Table Talk: October 15–21

Good, Better, Best

It’s that time of year again! Celebrate all the best that 417-land has to offer by voting for your favorite restaurants for lunch, fine-dining, brunch, burgers, Mexican food and more in our annual Best of 417 Readers’ Choice Awards presented by Old Missouri Bank. And remember, if you don’t see your favorite people or places on the list, write in your vote. Winners are published in the February 2020 issue of 417 Magazine. 

ALDI All Around 

The wait is finally over, east-siders! Springfield’s third ALDI location is opening this Thursday, October 17 at 8:30 a.m. at its new Sunshine Street location (in the former Ruby’s Market). If you can’t bear the thought of fighting crowds for a Grocery Games–style takedown first thing in the morning, just know that the early bird gets the worm—or, in this case, gift cards to the first 100 shoppers along with free eco bags and quarter holders to the first 1,000 customers. In celebration of the grand opening, ALDI is also hosting a sweepstakes for a chance to win a year’s supply of produce. Grab your bags, scrounge up a quarter and get ready to shop. 

Get Your Glass

Honestly, this is a banner week for impatient people. Good Clean Wine is on the horizon! Head to Good Skin Day Friday, October 18 for a Wine on the Water pre-order party to order bottles of the brand’s first two wines, Good Clean Red and Good Clean White. Co-owner Elle Feldman says online ordering and shipping is coming soon. While you’re there, check out Good Skin Day’s new eponymous skincare line and leave with a juicy, dewy glow. 

Bye to Barbecue 

If you were thinking of eating light the week before Thanksgiving in preparation for your feast, you might want to take your plans in a porkier direction. Beloved barbecue joint Pappy’s Place has announced that the owners are retiring and the business is going up for auction on November 22, meaning your days of spare ribs and barbecued beef are numbered at this longtime Springfield eatery. 

A Rountree Reno

Anticipation has been brewing for a while, but construction is finally underway on the former Josh Mitchell Art Gallery, which will soon be home to Skully’s Food Truck’s brick and mortar and new music venue and bar The Royal. Plans for the historic renovation include outdoor patio seating where the food truck is currently parked. Skully’s operating hours are in flux as construction picks up, so keep an eye on their Facebook page for updated hours.

The Wheel Deal

In other construction news, St. Louis Street’s new food truck park is officially in the works. Ground has been broken, and construction is underway for Route 66 Food Truck Park, a food truck venue with seating, restrooms, indoor seating and electricity, water and wastewater hookups for the trucks. 

This Week’s New Menus

It’s another weekly menu roundup! Here’s what’s new at your favorite spots: 

• Missouri Spirits is getting in the spirit (pun fully intended) of the season with an almost fully revamped menu, plenty of spiced fall cocktails and a cute little knit ghost mascot. 

• Aviary Cafe has rolled out its full fall menu today, including seasonal salads, savory squash crepes and a tempting campfire-y s’mores dessert crepe. 

• Although it’s not open yet, C-Street’s Margot has launched its first menus including sandwiches, salads and large plates.  

Sunday Funday

Ozarks Public Television is hosting its 32nd annual (yes, you read that right!) Wine & Food Celebration this Sunday. The evening includes tastes from local restaurants, wine, cocktails and beer, and proceeds benefit educational children’s programming on OPT.