Joy Robertson hits the road for Omaha, Arkansas, where Lilliehobbs Bakery and Mercantile is dishing out comfort food, nostalgic treats, and Southern charm you didn’t even know you needed! 🥧

Owner Kelly Lindberg chats about how old-school family recipes, a flair for storytelling, and a love for real, homemade eats turned her roadside dream into a beloved Ozarks destination. Think fried bologna sandwiches so good folks drive hours to eat them and pies inspired by granny-approved recipes found in dusty old flea-market boxes.

Plus, there’s a mercantile full of local goodies, sourdough classes that double as dinner parties, and whispers of a new steakhouse opening soon. Pull up a chair, you’re family now!

Thanks to our Savor The Ozarks sponsor, Arctic Food Equipment!    

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What do alligators, ghosts, and French-Cajun fusion have in common? 🐊 They’re all part of the delicious mystery Joy Robertson uncovers at the BRAND NEW La Roux Bistro on Commercial Street. She sits down with local restaurant legend Joe Gidman (who brought us Café Cusco and Van Gogh’s) to hear how his latest spot blends Louisiana flair with French technique, all inside a historic 1885 building complete with a secret underground vault and a possible ghost named Virgil. 👻

From crab beignets to bourbon bread pudding, it’s all made from scratch with ingredients shipped straight from the bayou. Plus, Joe spills secrets about managing multiple restaurants, juggling two head chefs, and crafting hurricanes that’ll blow you away (literally). It's a "Big Easy" to say... this spot serves up bold flavors, rich history, and a whole lot of personality. 🥘🍤

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Pineapple Whip isn’t just a dessert; it’s a summertime rite of passage. 🍧 
Joy Robertson sits down with Zach Fortner to chat about how this magical swirl went from a family-run carnival favorite to a Springfield obsession. Get the behind-the-trailer scoop on fan-favorite flavors, what it's like to run a business that's only open part of the year, and why the first warm day brings the crowds running.🍍🍦

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Joy Robertson sits down with high school sweethearts Victor and Sarah Briceno, owners of Mundo’s Latin Kitchen & Bar in Ozark, for a fun and flavorful conversation about food, family, and chasing your dreams. From growing up in the restaurant biz to opening their own spot featuring dishes from across Latin America (like mofongo, Lomo Saltado, patacón... yum!), this couple shares the heart and hustle behind their five-year journey. You’ll hear about how Sarah left radiology to join Victor full-time, the family-friendly vibe of their second restaurant/nightclub hybrid OXO, and how they’re raising their kids in the middle of it all.

It’s a delicious story of love, culture, and community served with a side of plantains. You’re gonna want to eat after this one! 🥘

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Get ready to eat your way around the world without ever leaving Springfield. 🌍🌮🍜

In this episode, Joy Robertson heads to Metro Eats, where food truck dreams, farmers market finds, and community vibes collide. Founder Christina Shellhart shares how she turned 10 acres on West Sunshine into a bustling hub of global cuisine and live entertainment, complete with 15+ food trucks, an all-day bar, a farmers market, and future plans for a haunted forest (yes, really).

From Taiwanese snow and African goat stew to barbecue, boba, and bubble tea, Christina’s vision is all about supporting passionate local chefs and letting food tell the story. Plus, with a bee sanctuary on-site, there’s something sweet in every corner. Come hungry and stay for the live jazz, vintage markets, and maybe even a legendary Bloody Mary from The Warehouse Bar. There’s nothing else like it in the Ozarks.

Thanks to our Savor The Ozarks sponsor, Arctic Food Equipment!   

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Joy Robertson heads to Willard, Missouri to visit The Hive of the Ozarks, a cozy, cheerful café that’s so much more than a breakfast and lunch spot. Founded by former school counselor Melissa Skaggs, The Hive is a non-profit workforce training ground where individuals with differing abilities gain real-world job skills through paid internships, and where the food and mission are equally heartwarming.

