Nestled in the Ozark Mountains of southern Missouri lies a one-of-a-kind, family dining experience that is as fun for adults as it is for kids. Lambert’s Cafe serves up huge portions of traditional country cooking, including the biggest, fluffiest rolls I’ve ever seen.
The rolls are baked fresh every day, served piping hot from the oven, and are absolutely mouthwateringly delicious. But if you want one, there’s a challenge to overcome.
You’ve got to catch one!
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Why Do They Throw Rolls at Lambert’s?
They haven’t always done it that way, that’s for sure!
Lambert’s Cafe originally opened in Sikeston, Missouri in 1942. The owners, Earl and Agnes Lambert, had only 14 cents but were committed to the idea of serving meat, veggies, and desserts to all their customers. This was during World War II, when rationing across the nation was the norm.
After borrowing about $1500, the first Lambert’s Cafe was born. It was a modestly sized restaurant, with only eight tables and nine stools. And while rationing made serving meat at all meals impossible at times, they pleased their customers with what they had, even during trying times. Their belief in treating others as you want to be treated was the key to their success.
In 1976, Earl and Agnes’ son, Norm, was making his rounds in the dining room, carrying a tray of fresh-from-the-oven rolls. Instead of delivering rolls in a basket to each table, Lambert’s went a step beyond by handing them, fresh and hot, to each patron. On a particularly busy day, Norm was having difficulty getting through the crowd to a table. A customer (who was obviously eager for his hot roll) shouted out in exasperation, “Just throw the damned thing!”
Norm did, and the tradition of throwing rolls was born.
The Food at Lambert’s
If there is one thing I can say about Lambert’s, it’s that you won’t go home hungry!
Lambert’s Cafe specializes in southern homestyle cuisine, and in true southern style the portions are HUGE! But it’s not just the entrees that are delicious bites of comfort food. The side dishes and pass-arounds add so much fun and variety to meals, they’re my favorite part!
The Entrees
If you’ve never had southern food, you’re in for a treat!
Huge portions, cooked and served with love are the norm at Lambert’s. Traditional southern favorites from chicken fried steak to bbq ribs, and from frog legs to hog jowls, cover the menu. If those types of dishes don’t sound good to you, don’t worry! Burgers, sandwiches, fried chicken, and salads are also available.
I love that the menu labels common allergens, so it’s easy to see which dishes should be avoided, if need be. The allergen code is listed boldly on the first page of the menu, and allergens are marked in red after each menu item. Listed allergens are nitrates, dairy, yeast, nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, soybeans, eggs, wheat, gluten, and nonstick spray.
My favorite entree at Lambert’s is the hamburger steak (scroll up to see it pictured). The menu describes it as “100% ground beef topped with sauteed peppers, mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes, smothered in gravy and served in a skillet.” The gravy truly makes this dish something special. It was savory, seasoned well, and the perfect consistency, with no lumps. And the size of the hamburger steak was huge! I was only able to eat a portion, and I was able to make two meals with the leftovers!
I found the entrees to be very reasonably priced, especially for the amount of food you get. Each was priced around $15, some slightly below and others slightly above. It’s exceptional value, especially when you take the side dishes and pass-arounds into consideration!
The only downside to the Lambert’s Cafe menu is that there is little selection for vegetarians aside from salad. However, the vegetarian member of our party was able to enjoy a meal of only side dishes, which was plenty for her (described below).
The Side Dishes
Most entrees at Lambert’s Cafe come with two side dishes of your choice. There are 15 “Perfect Sides” currently on the menu, with favorites like baked potatoes, corn, cucumbers and onions, green beans, and more!
There are also six “Extra Special” sides that are available for an extra cost. These are indeed extra special, and include pineapple-walnut salad, sweet potato fries, macaroni and cheese, a side salad, loaded baked potato, and fried apples.
If sides are your bag, Lambert’s also offers an Only Sides meal consisting of four side dishes of your choice. At the time of our visit, it was available for $11.50. Since this option is considered an entree, diners who choose it can still partake in all the yummy pass arounds.
The Pass Arounds
The pass arounds are one of the most endearing aspects of Lambert’s Cafe to me.
Pass arounds are similar to side dishes in that small portions of food are served to go with your meal. But that’s where the similarity ends. Staff members carry pails or large bowls of food from table to table, asking if you’d like what they’re carrying. If you’d like to indulge, a healthy portion is spooned onto your plate or a napkin. Feel free to ask for more, or to ask for a small portion if you’re just in the mood for a little taste. You could refuse, but that’s just plain silly!
Currently, the pass arounds include macaroni and tomatoes, fried potatoes and onions, black eyed peas, fried okra, and sorghum to be drizzled onto those fresh, hot throwed rolls. I can never get enough fried okra. It’s perfectly crisp on the outside and not greasy–give it a try and you’ll love it, too!
