Posted in News and Features

Grab Some Excellent Food and Margs at Que Pasa in Union

Whether I’ve had a long, tough day, or we’re celebrating the big and small wins in our household, Mexican food is always our choice. While I don’t think I have ever met a Mexican restaurant I didn’t like, some places just keep drawing me back again and again.

Que Pasa in Union is one of those spots! The staff is always warm and welcoming, and the service is speedy, which just makes the fact that their food is delicious even better. For starters, I love their salsa, with its balance of flavors, and the crispy, warm tortilla chips that accompany it.

I tend to be a creature of habit when it comes to Mexican food, and so is my hubby, who can’t get enough of their nachos. My go to order is typically taco salad with ground beef, but don’t let the word salad fool you here. It’s loaded up with lots of meat, shredded lettuce, and cheese, and it’s large enough that I can rarely eat the whole thing in one sitting.

When I don’t go the salad route, I really enjoy their tacos. I know, I have such a diverse palette. The combination plates are also excellent and typically are big enough to share, or provide you with an additional meal to take home. I am not much of a drinker, but in the sweltering summer months, nothing hits the spot like a strawberry daquiri, (non-alcoholic, please).

Four soft shell tacos on a plate with rice and refried beans.
Tacos with beans and rice. Photo via Que Pasa’s Facebook.

My hubby’s order never deviates: the full order of their nachos that comes loaded with gooey queso, shredded chicken, ground beef, refried beans, and topped with shredded lettuce, sour cream, and tomato. He also adds jalapeños, cause he likes to sweat while he eats. We always have enough for a second meal the next day, since he doesn’t mind it being reheated in the oven at home.

He loves to pair the nachos with a margarita, on the rocks with salt.

Margarita in a Mason jar
Beverages like margaritas are served in Mason jars at Que Pasa. How fun is that? Photo via Que Pasa’s Facebook.

Now, I am one of those people who can’t tolerate the taste of tequila, and don’t even get me started on how dead-set I am against consuming extra salt via the salted rim of a glass. However, I find that the margs at Que Pasa are excellent, not too sweet, not too tart. Although I could never drink a whole one myself, from time to time, we will get the larger size and I will enjoy a few sips, from a straw, because see above feelings about salted rims!

The Socialite recommends Que Pasa!

The details:
116 S. Oak St., Union, MO.
Follow them on Facebook

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in Franklin County March 24 – March 30, 2025

There’s a lot happening this week across Franklin County, including numerous ways to give back to our community through fundraisers, as well as fun and entertaining events like wine tastings, dance fitness classes, farmers and vendor markets, and much more!

Monday, March 24
Spring is here and it’s the perfect time for a wine tasting event featuring a variety of wines by Sunny With a Chance of Flowers, a brand with a line of zero-sugar, low-calorie, low-alcohol wines, sustainably farmed and produced by a family-owned winery in Monterey County, California. The event is happening at Winehouse 66 in Pacific. Tickets available in advance, or at the door the evening of the event.
Learn more.

Photo via Winehouse 66’s Facebook event page.

Tuesday, March 25
Groove to Give and dance for a cause at Vero Fitness in Pacific! This group fitness dance party is open to gym members and non-members alike and will help support tornado victims in our community! All proceeds of the $20 donation for the class will go to local relief efforts. Childcare will be provided. 
Learn more

Tuesday, March 25
Bad Beats Dance Class is a fun way to get fit. This hour-long class will feature a blend of music genres and decades such as music from the 90s to present day, with dance moves that encompass Latin, jive, country, hip-hop, and more. Register for the class at badbeatsdf.com

Wednesday, March 26
If you can’t make the Tuesday class, there’s an additional Bad Beats Dance Class happening on Wednesday evenings each week. Register for the class at badbeatsdf.com

Wednesday, March 26
The Franklin County Silent Book Club is hosting its monthly meeting at underGROUNDS Espresso Bar in Washington. Bring your book of choice, order a beverage, and sit and read in companionable silence, followed by a short period dedication to conversation, or continued reading.
Learn more.

Wednesday, March 26
Every Wednesday is Karaoke Night at The Tipsy Keg. Belt out your favorite song, enjoy flash sales and drinks specials, plus happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. Kitchen is open until 9pm!
Find out more.

