EAST AND WEST
SIDE
Preconceived notions can be
a dangerous thing – especially in the world of food. Some of the best cuisine
lies in unexpected places – from a hole-in-the-wall diner, to a former fast
food joint turned sushi bar to a place known first and foremost for its “service.”
What do you think of when you hear the name “Show-Me’s?” Yes, adorable scantily-clad
servers… But, Show-Me’s isn’t all bark and no bite! I was pleasantly surprised
to learn that the food at Show-Me’s is topnotch and there is entertainment
every night of the week.
Stephen Hazett Jr., co-owner of both the new East side
location and the West side location, and our very sweet server greeted the N4U
taste testers. Being only 20º outside, I asked our server if she stayed cold
throughout the winter months and she assured me that she did too much running
at work to get cold! I’m sure she hears that question all the time.
When Stephen asked if we liked seafood, I knew we’d be in
for a treat. While we waited, we toured the new East side location located in
the former Nick’s Pizza & Wings behind Showplace Cinemas. The new location
features a large family area complete with video games and plenty of TVs – 54
to be exact – perfect if your kids are too old for GattiTown or Chuck E. Cheese
but not old enough for the nightlife scene. There was also an enclosed smoking
section for those 18 and older and a separate bar section for patrons 21 and
older.
Our tour was cut short by the seafood gumbo that was
placed on our table. With crab meat, shrimp, rice and an eclectic blend of
spices, it was a true Cajun delight for us northerners! The gumbo was punchy
but did not overpower the seafood flavors that gave the gumbo a nice twist.
While we waited on our next appetizer, I glanced at a
Lunch Specials menu on our table. Show-Me’s offers nine special lunches for
$5.95 or under including fried grouper, 10 wings and Sanibel strips. Carryout
service is available from 11-3 p.m., Monday – Friday.
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$1 14 oz. Draft Beer Everyday!
$3.50 – 10 Wings (3-6 p.m. and 9-close Monday –
Saturday and all day Sunday)
SHOW-ME’S IS A GREAT PLACE TO EAT DURING THE LENT
SEASON!
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The next appetizer was something I had never been brave
enough to try – oysters on the half shell. Raw oysters… My dining companion,
Keith, informed me that Show-Me’s doesn’t cheat – each oyster comes in its own
shell, not reused shells. I began to feel like the walrus in Alice in Wonderland who talks of
cabbages and kings as I scooped a fresh oyster from its armor and gently placed
it on a cracker with horseradish, cocktail sauce and fresh lemon. Down the
hatch it went and though I can’t honestly say I consumed a second oyster,
everyone at the table snarfed down the whole plate and assured me they were
“awesome!”
What came out next will forever haunt my stomach. A mound
of fresh steamed snow crab legs and claws seemed to rise from the table and
motion for me to come and eat them. Graphic, I know… but sweet snow crab has
always been a weakness of mine. Each piece broke without the use of the cracker
and the meat was so fresh it pulled effortlessly from its casing. Dipped in
warm butter and sprinkled with fresh lemon juice, I could honestly say my heaven would serve Show-Me’s crab legs at
least five times a week. After you eat their crab legs, scantily-clad servers
won’t be the first thing you think of when you hear “Show-Me’s” – it will be
“seafood.” And, with the season of Lent coming up, quality seafood will be a
must to thousands of tri-staters! Two pounds of crab legs were only $16.99 – a
deal unmatched in the city.
Tearing myself away from the crab legs that were
beckoning me proved to be quite a personal test of will but I knew I had to
trudge forward. Another mound came to our table but this time; it was a plate
full of wings. Show-Me’s is famous for the top-secret breading on its infamous
wings that were “conjured by NASA engineers.” And, Show-Me’s runs a wing
special – every Monday through Saturday from 3-6 p.m. and 9-close, and all day
Sunday, you can get 10 wings spun in choice of sauce for only $3.50.
“Dipped in warm butter and sprinkled with fresh lemon
juice, I could honestly say my heaven would serve Show-Me’s crab legs at least
five times a week.”
Finally, we ended our meal with a tasting of Show-Me’s
Sanibel Shrimp. “Sanibel” means spun in sauce and ours were spun in spicy BBQ.
I highly suggest this sweet and succulent sauce as it literally frolics on the
taste buds.
Show-Me’s East is a very clean, appealing restaurant with
quality food, a friendly staff and plenty of entertainment. In the warmer
months, Show-Me’s East will open their 3,000 sq ft patio that will be complete
with eight 50” LCD TVs, dart boards and a pool table. It will be open to all
ages. Show-Me’s East also offers a private glassed-in atrium that is perfect
for your personal occasion. The cost for renting the room is free with food
purchase. According to Stephen, “We didn’t think it was fair to charge people
to use that room when they are purchasing food.”
We left our food review with a new perspective on a restaurant
we had once thought was known only for its servers. We learned Show-Me’s serves
stellar food at a very fair price. As we left, a smokin’ hot wait staff waived
us good-bye – telling us to, “Keep warm out there!” Isn’t that ironic…
