Recently Mr. Lush and I drove to Table Rock Lake to visit my parents. We left early to get ahead of I-44 traffic and thus arrived in Springfield, Missouri in time to eat at Lamberts. Mr. Lush has wanted to eat at Lamberts every time we go to Table Rock and every year we don’t because the wait is just too long, always at least an hour. But not this time. This time we wait. For an hour. In high 90 degree heat. Upon studying the menu, I noted that it said they don’t take credit cards. What? Who doesn’t take credit cards? To further puzzle me, it said “checks welcome”. What?? Who on early doesn’t take credit cards but takes checks???!! To my additional dismay, they also don’t serve alcohol. Not even a Busch Light. What??? So, we have to wait an hour, can’t drink, and have to pay in cash?? I look at Mr. Lush and think “this better be worth it”.
We are seated at almost exactly an hour. We of course know what we want. Within 3 minutes of sitting, I see that yes, they really do live up their name “home of the throwed rolls”- they really do toss them at you. The roll-thrower is quite good and can toss lightly or chuck it across the room with accuracy. And they are tasty rolls.
On to the food. Within 10 minutes of sitting down, our food arrived. Tons of it and its cheap. Huge open faced roast beef sandwich with 2 sides, with free food "refills" should I have had room, for 10.99. In addition, they are walking around with about 4 more sides-such as fried okra, fried potatoes, macaroni and tomatoes and something else. I don’t know who on earth could eat that much to get a REFILL. It was all pretty good-home style cooking. Not my everyday fare, but good. Mr. Lush got the meatloaf which was a bit dry, but the rest was good.
So, we waited an hour, but ordered, were served, finished eating and paid in 30 minutes. So all in all it was a one hour thirty minute dining experience for about $35 including tip. Is it worth it, you ask? Well, if you’ve never been, sure, go once. If you love homestyle cooking, sure, lots of good food for cheap. But will we be going back? Not for another 5-10 years, if that. I’m a fan of less of a wait, a place to sit comfortably while I wait, a tasty alcoholic beverage option while I wait for an hour, and the convenience of paying with a credit card. I'll take all that over a "throwed roll".
But that’s me.
1 comment:
So I do like the fried okra, but I completely agree. We took my aunt here a few years ago and couldn't believe they didn't take credit cards! We were actually sweating if we brought enough cash because honestly who carries that much cash. Oh and do you want to know what time we got there in order to eat at 11:30? 10:30 AM! That's right. We got in line for lunch at the time I am usually having my second cup of tea.
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