When you love food, it’s only natural to share that inclination with others — it’s what foodies do. And that’s what my blogging friend, Missy, and her husband, John, have been doing since January 2nd – serving up platefuls of home cookin’ with generous sides of love.
It began as a dream to own a restaurant…
Known for her tasty quantity cooking at church dinners and the like, Missy mused, “Why not turn that into a living?” Several months and lots of hard work later, the Main Street Cafe in Agra, Oklahoma opened under new management, and the rest is culinary history.
Situated 45 minutes north of I-40/Shawnee on Highway 18 (just up the road from Route 66), ”Look for the oldest building in town,” says Missy. A warm welcome awaits. And some dang good chili.
Actually, the food was SO good, I forgot to take pictures of it! (Well, most of it.) Let’s just say that Missy’s burgers make Big Macs look like sliders. And the fries… oh my.
In addition to standard lunchtime fare, Missy will be cooking up daily specials, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner six days a week. (That’s a lot of cooking!) With the only restaurant for miles around, this food-loving couple is destined for success.
To celebrate opening, customers were treated to complimentary homemade pie…
It was a tough call… lemon meringue, key lime, chocolate cream, coconut cream — or cobbler? (I picked lemon meringue; The Man Of Few Words had apple cobbler.) No doubt, word will get around – this is the food that feeds mainstream America.
I’m proud of Missy and John for following their hearts.
In 2012, their dream became a reality.
And their sign aptly says:
Or… as Missy says:
When you have a minute, please stop by Missy’s website and congratulate her on living the foodie dream. Although she won’t have much time for blogging now, I’m sure she and John would appreciate the encouragement – it’s what foodies do. (Thanks!)
Celebrating dreams come true,
~ Kim
Oh I love this! For so many reasons. We foodies need to follow our dreams. And our hearts. I will absolutely stop by that website!
By: Sue Ann Gleason on January 6, 2012
at 2:13 pm
I’ve found that dreams are easier to follow and more possible to achieve when encouraged by friends. :) Thanks, Sue Ann!
By: Kimby on January 7, 2012
at 7:52 am
I always think opening a restaurant takes so much courage…Congrats to Missy and I always leave my diet at the door LOL
By: Michael Richardson on January 6, 2012
at 3:40 pm
Me, too, Mike! :) Since you work in the food service industry, you certainly know what goes on behind the scenes and what it takes to keep it going. Thanks for your spot on comment!
By: Kimby on January 7, 2012
at 8:01 am
What a fantastic post! I love ‘Leave your diet at the door!’. I’m not a ‘healthy’ resolution person (I eat healthy as best I can, I just don’t make resolutions lol) Congrats to Missy for opening such a great restaurant – realizing her dream…the food looks awesome! Wishing you and yours a wonderful 2012 with lots of love, laughter and prosperity!!
By: Lisa on January 6, 2012
at 5:52 pm
Sounds like we approach food pretty much the same way, Lisa! ;) Eating healthy one day at a time is more realistic and attainable than projecting “shoulds” into the murky future — basically, “Take care of yourself today, and tomorrow will take care of itself.” I never know what I’m going to be hungry for from one day to the next, but the next time I want a really good burger & fries, I’ll be heading back to Missy’s! Happy New Year to you, too!
By: Kimby on January 7, 2012
at 8:09 am
I love love this post! Wat a wonderful tribute to your friend Missy! What a dream come true: owning a restaurant ! As usual you have brought s a great post :) I couldn’t comment on your portabella post (error on my phone) but I can’t wait to try it!
By: Heather / basilmomma on January 6, 2012
at 8:29 pm
Thanks, Heather! It’s just so neat to see someone turn a dream into reality — couldn’t help writing about it, especially when it concerns FOOD. :)
By: Kimby on January 7, 2012
at 8:11 am
I can’t imagine how cool that is for her! Everything that you did photograph looked delicious!
By: Ann on January 7, 2012
at 12:40 am
Ann, thanks for your sweet comments — always a day brightener to “see” you around foodie world! :)
By: Kimby on January 7, 2012
at 8:12 am
What a sweet post for your friend.. Yes dreams do come true if we follow our heart! Congrats to Missy for her courage!
Thanks for making time to visit my blog a few weeks ago, was too swarm with stuff to visit and personally thank you. May you have a blessed 2012!
By: Shannon | Just As Delish on January 7, 2012
at 8:55 am
Shannon, it seemed like the end of the year just FLEW by and this one is off and running, too. :) Thanks for taking the time to comment — I’m so glad you did!
By: Kimby on January 9, 2012
at 7:45 am
Thank you for sharing the great dream come true story! It’s very inspiring to see someone is following their heart and passion! I love the sign at the door! =)
By: Nami | Just One Cookbook on January 7, 2012
at 6:22 pm
Hi, Nami! Yes, that sign brought a smile to my face, too. Good humor is a part of good cooking — and good eating! :)
By: Kimby on January 9, 2012
at 7:47 am
What a wonderful post! And looks like such a great place :)
By: magicofspice on January 7, 2012
at 7:38 pm
I was tickled to go to Missy & John’s one-of-a-kind place — there are fewer and fewer of those around with so many “chain” restaurants edging out the independents. Hooray for entrepreneurs following their dreams!
