Savor The Ozarks

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 thi...

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, C...

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 bl...

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 pres...

What do you get when you mix a legendary chef, a 10-year mole recipe, and a mezcal bar? An episode packed with flavor! Joy Robertson hits the floor at the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show and chats with the one and only  Rick Bayless —chef, author, TV star, and the man who brought real-deal Mexican food to Chicago. He shares how a teenage trip to Mexico turned into a lifelong o...

Ever wonder where you can get a perfectly grilled strip steak for $12 and watch the future stars of the culinary world in action? Welcome to Ozarks Technical Community College’s best-kept (and tastiest) secret, Scallions. This week on Savor the Ozarks, Joy Robertson chats with Lisa Gardner, Chef Daniel Pliska, and Chef Jeff Ward, the culinary dream team behind OTC’s Culinary Arts &...

What if I told you one of Springfield’s busiest lunch spots runs on cash only, cranks out 200 sandwiches a day, and operates in a space smaller than most living rooms? Meet The Sub Shop, a local legend that’s been serving up fresh-made sandwiches since 1972. Owner Ethan Seehusen runs the tiny but mighty space with help from his wife and a small team, baking their own bread every m...

Ever had a meal that tasted like it came straight from someone’s mama’s kitchen? 🥘 That’s exactly what you’ll get at Mama G’s... and Gloria Hairston is the heart behind it all. She opened the restaurant to carry on her late mother’s dream, and in less than a year, it’s already become a downtown favorite. Think fried chicken, catfish, pork chops... an...

What do you get when a fire-spinning, cocktail-slinging New Yorker brings his bold flavor to the Ozarks? You get Ruthie’s... and you get Joe Pepe. Joy Robertson sits down with Joe, the owner of Ruthie’s Off C-Street, to talk about his wild ride from bartending in the Hamptons to building one of Springfield’s most eclectic and welcoming bar scenes. From flaming rum flips and barre...

In this sleek and savory episode of Savor the Ozarks , Joy Robertson sits down with Johnson Tan of Ocean Zen to talk about how a bold seafood fusion concept grew from a cozy 100-seat spot on Glenstone to one of Springfield’s most stunning 350-seat dining destinations. Johnson dishes on his journey from growing up in his family’s local restaurants to sharpening his skills...

In this flavorful episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy Robertson chats with James Martin, the self-taught chef and owner of Gilardi's, a cozy Italian gem in Springfield with a serious passion for pasta and people. James went from studying Eastern religion and dreaming of being a hostage negotiator to buying Gilardi's in 2013... and when his kitchen staff quit early on, he turned to YouTube to learn ho...

In this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy Robertson sits down with Stacey Schneider, owner of Pizza House, a Springfield staple with a 65-year history. Starting as a 15-year-old employee in the late ‘80s, Stacy worked her way up to owner, keeping the iconic thin-crust, square-cut pizzas and the original 1958 phone number alive! From its beginnings on Bennett and Glens...

On this episode of Savor the Ozarks , Joy Robertson sits down with Katie Kring, the powerhouse behind Pickwick and Cherry in Springfield. From musical theater to mastering the art of bread, Katie’s journey is anything but ordinary. 🎭🍞Kaite shares wild stories, like getting kicked out of the farmers market (twice!), feuding with buffalo ranchers, and turning a run-down building&nb...

On this episode of  Savor the Ozarks , Joy Robertson chats with Diana and Susie, the dynamic duo behind MaMa Jean’s Natural Market, a Springfield favorite for all things fresh, organic, and delicious! 🌿🥑 It all started with Susie's MaMa Jean herself, who opened a tiny health food store in Ava, Missouri, in 1979 with just $200 and a passion for clean eating. Inspired by her missio...

On this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy Robertson chats with Nick and Carl Swanson, thebrothers behind Ozark Mountain Popcorn in Springfield! 🍿 What started as a small popcorn stand in the 1970s has grown into a local favorite, offering over 100 flavors made from Missouri-grown, non-GMO popcorn. The Swansons share how their family...

Pour a glass and settle in for a great conversation! In this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy sits down with Sunshine Hubbard, the passionate owner of Cellar + Plate, a cozy wine bar and restaurant in Springfield. Sunshine shares her journey from teaching elementary school to running a scratch kitchen with the help of Chef Martin. They talk about the incredible wine selection, must-try dishes like...

Fire up the smoker and get ready for a mouthwatering episode! In this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy Robertson sits down with Dave Warren, one of the men behind Whole Hog Café in Springfield. From pouring concrete to perfecting Memphis-style barbecue, Dave shares his journey into the restaurant world, the secrets behind their six signature sauces, and how a happy accident led to the...

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...

In this episode of Savor the Ozarks , Joy Robertson chats with Mike Jalili, the man behind some of Springfield’s most well-known restaurants. From launching Bijan's in the ’90s to creating staples like Flame, Touch (now Char), and Black Sheep, Mike has left a lasting mark on the local food scene. He shares his journey from fleeing Iran during the revolution to building a restaurant emp...

In this episode of Savor the Ozarks , Joy Robertson chats with Richard and Katie Vance, the couple behind Billiards Sports Bar & Grill in Downtown Springfield. After years of owning McAlister’s franchises, they took over Billiards post-COVID, transforming it from a traditional pool hall into a modern, family-friendly sports bar. With 18 pool tables, 41 TVs, an expanded menu, and a 100-pe...

In this episode of Savor the Ozarks , Joy Robertson sits down with twin brothers Nelson and Edson Villela, owners of Señor Julian in Springfield. Named after their father, this family-run restaurant brings authentic northeastern Mexican cuisine to the Ozarks. The brothers share their journey from migrating to the U.S. as kids to opening their restaurant in 2022, featuring homemade tortillas...

In this episode of Savor the Ozarks , Joy Robertson visits The Little Clay House in Marshfield to chat with owner Carly Odell. Carly shares her journey from growing up in Reeds Spring to opening her charming tea room, inspired by a love for homemade food and childhood memories. Discover how she created a menu featuring fresh, creative dishes like her signature chicken salad, strawberry soup, and t...

In this episode of Savor the Ozarks , Joy Robertson chats with Chef Paul Allen, whose culinary journey spans from his Texas roots to yacht kitchens and beyond. Paul shares how his father’s entertainment career at Silver Dollar City brought him to the Ozarks, his early love for cooking, and his rigorous training at the Culinary Institute of America. Hear about his adventures as a yacht chef c...

In this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy Robertson talks with Wing and Ling Leong, sons of David Leong, the creator of the famous Springfield-style cashew chicken. They share the inspiring story of their father’s journey from immigrating to the U.S. in with only $2, serving in WWII, and opening the legendary Leong's Tea House in Springfield. The brothers discuss carrying on their father's le...

In this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy Robertson chats with Ryan Dock and Eric Weiler, co-owners of Lindbergh’s Tavern on Commercial Street. They share the story of reviving this historic 1880s building, from its colorful past as a brothel to its transformation into a hotspot for ‘elevated bar food,’ craft cocktails, and live music. Hear about their scratch kitchen favorites li...