Thursday, March 27
Thirsty Thursdays are back across downtown Washington and Room for Art Gallery is one of many businesses participating in downtown Washington’s Thirsty Thursday event! The Gallery will host Oak & Front Kitchen + Bar for a wine tasting.
Find out more

Photo via Thirsty Thursday’s Facebook event page.

Friday, March 28
Learn how to make and use a sourdough starter, while also learning about sourdough’s amazing gut health benefits at this workshop that’s put on through Andy’s Produce in Washington.
Find out more and how to pay for the workshop.

Saturday, March 29
Dine to Donate at Little Ireland Coffee in Pacific, with a portion of proceeds benefitting baskets made for those going through cancer treatments at St. Luke’s Cancer Infusion Center. Get all the details.

Saturday, March 29
Patronize Scarlett’s Bar & Grill in St. Clair for a dine to donate event benefitting Devon McNew and his fight against cancer. The event will feature silent auctions, raffles, and live music performed by Devon. 
Find out more at the Facebook event.

Saturday, March 29
The Franklin County BackStoppers Dinner Auction is happening at the KC Hall in Washington. Learn more about the event at this Facebook event link.

Saturday, March 29
The Dueling Pianos Fundraiser in Union will feature Spanky Entertainment and will be a night of music and fun while raising money to help women in need in Franklin County.
Learn more and get tickets.

Freelance Services business ad
Ad purchased by Freelance Services – residential architecture and design services.
“My goal is to make your home your castle.”

Sunday, March 30
Free for guests, attendees of the Spring Helling’s Farm Animal Swap and Farm Supplies event can expect to find vendors with farmers market and artisan goods, as well as small animals and farm supplies. Food and drink available for purchase.
Find out more.

Sunday, March 30
This is Kaleidoscope Consignment’s first farmers market and craft fair of the year and it’s expected to be a busy one! Find items from local artisans and crafters like local honey, handmade jewelry, Scentsy, delicious food, sourdough baked goods, and more.
Get more details.

Sunday, March 30
Skip purchasing eggs to dye or hide this year, and learn to crochet eggs that can be used year after year at Yarn Together in Washington. 
Register here.

Posted in News and Features

Find Sandwiches and Sweets at Joe’s Bakery & Delicatessen in Washington

Tucked away on Main Street in downtown Washington, Joe’s Bakery & Delicatessen is a place to grab lunch to go or stick around and eat inside the cute dining area that features bits of nostalgia like a working cuckoo clock, old dairy milk pails that have been repurposed into a seat, and vintage-style stained glass lighting.

The menu is centered around delicatessen offerings like sandwiches, wraps, and a few rotating soup selections. Sides include chips, potato salad, or pasta salad. There’s also a wide variety of desserts like cookies, cakes, pies, tarts, and more.

Sandwiches include numerous classic deli offerings like clubs, a French dip, Reuben, and BLT and the wrap selections range from items like a chicken Caesar to chicken salad or a meatless option that is loaded with veggies like spinach, artichokes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more. Traditional salads like chef, Caesar, and Greek as well as a few others can be found on the menu.

When it comes to the sandwich choices, I can’t pass up The Angelo, dubbed “The Ultimate Italian Sub” by the establishment and with good reason. All truly epic sandwiches start with great bread, and since Joe’s bakes its bread fresh daily, the sub roll forms the perfect soft, pillowy foundation for this loaded Italian sandwich. The Angelo features a number of deli meats: Genoa salami, mortadella, smoked ham and roast beef, provel and parmesan cheeses, shredded lettuce, diced red peppers, red onions and artichoke hearts, plus it gets even more flavor from the Italian herb mayo and balsamic vinaigrette.

Italian sub cut in half with a side of potato salad in a styrofoam container
The Angelo Sub and potato salad. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz

Another favorite of mine is the Reuben, made with a generous amount of sliced corned beef, and topped with kraut, Thousand Island, and Swiss, and served on toasted rye. Although I keep promising myself I will branch out on a future visit and try the French dip or one of the two clubs offered (roasted turkey ranch or the standard variety), I just love the Italian sandwich a bit too much to pass it up when I’m there.

In addition to the food, what I really like about Joe’s is that there’s a big selection of desserts, yet they’re made in individual-sized portions, allowing you to get that satisfying feeling of finishing your meal with something sweet without leaving you feeling stuffed. The desserts often rotate and can be anything from small, personal-sized pies to little cakes, and cookies large enough to share, or nibble on throughout the day.

The Socialite recommends Joe’s Bakery & