in Cape Girardeau...

This week, I went back to Sikeston, Missouri, to test a lofty claim that I noticed on a previous visit to the town: "Best catfish in town." Merick's Sandwich Shop still had their logo on the sign out front when I pulled up, and I was excited to see if it could be true. ...

The past couple of weeks I have been hearing about a new drive-up only barbecue joint in Jackson named "DB's Barbecue". It started with a whisper, a quiet Facebook message from a friend encouraging me to check it out. The heat began to build as I overheard people here and there gushing about their DB's experiences, specifically the pulled pork potato skins. ...

I found myself in the frozen north again on Labor Day (that's St. Louis, for those who don't understand my brain) and decided it was a fine opportunity to find a new place to eat. Despite the holiday, I found a wonderful little nook in Chesterfield called the Balkan Store & Bakery. Located in a tidy little strip mall at 13393 Olive Boulevard, "A Taste of Europe" was proudly proclaimed on its sign...

There is nothing like love to force you outside your comfort zone. For me, the list of things "outside my comfort zone" includes big-city driving. It is like speaking Spanish — I just don't do either often enough to develop lasting confidence in my abilities. ...

I'm not sure how I missed this place for so long, but I did, and I apologize to you for this oversight. In the town of New Hamburg, Missouri, down the street from a beautiful Catholic church that dominates the crest of the hill and overlooks State Highway A, sits a building that dates to 1848 (all dates and fun facts were confirmed or given by our awesome server, Megan). Schindler's Tavern, founded in 1934, still occupies this aged building...

Monday night was rough. I spent the majority of the evening trying to quietly slip away from a big, muscular, heavy beast who is completely and utterly obsessed with me. He demanded my undivided attention and would not keep his adoring yet overly enthusiastic paws off of me. ...

There are certain things we take for granted, simply because it is so accessible to us. One such thing is the Mississippi River, which is the fourth largest watershed in the world. The Mighty River drains 40% of the land mass of North America. Being a transplant from another state as a teenager, I still feel a certain amount of awe at seeing the river, wide and muddy and fast-flowing -- so much water. ...

Have you heard Lionel Richie's song "Easy"? Easy like Sunday Morning. Where did he get that idea? My Sundays are not easy. Sunday feels like a time warp — hours speed by in double-time. One minute the sun is gently waking me up then BAM! it is 8 p.m., and I am trying to finish up Saturday things while preparing for Monday things. ...

I had big plans last weekend. A day trip to St. Louis with the objective of visiting a variety of establishments to feast on their culinary delights. My salivary glands kicked into overdrive, and my mouth watered as I daydreamed about the possibilities...

In Perryville, Missouri, not far from Interstate 55 at 1700 Alma Ave., sits a large dark brown building. It is currently ringed with Missouri Amish tomatoes and stacks of watermelons of all kinds. Eight-foot palms and curling, blooming mandevilla vines stand guard at the awnings' supports, and lovely wooden and metal wishing well yard ornaments pepper the parking lot. I'd found Frank and Bridget's Produce, and what a unique place it is!...

The Dog Days of Summer "officially" arrived June 3 and end Aug. 11. Dog days bright and clear Indicate a happy year; But when accompanied by rain, For better times, our hopes are vain Whether you believe the folklore behind the saying or not, there is no disputing it is starting to feel as hot as Texas around these parts. People are either hunkering down in the cool AC or managing the scorching temperatures by hanging out near pools, lakes and beaches...

This week I'm going back to Perryville, which I have come to view very much as ground zero for great individualistic restaurants. I've had some wonderful experiences in Perryville so far, and I added to the list this week. Visiting Southern Roots at 15 West St. ...

Last Saturday I was lured 45 minutes away to Cobden, Illinois, by the possibility of trying a limited time menu item at The Iron Whisk: The Violet Femme Dutch Baby. Their online menu describes a Dutch baby as an iron skillet puffed pancake, "like if an omelette married a crepe and had a baby." The name Violet Femme is a genius nod to the band The Violent Femmes, Pride Month and the locally-grown lavender they use in the cream. ...

After a quick drive up to the St. Louis area, I found myself among friends and hungry. My friend used Google Maps to scan for restaurants around us (a wonderful tool), and we picked a place called Kar'is Surf & Sirloin. The mention of steak was enough for my husband, so two minutes later, we were piling out of the car at 13090 Manchester Road in Des Peres and walking into the most charming, classical Greek steakhouse that I've ever frequented...

If you have been searching for a hot new place to feed your taco addiction, look no further than Fuel in Jackson. Fuel was built at the site of a former gas station, hence the name. Their menu gives a nod to the previous occupants with taco options designated as "regular," "plus" and "premium." The drink menu continues the homage with names such as "Petrol Paloma" and "High Octane."...

