McDonald County, Missouri
"The Biased Local's"
Dining and Entertainment Guide


Where to find the good eats n' drinks
hidden in the hills...


(This page is still under construction!!!)



Unlike "professional food critics" I won't pretend that I'm totally unbiased in my reviews. But I try to be fair!


To make this easier for visitors to our lovely county, establishments are grouped by AREA of the county, so you can find what's available near your campground or hotel.
Read This! The hours listed for each location change most every season, and with the whims of the owners, so I highly recommend that you call ahead and check to make sure before you go out of your way to a particular place. Also, businesses naturally come and go, so there is always a chance that this list is out of date, even if it was updated recently...
LAST UPDATE: December 2007

If I've missed your dining/snack/entertainment place, or if you feel like I've given your favorite place a raw deal, please email me at: webmaster AT 4noel DOT com



CENTRAL McDONALD COUNTY AREA:
(Includes Anderson and Pineville)


Area: CENTRAL - Anderson
Business
 name:
All-Star Pizza
Type: Restaurant
Location: Downtown - Main Street
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner
Telephone: 417-845-3370
Tourist
Friendliness:
Good
Smoking: Smokers welcome. "Non-Smoking area Un-available"
Review:  Anderson's last surviving pizza joint... All Star Pizza makes good pizza pies, excellent Stromboli, and a few other sandwiches and other dishes if you don't want pizza.  However, do try their supreme pizza, (called The Grand Slam) because if you like a lot of toppings and flavors, you'll be pleased.
They also offer a lunch buffet, which admittedly has a very limited salad bar and pizza/Stromboli selection, but also has some of the best cinnamon rolls on earth.


Area: CENTRAL - Anderson
Business
 name:
Bob & Carol's Diner (formerly "Dairy Queen")
Type: Cafe / Fast Food Served
Location: North Business 71 in Anderson
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Telephone: 417-845-3373
Tourist
Friendliness:
Good
Smoking: Smoking is not only permitted, it is practically mandatory!*
Review:  This was for decades (until late 2006) the local Dairy Queen. You can still get basically the same kind of food and ice cream treats that you'd expect to find at a Dairy Queen (only with different names). There is also a few more homestyle food items available now that you can't get at a Dairy Queen. (Like Frito Pie, a local favorite.)
- The following are mostly unsubstantiated rumors for your amusement...
- Rumor has it that the reason Bob & Carol dropped their long-standing Dairy Queen franchise is because they would not conform to Dairy Queen's corporate dictate that they turn the diner into a "smoke free" area.
*(As with many of our local diners, you can't be inside for more than a few seconds without absorbing cigarette smoke into your clothes and hair, so if you can't deal with that, use the drive-thru!)
But if you are a harassed smoker from an area where oppressive anti-smoking laws dictate to business owners , you'll be happy to know that so such anti-liberty ordinances don't exist here, and you're welcome to light up at Bob & Carol's Diner!

- It is also said that more city business is conducted at this place, than at city hall. (Owner Bob Cochran has been Anderson's mayor for a very long time!) So expect to see the locals to group together and talk loudly about city & county politics and other gossip.


Area: CENTRAL - Anderson area
Business
 name:
Country Custard
Type: Desserts
Location: Jct. US 71 & Missouri Hwy. 76
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner
Telephone: 417-845-1505
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good
Smoking: Smoking permitted at outside patio area. Non-Smoking Inside.
Review:  Many good Ice Cream/Custard selections available. Also some very good homestyle/homemade desserts on occasion. It is in the same mini-food court as Subway, and so if someone in your group wants dessert with their meal, this is very handy. And there is always the outdoor patio with plenty of seating and a nice view of the Indian Creek valley.


Area: CENTRAL - Pineville
Business
 name:
Hunt Brother's Pizza
Type: Take-out only
Location: Inside the Country Market convenience store on south Business 71.
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner
Telephone: 417-223-4689 (Country Market)
Tourist
Friendliness:
Good
Smoking: Non-Smoking - No seating available - Take Out Only.
Review:  Hunt Brothers's Pizza is found in many convenience stores all over the place. The pizza is good and fairly priced. If you want pizza in Pineville, this is it!

(Note that the Country Market is like a small grocery store, so there are just about all kinds of snacks and drinks available. This is a good place to stock up for your campout...)


