7 Good Things

1. Echelon Coffee (2407 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield) has added a few new items to their menu, and we’re especially excited about The Commuter. It’s a sandwich made with brisket from City Butcher (and their brisket slaps) piled onto a brioche bun and topped with homemade honey-serrano cream cheese and a fried egg.

2. On a shopping trip to Joplin Empire Market (931 E. Fourth St., Joplin), we purchased an excellent lunch of homemade dumplings and fresh spring rolls from the little on-site cafe. Bonus: They even offer free sack lunches for kids!

3. When we crave a classic, indulgent breakfast, we go to Billy Gail’s Restaurant (three 417-land locations) and order the massive pancakes that are the size of a dinner plate. Bigger even—they hang off the edge!

4. When it comes to shareables for the table, toasted ravioli is among our favorites. The ones at Piccolo (107 W. Aldersgate Dr., Nixa) are hand-breaded, stuffed with beef and perfectly crispy, so they definitely satisfy our craving for their St. Louis original.

5. We love when a burger joint has truly good veggie burger options, and Black Sheep (multiple Springfield locations) fits the bill. Their Veggie My Heart burger includes a homemade veggie patty that’s topped with all the classic crispy burger veg, plus garlic mayo and white cheddar cheese.

6. What’s better than a big BLT? A big BLT made with smoked bacon. The Big KC Style from Galloway Grill (4211 Lone Pine Ave., Springfield) has tons of it, plus lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, onions, cheese and toast. Whew! It’s a doozy.

7. Call us boring, but we can’t get enough of the classic lemon flavor when we go to Rita’s Italian Ice (2100 W. Republic Road, Suite 112, Springfield). It’s sweet, tart and refreshing. Blend it with vanilla custard for something that tastes like a lemon freezer pie.