At its new location at 2146 William St. in Cape Girardeau, My Marie's certainly did the job of catching my attention. I had heard of My Marie's before it moved but kept forgetting to check it out. Now, in its newly painted building, a brilliant golden orange, I took the time to go inside of its doors and see what kind of unique Creole soul food it could offer...

Amidst a fun-filled road tripping weekend around central Missouri, a friend and I realized we would find ourselves smack dab in the middle of St. Louis around lunchtime. Big cities are like buffets of restaurants — so many good options it can seem impossible to narrow it down to just one. ...

Every once in a great while, as I journey across our part of the country in search of somewhere new and exciting to eat, I stumble upon a place that delights me to the core. Susie's Bake Shop and Restaurant in Sikeston, Missouri, is just such a place...

This week started with a couple of creative foodie writing ideas and a few suggestions for new locales. This week, I would finally write an article that would showcase my quirkiness, creativity, silly side and love of life and food. This week, I would string words into sentences that would garner national attention and finally catapult this small town "girl" into the big leagues of writing fame and fortune. ...

The floodgates at the Mississippi River are open again, and I was there, watching the water scroll endlessly to the right. I wasn't born in this part of the country, so I try not to take the river for granted. There is so much water there. It boggles the mind how many gallons are passing, and yet, still the river runs. ...

A couple of weeks ago I received a call from a friend. He popped the question. I said yes. "Want to go hunting?" What did you think I was going to say? Knowing him, he wasn't talking about nature or creepy crawly slithering things. He was talking about heading to Kentucky for the day to track down an elusive bottle of bourbon to add to his collection and I, like any supportive friend, was all in. No hesitation. That's how we roll...

A couple of weeks ago, we headed to Montgomery, Alabama, for a dream trip that's been on my list for some time: An island in the middle of the Alabama River called Jackson Lake Island. Jackson Lake Island is home to about 50 goats who were having kids at the time — tiny, jumpy, cuddly, fluffy kids that you could pet and who would make me laugh. ...

Spring has sprung! Flowers are blooming, we have had some beautiful bright sunny days and, God willing, we have many more ahead. My recent foodie adventure location is one you will want to jot down or make a mental note of for the next time you are in need of some open road therapy...

In the scramble to find new, unusual places to eat, sometimes I forget about the survivors, those restaurants that have stepped into the gladiator arena and somehow beaten Father Time to a draw. One such restaurant that stands victorious through the sheer act of surviving for 53 long years is Pagliai's Pizza & Pasta in Cape Girardeau...

If there is anything SEMO foodies can't seem to get enough of it's Mexican food. Whether indulging in a special fine dining fusion of Latin flavors, one of the many popular family restaurants packed with familiar favorites, a fast food fix or a taco truck treat, the Mexican food market is booming with business, and now there is another destination to add to the list -- Panaderia Oaxaquena...

Sometimes, finding a new place to simply buy groceries can be just as exciting for me as eating at a new restaurant. This week, I had one of those moments as I stepped into Emory's Little Store in Fruitland. My absolute delight requires just a tad of background information to understand...

Sunday evening a friend invited me to Minglewood Brewery to catch up over an early dinner. He is a beer connoisseur and we both enjoy good food. I was looking forward to the warm casual atmosphere complete with upbeat music and a social vibe. When we arrived, we were given the option of dining room or patio. ...

Freed from the chains of snow-clogged roads, I found myself driving down a winding country highway, on my way to try another restaurant in the wilds of Missouri. Or maybe just in Patton. Either way, I was happy and free. I've been meaning to visit Suzie's Country Kitchen for some time now, but I could never work out the timing. I have several relatives who make the drive regularly, and that means Suzie's was well worth checking out...

Supposedly, Monday was National Margarita Day — as if I needed another excuse to meet up with an old friend and catch up with each others lives over drinks that taste like warmth, sunshine, and summer on the rocks. We sat there enjoying each others company amid the colorful Mexican decor, laughter, and celebration all around when my past returned to haunt me. ...

I found myself faced with a dilemma this week. I was supposed to find a cool restaurant, eat there, write about it, but I'm snowed in, and even if I could drive downtown, most places aren't open anyway, and it's Snowmaggedon everywhere. It's all just too much. So I took a deep breath, looked outside and decided to make do with what I had...

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. While some cringe at the thought of yet another "Hallmark" holiday aimed at separating them from their money, others look at it as one more opportunity to spread the love. It probably will not surprise you to hear I am of the latter category. ...

A new place opens; new food is cooked; a new article is written. Ah, it's like a much more pedestrian circle of life, and I enjoy it. This week I ate at a new restaurant in Jackson — Tokyo Sushi and Steakhouse of Japan. Tokyo Sushi just opened last week, and I couldn't wait to go, so I didn't. ...

