Savor The Ozarks

Joy shares a special, bonus interview recorded while at sea on the Chris Botti at Sea cruise! She sits down with legendary restaurant critic Michael Bauer, who spent an incredible 32 years as the food editor and restaurant critic for the San Francisco Chronicle. Michael shares fascinating behind-the-scenes stories of what it really takes to review restaurants incognito—including growing beards, wearing fat suits, and learning how to separate poor service from the actual food on the plate.

Tune in to hear how growing up around his father's wholesale meat market in Kansas shaped his love for dining out, why he believes San Francisco is one of the ultimate food cities in the world, and how he now spends his time mentoring at-risk youth through the Sprouts Chef Training program. And yes, he's been here and tried the cashew chicken. 🐔 It's a rare, insightful look into the mind of one of the country's most celebrated culinary critics! 🍽️📰✨

Thanks to our sponsors, Fazoli's, Jimm's Steakhouse and Pub, and Kitchenland USA! 

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Joy sits down with local franchise owners Donna and Jamie Jacobsen to talk about their journey with Springfield's beloved Fazoli's locations and their exciting upcoming venture, Capriotti's Sandwich Shop! Jamie shares his culinary background—starting from cooking in a nursing home at age 14 to serving as executive chef at the Ramada Hawthorne Park and Branson's Cowboy Cafe—before partnering with Larry Graham to run local Fazoli's restaurants.

​Tune in to hear how the Jacobsens built a legacy of community support (like their annual Crosslines coupon book fundraiser) and get the inside scoop on Capriotti's, featuring fresh-roasted whole turkeys daily, Wagyu beef cheese steaks, and their famous Thanksgiving-inspired sub, "The Bobbie". Whether you're craving classic baked pasta or a massive sub on fresh Italian bakery rolls, this episode is a delicious celebration of hard work, quality ingredients, and local family business! 🍝🥖✨

Thanks to our sponsors, Fazoli's, Jimm's Steakhouse and Pub, and Kitchenland USA!   

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Joy visits Metro Eats on West Sunshine to check out Stusquatch's Rock Star Barbecue! She sits down with owner Stu Aldridge and General Manager Betsy Walker to talk about how this rock-and-roll-themed BBQ joint came to be. From music-inspired menu items like "The Limp Brisket" and the "Owner of a Provolonely Heart" sandwich to local Ozark wood-smoked meats, scratch-made sides, and shared community vibes with the adjacent Where House Bar, this episode is a fun-filled deep dive into barbecue and blues. 🎸🍖✨

Thanks to our sponsors, Fazoli's, Jimm's Steakhouse and Pub, and Kitchenland USA!  

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Joy visits a Springfield favorite, Bambinos, and hits the restaurant "trifecta" by chatting with Andy Faucett, his brother Chuck Faucett, and their mother and matriarch, Mary Faucett! Mary shares her incredible backstory of how she accidentally started her restaurant journey—going to file for unemployment after earning her master's degree in English when she spotted a for-sale sign at a small diner—which eventually led to opening restaurants like The Main Cafe and Nonna's downtown.

Tune in to hear how Andy and his original partner, Brian Ash, launched the first Bambinos in Columbia, Missouri, back in 1994, before bringing it to Springfield's Rountree neighborhood. From family-inspired pasta recipes and Chuck's invention of the seafood lasagna to delicious menu favorites like "The Greek" and homemade tiramisu, this episode is a wonderful tribute to family, community, and great Italian-American comfort food. 🍝🍷✨

Thanks to our sponsors, Fazoli's, Jimm's Steakhouse and Pub, and Kitchenland USA!

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Joy heads down to Ozark, Missouri, to visit the legendary Billy Gail's! She chats with Director of Operations Nick Hurshman about the rich history of this Ozarks staple, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in a building that started out as an old gas station. Famous for their massive, hubcap-sized 14-inch pancakes and mouthwatering French cakes, Billy Gail's is a true breakfast paradise (though they serve up fantastic burgers, chicken-fried steak, and one-pound tenderloins, too!). 🥞🥓✨

Tune in to hear how the ownership team expanded the original location, added amazing menu items like the glazed donut burger and "Billion Dollar Bacon," and grew the brand to include multiple locations, a lakefront lodge, and even a retro '80s-themed spot in Branson called Paul's Breakfast House! Whether you're craving a monster pancake or just a cozy, down-home meal surrounded by fun local decor, this episode is a delicious tribute to comfort food at its finest. 😋🍳🙌

Thanks to our sponsors, Fazoli's, Jimm's Steakhouse and Pub, and Kitchenland USA!  

