I love food. It seems the best stuff always comes from the out of the way, hole in a wall, small-town secret treasure types of places, and today I just so happened to find one of those amazing gems.
Deep in the country, right outside of a little place called Pocahontas Missouri is a true blue diamond in the rough. The Bayou Bar and Grill on Cape County Rd. 532 doesn’t really look like much from the road. In fact, you could almost pass it right by without even thinking about it, but let me tell you now, you would be missing out big time if you did.
Upon pulling into the parking lot, I saw a glimpse of the culture and creativity that truly lied within. Lively murals graced the outside wall with silhouettes of jazz musicians getting down and framed out by false windows, making you really feel the spirit of celebration.
We were greeted by a very friendly smile. Taylor, the Bayou’s amazing bartender, made us feel right at home. With a warm presence and a welcoming gesture she showed us to our seats and hurried off to whip us up some drinks.
The Bayou Peach on the Beach was a very special treat. Fruity, fun, sweet, and tasty, you would never guess it even has alcohol. Tasting more like a delightfully refreshing party punch, this beautiful peachy dream is both fun and relaxing like spending an evening watching the sunset on your favorite beach.
The Lime Margarita on the Rocks is sublime! Sweet and salty with a powerful kick, it excites the taste buds and awakens the senses. This smooth cool lime treat really hit the spot and being a tequila girl, it was hard not to be slightly more partial to this drink.
That is until the Amaretto Sour arrived. It was nothing short of perfection! The sweet and sour dances together so well on your tongue, you can’t tell one from the other. When I was younger Amaretto Sour was my go-to drink, so I’ve tried more than my fair share. Tasting this one reminded me why I used to love it so much. This was hands down the best Amaretto Sour I’ve ever had.
Omg, it’s good!
You can always tell when food is made with love and served with pride. As the dishes started to flow from the kitchen like an elaborate parade during Mardi Gras, the excitement and anticipation to dig into the jubilant feast became overwhelming.
First up was the Blackened Rib-eye. Served with Texas toast, a loaded baked potato, and a skewer of grilled shrimp that was spiced to perfection with a lovely subtle heat, this steak was a masterpiece! Tender, juicy, and a perfect rare with simple seasoning, the natural flavor of the steak was amplified and melted in my mouth like butter. Omg, it’s good!
Even though the steak totally stole the show, the baked potato was no slouch. With 3 different kinds of cheese, a mountain of bacon chunks, and a dollop of sour cream, I was in cheesy baked potato heaven! With a Bayou Peach on the Beach to wash it all down with, this meal was going to be hard to top. Yet somehow they did…
What are the chances that the one thing that could possibly outshine steak would be the very next dish? As soon as I saw that beautiful plate of Frog Legs and Bene Beans my mouth began to water. Frog Legs is one of my absolute favorite Cajun meals! If you’ve never tried it, it’s a must. When you bite through the crispy breading, the meat practically falls off the bone. Tasting like the most delicious, tender, carefully brined chicken you would ever have, it’s juicy, savory, and has a nice peppery breading with a hint of heat, but not too spicy.
Bene’s BBQ Baked Beans compliment it perfectly with a beautiful Cajun medley of sweet and spicy flavors that will dance on your tongue like a fais-do-do. All served with a loaded side salad and Texas toast, this meal has everything!
YUM!
Next up was the Red Beans and Rice. YUM! You simply can’t eat Cajun without getting some red beans and rice, and trust me, you want to get that order to go. Nothing beats cuddling on the couch watching your favorite show with a bowl of red beans and rice, and The Bayou’s Red Beans and Rice is really something special. Hearty and delicious, it has a heat that slowly you up and linger on just long enough to give you time to swim blissfully in the moment. Served with a large piece of some of the best homemade cornbread I’ve had in a long time with a dollop of softened whipped butter, The Bayou’s Red Beans and Rice has officially been added to my list of winter blues comfort foods.
The next dish was an American classic, the Cheeseburger and Fries. Thick and juicy, topped with creamy, melty American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle, this burger didn’t even need sauce. It was absolutely intoxicating! Served with steak fries that had the perfect amount of flavor and crunch, this seemingly ordinary dish will both surprise and impress you.
Last, but certainly not least, was the Whole Craw fish. What can I say? When I saw that plate approach the table, a tear came to my eye. I haven’t had crawdads since I was 18 or 19 years old. Spicy, meaty, and smothered in butter, I nearly ate myself into a food coma.
I’d like to give a great big 573 shout out to Jeremy and Tammy for creating the wonderful meal today and to Taylor for the awesome drinks and amazing service! And now, I need a nap. Lol. Until next time 573 friends, be happy, be healthy, be well!
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