Chicken Tikka Masala was the inspiration for my recent return trip to the Spanish Street Farmacy located in downtown Cape Girardeau. I did not realize it had been almost two full years to the day since my original visit. When I arrived, it was once again on a dreary winter day. ...

Well, it seems I'll never learn. Procrastination has morphed in my life from a choice that I make occasionally to now becoming simply a lifestyle. Procrastination got me again this weekend when I was recovering from a wicked bout with a stomach issue. ...

Last week I decided I wanted the scoop on a new restaurant: Speck Pizza + Street Food. Who opens a restaurant in the middle of a pandemic? The storefront is under construction so I could not get a sneak peek. I sent a message to the Speck Facebook page hoping to get the low down on their opening date, but instead I received an invitation to Gabriel's Food + Wine to meet with owner Gabriele Ruggieri. ...

Unlike many people, nostalgia still runs deep in me this time of year. When most are looking forward to new things and new experiences, I find myself craving the good old days, the before times, the eating-out and movie-going days. In that spirit, I revisited somewhere I haven't been in far too long...

Do you believe you have a calling? Do you believe we each have our own path and purpose? Do you believe in the universe or karma? I do. I recognize what I refer to as "God moments" in my life, but you are free to call them whatever you like. I believe that sometimes I receive messages of validation in a loud, clear and indisputable manner. ...

Chocolate in cookies and steaks I have bitten Bright shining serving plates washed in the kitchen Brown, spiced-up burgers all dolloped with greens These are a few of my favorite things When the gut growls And the void stings When I'm feeling mad I think the Mudcat in Oak is the thing...

If you have driven down Broadway in Cape Girardeau within the past couple of months you may have noticed a black sign with bright red letters announcing the arrival of something new sharing the corner with well-known local establishments such as Shivelbines music, Annie Laurie's antiques, and The Indie House: Rufus Red Hots Restaurant...

I enjoy flavors now that I did not as a child. I think most of us can say that. According to howstuffworks.com, we have a higher concentration of taste buds when we're children, predisposing us to enjoy sweeter foods. As we grow into teenagers, we are able to discern more and differing flavors, preferring less sweetness. ...

This week's adventure led me to a little place called Kimmswick, Missouri, home of The Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery. The Blue Owl story has been told by big names like Oprah, Guy Fieri, Paula Dean and her sons along with numerous shows and publications. I couldn't imagine what more I could possibly say about their signature item, the Levee High Apple Pie, but I decided to go where I felt I was being led...

In my unending quest to continue eating out without really eating out, I have gotten far more introspective and aware of the places I pick. Because of this increase in thoughtfulness, I realized I had neglected to write about one of the places I often turn to for lunch. I mean, I thought I had written about it, or maybe another foodie had covered it in full, but no, somehow I had missed giving this place its due...

What do winding country roads, smoky bars, beer, veterans, Harley Davidson motorcycles, a brassiere chandelier, Clint Eastwood and a couple of good old boys have in common? You can find them all at The East Perry Pub. That's what I found when I climbed into Big Red and let my GPS guide me down winding country roads and over a couple of one lane bridges Saturday night...

I had it on very good authority that Tuesdays in Perryville, Missouri, were special for one reason: homemade chicken and dumplings at Incredible Edibles. Fall and the cooler weather had made this the perfect time to test that theory. The leaves were showing their color and falling in buckets across the road. The time had changed, and the world seemed to be moving slower and breathing a sigh of relief. I adore fall...

Take a 20- or 30-minute drive outside of Cape Girardeau to the unincorporated community of New Hamburg, Missouri. Early settlers named the land after Hamburg, Germany, and the name was updated to New Hamburg in 1866. St. Lawrence Parish was founded there in 1847 and remains an integral part of the community. ...

As a foodie, I sometimes feel as if there is that jump never taken, that food never tasted and that opportunity missed to try something that everyone else seems to love. Usually, this missed chance is accidental, just simple oversight on my part, but sometimes it is willful and stubborn...

I returned to Sedona Bistro Sunday for a one-day event they were hosting: Sushi by Angel, a pop-up restaurant. Pop-up restaurants my seem like a new fad, but the concept has been around since the 1960s when they were known as "supper clubs." Pop-ups are temporary restaurants which may be quick one-day events or at a location for several months. ...

Writing about food is a good gig, and sometimes the gigs just fall into my lap. I was invited to try Notre Dame's "Sunday dinner during the week." And so, at 4:30 p.m., I arrived at the Notre Dame Regional High School just outside of Cape Girardeau on Highway K, at 265 Notre Dame Drive. ...

Last week I did something out of the ordinary — I used a vacation day in the middle of the week to visit Strawberry's at 107 Main St. in Holcomb, Missouri. I invited a friend to come along and did something else out of the ordinary — I left Big Red at home and accepted my friend's offer to drive. ...

