When I started posting pictures of my food on social media, way back in 2019, I had zero expectations of the outcomes. I simply love supporting local restaurants and showcasing their menu creations with my followers.
Over the years, I have had the pleasure of working with so many great chefs and restaurant owners in the 417, and sometimes, these folks have surprised me by creating menu items named after yours truly.
Let’s dive face-first into some of these delicious dishes and some history behind how they came about!
The 417 Foodist Favorite Margarita presented by Señor Julian Mexican Bar & Grill
It was around the year 2021 when I first met the Villela brothers. Nelson and Edson were both working at Cesar’s Old Mexico, and I would get to chat with them when we would visit. If you are familiar with Cesar’s, then you know that it can get loud in there, especially on a Friday or Saturday night. I was on a date night with my wife, and Nelson had mentioned that his family was working on opening their own spot and would love for me to try it when it opens.
Flash forward to 2022 and Señor Julian’s doors were open, and they were getting all sorts of love from the 417. Señor Julian quickly became my family’s go-to dinner spot for Friday nights and our regular meet-up spot for lunch with friends and family. When the summer of 2023 came along, and Señor Julian had truly established themselves, they announced they wanted to collaborate with local folks like me and create a custom margarita in our honor.
You know what that meant… taste testing with the man behind the bar, Edson! After a few rounds, we settled on a combination of Blood Orange and Peach. Of course, you can choose a sugar, salt or, my favorite, a Tajin rim. And just like that, the 417 Foodist Favorite Margarita was born.
Address: 3405 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield
Billy Dove loves Carbonara presented by Retro Metro
I was never one to dine on the finer side of life besides the occasional anniversary dinner. My household liked to keep things in the diner realm when eating out. On one fateful summer evening, I was meeting a friend for dinner at one of Springfield’s best Chinese spots, Corner 21. If you know about Corner 21, then you know it’s not that large, and a line can form waiting for a table…
This is precisely the case for this night. My buddy recommended going to Retro Metro, a restaurant I had yet to visit. We made our way over in shorts, a t-shirt, a ball cap and no reservation. Even with all these things working against me inside my head, the staff didn’t bat an eye and seated us immediately. I had the opportunity to meet the owner, Brandon Moore, and hear the whole story behind Retro Metro and their commitment to providing great food and working with local providers on menu items like seafood and steaks. Retro quickly became a place that we visited at least once a month or any time I had free time.
Then one day, I received a message from a follower of the @417foodist page congratulating me on the new menu item at Retro. I was stunned, as to me, getting your name on the menu with so many great names, was a huge honor, plus, the menu item was my favorite Italian dish, Carbonara! Pasta covered in sundried tomatoes, sweet peas, bacon, egg, garlic, and a cream sauce. It is on the fall menu, so watch for its return later this year!
Address: 2150 W. Republic Road, Springfield
Billy’s Raging Garlic Hot Sauce presented by Springfield Trading Company
I typically start my weekends by heading to the Farmers Market of the Ozarks, located at Farmers Park, pretty much every Saturday. I enjoy exploring the vendors, finding new foods, and meeting up with friends. So, when I stumbled upon and met Anthony Brent, the owner of Springfield Trading Company, an up-and-coming local hot sauce vendor, I knew he had something special. Over the next two years, Anthony and I would collaborate and do giveaways for their Spicy Garlic, Smoky Jalapeno, and even their Louisiana Love Seasoning, but little did I know that Anthony had a new idea brewing!
He presented me with the idea of having my very own hot sauce presented by Springfield Trading Company, which sounded great to me! We met up at a local taco shop, and I sampled my way through multiple unreleased sauces until I found the one I enjoyed. The ingredients would include habanero peppers, onions, carrots, and, of course, garlic. It is a vegan-friendly and gluten-free hot sauce with great flavor, and just like that, Billy’s Raging Garlic Hot Sauce was born!
Address: 225 E. Sunshine St. Suite 102, Springfield
The Billy 417 Burrito at El Monarca Mexican Restaurant
I love all things breakfast, so when I had the chance to work with Mr. G and Maru at El Monarca in Nixa to create a burrito using the ingredients of one of their already existing appetizers, I jumped on it! The dip was filled with a mountain of cheese, fresh sliced jalapenos, onions, and chorizo. The moment I tasted it, I told Mr. G, add an egg to this and you have yourself a great breakfast burrito. It wasn’t but a week or two later, and they surprised me by wrapping up that dip with some scrambled eggs in a warm flour tortilla, and it’s ready for you to enjoy!
Address: 312 N. Massey Blvd, Nixa
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