Reviews
Table Talk: August 20–26
This week: City Butcher and La Paloma expand, Ocean Zen throws a party and Paula Deen arrives.
By Claire Porter
Aug 20 2019 at 10 a.m.
Photo By Brandon AlmsMexican Villa is a classic Springfield fan favorite.
Purchase Photo
Nothing Like a Classic
Have you peeked at our August cover story yet? We cover what’s new, fresh, hot and wild all the time at 417 Magazine, but it was high time we show some love to the city’s longstanding favorite flavors. This issue’s feature is packed with dishes, tastes and bites that are so Springfield it hurts—think flavors you can only (and always) find here in 417-land, like cashew chicken, Pineapple Whip, those insanely delicious stuffed Peppadew peppers from Jimm’s Steakhouse… you get the drift.
’Cued Up
Speaking of classics, Springfield’s barbecue darling City Butcher is opening a second brick-and-mortar location so you can double down on the meat sweats. The South Campbell eatery recently opened a mobile food trailer in the Southern Hills Shopping Center on Sunshine Street, and come October 1, it will open a sit-down dine-in location in the same shopping center serving the same menu as the original City Butcher. The new location is set to open just a few weeks after co-owner Cody Smith’s new sandwich shop, Lucky Tiger Sandwich Co., opens in mid-September.
Spice Time
Fellow Southern Hills Shopping Center neighbor La Paloma Mexican Grill is also expanding. The restaurant is opening a second location in the former Zapata Tequila Bar and Grill building on West Battlefield. La Paloma hasn’t yet solidified an opening date for the new location, but in the meantime, plop down on the patio at the Sunshine Street location and try the lunch taco salad—you’ll be so stuffed you’ll forget all about the wait.
Greater Than Gatsby
Ocean Zen is throwing it way back this Thursday with a 1920s–style The Great Gatsby–themed speakeasy dinner event. For $100, partake in the four-course New York steakhouse-style menu of indulgent seafood and steaks by Chef Johnson Tan and pairings of imported European wines and classic Prohibition-era cocktails. Reserve your spot by calling 417-889-9596, and keep an eye on the 417 Magazine Instagram story for an inside peek at the action.
It’s Dinnertime, Y’all!
Do you hear the sizzle of deep fryers in the distance? That’s because Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen opens on the Branson Landing this Labor Day. This Southern restaurant chain specializes in down-home favorites, like fried veggies galore, fried chicken, meatloaf, pot roast and collard greens just like Grandma made them.
To the Last Drop
With The Press Coffee & Juice Bar moving to the Brentwood Center, Farmers Park had a coffee-shaped hole to fill. Enter One Drop Coffee Co. The coffee shop and cafe plans to open in The Press’s former location in September after light redecorations. One Drop offers Onyx Coffee roasted in Northwest Arkansas, and its menu focuses on espresso but also includes drip coffee, pour-over, frozen drinks and loose-leaf teas. One Drop also plans to offer salads, wraps and soups and classic breakfast choices. Once open, One Drop’s hours are Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