Off to Perryville, Missouri, where I taste-tested a place that I know well when it comes to doughnuts but was totally clueless when it comes to savory food. Hoeckele Bakery & Deli is well known for its absolutely amazing sweets, but they also have a fairly extensive menu that utilizes other baked goods in a fresh and succulent way. It's easy to overlook the "& Deli" part of the name, but I would encourage you to not make that mistake...

What's in a name? Names are important. Parents think long and hard about what to name their children before they are born. As children, some of us toyed with names we would have preferred. I know I had a couple in mind for when I was a "grown up" and could decide for myself. ...

I am guilty of a horrible crime. I have this wonderful platform with which I can steer you, the fellow members of my community, in the direction of worthy or quirky or just darn tasty restaurants. My crime is that, so often, I take for granted the places I visit the most and don't think to share them with you. ...

"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...

I took a road trip to Oran, Missouri, recently. I had never visited before and was following up on a food lead. The drive to Oran was breathtaking. Wild hyacinths were blooming in the ditches, immense white flowers rarely sprinkled with the odd pink specimen. ...

Have you ever followed the rules, done everything the right way, and things still didn't turn out how you expected? If you're old enough to be reading this, I'm sure you have. There are just so many parts of this life that are unpredictable and beyond our control...

BG’s Olde Tyme Deli is one of the few restaurants to which I’d give the title of “Cape Girardeau Staple.” It has been around since 1980, forty big years. I will admit that I haven’t visited BG’s that much lately. We would go in when my husband got a craving for their potato skins, but that was it. I remember when the menu was enormous, a long rambling thing that had a little bit of everything on it, a little overwhelming. Well, that’s all changed...

There is something special about having your adult children come home. My home is my sanctuary. It's nothing fancy, but it is where I feel most at peace and something I am grateful for every day. When my children return home it just feels different. ...

Katie's Pizza & Pasta Osteria is an award-winning restaurant in St. Louis. Like everyone else, Katie's is doing its best to adapt to these rather unusual times, and its solution has been to start a frozen pizza mail order service. Since I am always in the mood for pizza, and especially award-winning pizza, I placed an order and let the food come to my front door...

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, we are officially in the midst of the Dog Days of Summer, which means everyone is looking for ways to keep cool in the sweltering temperatures. If that sounds like you, Bubble Crush Tea Studio may be right up your alley...

Like a lot of you, when I was a kid, my small-town ice cream shop closed up for the winter. Those white-smeared windows would appear, looking so desolate and barren, and I would know that the cold, soft ice cream was done until next year. For me, when those windows were scraped clear and the sugary wonders behind revealed once again, that was the true start of summer. ...

Let me tell you about one of my favorite burgers in town. Hickory House Restaurant at 2259 E. Jackson Blvd. in Jackson. It is home to one of the best mushroom Swiss burger moments in my lifetime. In fact, three years ago today I introduced my son to his first Hickory House mushroom and Swiss burger. ...

Bring on the food trucks! I was on the search for something new and lighter, fresh and flavorful. I'm not ashamed to say that I searched for food trucks online and stumbled upon LT's Street Tacos. Most of the time, you can find it parked at 515 W. Main St. in Jackson, but like so often with food trucks, check the Facebook page first to make sure that's where the truck really is...

What comes to mind when you hear the words, "Pucker up, Buttercup"? If your mind immediately went to all things romantic, you probably envisioned puckering up to receive sweet kisses from the object of your affection. Gag. Take those romantic thoughts somewhere else. It's too hot outside, and I am not in the mood. I guess you could say, I'm feeling a little sour...

"And if you gaze long into your food, your food also gazes into you." This irreverent morphing of the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's quote was uppermost in my mind when I unpacked my to-go order from SEMO Crawfish Company. Crawdads galore, all tails and claws and heads with antennae. Huge head-on shrimp, which supposedly deepens the sweet flavor that processed examples lack. Eyes, eyes everywhere, and I couldn't wait to dig in. But I'm getting ahead of myself...

"Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days / Sometimes it feels like this world's gone crazy / And Grandpa, take me back to yesterday / When the line between right and wrong / Didn't seem so hazy" The Judds sang that song for the masses back in 1986, and the lyrics seem especially relevant today. A song about nostalgia and simpler times yet maybe with a desire to see the past through rose-colored glasses. I guess we all want to do that from time to time. I know I sure do...

Saturday, I finally caught my elusive prey. What I sought wasn't really that elusive; I'm just an inconsistent hunter. The German Cook travels around our area serving authentic, homemade German food out of a pop-up tent/food truck. The German Cook's Facebook page is the best place to find out when and where he can be found. I found him at the Cape Riverfront Market, but I know he also frequents the Cape and Jackson Farmers Markets...

