Category: News and Features

Posted in News and Features

Find Coffee, Treats, and More at Strike Axe Coffee & Tasting Room in Rosebud

Posted on by Amanda

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I spent a Saturday exploring the cute town of Rosebud. The goal for the trip was to try a new coffee shop I’d seen on Facebook, do some antiquing, and grab a bite to eat.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing more details about all the spots we visited on that Saturday, but the focus of this post will be on my experience at the town’s coffee shop. A few months back, I’d heard some buzz online about Strike Axe Coffee & Tasting Room coming to Rosebud and since my love of coffee knows no bounds, I am always down to drive great distances to try out a new place.

In terms of ambiance, I love that Strike Axe is in a historical building that once housed the town’s bank.

The outside of Strike Axe Coffee & Tasting Room. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

The inside is quite cozy and features exposed brick on some of the walls, vintage furniture like a mustard hued couch, cozy chairs, a bank of old post office boxes, and a few tables. There’s also a vault inside, a carryover from the days when the building was a bank, that has been repurposed into a small room that houses apparel.

The inside of the coffee shop features vintage furniture, exposed brick, and a number of tables. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

We ordered iced lattes, size large, because go big or go home. And we split a cinnamon roll. There were other pastry selections, but if I’m going to indulge in something sweet for breakfast I love a cinnamon roll, and the one we had at Strike Axe was delightfully soft, with creamy icing, and it was served slightly warm.

In addition to the coffee and pastries, the establishment also has a refrigerated section where they sell take and bake meals like lasagna and meatloaf. And since the owners raise their own beef, the shop also carries a variety of cuts of locally raised beef, featuring everything from ground beef to steaks, roasts, and brisket. I wanted to purchase some meat, but I didn’t have a cooler and I knew it would be hours before I got home to my fridge.

It was really busy when we arrived, which is expected for mid-morning on a Saturday, so I didn’t get a chance to chat with the owner about the concept as well as their meat selections. Hopefully I can arrange some time to chat with them on my next visit, as well as purchase some meat to take home.

The Socialite recommends Strike Axe Coffee & Tasting Room!

The details:
215 Highway 50 , Rosebud
Find Strike Axe on Facebook

Posted in News and Features

Coal Fire Grill & Tap in Labadie Serves Burgers, Smoked Meat Sandwiches, and Classic Sides

Posted on by Amanda

Although I don’t get to Labadie often, whenever I am in the area, I try to stop into a cute bar and grill called Coal Fire Grill & Tap. The menu offers casual dining options like burgers, house-smoked pulled pork, Cuban and Rueben sandwiches. The sides are some of my favorites, like crispy fries, baked beans, and potato salad, to name a few.

On my most recent visit I ordered one of my favorite burgers ever, the patty melt. The Coal Fire version, called The Frisco Melt, plays up all the classic flavors that make this option such a hit for me: a juicy burger, caramelized onions, and Swiss cheese, served on toasted marble rye with a side of thousand island dressing.

The Frisco Melt at Coal Fire Grill & Tap. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

In addition to the sandwiches, there’s also pizza, wraps, and salads to choose from. And, the eatery typically has a number of daily specials and on the day we visited, one of the specials was a bourbon glazed ribeye sandwich. My husband ordered the steak sandwich, which was very tender and was served on a sturdy hoagie style bun.

A ribeye sandwich was one of the restaurant’s daily specials. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

Although I love The Frisco Melt, I’ve also ordered a couple of their other burgers on past visits and have been impressed with both The Stackhouse, which is a burger topped with pulled pork, bacon, cheese, and onion straws, and the Black & Bleu, which is a burger served with Bleu cheese crumbles.

For drinks, there’s soft drinks like sodas, plus a full bar and a decent selection of beers on tap, and there’s even ice cream for dessert, although I never save room for it! If you get out to Labadie, give the restaurant a try.

The Socialite recommends Coal Fire Grill & Tap!

The details:
120 Front Street, Labadie
Find the restaurant on Facebook

Posted in News and Features

Where to Dine Along the Katy Trail

Posted on by Amanda

During the summertime I love to be outside. Yes, this time of year can be hot and muggy, and you may encounter your fair share of insects during a Missouri summer, but you can also hit trails, swim in rivers, creeks, and lakes, and take in nature.  And since Franklin County is near the Katy Trail, it provides the perfect opportunity to walk, jog, or bike on the scenic trail. However, if you’re anything like me, all that fresh air, sunshine, and movement can make you hungry and thirsty. 

