Where Are You Going? Illinois!
November 20, 2020
Spending time with family during the holidays this year may look a little different than years past—but somehow, we are still making it work. It’s a longstanding Mauck tradition for my dad’s side of the family to meet in Springfield, Illinois for a week of playing card games, eating way too much food, and taking walks in the cold. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, my family has decided to make the road trip for the first time in five years. Needless to say, I am very excited, and would like to showcase some of the places we will be visiting on the way up from Atlanta, Georgia.
I come from a family that loves good food, so our first stop will be Uncle Larry’s Restaurant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Uncle Larry’s is known for their famous fried fish, fried okra, fried green tomatoes, and pork chops. The owner, Larry Torrence was encouraged to open a restaurant by his family members in 2013 with the slogan “Fish so good it will smack you”. As a lover of all things seafood, I am excited to try the fried fish, along with some southern comfort sides.
After eating at Uncle Larry’s, we will definitely need some coffee, which brings us to Steadfast Coffee in Nashville, Tennessee. Steadfast is known for the creativity and thought they put into their coffee concoctions. Steadfast offers a variety of drinks including flash-chilled coffee, rested drinks, and matchless coffee soda. Their signature drink is called the Atlas, which is comprised of black coffee and a flavorful orange cream. I tend to be a pretty boring coffee drinker, so I can’t wait to try some unique and unusual drinks at Steadfast Coffee.
Once we make it to St. Louis, Missouri, we will be making a stop at The Missouri Baking Company to get some treats for the family. This company offers a wide variety of seasonal baked goods that are perfect gifts for the family. My parents plan on purchasing the Cinnamon Pull Aparts, along with some pumpkin muffins for the cousins. Although I have never been to The Missouri Baking Company, my grandma raves about this place, so I am looking forward to trying it for the first time.
Last but not least, once we make it to Springfield, the family will be dining at D’Arcy’s Pint. It’s a tradition for the uncles to eat at D’Arcy’s Pint, but I have been tagging along since I was 14-years-old. Their signature dish is the horse shoe, which is comprised of Texas Toast, topped with meat, a pile of fries, and smothered in cheese and toppings of your choice. It’s hard to explain how good this dish is, and I look forward to it every year.
It’s been a crazy year, and I am grateful for the opportunity to spend time with my family this holiday season. I think we are all in need of some quality time with our loved ones, so be safe, be careful, and don’t forget to make the most of this Thanksgiving break.
Sources:
https://www.unclelarrysrestaurant.com/about.html
https://www.facebook.com/The-Missouri-Baking-Company-304406429586958/
https://darcyspintonline.sslsafetech.com/menu-gift-cards
Written by Madelyn Mauck
Madelyn is a Senior studying Business Administration: Project Management. She enjoys writing for the blog, not only because it helps her develop as a creative writer, but because it gives her a chance to share her experiences through a platform she would not have without Student Activities.