Right now, I am fascinated by everything pickles. In fact, I dropped a pretty penny last week scooping up various pickle-flavored items to sample before realizing I had much research left to do. I've placed my pickle ideas on the back burner for the moment, but if you have a favorite dill pickle-flavored food obsession you think I should try, please leave a comment below telling me what you love about it and maybe I will share your discovery with the masses...

This is a weird time to be writing about eating out. There is no way to share the atmosphere of a place with you, because I am unable (or, as of now, unwilling) to experience said atmosphere in a restaurant. Good eateries have souls, given life by the people who create their passion and imagine new flavors to delight. ...

What's a woman to do when her adult children are both 16 hours away on Mother's Day weekend? If you're me, you celebrate by splurging on the fine dining experience you think they may have wanted you to have. 36 Restaurant & Bar: Table for one, please...

When I was a kid, my dad listened to a lot of classic rock, which means I listened to a lot of it as well. I loved it, soaked those guitar riffs and gritty voices into every pore. My favorite band was Creedence Clearwater Revival: CCR. Every time he played one of their songs, I'd recognize Fogerty's gruff growl. ...

Thanks to the great variety of options available at Aldi, I have continued to try new things from the comfort of my own home. In fact, I wondered if I should share some of my favorite finds with you, such as street corn chips, dill pickle popcorn and chocolate-covered espresso beans. I decided against it for selfish reasons: I don't want all of my favorite items to disappear from the store shelves...

I have been forced to search out new places for carry-out in the wake of current events. I haven't really wanted to leave my county, and that has limited me in ways that I really loathe. I will be so glad when I can roam afar again, but for this week, I did find a meaty gem that I have driven by many times. This time, I stopped, in the drive-thru at least, and I'm so glad that I did...

I miss you. Yes, I'm talking to YOU. The person sitting at the table with their morning coffee enjoying the feeling of the paper in their hand. The person on their cellphone in their cozy bed. The person staring at their computer screen before getting started at work. ...

I'm ready for something fun and light, so it's time for a Spicy Chicken Showdown. And boy oh boy, do we have a bunch of chicken places in town. I made a loop of Cape and picked up a sandwich from fast food joints that make one (and I'm so sorry if I missed someone! I didn't mean to.)...

Have you or your loved ones been craving salty or sugary snacks lately? I sure have. When I'm stressed, my vice is soft drinks. Soda. "Coke" if you're a Southerner. It's easy to blame it on boredom, but did you know we have a physiological response to emotional stress? It includes terms like "hypothalamus," "adrenal glands," "cortisol" and "insulin," and it causes cravings. ...

In this time of caution and uncertainty, the last thing on our minds is probably locating the hippest, freshest new or undiscovered places to eat. I'm saying this so that you know I am not tone deaf. I know things are stressful and scary. However, I am also a firm believer in finding joy in the little things, and with this in mind, I'm going to continue to order curbside service from restaurants, and let you know where you can, too...

It's been a surreal week so far, hasn't it? News stories have piqued my imagination. I've joked with friends about conspiracy theories and sci-fi scenarios you might find in a Dean Koontz novel. We've delved into deeper serious discussions about health care, the psychology of a pandemic, and spirituality...

Ah, spring! Its coming heralds budding trees, blooming bulbs and my interest in food trucks once again. Some food trucks serve their customers all year long. I just don't think of patronizing them when the weather is cold, but when that first warm gust of spring air caresses my face, I know it is time: Time to find the food trucks again...

Are you familiar with the saying "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans?" If you love God, you will be happy to know I am quite busy over here cracking him up with all of my big plans. One of my plans last week was to travel down south to visit a little hole in the wall restaurant and try their signature dish. I knew the trip would take up the majority of my day, so I mentally orchestrated my weekend around it...

Rally's Drive-In recently opened a restaurant in Jackson, and its claim of "Famous Seasoned Fries" is what really inspired my trip. Any time a place claims "famous" or "world's best," well, that just has to be proved to me and my taste buds. Rally's is on the corner of highways 34 and 25 where Rhodes 101 Stop convenience store used to be. ...

The "Dew Drop Inn" is a great name, isn't it? The moment I read it I immediately imagined the distinctive voice of Dateline's own murder mystery king, Keith Morrison, narrating my story. The scary part was, I had plans to meet there for a first date. ...

On a quiet country road lies a cool old brick building reminiscent of the proud brick storefronts found in old downtowns everywhere. This building houses Gordonville Grill, a restaurant serving up good steakhouse eats with a sprinkle of Cajun cuisine since 2007...

A former colleague's face registered disbelief before exclaiming, "I can't believe you've never been to Wib's." He described Wib's using adjectives, moans and facial expressions. When he finished, I was craving Wib's, too. I was starving, and my grumbling stomach tracked the minutes until my lunch introduction to Wib's barbecue. That was three years ago...