Area: CENTRAL - Anderson
Business
 name:
Iron Wheel
Type: Restaurant
Location: North Hwy. 59
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Dinner (hours as of 11-07 are Wed-Sat 5pm-9pm ONLY)
Telephone:
Tourist
Friendliness:
Good
Smoking: Non-Smoking
Review:  Recently reopened in Fall '07 (under new management), this family restaurant serves steak, ribs, pasta, plus all the usual fare you'd expect. A little pricy, but not too bad. I've only had the opportuity to eat there once as I write this, so I'll go back a few times and try more dishes...


Area: CENTRAL - Anderson
Business
 name:
Little Bake Shop
Type: Cafe & Desserts
Location: 100 E. Main Street, near the railroad crossing
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Breakfast & Lunch
Telephone: 417-845-6224
Tourist
Friendliness:
(Don't come in all messy and stinky from the river...)
Smoking: Smokers welcome. "Non-Smoking area Un-available"
Review:  If you're hankering for some REAL old-fashioned country cooking, this is the place! There are daily specials in addition to a limited menu of sandwiches and soups. The specials are home-cooking at its best, and the desserts are extra-good.
This is a favorite local gossip shop, and one of those places where outsiders are tolerated just fine as long as they behave themselves.
Cash only.


Area: CENTRAL - Anderson
Business
 name:
Los Mariachis
Type: Restaurant
Location: West Missouri Hwy. 76, near the County Market
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner
Telephone: 417-845-1300
Tourist
Friendliness:
Good
Smoking: Non-Smoking
Review:  "Fairly authentic" Mexican food, adjusted somewhat for American tastes. A large menu to select from, and the food is pretty good. Most all dishes are not spicy-hot at all, if that's what you like..
- (Be prepared: Some of the wait staff speak good English, some don't - so ordering can be tricky at times.)


Area: CENTRAL - Anderson
Business
 name:
MaryDean's Family Restaurant
Type: Cafe / Restaurant
Location: Jct. Business 71 & Cedar Road (old Missouri Hwy. 76).
Across from the McDonald County High School.
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Breakfast & Lunch
Telephone: 417-845-7475
Tourist
Friendliness:
OK
Smoking: Smokers welcome. Non-Smoking area is available - but be forewarned that you'll still leave smelling of smoke no matter where you sit.
Review:  Mary Dean's is a classic country "greasy spoon" - you'll find some very tasty food, but don't expect fine dining & linens... (I recommend the breakfast omlettes.)
Lots of locals abound, but they tolerate tourists well enough - which is good, since this is also the main local bus stop for the county!
There is also a game room with a beat-up old pool table and a couple of arcade games, exactly what you'd expect from a cafe located right across from a High School.


Area: CENTRAL - Pineville
Business
 name:
Pineville Grill
Type: Cafe / Restaurant
Location: NW Corner of the Pineville Square. (On Hwy. "W")
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Breakfast & Lunch
Telephone:
Tourist
Friendliness:
Good
Smoking: Smokers welcome. Non-Smoking area is available - but be forewarned that you'll still leave smelling of smoke no matter where you sit.
Review:  The Pineville Grill is also one of our classic "greasy spoon" cafes - with some very tasty food, of course... (I highly recommend the breakfast omlettes and the "Pineville Burger.")
Lots of locals abound, but they tolerate tourists well, especially during the canoe season. Service is usually very friendly, but they often don't have enough waitresses during busy times, so be prepared for possible wait times.
Update: Fall 07 - The Grill has remodeled and generally cleaned up the entire place. However, to pay for it they've raised their prices noticibly. We locals are NOT amused.


Area: CENTRAL - Anderson
Business
 name:
Sonic
Type: Drive-In
Location: North Business 71 in Anderson
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Telephone: 417-845-7029
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good
Smoking: It's a Drive-In... You make the rules for your own car!
Review:  Ah, the ever-present Sonic... Practically mandatory for all cities I suppose. You've probably been there before, and you know what they have to offer. If not, where are you from? You better go ahead and stop by and see what you've been missing!


Area: CENTRAL - Anderson area
Business
 name:
Subway
Type: Fast Food Served
Location: Jct. US 71 & Missouri Hwy. 76
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner
Telephone: 417-845-1515
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good
Smoking: Smoking permitted at outside patio area. Non-Smoking Inside.
Review:  A Subway is a Subway is a Subway... If a Subway sandwich is what you're looking for, you'll find it here. On the plus side: it is a very new, clean, and well-managed Subway! And there is an outdoor patio with plenty of seating and a nice view of the Indian Creek valley.


