Quack! Bob here to update you on a destination visited. My human friends, Sonny and Angie, whisked me away on a motorcycle tour during the vibrant Badger Bash in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. You won’t believe where we ended up! That’s right, Lambert’s Café II in Ozark, Missouri! I have come to discover that Lambert’s is not just a restaurant; it is a destination that attracts people from across the country. But let’s go back to the beginning.
Lambert’s was born when Earl and Agnes Lambert, with 14 cents between them, borrowed $1500 from a friend. With a team of five employees, they opened for business in a small building on South Main Street in Sikeston, Missouri, on March 13, 1942. The place had a tiny counter with only nine stools and eight tables, just enough room for 41 folks to indulge in a hearty meal of veggies, meat and dessert. Who knew that amid wartime rationing, they would create a dining legacy?
Fast forward to 1976! After Earl passed away, his son Norman stepped in, and that’s when the magic began. Diners were clamouring for those delicious rolls, but they weren’t getting them fast enough. So, in a genuinely comical turn, one brave diner shouted, “Throw the Damn Thing!” And just like that, the iconic “Throwed Rolls” tradition was born! Can you imagine rolls flying across the room? It cranked up the excitement in the dining area to a whole new level!
Things took a turn for the better in 1981 when they relocated to a larger and improved location. They did this while maintaining that friendly, welcoming spirit. Norman poured his heart into designing this new restaurant. He ensured it was not only efficient for the staff but also a pleasure for all diners. The place became a well-oiled machine, all for the love of good, wholesome food!
Then came the big leap! On March 1, 1994, they opened a second Lambert’s Café near Branson, Missouri, the Country Music Capital of the World! If you find yourself heading to Branson, be sure to swing by and enjoy those flying rolls! And not to be outdone, a third location popped up in Foley, Alabama, in 1996. Each spot shares that same delightful food, service, and unmistakable charm.
Now, let me take you inside Lambert’s! It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience. Sure, we had to wait in line, but they kept us entertained with an on-site store filled with quirky memorabilia. The anticipation only added to the thrill! Once seated, oh boy! Forget the usual restaurant rules!
At Lambert’s, the thrill begins when you raise your hands, not for the check, but to catch those hot rolls soaring through the air like a prized catch!
Every few minutes, a cheerful server comes by with a tray of fresh-baked rolls. They call out like they’re announcing a play at a ball game. Hands shoot up, and the roll throwing begins! The accuracy of those throwers is something special; they toss those soft, warm rolls right into waiting palms. Some diners are like pros, snatching them out of the air. However, for others… let’s say, it can get a little messy, but that only adds to the fun!
Now, about those rolls, they deserve a round of applause all on their own! Warm, yeasty, and impossibly soft inside with the perfect hint of crust outside, they’re divine vehicles for the sorghum molasses and apple butter that await on every table. Baked fresh from 9:15 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., they’re a delightful treat that keeps folks coming back for more. Just last year, they averaged baking over 2.2 million of these fluffy treasures, a number that’s just plain mind-blowing!
Let’s not forget the main course … my human chose chicken fried steak with a side of mashed potatoes and corn. When it comes to the main courses, Lambert’s certainly does not skimp. They put plenty on the plate to take away every hunger pang.
In addition to the main course and the delicious rolls, servers circulate throughout the dining room. They carry large pots of various side dishes.
The pass-around offerings include fried potatoes seasoned to perfection, macaroni and tomatoes, addictive fried okra, hot boiled cabbage and black-eyed peas, to name a few. They’ll stop at your table and offer generous portions of these complementary extras. Not sample sizes, mind you, but heaping scoops that threaten to overwhelm your already crowded table.
These circulating sides aren’t listed as menu items you can order; they appear, offered freely as part of Lambert’s abundance philosophy. It’s like having a buffet that comes to you, delivered by some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet.
Experiencing Lambert’s is like going to Sunday dinner at Grandma’s house: you leave a couple of belt sizes larger than when you arrived, and you best not complain that you didn’t have enough to eat.
The visit to Lambert’s was phenomenal and will definitely make it to my list for future family travel. Thank you, Sonny and Angie, for the surprise.
If you ever find yourself near Ozark, Missouri, or even in Sikeston, do yourself a favour and make a pit stop at Lambert’s Café I or II.
You won’t just enjoy good food; you’ll be part of a fun-loving community ready to toss some rolls and share a hearty laugh! It’s a perfect spot for a family outing, with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes everyone feel at home.
NEVER MISS A