We traveled to Benton this week to eat at a farm/hardware/anything-you-can-think-of store. M Kay Supply, located very close to the off-ramp of I-55, truly and honestly surprised me. One of you gave us a tip to go try out their deli sandwiches, and wow, are they tasty and huge...

"I'm so glad you're here." How does it feel to hear those words? How does it feel to say those words? You may say them when a loved one returns after a long absence. You may utter them after returning home from a particularly trying day at work. Some people exhale them along with a sigh of relief when roadside assistance or a police officer responds to their call for help. I know I have...

Drive down Broadway in Cape Girardeau often enough and you will find yourself looking forward to the clever and pun-riddled sign that stands outside an unassuming restaurant named Burrito-Ville. Nineteen years ago, that is exactly what drew me inside to try the food. I wanted to know what kind of flavors would come from the minds of people with such finely honed senses of humor. Burrito-Ville's sense of taste is just as good as its sense of humor...

I had quite a serene New Year's Eve. No partying. No cocktail dress. No romantic midnight kiss to officially bring an end to Hallmark movie watching season. Just me, my faithful companion and a desire to reflect on years past while setting goals for the future. ...

It was two days after Christmas and I was looking for something to eat that wasn't leftovers. Not that my leftovers aren't fantastic, but one can only have so many rich casseroles and slabs of candied ham before one stops appreciating it as much as one did two days ago. I pulled out my trusty list of places to try and picked one out that sounded like it was full of simple home cooking and friendly people...

We have some beautiful fine dining establishments in Cape Girardeau, such as Celebrations restaurant which has been in operation for 22 years. I've been invited to dine at Celebrations several times but have always ended up elsewhere. Many think luxury and elegance when they hear "fine dining." I immediately think stuffy, pretentious, expensive and boring. ...

As I'm deep into the spirit of the Christmas season, I thought it fitting that I share my favorite places to eat around the area and what I best like to eat there, giving the gift of great food ideas, if you will. Most of these places I have mentioned before, but that is a very good thing. They all have true staying power and are genuine keepers...

Do you remember the 1989 classic movie "When Harry Met Sally..."? One of the most iconic scenes took place in the historic Katz's Deli in New York City. That was the vibe I was feeling as I visited Sandy's Place Restaurant, inside Cape Regional Airport at 860 Limbaugh Drive in Cape Girardeau, with a friend over the weekend...

Downtown Cape Girardeau has become the go-to place for fine dining for those of us south of St. Louis. I have watched with pleasure as new restaurants have opened, filling Cape's destination crown with glittering culinary temptations. 36 Restaurant & Bar is a very large gem in that crown...

In the interest of full disclosure, I was excited my turn to submit an article would fall during the coveted Thanksgiving holiday week of the Southeast Missourian. What an honor! I was intent on not writing anything Thanksgiving related because I figured we would all be tired of turkey and would be looking for alternatives. ...

Sometimes, food and fun are married into such a perfect union under one roof you wonder why someone didn't think of it before. In Dogwood Social House's case, someone has thought of it before, but never in Cape Girardeau, and never on such a grand scale...

I had great history teachers in school but I had no interest in memorizing what I considered to be tidbits of trivia from the past. I wasn't a regular viewer of the TV gameshow "Jeopardy," yet when I came across it on TV, I paused to answer a few questions before moving on. I admit, I do well on social/cultural type questions. Today's restaurant gave me some tidbits of trivia and a glimpse of history...

Tucked away on Broadway in Cape Girardeau is an honest-to-goodness chocolate factory. Chocolate Works has an adorable storefront window where you can see long glass cases filled with all manner of tiny, intricately crafted fresh chocolates and fudges...

If you've been reading regularly, by now you have probably noticed my tendency to become fixated on items at certain restaurants. If I find someone who prepares one of my favorite dishes exactly the way I like it, it is all I want to eat from that establishment. I have heard amazing things about so many other options on their menu, but this week, Jackson Deli's Fried Chicken Salad at 437 W. Main St. in Jackson is my obsession...

Whenever I make the trip to Marble Hill, it is inevitable I will end up at Jay's Bar-B-Que. The restaurant is a well-known staple of the town, a true family restaurant, adapting with the times while managing to maintain home cookin' quality of the food. ...

Cool temperatures? Check. Bright sunshine? Check. A craving for a sweet treat and a warm drink? Check. This week, I blissfully enjoyed the benefits of the change in weather. I no longer need to walk my dog before the crack of dawn or an hour after sunset to avoid the hot concrete on his tender paws. ...

As a rule, I don't like to write about chain restaurants. I don't have anything against them; it's simply these are the places people are more likely to visit, the places everyone already knows about. With that in mind, this week I am writing about a chain restaurant. Straight outta Chicago, I give you Rosati's Pizza...