Area: CENTRAL - Pineville
Business
 name:
Tom's BBQ
Type: Cafe
Location: The basement of the Christian Church, one block south of the square on Main street. Park and enter around back.
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch only
Telephone:
Tourist
Friendliness:
Good
Smoking: Non-Smoking.
Review:  This is one of those hidden out-of-the-way places that usually only locals know about... But thanks to this guide, now you do too! Not the easiest place to find, but worth the effort if you want some very good BBQ sandwiches in Pineville. There is usually a daily special of some sort of exceptionally good home-cooked dish. If you're sick of the stereotypical franchise food place, you can't get much further from it than Tom's BBQ!
Cash Only.





EASTERN McDONALD COUNTY AREA:
(Includes Longview, Powell, and Rocky Comfort)

Area: EASTERN - Longview
Business
 name:
Longview Cafe
Type: Cafe / Restaurant
Location: Jct. Missouri Hwy. 76 & Hwys. "CC" & "D"
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner
Telephone: 417-628-3668 (?)
Tourist
Friendliness:

Smoking:
Review:  This cafe is recently under new management (again) as of Fall '07.  The food is quite good, actually. The "salad bar" is very limited as far as the toppings selection goes... But to make up for that they have a self-serve soft ice cream machine, and the ice cream is included with most of their dinner entrees.





NOEL AREA:
(Includes Noel, Lanagan, and Ginger Blue)


Area: NOEL - North Noel
Business
 name:
Cedar Crest Cafe
Type: Cafe / Restaurant
Location: Jct. Missouri Hwy. 59 and Hwy. "DD" - near the chicken plant
Hours Open
 [read this!]
?
Telephone: 417-475-3515
Tourist
Friendliness:
Good
Smoking:
Review:  A very nice little cafe. Good food at good prices.
Note: The Cedar Crest Cafe used to be the old "Dari Lane" - a Noel tradition for decades. The new owners have completely remodeled, so you'd hardly recognize it if you remember the old Dari Lane... But it is fixed up nicely.


Area: NOEL - North Noel
Business
 name:
Cotton-Eyed Joe's Barbeque
Type: Restaurant
Location: Jct. Missouri Hwy. 90 west and Hwy. "TT", across from the Golf Course.
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner
Telephone: 417-475-3742
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good
Smoking: Smokers welcome. Non-Smoking room is also available.
Review:  For years Cotton-Eyed Joe's has been considered Noel's finest restaurant, and perhaps the best in the entire county. The BBQ is excellent, and all the home-style sides are prepared right. There is occasionally a buffet available with a great selection of meats, sides, and desserts; and if this is your first visit I'd recommend it so you can sample all they have to offer. The place is nicely decorated, with a comfy country atmosphere. Very family-friendly, and tourists are welcome too. Also a favorite for entertaining business clients with our "country charm" and for business lunch meetings (a large room is available). A personal favorite.


Area: NOEL - Noel
Business
 name:
Five-Star Pizza
Type: Pizza Parlor / Lunch Buffet
Location: Main street
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner
Telephone:
Tourist
Friendliness:
OK
Smoking: Smokers welcome. "Non-Smoking area Un-available"
Review:  Five Star Pizza used to be an "All Star Pizza" (just like in Anderson), but has recently changed management and ownership. However, the pizzas are still practically the same as All Star Pizza... They makes good pizza pies, excellent Stromboli, and a few other sandwiches and other dishes if you don't want pizza.  Prices are reasonable, and the supreme pizza is recommended.
They also offer a lunch buffet, which admittedly has a very limited salad bar and pizza/Stromboli selection, but they also have those wonderful huge cinnamon rolls!


Area: NOEL - Noel area
Business
 name:
Four Aces
Type: Club - Beer & Liquor
Location: South Hwy. 59 - approx. one mile from state line.
Hours Open
 [read this!]
?
Telephone:
Tourist
Friendliness:
21 or older to enter.
Smoking: Smokers welcome. "Non-Smoking area Un-available"
Review:  This is a small bar, with a couple of pool tables. 21 or older to enter. I used to stop in for a drink years ago, but I haven't been there for years, since the management changed. So a real review is pending... 


