Crossing the muddy Mississippi into southeastern Missouri, we were getting mighty hungry.
When we saw the sign proclaiming The Only Home of Throwed Rolls, we knew this was the place to strap on the feedbag.
Lamberts Cafe has been serving up home cooked meals to the fine folks of Sikeston since 1942.
Legend has it that on an particularly busy day back in 1976, ole Norman Lambert couldnt get rolls to his customers in his usual fashion, walkin em around the restaurant.
Fed up, an ornery customer yelled out Just throw the damn thing! The only home of the Throwed Rolls was born.
At midday on Friday, the joint was jumpin. Just as we sat down, a guy came round with a Jethro bowl full of fried okra and a big ole spoon.
We declined his offer, noting our lack of plates. He simply pointed to a roll of brown paper towels on the table and said, Youve got your paper plate right there.
How could we to argue with that? The hot, sizzling delicious balls of gooey goodness crackled between our teeth.
The okra is just one of the many pass arounds carried though the room in massive silver bowls and offered in addition to the already substantial sides included in the meals. Macaroni & tomatoes, black-eyed peas and Ole Norms fried potatoes are all served up while hot rolls are flying overhead.
When the call Hot rolls, anyone want a hot roll? rang out, the slightest signals sent fresh piping chunks of baked dough soaring across the room.
Right behind them was a fella with a bucket of sorghum molasses. Adding to the mood were the piano stylings of Geneva Bolen.
Her stream of consciousness ragtime versions of old standards and modern favorites helped make the whole scene seem rather madcap and silent movie-y.
We asked our waitress if there were special credentials required to become a Roll Thrower. She said that there werent any — she took a crack at it her ownself a couple times — but was obliged to quit after she beaned an old guy in the forehead.
Soon after our conversation, David was unsuspectingly clipped by a soft, yeasty missile. We figured it happens a lot.
This nonstop show had all taken place before wed even placed our order. The menu is as down home as the whole feel of the establishment, and being in the Boothill of Missouri, David felt compelled to order the hog jowl.
Veronica opted for the four vegetable plate and was tickled that somewhere between Wisconsin and Sikeston cottage cheese had become a vegetable.
Hog jowl is exactly what it sounds like, sliced jowl of hog. Its a lot like bacon and who doesnt like bacon?
However, it looked like at least four pigs gave up their cheeks to make the pile of cured pork heaped onto this plate.
David did his best but there was still plenty left over for at least two days breakfast even after he ate over half of it. He noted if I ate all that, Id of throwed up.
The vegetables were cooked in the southern tradition — long and hard — but very tasty. Some part of the pig was included in most of the veggies and Veronica was sad that her white beans were more ham than legumes.
This, apparently, was not the place for kosher eating.
Beverages, all non-alcoholic, are served in mugs and glasses that rival the town water tower in their ability to hold liquid.
Refills are included and the bathroom is by the front door.
Be sure to bring your folding green cuz they dont take credit cards at the only home of the Throwed Rolls.
Toward the end of the meal the okra fella came around again, pimping his wares. Taking one look at Veronicas face he proclaimed her full as a tick on a dogs back.
We reckoned he was right.
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
Hi there! Such a great article, thanks!
Oooh! You’re making me hungry! It’s hard to find a place that has fried okra on the menu. If I’m ever in this area, I’ll stop here for sure.
There are a couple of them around Missouri, definitely worth a stop.
We just went there last month! My chicken fried steak was served in a big skillet! I was glad I ordered the Hen size and not the Rooster version. I agree: it’s definitely a place you have to visit! We took video of the rolls being thrown. 😉
The portions are huge, and by the time you get through all the “fixen’s” you can’t possibly leave hungry!
Headed up that way as we tour the US – can’t wait 🙂
Hope you’re hungry! 😉
From the Delta Blues to Lamberts, ya’ll have been writing about my part of the country. Glad you’re getting to see it all.
Having a ball… but we seem to manage to do that anywhere! 😉
Been to Lamberts in Sikeston many a time–great food, lots of fun! 🙂
Looks like fun!
Been there — great fun!
Been to Sikeston, MO. It was great!
Many years ago we made the trip from southern Il down to Lambert’s because my mom was always wanting to go. She was in very bad health at the time and was so proud when Mr. Lambert told her she didn’t have to pay because she brought her own chair. He didn’t make a big deal out of it because he was telling us he’d never seen people eat so much and we were going to make him go broke. We laughed a lot that day and I still think about it. Yeah, the food was some of the best I had ever eaten, but Mr. Lambert and everybody there made us feel so special. It is a place to forget your troubles for just a little while.
Thanks for your story, Lambert’s is a real treasure.
I loved the feel of the place! Just by watching the video, I knew instantly; that this would be a great place to visit! The food looked Baaaad…but sooo scrumptious! lol :)))
that place is the best! I love how they bring out extra food (even if ya didn’t order it) in 5 gallon paint cans! “Here…have some of this!!”
I would INSIST on eating at a place that throws bread at me!
Denise – True! Once you’ve experienced it, any non-roll throwing place will do!
Greg – It was hard to walk out of there without assistance!
Don’t know how I missed that going to college in Nevada, MO. We did have a restaurant nearby that made Peanut Butter Soup that was really good and Peanut Butter Pie that would satisfy any peanut butter out there.
It all looks DELICIOUS! I would eat myself silly! molly (Love my jersey, by the way)
I love those thrown rolls in MO….
Oh boy! Lambert’s is an experience to be sure! I had the hog jowls too, and a bucket of root beer.
I loved it.
Skyring– Great idea! Hope you have come out of the “Hog Jowl” coma! When you get the site going, make sure you post it on our Facebook Page .. our reader’s will LOVE it! http://facebook.com/gypsynesters
There’s another one in Ozark, MO these days, near Springfield. We used to live down that way.
Fun place!