Relationships are built on trust. This week, my foodie adventure challenged me to throw caution to the wind, trust, and have faith. That is a pretty tall order. It was a stressful week, I was feeling a little blue, and I wondered whether I might be coming down with something. ...

Sometimes when I walk into an eatery new to me, I have the thought, "Why have I never been here before?" or "Why haven't I heard more about this place?" That was my immediate reaction upon stepping foot in the RiverHouse. Located just outside of Scott City right on the Mighty Mississippi, RiverHouse has been hiding from me since 2014. The proprietors bill it as "a wine place," and that is certainly the case, but don't believe that's all there is...

Have you ever taken a loved one for granted? I have been on the giving and receiving end of that one. I think we all have. We get so used to our roles, life begins to work like a well-oiled machine and the details blur into the background. Then, you hear the recipient of your loyalty speaking admiringly about someone else. Heck, they aren't just speaking, they are gushing like a broken fire hydrant. It's an "If you like it so much why don't you marry it" kind of moment...

Every once in a great while, a restaurant will come along that is so unlike any other place around that it makes me happy to be alive. Mariscos El Barco at 1001 Broadway in Cape Girardeau is one such restaurant. It is indeed a Mexican restaurant, but before you shut down on me, give me a chance! This place, whose name translates to "The Seafood Boat," pays homage to the oft-ignored cuisine of the coastal regions of Mexico in a way no other local Mexican restaurant does. ...

I have been hearing a lot of buzz about a new restaurant in town, Trio -- Plant Based Fare at 1027 Broadway Street in Cape Girardeau. If the name doesn't give it away, their website clearly describes the cuisine as "100% plantbased. ... Comfort food with a modern flair." Plant-based food? Plant based food is not usually at the top of my list. However, after viewing photograph after photograph of their beautiful culinary creations, I was determined to expand my food horizons...

Whether a person has a philosophical distaste for eating things that were once alive, or they just want to eat something with an advertised smaller carbon footprint, meatless "meat" has long been the holy grail of new food development. I remember trying my first meatless patty made by Morningstar 20 years ago, out of sheer curiosity rather than any sort of deep statement about food. I thought the taste was bland and though the patty looked like meat, it really tasted nothing like it...

We have a unique new addition to the food scene here in Cape Girardeau: My Marie Restaurant. My Marie is serving up fresh Caribbean creole soul food at a location at West Park Mall. I tried it out the week it opened and have already made a repeat visit. I wasn't sure what to order on my first trip but, after receiving a little guidance from my server, I settled on the coconut veggie shrimp for dinner. It was the dish I never knew I needed...

I took a short trip a little off of my beaten path last week and ended up in Carbondale, Illinois. It's been a bit since I've been able to go there, and now that the bridge and connected highways are thankfully open, we were on our way. Of course, I took the opportunity to try somewhere new and hopefully exciting. ...

If you are a frequent visitor to the downtown Cape Girardeau area, you probably breathed a sigh of relief mixed with excitement when you heard the Mississippi River levels had finally dropped and the floodgates were re-opened. Hallelujah. A recent source of despair for many, hopefully that rushing water is ready to return to serving as a visual reminder of tranquility, possibilities, and hope. ...

My daughter and I drove to McBride, Missouri, this weekend, just a few miles past Perryville. We had never been there before, and I didn't get much to see of the small town. We saw a huge factory and a truck stop. We took a hard right turn down a county road, drove over the railroad tracks twice and made it to Al's Place...

The Beatles began recording one of their beloved hits, "All You Need is Love" in London on June 14, 1964. I bet they never imagined 55 years later I would be using their iconic song as an ode to an egg roll ... yet here I am. At the corner of Independence and Hanover streets in Cape Girardeau sits a little beige building. ...

You may have noticed my focus on food has shifted a bit since I started writing this column last year: more salads, more color, less fried and sugary things. The truth is I simply can't eat whatever I want anymore. Being recently diagnosed as diabetic, I've been scared straight, and the best way I know how to control this disease is through low-carb eating...

I'm pretty excited about today's spotlight because I have loved the Marquette Building at 338 Broadway from the first time I entered the lobby back in 2014. I was there for a business meeting, but I could not resist pulling out my camera and taking some photos...

Mary Jane has expanded beyond its Perryville burger empire to create a smokehouse kingdom in Cape Girardeau. In a move that confused me at first, Mary Jane announced that the new restaurant would not be a copy of the restaurant in Perryville. Indeed, they would be more of a BBQ joint, with a completely different menu. ...