Area: NOEL - Noel
Business
 name:
Kathy's Kountry Kitchen
Type: Cafe
Location: 220 Main Street
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Breakfast
Telephone: 417-475-4066
Tourist
Friendliness:
Good
Smoking: Smokers welcome. "Non-Smoking area Un-available"
Review:  Another classic country cafe. A very popular gossip spot for he locals, so expect everyone to know everyone else - except for you. They are tolerant of campers dragging themselves in off the river in whatever ragged clothes they have, so that is a plus if you find yourself in that condition. Just don't expect a hug!
Update Summer '07 - I'm pleased to report that I've have noticed a substantial improvement in the quality and taste of the food here lately!


Area: NOEL -Lanagan
Business
 name:
Lanagan Junction Cafe
Type: Cafe
Location: Jct. Missouri Hwy. 59 and Hwy. "EE" 
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Breakfast & Lunch; Dinner Thursday, Friday & Saturday until 8pm
Telephone: 417-436-3288 (EATT)
Tourist
Friendliness:
Good
Smoking: Non-Smoking
Review:  A very nice little cafe. Very good food at very good prices. Good value for the money, and occasionally the best biscuits & gravy in the county (it varies every time - but that's B&G for ya). New menu as of Fall '07. A small gift shop area with inexpensive book & knick-knacks. A Meeting room is also available, and they do catering.  A personal favorite.


Area: NOEL - North Noel
Business
 name:
Lurue's 19th Hole
Type: Club - Beer & Liquor Served
Location: Jct. Missouri Hwy. 90 west and Hwy. "TT", at the Golf Course.
Hours Open
 [read this!]
?
Telephone: 417-475-6709
Tourist
Friendliness:
Smoking: Smokers welcome. "Non-Smoking area Un-available"
Review:  This is the "Country Club Bar" but it is open to the public. I used to play darts here on a regular basis years ago, but I haven't been there for years, since the management changed. So a real review is pending... 


Area: NOEL - Noel
Business
 name:
The Hog Shop
Type: Sandwiches
Location: 221 W. Main Street
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner?
Telephone: 417-475-4404
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very good
Smoking: Non-Smoking
Review:  Good & fresh Sub-type sandwiches. Biker-themed with unique decorations, real motorcycle seat-stools. Ya don't haveta be a scooter tramp to enjoy these sandwiches... Everybody welcome.


Area: NOEL - Noel
Business
 name:
Main Sweets
Type: Desserts
Location: West Main Street, next to Riverside Station
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Mon-Fri 7 am - 5 pm; Sat 8 am - Noon
Telephone: 417-475-7550
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very good
Smoking: No
Review:  Even though this isn't a dining spot, its included here for those with a sweet tooth craving dessert after their meal. Main Sweets makes incredibly good cookies, cakes, and other confections.  It is probably the cutest little shop in Noel, too. If you're in the area, you own it to yourself to stop in and try something sweet!


Area: NOEL - North Noel
Business
 name:
Pasia's (???)
Type: Mexican Cafe 
Location: Jct. Missouri Hwy. 59 and Hwy. "DD" - near the chicken plant
in the same parking lot as the Rio Alce convenience store.
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner?
Telephone: n/a
Tourist
Friendliness:
¿Usted habla español?    (Do you speak Spanish?)
Smoking: Smoking permitted at outside patio area. Non-Smoking Inside.
Review:  Authentic Mexican food, perhaps even more so than Rosa's. This was once a little hole-in-the-wall take-out-only joint, but they've been fixing it up and expanding it through the years, and now has a seating area inside. There is also a new (small) menu to select from, but the food is surprisingly good. And the prices are very inexpensive.
As with Rosa's, the authentic tacos are excellent! They are small soft tortillas with the meat of your choice: Beef, pork, chicken, "BBQ/barbocoa" - not like american BBQ at all - and tripe if that's your fancy, are all available. Topped with onions, cilantro and nothing else - except a lime wedge to squeeze over it all to bring out the flavor... Mmmmmmmmmmmm Good! If you've never had these, give them a try... Even though they're very different from what we've become used to as Americanized "tacos"  - I've never found anyone that didn't like these tacos too.
(Like your food spicy? Try the green sauce they supply with most orders!)
If you want to feel like you're in a little backwater town in old Mexico, come here for the full experience... They even have UniVision playing on the TV for you to immerse yourself in.
- (Be prepared: They don't speak much English here - so ordering is tricky. They do have copies of the menu in English, so just point at what you want and hold up your fingers for the quantity desired. They'll figure it out.)
  A personal favorite.