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Joy sits down with Paul Sundy, the mastermind behind the homegrown Ozarks favorite, Big Whiskey's! What started back in 2007 as a DIY labor of love in downtown Springfield has officially exploded into a booming franchise with over 20 locations and counting. From his early days rolling pretzels at Auntie Anne's to the heartwarming (and slightly humorous) story of how a regular ordering a "big" Crown and Coke inspired the restaurant's iconic name, Paul shares the wild ride of building a scratch-kitchen favorite. 🥃🍔✨

Tune in to hear how Big Whiskey's evolved from a casual bar and grill into a full-blown restaurant family, plus find out about Paul's hair-raising, viral brush with a surprise tornado while golfing at Payne's Valley! Whether you're craving their signature steaks, an awesome burger, or just a welcoming spot to grab a drink and catch up with friends, this episode is a fun-filled celebration of a true local success story. 😋🍽️🙌

Thanks to our sponsors, Fazoli's, Jimm's Steakhouse and Pub, and Kitchenland USA! 

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Joy is checking out the stunning new look at the corner of Sunshine and Glenstone! She sits down with Steve Belden, co-founder of Scratch & Co., to talk about bringing a true from-scratch dining experience to one of the busiest intersections in the Ozarks. From their number-one-selling beef stroganoff (inspired by Steve's mom!) to elevated spinach-and-mushroom dip, local art murals, and an amazing rooftop space with live music, this episode is a celebration of great food, local passion, and downtown community vibes. 🍽️✨

Thanks to our sponsors, Fazoli's, Jimm's Steakhouse and Pub, and Kitchenland USA! 

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Joy drops anchor downtown to visit 417 Cocktails and chats with owner, founder, and home-mixology wizard Mandi Fritz! What started as a fun pandemic-era creative outlet—making custom cocktail kits and syrups while video-chatting on Zoom with her sister—blossomed into a thriving retail shop. From stocking over 40 varieties of bitters (which Mandy loves using in everything from salad dressings to chocolate chip cookies!) to curating zero-proof spirits and gorgeous barware, this place is a dream for anyone looking to elevate their home bar. 🍸✨

Tune in to hear how Mandi pivoted from stay-at-home homeschooling mom to downtown store owner, why glassware and simple machines like the bar spoon matter, and how her mixology classes—including fun historical collaborations with the History Museum on the Square—make cocktail culture approachable and exciting. Whether you're a seasoned home bartender or just looking for a new syrup to spice up your morning coffee or evening mocktail, Mandi's passion for flavor and history makes this an episode you won't want to miss! 🧊🍋🥂

Thanks to our sponsors, Fazoli's, Jimm's Steakhouse and Pub, and Kitchenland USA!

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Joy is visiting the cutest little patio spot on South Campbell for this episode: El Cafecito! She chats with co-owner Shanie Valdez about how she and her husband, Cristhian, built this vibrant, bilingual coffee shop and bakery that blends their love for specialty coffee with authentic Mexican culture and flavors. ☕🥐✨

Tune in to hear how Shanie and Cristhian's love story crossed language barriers with the help of Google Translate, how their popular Saturday morning run club grew out of a desire for connection, and why they consider this charming community-focused cafe a blessing. Whether you're craving a creative latte, a cozy breakfast, or a warm atmosphere where everyone feels at home, El Cafecito is a must-visit in the 417! 😋🍳🌺

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Celebrate 100 episodes of Savor the Ozarks with a true Springfield legend! 🎉 Joy sits down with Nicola Gilardi—the culinary icon behind beloved spots like Teatro, Gilardi’s, Nicola’s, and now Maso Pizza Bar. Nicola shares his incredible journey from growing up in a restaurant family near the Italian Alps to building a decades-long legacy in the 417. 🇮🇹🍕

Tune in for a fun, heartfelt conversation filled with stories about the local restaurant scene, the importance of supporting independent local businesses, what it's really like catering those epic Chiefs tailgates, and why Springfield became his forever home. It's a delicious milestone you won't want to miss! 🥂❤️✨

Thanks to our sponsors, Fazoli's, Jimm's Steakhouse and Pub, and Kitchenland USA!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.