Cape Girardeau is just booming with new restaurants. The new fare is what foodie adventures are made of and from the looks of it, business is good. While I am anxious to try the new spots, I think I will wait until the crowds dissipate a bit. So I wait. I recently got a hankering for a nice steak and remembered a former colleague speaking highly of Grecian Steak House at 2013 Independence St., near Walmart ... or as the locals lovingly refer to it, "little Walmart" or "Smallmart."...

Don Carlos Authentic Mexican Restaurant & Taqueria is nestled just inside the front entrance of West Park Mall. I will admit, I have walked by it many times, but I was never curious enough to stop and eat. Recently, when I read Don Carlos was opening a restaurant in Jackson at the old site of a barbecuse joint in front of the Riverside Regional Library, which is just a little closer to home to me than Cape, well, you can color me curious. ...

This week I was in a foodie funk. Seriously. Maybe it was the heat. Maybe it was the busy work schedule. Maybe it was a case of summer fever. Maybe it was my re-commitment to health and financial goals. Whatever the reason, I just could not get up the motivation to go on a foodie adventure. ...

The river was up and raging, and we found ourselves in downtown Cape Girardeau looking for a new place to eat. After finding an amazing 110-year-old children's book in one of the antique stores, my daughter and I were ready for a meal. We walked by Socials Cafe and Catering at 31 Main St. ...

I'm at my computer writing this on a beautiful sunny Memorial Day. I am proud to be an American, and I can't even bring myself to type a single word about food without first expressing my deepest gratitude and respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country and our freedom. We are forever in their debt...

This week, I finally visited the Pacific Rim Market at 1537 Independence St. in Cape Girardeau. The Pacific Rim Market is truly a grocery store, but I walked in expecting to find a store full of mostly Chinese and Japanese dried goods. They do have these things, such as all the noodles you could ever imagine, but they also have a wide variety of fresh and frozen fares as well. Let me tell you about some of my favorites I found there...

I'm feeling very grateful to you for reading this column and for those who have stopped to say a quick "hello" or share their own foodie favorites when they see me in the community. You are my people (insert fist-bump). I like to think I walk around quite anonymously and under the radar so I must look like a deer in the headlights each time it happens. ...

First of all, I want to give a little shout out to our local restaurant/food community for their commitment to giving back. I few weeks ago I participated in the Theatre and Dance Society's restaurant hop. Restaurants included were: Primo Vino, Minglewood Brewery, Marco's Pizza, Baristas Coffee Bar, Ebb and Flow Fermentations, Pho 8, Bistro Saffron, Imo's Pizza, Sugar Chic Creamery, Andy's Frozen Custard, and Jimmy John's. Even Mississippi Mutt's found a way to get involved...

It was Easter Sunday evening, and my family and I found ourselves in that awkward spot all Americans face at some point: we were all holiday-ed out, tired and lazy, and we didn't want leftovers. We wanted someone else to feed us, and on a holiday, the only places you can be guaranteed are open (at least in this neck of the woods) are Chinese buffets. We are so, so thankful for this, and thank you to all those people keeping them open for those of us who need some cookin' on a holiday!...

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing brunch at a little-known restaurant a bit off the beaten path. When Gathering's Catering is not planning and executing a special event, the staff is busy offering a Sunday brunch. Reservations are recommended, and after perusing the menu my first thought was Gathering's might be geared towards a more refined or pretentious crowd. ...

When a new restaurant opens its doors, I like to give it a month or two before I visit -- let them get their feet under them and figure things out. Waiting also helps me to avoid those crazy rushes of people eager to try something new. Sugarfire Smoke House opened in Cape Girardeau in September, and now, after finally visiting, I'm not sure why I waited so long to try it...

Cape Girardeau residents must really enjoy their Mexican cuisine because I can think of six to seven different Mexican restaurants off the top of my head, and all of them seem to stay pretty busy. Did someone say taco Tuesday? I've mentioned some of our family favorites in previous columns, but not too long ago a respected foodie friend recommended the street tacos at Don Carlos Authentic Mexican Restaurant and Taqueria located in the West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau. ...

I love the sheer romance of Italian food. Shaped by hand, crafted with skill and soaked in flavor, you would be hard-pressed to find a cuisine more comforting. Ciao is an Italian word rife with meaning, and can informally mean both "hello" and "goodbye." Two years ago, the Italian restaurant Ciao Ristorante + Enoteca in Cape Girardeau was taken over by new owners. ...

My most recent foodie adventure took me to the hospital. I woke up on a recent Wednesday morning feeling like I was at death's doorstep. One look at me, and my doctor suspected (and later confirmed): Type A Flu. Have you ever felt so horrible you started bargaining with God?...

Egypt Mills is a small community tucked back in the rolling river hills of Southeast Missouri. Just a short drive from either Jackson or Cape Girardeau, to get there you must drive on some of the most winding and drop-off-skirting roads in the county. ...