Area: NOEL - Noel area
Business
 name:
Red Barn
Type: Club - Beer Served
Location: South Hwy. 59 - approx. one mile from state line.
Hours Open
 [read this!]
?
Telephone: 417-475-7150
Tourist
Friendliness:
Do you speak Redneck?  (Does y'all understan' mah words r'not?)
Smoking: Smokers welcome. "Non-Smoking area Un-available"
Review:  This is a small, honky-tonk bar. 21 or older to enter. If you like rough dives, then dive on in! A real review is pending... 


Area: NOEL - North Noel
Business
 name:
River Rat Pizza   (formerly "Sham's Pizza")
Type: Pizza Parlor - Beer Served
Location: Missouri Hwy. 59 in North Noel,
(Across from the chicken plant and a short walk from River Ranch Resort)
Hours Open
 [read this!]
CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Telephone:
Tourist
Friendliness:

Smoking:
Review:  Visitors who came to know and love Sham's Pizza will no doubt be disappointed to see this closed. (I know I am!) Hopefully someone will reopen this business soon... Stay tuned.


Area: NOEL - Noel
Business
 name:
Riverside Station
Type: Cafe
Location: West Main Street
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Telephone:
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good
Smoking: No
Review:  Riverside Station is a convenience store, with an attached dine-in cafe overlooking Elk River. This is an excellent place to sit and watch the river flow by - it has a very nice view. The food is the standard "burgers and fries" sort of thing that you'd expect from a convenience store cafe. I'm going to be honest and say that the quality of the food is "inconsistent" - sometimes good, sometimes not. (This probably has a lot to do with the high turnover of kitchen help they seem to have.) But if you just want a comfortable place to look at the river when its too hot (or cold) outside, and need a little something to eat while you're doing it, this fills the bill.


Area: NOEL - North Noel
Business
 name:
Rosa's Mexican Restaurant
Type: Mexican Cafe
Location: Missouri Hwy. 59 in North Noel,
(Across from the chicken plant and a short walk from River Ranch Resort)
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner
Telephone: 417-475-6888
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good
Smoking: Non-Smoking Inside.
Review:   Authentic Mexican food, adjusted slightly for American tastes. A large menu to select from, and the food is excellent. A buffet is available for those in a rush, and it has some interesting selections you won't find most anywhere else. Most all of the dishes are not very spicy-hot at all, if that's what you like. Bottled hot sauce is available on the tables for those that prefer a kick.
The authentic tacos are excellent! They are small soft tortillas with the meat of your choice: Beef, pork, chicken, "BBQ/barbocoa" - not like American BBQ at all - and tripe if that's your fancy, are all available. Topped with onions, cliantro and nothing else - except a lime wedge to squeeze over it all to bring out the flavor... Mmmmmmmmmmmm Good! If you've never had these, give them a try... Even though they're very different from what we've become used to as Americanized "tacos"  - I've never found anyone that didn't like these tacos too.
- (Be prepared: Most of the wait staff speak good English, but some don't - so ordering can be tricky on occasion.)


Area: NOEL - Noel
Business
 name:
Shadow Lake
Type: Club - Beer & Liquor Served
Location: The west end of Main Street, at the Butler Creek bridge & the bluffs.
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Open Friday and Saturday nights during the season
(Roughly from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.)
Telephone:
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good - (18+ to Enter - 21+ to drink beer/alcohol)
Smoking: Yes - (it is an open-air pavilion so the smoke doesn't build up.)
Review:  Shadow Lake is a Noel tradition going back about 75 years. It has changed many times over, from an old-fashioned resort to the night-club hot-spot is is today. Shadow Lake is one of the biggest party spots in the 4-State area, and is something of a "meat market" for youngish, drunken campers to mingle and dance with youngish, drunken visitors from all over the area. If you are looking for the wild party place you've heard of in Noel, this is it.





NORTHERN McDONALD COUNTY AREA:
(Includes Goodman)


Area: NORTHERN - Goodman
Business
 name:
Brodie's Cafe
Type: Cafe
Location: Business 71
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Breakfast & Lunch
Telephone: 417-364-8445
Tourist
Friendliness:
Good
Smoking: Yes
Review:  I finally made it up to Goodman to try this cafe (in Summer '07), and I was very pleased. Though I've only dined there once so far, I can say that the usual cafe fare they serve was very good, and the service was friendly and attentive.