From scratch-made kolaches and coconut lime cookies to house-made hummus and artisan mixed sodas, The Hive serves up local love in every bite. Joy chats with Melissa about leaving her counseling career to start The Hive, her son Jacob's journey, and how the community is helping this sweet spot buzz with purpose. You’ll also meet some of the incredible team members, regulars, and supporters behind the scenes. Grab a coffee, settle in, and prepare to be inspired. 🐝💛

Thanks to our Savor The Ozarks sponsor, Arctic Food Equipment!   

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Joy Robertson visits Show Me Chuy in Springfield, where Mexican and Italian flavors come together in one seriously delicious fusion. Meet Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, the chef and dreamer behind the menu, and his wife Judith Martinez Garcia, the powerhouse who runs the show behind the scenes while letting Chuy take full charge of the kitchen.

Chuy shares his passion for changing how people think about Mexican food, introducing dishes like Mexican lasagna, Pollo Poblano, and a pork chop topped with mango pico. With twenty years of experience and a big heart, he’s building community through food and turning guests into family.

Joy dives into their story, their flavors, and maybe even grabs a bite or two. Pull up a chair and get ready to savor something truly special. 🌶

Thanks to our Savor The Ozarks sponsor, Arctic Food Equipment!  

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Joy Robertson wraps up her whirlwind time at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago with a hometown twist! In this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy catches up with food industry powerhouses from right here in the 417, because who says Springfield can't hang with the big dogs?

First up, she sits down with Mike and Casey Jalili, the dynamic duo behind Springfield staples like Flame, Char, and Black Sheep. They dish on what trends caught their eye and how restaurant tech is changing the game. Then Joy chats with Aaron Gregory, Executive Chef at SGC Food Service, who’s on the hunt for the next big thing in flavor. From mocktails and dirty sodas to pinça pizza crust, Aaron’s got his finger on the culinary pulse, and he's not afraid to get a little weird (in the best way possible).

You’ll even get the inside scoop on the real MVP of the restaurant world—the walk-in cooler. Turns out, it’s not just for keeping food cold... it’s also where chefs go to chill themselves (tears, screams, deep breaths... whatever it takes). Joy’s wrapping up her time at the National Restaurant Show with laughs, local flavor, and fresh insights. Ending on a high note, the Ozarks way!

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She’s baaaack! Joy Robertson returns to the National Restaurant Show in Chicago for another flavor-packed episode of Savor the Ozarks, and this one brings the heat AND the hype!

First up: Melinda’s Hot Sauce! Joy chats with Pinson Figueroa, the second-generation spice boss from a Belizean-American family turning up taste buds nationwide. From habanero classics to black truffle hot sauce and even their hot sauce on ice cream, Melinda’s is anything but ordinary. 🌶

Then Joy dives into the world of Avocados from Mexico with Walter Rivas and Ali Werner... and let’s just say, it’s way more than guac. We’re talking avocado toast bars, avo-cocktails, avocado desserts, and even an avocado “sandwich” that swaps the bread for… well, avocado. 🥑

🔥 Hot sauce. 🥑 Avocados. 💃 And Joy, living her best foodie life in Chicago. Don't miss this one!

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Joy Robertson is once again on the ground at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago, bringing Savor the Ozarks listeners another serving of local flavor with a national twist!

First up, she chats with Enrique Fuhlage of Show-Me BBQ Sauce out of Rocheport, Missouri. They’re celebrating 50 years of sauce that’s so good, it’s basically a Midwest heirloom. No preservatives, no fillers, just flavor that’s stood the test of time. 🍖 

Then, Joy hops over to the Natural State Rabbit booth and discovers just how delicious (and misunderstood) rabbit meat really is with Lyn Robertson & Chef David Jetter. Chef Jetter even schools us on cooking it sous vide-style like a pro. 🐇✨ 

It’s local food, national spotlight, and all the delicious details from Joy’s second week at the show. Let’s get into it!

Thanks to our Savor The Ozarks sponsor, Arctic Food Equipment!   

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