We used to go on road trips at least once a year, but then our life changed and we don't have the opportunity to get out there.

Besides looking for cheap but lovely places to stay each night, we look for what the Food Network now refers to as diners, drive-ins, and dives. At first, Mr. Traveltales wasn't as enthused about this as I was because he would be happy eating at McDonald's all the time. But after several nice meals he converted, and looked forward to searching these places out.

One of my favorites is

Lambert's Cafe
The Only Home of Throwed Rolls

"People who visit Lambert's Cafe for the first time are invariably amazed at the generous portions served on each order. These generous servings along with our "THROWED ROLLS" have inspired many questions. We cannot describe our activity in great detail, but we've endeavored to point out some of the highlights of our "Throwed Rolls" cafe. "

Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston, Missouri.


Vegetable Plate
Choose any four vegetables from the vegetable selection below and of course ol' Norm's pass-arounds.

Something Southern
All the white beans a body can eat with your choice of ham or bologna and 2 vegetables served with a King Edwards cigar or Big Red chewing gum.

Chicken Gizzards
All the good chewy gizzards a body can hold and 2 vegetables of your choice.

Chicken Livers
Livers dredged in seasoned flour and cooked with mushroom gravy. Served with your choice of 2 vegetables.

Chicken Wings
A heaping plate of fried chicken wings and 2 vegetables of your choice.

Golden Fried Chicken
A generous amount of grade "A" fried chicken. Choice of 2 vegetables.

Chicken and Dumplings
Try our delicious chicken and dumplings, plus 2 vegetables from our vegetable selection.

Chicken Fried Round Steak
Really - the old fashioned round steak! Rooster and Hen cut served with mashed potatoes covered with milk gravy and served with your choice of 2 vegetables and ol' Norm's goodies!!! Available in Hen Cut 11 oz. or Rooster Cut 16 oz.

Beef Liver and Onions
Fresh 100% beef liver smothered in onions and gravy, 2 vegetables of your choice.

Meatloaf
100% beef. Made from scratch every day, with your choice of 2 vegetables.

Roast Beef
Large portion of pot roast made with 100% beef, like mama makes, with choice of 2 vegetables.

Hamburger Steak
Excellent - One full pound of ground thick and juicy 100% sirloin beef smothered with gravy, bell peppers, mushrooms, fresh onions and tomatoes plus choice of 2 vegetables. Served in a skillet!

Hog Jowl
A large serving of sliced jowl with your choice of 2 vegetables.

Barbecue Pork Steak
A large fresh barbecue pork steak (from a real nice ol' hog). Choice of 2 vegetables.

Pork Chops
You choose, smoked or battered and deep fried. Served with your choice of 2 vegetables.

Polish Sausage & Kraut
Two vegetables and all of the other pass-arounds!

XXL - Center Cut Ham
JUST EXCELLENT! The old-fashioned bone-in-center sliced ham. Served in a skillet with 2 vegetables and ol' Norm's pass-arounds.

Country Ham
This ham is as tough as a Drill Sergeant!! A nice slice of salt-cured ham straight from the smokehouse and served with 2 vegetables.

VEGETABLES
Baked Potato, Candied Yams, Cottage Cheese, Baby Carrots, Cole Slaw, Turnip Greens, Sliced Peaches, Corn, Baked Beans, White Beans, Green Beans, Sliced Beets, Fried Apples, Homemade Mashed Potatoes, Potato Salad, Cold Chunky Applesauce, Pineapple Walnut Salad, Cucumbers & Onions

OUR PASS-AROUNDS
Fried Potatoes & Onions, Macaroni & Tomatoes, Black-Eyed Peas, Fried Okra, Hot Rolls & Sorghum


The pass-arounds are served by roaming waiters whom you flag down. There is no additional charge for them.

But the hot rolls are the thing - fresh out of the oven, they are big and yummy. Pans of them are wheeled into the dining room on carts and the waiters stand there on the edge of the room and throw, yes, literally throw them, at the customers.

It's so much fun.