Throwed Rolls, Sikeston, Missouri

As Teressa mentioned in her journal entry, we arrived at our campground around 1:30 and then took a leisurely Sunday drive across the Mississippi and Ohio rivers into Western Kentucky to explore. We had fully intended to have dinner back at the trailer, but kept seeing signs for Lambert’s – the home of the “throwed rolls”. When we arrived back at the campground, Teressa went to the office in search of enlightenment on this new culinary mystery. The staff here said that Lambert’s is “the destination” in Sikeston, and that people come from all over the Midwest to experience their unique southern comfort food. Rationalizing the experience as part of the kids education, we jumped in the truck and headed to Lambert’s.

When we arrived, the place was hopping. License plates from every state and neon signs grace the walls. The main restaurant is a large open room with booths around the edges and open booths with big wooden tables in the middle. Everyone in the place seemed happy – the staff, the customers, the cooks. Their strategy is simple – great comfort food in large portions – and throwed rolls! What’s a throwed roll you ask? Well, just stick your hand in the air, and from across the room comes flying a hot freshly baked roll. The only tricky part is catching it, although I’m happy to report our family was three for three (maybe we should get the kids back in baseball!). When you catch your roll, the place erupts in loud cheers. If you miss, there are groans and another server comes by and tosses you a short “gimmee” from the aisle! And this is all in an establishment that doesn’t serve alcohol (probably a good idea or things might quickly degrade into a full blown “Animal House” food fight!).

The most amazing thing was that the food was outstanding – meatloaf, chicken and dumplings, hamburgers, black eyed peas, mashed potatoes and gravy, fried okra, etc. I don’t think we have ever enjoyed such good “comfort” food at a restaurant, and with the portion sizes, we will be having it again tonight. If you ever come to Sikeston, don’t miss Lambert’s – but make sure to practice “catching” beforehand.