Savor The Ozarks

Get ready to experience the most peaceful farm on the north side! Joy heads out to Tasty Acres Farm on Highway AA to chat with co-owner Peyton Andrews, who traded a career in pediatric mental health and the Chamber of Commerce to get her hands dirty on a gorgeous 12-acre farm with her husband. From pre-planting a whopping 23,000 strawberry plants every year to hosting fall favorites like pumpkin c...

Joy chats with local restaurateur Jennifer Barr, who—along with her husband, Darryl—owns both Georgia Mac's and the legendary Uncle Bentlys in Springfield! After opening Georgia Mac's in 2018 (named after their moms and serving up incredible comfort food and Southern classics), Jennifer and Darryl took over the iconic South National neighborhood staple, Uncle Bentlys. They gave the bel...

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 be...

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&mda...

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...

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 smal...

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...

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" Crow...

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 ama...

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 dre...

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...

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, heart...

Joy is proving that you don't need to be near the coast to find the freshest catch in town! She sits down with Chris Perkins, the owner of Seafood Express, to hear the wild story of how a former factory worker turned his passion for food into a full-blown mission to bring Gulf-fresh seafood to the 417. From the early days of hauling 500 pounds of shrimp in a pickup truck to operating a thriving wa...

Get ready to roll with some serious local inspiration! Joy is sitting down with Michael and Jenny Cho, the brilliant duo who turned a simple "what if" office game into the culinary phenomenon known as  Craft Sushi ! Their unique "bespoke" concept blends high-quality sushi with Michael’s authentic Korean family recipes, creating a fusion that’s as fresh as it is delicious.&nbs...

Ever wondered how Andy’s Frozen Custard became a household name? In this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy sits down with Carol Kuntz to hear the incredible story of how a little frozen custard stand at Lake of the Ozarks (launched during a snowstorm, how fitting!) grew into a beloved brand with over 160 locations. From the difference between ice cream and custard to the creation of fan-favor...

Joy is taking a stroll downtown to visit the Ozarks Farm Stop on the corner of South Avenue and Walnut! She catches up with Karissa Kary to chat about how this amazing "farm stop" model is shaking things up by giving our local farmers a place to sell their goods six days a week without having to mind the store all day. It’s all about getting more money directly into the hands of the folks gr...

Joy is turning up the heat this week at one of Springfield’s most beloved spots: Crosstown BBQ! She dives into the "low-and-slow" life to chat about the family history behind the restaurant and even some fun topics like Chiefs football and an unexpected passion for electric football. It’s a savory, honest deep dive into the heart and soul that fuels every bite. 🍖🔥 Beyond the gri...

Joy is back at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago, but this time she’s parked herself at the Taste of the States pavilion to spotlight the incredible family-run operations hailing from Arkansas! With nearly 18,000 square feet showcasing food from 21 states, this pavilion is a goldmine for discovering the passionate people behind the products that reach tables across the country.  I...

Joy catches up with Matt Mahan and the team behind Springfield’s Date Lady at the National Restaurant Association show in Chicago to discuss their journey from a small Commercial Street startup to a national presence. Founded by Colleen Sundley after she discovered the versatility of date syrup while living in the UAE, the company has pioneered the use of healthy, clean-label...

Buckle up, because Joy is on-locations at the National Restaurant Association show in Chicago! She’s diving into the weird and wonderful side of our food scene, starting with the legendary—and totally polarizing—Spam Dog. 🌭 While roaming the floor of the nation's biggest food show, Joy is also dishing on the latest industry trends and catching up with some local characters...

Joy is grabbing a seat at one of the most eccentric and beloved spots in the 417—Casper’s! She sits down with owner Shawn Kraft to discuss the history of this "burger and chili" landmark that has been a Springfield staple since 1909. Shawn shares the journey of taking over from the legendary Casper himself and the recent move to their new home on Glenstone. ​​​​​​​ The episod...

Joy is heading just north of Springfield to spend a beautiful day in the fields with Curtis Millsap of Millsap Farms! Curtis shares the heart-warming backstory of how his family grew a small plot of land into a local institution known for sustainable produce and community-driven storytelling. You’ll hear the secret behind their solar-heated greenhouses that keep fresh greens growing all...

Joy sits down with Imtihan Alaid—better known to her friends as Asa—to explore the rich culinary traditions and stories behind her journey from Iraqi refugee to Midwest business owner. With an educational background in Radio & TV from her time in Turkey, Asa brings a natural comfort and ease to every conversation, making this episodea truly engaging look at her cultural strugg...

Joy is sitting down at the stunning Hotel Vandivort to get a taste of the new spring menu at The Order with Corporate Executive Chef Calvin Davis and Chef de Cuisine Dylan Davis. They dive into the creative process behind seasonally driven dishes like their stunning seared scallops over fresh pea puree and a "Midwest-style" cabbage-leaf dolma. Whether you're looking for the sto...

Joy is hanging out on historic Commercial Street with Whitney Justis at Brew 21 Extra Chromosome Coffee Co., a unique coffee shop located inside the Upside Down Mercantile. Founded in 2023 as a mobile trailer to create opportunities for their son Wyatt, who has Down syndrome, this family business has quickly blossomed into a beloved brick-and-mortar staple. Sharing a space with a nonprofit mercant...