Table Talk: September 6–12

Vote Now!

You'll work up an appetite reading this blog (we hope!), and then we'll need your opinions! The Best of 417 Readers’ Choice Awards voting is open now through September 30, and we want to hear from you. What are your favorite local restaurants, bars, eats and treats? Cast your vote before time is up, and see the results in the February 2022 issue of 417 Magazine.

Move Over, PSL

No shade if you love pumpkin spice lattes (I mean, what’s not to like?), but you have to admit it’s become a wee bit basic over the years. Now that September is in full swing and the weather feels a little bit 417-land fall-y (which means, of course, summery but a smidge less so), local coffee shops are rolling out their fall flavors, and there are some seriously creative goodies out there. We’re still waiting to see what some of our favorite go-to coffee spots come up with for the season, but here’s what we’re loving so far.

• At Dancing Mule Coffee Company, the pumpkin spice is house-made and other fall flavors include caramel pumpkin, raspberry-hazelnut, and a s’mores concoction filled with toasted marshmallow, mocha and brown-sugar-cinnamon.

• Over at Travellers House Coffee & Tea, the fall lattes include Almond Crisp and Just Nuts along with the classic PSL, or you can get maple cream oolong tea and more.

• At The Workshop at Finley Farms, fall seasonal drinks include a cookie butter cider steamer, a s’mores latte, and (we’re super-excited for this one!) a pumpkin-butternut latte. Sounds gourd-eous, doesn’t it?

• Green House Coffee & Affogato Bar is offering a shaken maple espresso, spiced orange matcha latte (omg yum!), chai apple cider, pumpkin spice affogato and more.

• The coffee shop at Joplin Greenhouse has mulled local apple cider and a fall flat white, plus an interesting-looking Black Mocha on the menu, which takes a classic mocha and adds house-made black walnut syrup.

ICYMI: Itty Bitty News Bites

• New menu alert! The Ozark Mill Restaurant’s seasonal menu is out now, and it looks so delish. Fall flavors are highlighted with a rosemary and asiago tortellini dish, white bean and crawfish soup and homemade pumpkin ice cream.

• It’s finally here! The much-anticipated, long-awaited, twice-postponed (thanks, COVID) MIDxMIDWST festival is happening this weekend, September 10–11, and we’re beyond excited! In addition to the visual arts, live mural painting, live music and performing arts taking place all around downtown Springfield, you’ll also find tons of vendors and food trucks for the appetite you’ll surely work up as you take in the scene. The VIP tickets even include access to an exclusive cocktail bar.

• The Japanese Fall Festival is happening this weekend (September 9–11) at Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at the Springfield Botanical Gardens. The event highlights Springfield’s sister city relationship with Isesaki, Japan, and features activities, entertainment and some tasty eats in a gorgeous setting.

• Remember last week when we told you about 417 Cocktails and their new brick-and-mortar space downtown? Well, their soft opening is this week on Thursday. Pay them a visit!

• Ozark folks: Are you impatiently awaiting the opening of the new Mudhouse location in Ozark? Well, Springfield’s OG coffee shop has started operating their mobile coffee trailer from the new Ozark location’s parking lot, so you can get your coffee fix while they finish up. Won’t be long now!

Waving Goodbye to Maria’s

After 25 years slinging addictive fried tacos and offering a massive tequila menu, Maria’s Mexican Restaurant has closed up shop. It was a perennial Best of 417 winner, a local favorite, and a fixture in downtown Springfield at its South Avenue location. Whether your favorite thing at Maria’s was crunching into a fish taco, scooping up some queso de cabra goat cheese and chorizo dip, or sipping on a margarita at happy hour with your favorite people—we know this beloved eatery will be missed. Thanks for the memories, Maria’s!