Area: NORTHERN - Goodman
Business
 name:
Redneck Restaurant
Type: Buffet-style Restaurant
Location: Business 71
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Dinner only
Telephone: 417-364-7787
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good
Smoking: Non-Smoking
Review:  Never mind all the "You might be a Redneck if..." jokes scratched on the wall in Sharpie marker, 'cause you'll find the Redneck Restaurant is one of the best places to eat in the county. It is not a fancy place by any means... It is a buffet-only restaurant with lots of good southern-style choices, such as: Fried Chicken, Pork Chops in gravy, Fried Catfish, and more, with all the salad and sides you'll need. The quality of the food is exceptional, and the desserts are truly wonderful. (Best Banana Puddin' in the county!) There is always a selection of Sugar-Free desserts too, for those that need 'em.
And even though most of the patrons are local, you'll find the service friendly no matter who you are. Even Yankees are tolerated if they keep their traps shut and don't try to tell anyone "how they do it up nawth!"
Highly recommended. Bring your sense of humour!





SOUTHERN McDONALD COUNTY AREA:
(Includes Jane, Caverna/"State Line" area)


Area: SOUTHERN - Caverna/State Line area
Business
 name:
Blimpie's
Type: Fast Food Served
Location: Inside the Wal-Mart Supercenter on US 71
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner
Telephone: 417-226-7827
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good
Smoking: No.
Review:  Sub sandwiches, chips and soda... Yep, they got it! PLUS: They also offer a surprisingly good catering service for business meetings, parties, etc... (Call ahead.)
Opinion: After a shaky start when it first opened, this Blimpie's is (as of 2007) under new management and has shown substantial improvement lately in their quality and service. 


Area: SOUTHERN - Jane area
Business
 name:
HOTS Gentleman's Club
Type: Exotic Dance Club - No Minors - Limited Food Menu
Location: US 71 south, across from Jukebox Bar & Grill
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner
Telephone:
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good - Must be 21 or older.
Smoking: Smokers welcome. "Non-Smoking area Un-available"
Review: An exotic dance club with scantily-clad ladies performing for tips. Full service bar. They also serve better-than-average bar food (limited menu). Two large professional-sized pool tables for the serious pool players, and four standard-sized pool tables available. (All coin-op.) Gentlemen are welcome to bring their spouses/girlfriends/dates with them. If this is the kind of fun you're looking for, it's the only club of its kind in the area.
There is a dress code that is enforced: No tank tops, cut-off jeans, or do-rags.


Area: SOUTHERN - Jane area
Business
 name:
Jane Cafe
Type: Cafe
Location: Missouri Hwy. 90, approx. one mile east of US 71
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Breakfast & Lunch
Telephone: 417-226-2233
Tourist
Friendliness:
Good
Smoking: Yes
Review:  A new cafe in 2006. A perfectly good place to eat, even if I can't think of anything remarkable to say about it. If you're in the area and want good diner food, you won't go wrong here.


Area: SOUTHERN - Caverna/State Line area
Business
 name:
Jim's Razorback Pizza 
Type: Pizza Parlor - Beer Served
Location: 91 Macadoddle Ln. Suite #3 - Jane, Missouri
Jct. US 71 south & Hwy "O"
(In the Macadoodle's Plaza)
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner
Telephone: 417-226-0488 & 479-696-8918
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good
Smoking: Non-Smoking
Review:  Visitor's from Arkansas will recognize this name at first glance... Jim's Razorback Pizza is an Arkansas tradition & favorite for over 30 years. Now they've crossed the border (barely) into Missouri, bringing the same great pizza, pasta & sandwiches that we've all come to know and crave. The owner/manager of this newly opened (Dec. '07) location was a long-time manager of the south Fayetteville Jim's Razorback Pizza, so you know that things will be done just like you're used to. There's a big flat screen TV to watch the game on, while you enjoy your pizza & beer. (Or salad & tea, if you prefer - they have a variety of salads including regular, chef, shrimp, and chicken breast salads.)
Limited delivery area (Bella Vista, Arkansas and Jane area south of Hwy,. 90).