If you’ve never ventured off the trail for food or drinks, please find some suggestions of places to visit that are near the Katy Trail trailheads that are in the Warren, Franklin, and St. Charles County areas.

On the Warren County side at the Marthasville Trailhead, you’ll want to make sure you hit Depot Street and stop by Country Grounds Coffee Shop for an iced coffee, tea, energy drink, or pastry.

Country Grounds Coffee Shop in Marthasville serves coffee, energy drinks, and teas. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

And if you’re hungry for an actual meal, then you’ll also want to check out Philly’s Pizza or Mavericks, both of which are also located on Depot Street in Marthasville. Or, head up First Street to Cory’s Twin Gables, at the corner of First Street and Highway 94.

And on the Franklin County side of the Katy Trail check out Dutzow Deli. You can see this eatery from the Dutzow Trailhead, and its menu features breakfast items, sandwiches, salads and a variety of other meal choices.

If you want to adventure further along the trail into St. Charles County, you can venture into the Defiance and Augusta areas. In Defiance, you will find Good News Brewing, located parallel to the trail. The brewery serves craft beer as well as small bites like wood-fired pizza. There’s also Circle 6, serving items like burgers and fries. 

Just a short distance off the Augusta Trailhead, you’ll find a number of choices, like Augusta Winery, Good News Brewing’s Augusta location, Root Food + Wine, and Augusta Bakery & Coffee Shop. 

The Socialite suggests you stop into some of these small locally owned coffee shops and restaurants the next time you’re on the Katy Trail. 

Posted in News and Features

The Ramblin’ Rooster Food Truck is Serving Up Chicken Sandwiches, Strips, and Wings

Posted on by Amanda

I love supporting local food trucks and one in particular has been on my radar for a long time, and that truck is Ramblin’ Rooster. Serving fried chicken items like wings, chicken sandwiches, and chicken strips, the menu also features slaw, fries, and mac and cheese, plus snacks, like fried pickles, hush puppies, and fried mushrooms, and kid meals. 

Recently I was at an event and the Ramblin’ Rooster food truck happened to be there too and I just knew that I had to try it. And I’m so glad I did. As I read through the menu options, I admit I debated a bit on what to order, but that was okay because I had plenty of time to kill since there was a long line. I don’t say that to complain. I view long food lines, especially when people are often waiting outside in the elements, as a sign that the food is off the charts good!

And as I looked through the menu options one sandwich choice stuck out to me since I am a sucker for that delicious creamy Southern treat known as pimento cheese, and when I saw the pimento cheese chicken sandwich, I was all about it.

The Pimento Picker chicken sandwich comes with fried onions, pickles, and a slathering of pimento cheese. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

The sandwich combines a tender, flavorful chicken breast complete with creamy pimento cheese, pickles, and fried onions, served on a soft, brioche bun. I ordered my sandwich with fries and a side of ranch for dunking, because ranch dressing is one of the things that makes life wonderful.

Fries with a side of ranch. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

My husband ordered the wings with no sides, because he’s that serious. I think I’ve shared this before but it bears repeating: my husband is wild about wings. Side note, you’ll probably see us sampling all the deliciousness at Wing Fest this September in Union. They came just the way he likes ’em, well sauced and fried until nicely golden. My husband loved the wings, and he even let me try one. Guys, he really loves me! Joking aside, they were really yummy, tender chicken inside, but slightly crispy on the outside.

Wings tossed in buffalo sauce. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

There’s a number of sauces for your wings, like the Asian zinger, buffalo, and BBQ, to name a few. He chose the buffalo sauce which I thought had a unique depth of flavor, with a hint of smokiness rather than lots of heat. Hubs said he’s never straying from ordering the wings, (he liked them that much!). However, my next order will be the chicken strips and mac and cheese, which looked divine. 

If you see the Ramblin’ Rooster at an event, run don’t walk, to try their chicken! Be sure to follow the Ramblin’ Rooster on Facebook to stay up to date on where to find the delicious eats.

 The Socialite recommends Ramblin’ Rooster food truck.