We are just over half way through 2025 and I have sampled my way through more restaurants and menus that I can keep track of, but there are some dishes that I continue to want each week. These are dishes that I feel are my favorites so far in 2025, and I think they could be your favorite as well!
The City Greek Salad from Greek Belly
This is the salad that other salads dream they could be! The City Greek Salad consists of Romain, tomato, cucumber, red onion, parsley, crumbled feta, Greek seasoning and topped off with Greek extra-virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar. I ordered the large and added a side of tzatziki to go with the pita bread. It’s the perfect mix of crisp lettuce, fresh cut veggies, with a huge helping of feta and I added the gyro meat for the perfect salad! It’s so fresh, light, a great blend of flavors, that I absolutely love.
Address: 320 E. Walnut St., Springfield
All the smoked meats from Hog-Tide-BBQ
I am always up for a drive for good food, but the drive from Ozark to Aurora is a drive that I will make with a smile on my face, because I know I am about to devour some of the best BBQ in the 417. The turkey and the chicken were absolutely wonderful, typically these meats can be very dry, but these were quite the opposite, and I honestly would order that turkey in a heartbeat again, it’s so juicy! Both the burnt ends and the jalapeño cheddar sausage were a table favorite and those were the first to go, plus those ribs were super tender! Knowing that the owner has perfected his smoked meats from being on the competition circuit for more than a decade before he even opened his restaurant told me more than I needed to know, and you can taste the hard work and dedication he has poured into his menu.
Address: 22020 S. Wolfe Road #1200, Aurora
T.H.E SPECIAL from The Hibachi Experience
I often check the schedule for food trucks at the 4 by 4 Brewery location in Nixa. The moment I see that The Hibachi Experience is there, that means I am there! There is always a line and you are guaranteed a wait, but that has never detoured me because I have to have the hibachi that they are slinging! My go-to is T.H.E SPECIAL. I'm talking steak, chicken, shrimp, fried rice, vegetables, noodles, and two sauces. The secret to the sauces is getting a regular yum yum and a spicy yum yum, because that spicy version brings the heat! I can make two meals out of this order, there is so much food! If you are a lover of spicy yum yum sauce, then you must try theirs! It’s made with chipotle and red peppers and brings a big ol' kick of heat! The meal is packed with flavor, especially if you had a fried egg and even an extra scoop of butter on top. So next time you see them popped up, grab something to drink, enjoy the music, and bask in the smell of all that great food coming your way.
Tiger Tears from SOAL Kitchen
I love a good food truck, which I am sure you can tell by now, and I typically will always order something different every time I visit. I make an exception anytime I see that the Tiger Tears are the special at SOAL Kitchen! Thin shaved beef, with onion, cilantro, and peppers. There is a reason they nicknamed it Tiger Tears, because it brings the HEAT! The beef is super tender, but the flavor packs a punch! It’s savory, it’s slightly sweet, and super spicy! It is served cold, and you eat it with sticky rice. I will go out of my way for these Tiger Tears everyday.
Chilaquiles Torta from Tortuga Torta
I am now and have forever been a breakfast food fan. So the moment my taste buds were introduced to a new portable way to eat chilaquiles, I was hooked. The Chilaquiles Torta from Tortuga Torta is what I dream about eating every Sunday in my car for brunch. The Al Pastor is made in-house with pork shoulder that is marinated in sweet and savory adobo. The chips are crispy, with a great bite of acid from the tomatillo sauce, and they are all snuggled in their famous turtle shell pressed torta! Drizzle on all of their house made hot sauces for a great portable breakfast, that I love!
More Resources