Area: SOUTHERN - Jane area
Business
 name:
Jukebox Sports Bar & Grill
Type: Club - Beer & Liquor Served - Limited Food Menu
Location: US 71 south
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Telephone: 417-226-5883
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good
Smoking: Smokers welcome. "Non-Smoking area Un-available"
Review:  Fairly typical small sports bar, with better-than-average food (on most days - depending on who's cooking). Three pool tables with tournaments most Thursday nights. Karaoke some nights.


Area: SOUTHERN - Caverna/State Line area
Business
 name:
Macadoodle's Deli
Type: Counter Deli with dine-in
Location: Jct. US 71 & Hwy. "O" just north of the Arkansas state line
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Telephone: 417-226-4436
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good
Smoking: No. (But there is a fine cigar shop with a humidor room next door.)
Review:  This is a unique and interesting little "deli" - in fact, it is more of a cafe/convenience store than a traditional deli. You can order some cuts of meat here though. But if you are looking for exotic deli cheeses, meats, fine wines and liquors, you'll have to go next door to the main Macadoodles liquor store (check the wine section for the fine foods).
The food here at the deli is well above average for the most part. Burgers, BBQ, variouis sandwiches, fries, tots, fried okra, mashed potatoes... Very tasty smoked ribs are available by the rack or half-rack to take to your campsite (but the rib prices are a bit "premium").
I'll go ahead an give Macadoodles a free plug... Forget Wally-World for your booze - go to Macadoodles if you're looking for a better selection of beers, wine, and liquor - at better prices, too! They also have a discount store next door where you can buy cases of beer, wine and liquor for even less yet. (A pretty good deal if you don't need your booze pre-chilled, and need it by the caseload.)
(Also, to be fair, I'll add that across the road The Jug Store and Don's State Line store offer competitive prices, though not as huge a selection...)


Area: SOUTHERN - Caverna/State Line area
Business
 name:
McDonald's
Type: Fast Food Served
Location: US 71 south, just north of Wal-Mart Supercenter
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Drive-thru open 24 hours.
Telephone: 417-226-0860
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good
Smoking: No.
Review:  Yep, everyone knows McDonald's...  This is one of those new smaller-sized units, and the lobby can get very crowded at peak times. No children's play area, either. But hey, they've got "free" Wi-Fi (with purchase). On the plus side, the Drive-thru is open 24 hours, and is about the only place in the county you can find a late-night hot meal!
Note: If you want totally free Wi-Fi & Public Internet access, go to either the Pineville or Noel Public Library.


Area: SOUTHERN - Caverna/State Line area
Business
 name:
Pug's Pizza & Play Place
Type: Pizza Parlor - Beer served - also Kid-Friendly
Location: US 71 south, just north of Wal-Mart Supercenter & the Boonslick Lodge.
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner
Telephone: 417-226-1100
Tourist
Friendliness:
Excellent
Smoking: No.
Review:  A good new pizza place for 2007. Something for just about everyone... A game room for the kids; TV's on the wall, beer for the adults; pizza for everyone, or sandwiches and Americanized tacos for those that don't want pizza; and to top it all off, excellent ice cream desserts!
Limited Delivery available (to local businesses only) as of May 2007. I was told they may deliver to the Pineville area.


Area: SOUTHERN - Caverna/State Line area
Business
 name:
The Tap Room & Southern Grill
Type: Restaurant & Club - Beer & Liquor Served
Location: US 71 south, just north of Wal-Mart Supercenter & the Boonslick Lodge.
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner - (No minors after 8pm)
Telephone:
Tourist
Friendliness:
Excellent
Smoking: Smokers welcome. Non-Smoking "area" available.
Review:  New for 2007, this is a first-class establishment all the way. A very swanky full bar, with a good (though not huge) variety of beers available. The menu has been drastically revised this fall ('07), but they still have good-quality food at prices you'd expect from a typical big-city restaurant (as well as good standard bar fare). The appetizers are much better than average, and the upscale sandwiches seem to be the best value. Very Nice decor throughout.
Opinion: Since we tragically lost Stephenson's, Shrimpman's and Steak Out, southern McDonald County has been desperately needing a place like this!   Recommended.






WESTERN McDONALD COUNTY AREA:
(Includes Southwest City and Tiff City)

Area: WESTERN - South West City
Business
 name:
Family Malt Shop & Cafe
Type: Cafe & Desserts
Location: 205 Main Street (Hwy. 43)
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Telephone: 417-762-3248
Tourist
Friendliness:

Smoking:
Review: Do you long for the nostalgia of the old-fashioned malt shop, but are putt off by the shiny chrome retro-reproductions of malt shops that are commonly found in most tourist-trap areas? Well, stop by the Family Malt Shop & Cafe in SWC for a genuine old malt shop that hasn't changed too much with the times.
Disclaimer: It has been a few years since I made it all the way over to the Malt Shop. I'll revisit it and update this review sometime soon.


