Table Talk: February 4–10

Best in Show

We asked; you voted, and now we’ve got the results. The annual Best of 417 Readers’ Choice Awards are here, and this year’s list is jam-packed with your favorite picks for barbecue, Italian food, sandwiches, salads and more. (Of course, the list also includes fan-favorite activities, services, shopping and more, but we’re all here because we’re hungry, so I’m focusing on the food 😉). Take a peek to see if your favorites made the cut, and maybe you’ll discover some new mealtime destinations while you’re there! 

Rolling On

Makers of mini breakfast sweets in adorable Tiffany-blue packaging Dapper Doughnuts has closed its doors. The Nixa outpost of the national franchise opened on Aldersgate Drive last summer, but after citing declining profits and patronage, owner Chris Holtmeyer closed the shop at the end of last week. 

Truck to It

The arrival of the Route 66 Food Truck Park couldn’t be closer. (Due to weather and construction delays, the park is projecting a mid-February open.) In the meantime, it’s providing a sneak peek at its truck lineup on its Facebook page. Find the park by looking for the massive Muffler Man statue—a 1960s icon of Route 66 Americana. The truck lineup includes long-standing trucks Not’cho Ordinary Taco, London Calling Pasty Company and Davalon, plus the revival of The Wheelhouse’s signature yellow trailer. Classic Rock Coffee is rolling out a food truck, plus new trucks The Olive Branch (serving Mediterranean fare) and Earth’s Harvest (offering a 100% plant-based menu) are rounding out the roster. 

Best in State

While we were conducting our own readers’ choice survey here in 417-land, Missouri Magazine was searching the entire state for its readers’ favorite spots. And because our corner of the state is full of fantastic places to eat, loads of 417-land eateries made the list this year. Restaurants recognized in the 2020 list include: Piccolo, Leong’s Asian Diner, Hurts Donut, Black Sheep Burgers & Shakes, Arris’ Pizza, Taj Mahal, Nakato, Cantina Laredo, White River Fish House, Top of the Rock, Jimm’s Steakhouse, Haruno, Thai Thai, Tea Bar & Bites, Dublin’s Pass, PaPPo’s Pizzeria & Pub and Bootleggers BBQ. 

Bubbling Up

Galloway brewery 4 By 4 Brewing Co. is known for its creative beer flavors, but the brewery is pushing the envelope even further and rolling out alcoholic seltzers. Called Basic Batch Hard Craft Seltzer, the alcoholic beverages contain water, fruit and alcohol from fermented cane sugar—making a drink that packs a punch but has fewer calories and carbs than beer. The brewery is debuting two flavors this week, orange-mango and watermelon-mint, and you can snag a sip this Friday at the Basic Batch Tasting at Brown Derby.

New Menus, Who ’Dis?

New menus are rolling out to tantalize the tastebuds! 

• At Golden Girl, sneak a peek at an updated happy hour menu with new specials, then keep an eye peeled for a new menu drop next month to coincide with the bar’s fourth birthday. 

• Tequila & Mezcal is offering new weekly specials, including free kids meals on kids night—or a piece of cake if you’re dining child-free. 

• At jazz bar The Hepcat, new winter menus include a vegan, soy-free Burmese tofu, made with chickpea tofu and cauliflower. 

• Progress has updated its brunch menu to include this spicy little number: a hot chicken sandwich. 

• Starting this week, Patton Alley Pub is debuting new hours and an upcoming new menu. 

• C-Street’s Margot has officially opened for business and after its first week, it’s slightly adjusting its lunch and dinner hours. 

What to Do This Week

Escape the humdrum of winter with a few upcoming events: