Table Talk: September 24

Some exciting openings in 417-land.

Good news, everybody! We’ve used a lot of e-ink in recent weeks telling you about places that are closing. This week should balance the playing field a little bit.

Exciting Opening No. 1: Pickleman’s (at left), a sandwich chain known to University of Missouri grads from Columbia, is now open at 3522 S. National Ave. A group of our staffers ate there the other day, and the raves were rolling into the Table Talk inbox by 2 p.m. Among the highlights were the Italian beef sandwich (delicious with a jus) and the pickles that you can, in fact, purchase, but are too big for one person.

Exciting Opening No. 2: Last week we mentioned Jim’s Steak House and Pub, opening in the former Steak & Ale spot on South Glenstone. Now we hear it’s the former chef—not the former owner—who is opening back up, much to the delight of Steak & Ale’s former fans who missed the food, drinks and hidey-hole factor. We’ll let you know more when we find out. We know you’re curious.

Exciting Opening No. 3: Finally, we’ve heard from multiple sources that a pizza place—possibly St. Louis-based—will take the spot formerly occupied by Kaldi’s on Battlefield Marketplace. No word on a name yet… if you’ve heard something, drop us a line at matt@417mag.com.

So, added to the openings of Wing Shack (National north of Walnut) and Whole Hog BBQ (Campbell and Sunshine), and there’s a lot of gastro-optimism out there for Springfield food fans.