Taste of the Four States

 

A Timeless Classic:

Club 609 will never go out of style

 

By Savanah Mandeville

 

Since Linda Williams opened the restaurant in September 1990, the popularity of Club 609 has never waned. When my parents first moved to Joplin in the early ‘90s, they were regulars of Club 609, and they’ve told me stories about how there was always a line out the door on Friday and Saturday nights.

 

Pay a visit to Club 609 any night of the week now, and it’s easy to see it has stood the test of time. Club 609 is a timeless staple of downtown Joplin, and it’s a timeless staple of my life, as well. It’s where I first met my boyfriend six years ago, and it’s also where my I met my best friend, Krystal, during Third Thursday in October 2015.

 

On a chilly November afternoon, I met up with Krystal and another girlfriend, Laken, at Club 609 for a late lunch. It was cold and drizzly outside, but inside it was warm and inviting with Club 609’s Christmas decorations bedazzling the urban-chic interior. And we knew some scrumptious food from the talented Chef Michael was exactly what we needed to beat the cold.

We started off with an order of South Main Crostini. Oh man, there’s no way I can do the South Main Crostini justice with words – it’s that good. It comes with eight little toasts topped with tenderloin, blue cheese, spinach, caramelized onions and balsamic glaze. The buttery flavor of the bread mixed with the savory flavors of the toppings create a melt-in-your-mouth combination.

 

Laken ordered the grilled shrimp and veggie salad with a glass of the Josh Cellars Sauvignon Blanc. Her salad was a beautiful rainbow of fresh corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper and spring mix topped with oil and vinegar. She said it paired perfectly with the fresh, citrusy flavors of the wine.

 

Krystal ordered Main Street “Prime” Ribeye and a glass of the Ghost Pines Cabernet Sauvignon. Club 609 uses only the highest-quality, prime grade meats, and the herb-encrusted Main Street ribeye topped with scallops and garlic scampi is a sight to behold. It comes with two sides; she went with the asparagus and the flash-fried parmesan spinach. The flash-fried spinach is a longtime 609 favorite, and I can see why. I honestly didn’t know you could make spinach taste so good.

 

I am a huge fan of Southern food and pasta, so whenever I see a restaurant has Cajun pasta, I order it. I can safely say the Cajun seafood pasta at 609 is the best I’ve had. It comes in a massive bowl filled with penne pasta tossed in a spicy red pepper Cajun cream sauce and piled up with scallops, shrimp, andouille sausage, Portobello mushrooms, green chilies, red peppers and little slices of garlic bread. So basically all my favorite foods in one bowl. For dessert, I ordered the raspberry swirl cheesecake (my other weakness) with a French martini for the perfect little sweet treat to finish off the meal before heading back out in the cold.

 

For your next date night or special occasion, look no further than Club 609. This beloved family owned-and-operated restaurant, with its classic style and next-level food, will fulfill your every wish.