Area: WESTERN - South West City
Business
 name:
The Pizza Place
Type: Pizza Parlor
Location: Jct. of Hwy. 43 & Hwy. 90
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Telephone: 417-762-5200
Tourist
Friendliness:

Smoking:
Review:  Last time I was there, the pizza was very good.  However, It has been so long since I've made it all the way over to the Pizza Place, that I need to revisit it soon and update this review when I do.




NEARBY THE McDONALD COUNTY AREA:
(Unique places worth mentioning, that are in neighboring counties)


Area: NEARBY - Grove
Business
 name:
La Casita De Hoover's
Type: Mexican Restaurant - Beer & Liquor Served
Location: 570 W 3rd St (US Hwy. 59)
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Lunch & Dinner
Telephone: 918-787-7994
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good. (Rowdy children are discouraged at dinnertime, though!)
Smoking: Non-Smoking
Review:  This is one of my favorite places to eat. A small, intimate place, beautifully decorated, with exceptionally good mexican food, and a full bar. (Good mexican beer selection too.)  Don't leave without trying the "margarita ice cream" - it is amazing! (Even people that would never drink or enjoy tequila discover they love this lime-sherbert-based delight.)
Despite what you might think from the name, you won't have any trouble ordering here, as everyone speaks perfect (native) english.  Recommended.



Area: NEARBY - North of Neosho
Business
 name:
Undercliff Grill & Bar
Type: Restaurant - Beer & Liquor Served
Location: 6385 Old Highway 71, near Tipton Ford (between Neosho & Joplin)
Hours Open
 [read this!]
"Normal" hours (varies seasonally) Wednesday through Friday 11 AM - 9 PM, Saturday 9 AM - 9 PM, Sunday 9 AM - 3 PM. Closed Mon. & Tue.
Telephone: 417-623-8382
Tourist
Friendliness:
Exceptionally Good.
Smoking: Non-Smoking inside.
Review:  This is one of the most unique places to eat in the area. I include it here for those visitors travelling back north, to Joplin, K.C. and thereabouts... Because it is the place to stop on your way home. (And your way back here!)
As the name suggests, this place is built literally "under a cliff" - and the back wall is the exposed, uneven rock face. (There used to be several such places in our area, but this is the last one still in operation that I'm aware of.)  It is a memorible place to eat, and you'll find yourself taking your friends with you when you go back to show it off to them. The decor is "ecletic" - most of these interesting items nailed all over the walls and ceiling were donated by customers, so there's plenty to gawk at while you're there.
What keeps this place going strong when similar places have failed is the food. Excellent speciality burgers and sandwiches, interesting entrees (from spagetti red to a broccoli-rice plate); and I've never had a "bad" meal there - nor has anyone else I've ever heard of. Undercliff's "Texas Toothpicks" are my favorite appetizer ever. There is a full bar and fairly good beer selection.
Don't be surprised to see a line of bikes parked outside... This is a favorite destination for area bikers, as the scenic backroads in this area are primo riding lanes!
Pictures speak a thousand words... For photos, menu and a map see: undercliff.net.
Recommended.


Area: NEARBY - Grove
Business
 name:
Rhinegarten
Type: Restaurant - Beer & Wine Served
Location: 911 S Main St. (South US Hwy. 59)
Hours Open
 [read this!]
Dinner (closed some nights - call ahead)
Telephone: 918-786-8737
Tourist
Friendliness:
Very Good. (Slightly formal, no dirty river clothes, please.)
Smoking: Non-Smoking
Review:  This resturant is actually a converted home, which gives it a unique and comfortable atmosphere. Stylishly decorated, with exceptionally good traditional German food, and a full bar. (Good German beer selection also.)  Service is good, but due to the layout of the place (several individual rooms) it can occasionally be difficult to get your server's attention... But that is to be expected in a place like this, and not much of a problem. Prices are upscale, but fair.






If I've missed your dining/snack/entertainment place, or if you feel like I've given your favorite place a raw deal, please email me at: webmaster AT 4noel DOT com