Don’t forget about the rolls! Be sure to hold up your hand as soon as the roll-thrower comes out. That’s the only way you’ll be able to get one. It pays to be bold in this case. Stand up, wave your arms, do a dance…get their attention so you can enjoy one!
Take Homes
Some people just can’t get enough of the delicious food at Lambert’s, myself included. Lucky for us, Lambert’s now offers a limited selection of Take Home items.
Choose from a dozen or half dozen of their famous rolls, sorghum, apple butter, sweet pepper relish, bbq sauce, or cinnamon rolls. They’ll be boxed up for you and you’ll be able to enjoy a little bit of Lambert’s when you get back home!
I haven’t mentioned the bottomless drinks at Lambert’s yet, and this would be a great place to do just that! Soft drinks, iced tea, sweet tea, and lemonade are all served in enormous 52 oz insulated mugs. These hefty cups are available to take home as well. You can find them, as well as a variety of t-shirts, small kitchen items, and other souvenirs, in the Lambert’s gift shop.
But if you’ve already gone home and kicking yourself for not picking up that huge mug, you’ve got another option! Lambert’s has a variety of items available in their online gift store. While they don’t carry everything online that can be found in their brick and mortar shop, there are a good deal of gifts and gadgets for you to choose from.
The “Little Things” That Make a Difference
Lambert’s was founded on the principle of treating others the way you’d like to be treated. That idea came through again and again during our dining experience in Ozark, Missouri. Besides the ever-present service with a smile, here are a few of our favorites.
1. Ample Seating While Waiting
None of the Lambert’s restaurants take reservations, which is a good thing in our opinion, otherwise we’d have to book months ahead of time! of course, the downside of this is that there is pretty much always a wait to get in.
After checking in at the hostess station, guests are invited to take a seat to wait for their table. The very long front porch is lined with benches, giving guests a chance to relax before the excitement of catching rolls. Large fans blow cool air, making wait time as comfortable as possible.
2. Opportunities for Guest Engagement
There is so much going on at Lambert’s, it can almost be hard to take it all in! But one thing is for certain–there is always something new to see, hear, or touch.
Outside, a map of the United States invites visitors to stick a pin into the map to mark their hometown. Not only is it fun to leave your mark on Lambert’s, but it’s fun to see where other people call home.
Inside, the walls are covered with memorabilia of years gone by and state flags hang from the ceiling. An electric train makes its way around the top of the wall near the ceiling, pausing at different “stops” on the way. And even the tables have snippets of information about the cafe and its founders adhered to the surface.
As a family, we found that the restaurant was a great place for a game of I Spy. It was also fun to check out some of the antiquated displays of old-time Coke machines and carnival games that surround the dining area. Kids and kids at heart always have a wonderful time with all the things to see and do, besides catching rolls, of course!
3. Lambert’s Honors Veterans
Lambert’s Cafe is kind enough to offer a military discount to ID carrying veterans and active servicemembers. But they go an extra mile by reserving parking for Purple Heart members.
Parking spaces are outlined with purple parking lines, rather than white, and each spot is marked with a purple bordered reserved sign. We love this small but honorable way to show respect for our servicemembers.
4. Pets Are Cared For, Too!
The folks at Lambert’s recognize that a large amount of their diners are travelers. But again, they go a step beyond by realizing that a growing number of families travel with their pets.
While Fido may not be allowed in the restaurant, Lambert’s provides a safe, temperature controlled short term boarding house for pets to enjoy while their people are inside the restaurant. Just inquire at the hostess station and if space is available, your pet can rest comfortably while you eat!
Where Is Lambert’s Cafe?
Lambert’s currently has three locations. Each has slightly different hours and there may be minor differences in menu items and pricing, but it’s all the same fun!
The original Lambert’s Cafe (Lambert’s I) – 2305 E. Malone, Sikeston, Missouri 63801. Currently they are open for lunch and dinner 7 days/week, from 10:30am to 9:00pm. Reservations are not accepted. Dine-in and to-go service is available. Cash and credit cards accepted.
The second Lambert’s Cafe (Lambert’s II) – 1800 W. State Hwy J, Ozark, Missouri 65721. They are currently open for lunch and dinner from 10:30am to 9:00pm Monday – Friday, and from 10:00am to 9:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are not accepted. Dine-in, to-go, and limited delivery is available. Cash and credit cards accepted.
The third Lambert’s Cafe (Lambert’s III) – 2981 S. McKenzie, Foley, Alabama 36535. They are open for lunch and dinner from 11:00am to 8:00pm Monday – Friday, and from 10:30am – 8:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are not accepted. Dine-in and to-go service is available. Cash and credit cards accepted.
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