By: Kimby on January 9, 2012
at 7:51 am
Hey, I love the settings & certainly wish I’ll have the chance to sample their food. I admire their courage to dream big & follow their hearts.
“Where friends meet” …. absolutely cool! Congrats to Missy & John!
By: Shirley Tay on January 8, 2012
at 12:42 am
Thanks, Shirley! Missy & I met via “food blog world” — it’s where friends meet, too! :)
By: Kimby on January 9, 2012
at 7:53 am
I love when friends find and follow their dreams! Great post and great writing as always! :)
By: Isabelle at home on January 8, 2012
at 8:56 am
Many thanks, Isabelle! May your dreams come true in 2012, too! :)
By: Kimby on January 9, 2012
at 7:54 am
by the way: lemon meringue pie is Mr. Man’s favorite! I still have to learn how to make it….well a good one that is! ;)
By: Isabelle at home on January 8, 2012
at 8:56 am
I told the Man Of Few Words I’d drive back there any day for another piece of that pie — it was delish! Missy said she’d send me the recipe….
By: Kimby on January 9, 2012
at 7:56 am
How wonderful! It looks like a great, cozy, down-home place, and I wish them success!
By: Jenna on January 9, 2012
at 11:12 am
Thanks, Jenna! I love walking into a place that ‘feels’ like you want to hang out there often. Good food, good friends!
By: Kimby on January 12, 2012
at 8:12 am
Outstanding! That’s so brave and I’m they’ll do fantastic :) Us Oklahomas loooooove to eat
By: Parsley Sage on January 10, 2012
at 8:25 am
That we do! :) Loved your underwater tour of the Caymans this morning — I wonder if the bottom of Lake Eufaula looks like that?
By: Kimby on January 12, 2012
at 8:14 am
Looks like I’d have a hard time deciding what to order there! I do know that I’d be trying the coconut cream pie for sure! Love stories on foodies following their dreams.
By: Robin @ Simply Simply Southern Baking on January 10, 2012
at 11:37 am
Robin, coconut cream was my second choice. What am I saying?! All of them were my first choice! :) Thanks for your comments.
By: Kimby on January 12, 2012
at 8:23 am
Kimby, I can understand when you say, “it’s a tough call” to choose from such a mouthwatering menu! And like you, sometimes I am so engaged in eating that I forget to click pictures!! Great post!
http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com
By: Purabi Naha on January 11, 2012
at 10:23 am
I like that, Purabi — “engaged in eating!” Glad to know I’m not the only one… :)
By: Kimby on January 12, 2012
at 8:26 am
Thank you for sharing an inspiring story of a dream that came true. I will keep in mind to visit Missy while visiting Oklahoma. Love that quote that hangs on the door, ” Leave your diet at the door”
By: balvinder ( Neetu) on January 11, 2012
at 9:39 pm
That would be so cool and I know Missy would appreciate it! If/when you get over this way, give me a shout. I love meeting blogging friends!
By: Kimby on January 12, 2012
at 8:28 am
I love this post because:
a.) You’re helping a friend by spreading the word, and
b.) Her chili has no beans! Okie-style.
Kimby, I’m including this in My Exciting Weekend today to help spread it further.
By: Sid (@SidMILB) on January 15, 2012
at 10:25 am
Sid, thank YOU for spreading the word! Your support of my friend is much appreciated. I agree with you, too — chili without beans is the BEST! :)
By: Kimby on January 15, 2012
at 5:09 pm
Kimby, thank you so much for the awesome post about my cafe! It has been an exciting 2 weeks and I’m still loving it! I have to say burgers are the #1 seller around here, the home marinated/battered chunk chicken is picking in popularity. And thanks to all who commented on this post with positive feedback! I really appreciate it and hope if you ever get to visit Agra, OK, you’ll stop in and holler at me and tell me Kimby sent you! Kim, here it is, http://allrecipes.com/recipe/grandmas-lemon-meringue-pie/. I LOVE allrecipes.com, I find SO many of my recipes there!
P.S. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Main-Street-Cafe/316485468373969 here is my cafe fb page if you want to follow daily specials and anything else going on here at the cafe!
By: Missy~ on January 15, 2012
at 2:14 pm
Missy, there will be a lot of happy people reading your reply! Thanks for the Facebook link, too — will check it out right after this. By the way, I said (in a comment above) that I’d drive back for your pie, but I’d drive back for that “Huh” burger, too! :) I love that you toast the hamburger buns… I understand why they’re a top seller! Best wishes to you & John and WOOHOO for still living (and loving!) your foodie dream!
By: Kimby on January 15, 2012
at 5:16 pm