Becky and I ventured out to Jamesport, MO yesterday, just over an hour NE of us, out in the country. I first heard of the town when I saw a commercial for a nice-looking wine store there. We read that it was in deep Amish country and had some cute shops. The drive was lovely, with views of blue sky and expansive green pastures polka-dotted with hay bales.
The road sign for Jamesport says its population is in the 500's. Pretty small for a town with several touristy shops and at least 3 B&B's. They pipe bluegrass music out on the street, which gives the shopping area cool ambience. The antique stores are relatively good — decent prices, interesting stuff. One of the shop owners recommended we eat at Country Cupboard, and said it as def the best place in town.
We were amazed to see a line of several people waiting to be seated at 11:45am on a Wednesday. It seemed to be a mix of regulars, workers, old folks, out-of-towners, and Mennonites. We didn't have to wait to long before we were seated at the large round table up front, which we shared with a couple and a couple singletons.
The reuben was featured on the menu (and I'd seen a good-looking one come out of the kitchen while we were waiting), so that's what I ordered. It was good. It was served on marble rye and had an extra slice of bread in the middle, club-style. The Thousand Island came on the side, and no slaw. Becky had a salad with grilled chicken served in a big bowl that wasn't bad either. Ice water came in mason jars.
The daily special was Tater-Tot Casserole! The guy next to me got it. It looked like tater-tots, ground beef, and cream of mushroom soup (perhaps?) mixed together into a big pile. Not my thing, but cool to see someone being creative with tater tots. Most people were ordering the tenderloin sandwich, the specialty of NW Missouri which I still have not tried!
Their cream pies looked great, but we were too full. After our experience, I would guess that Country Cupboard is indeed the best restaurant in Jamesport. Definitely good local ambience. If you go, know that they don't take credit cards (cash or check only) and that its located just out of the main commercial area, near the red caboose just as you get into town.
makin me wish i had bought that daguerreotype!
ReplyDeleteI have been schooled regularly by my midwestern friends (particularly MN and WI) in the merits of tater-tot casserole -- otherwise known as "hotdish!" It is, apparently, a staple of small-town cuisine over der.
ReplyDeleteFunny! Have you tried it?
ReplyDelete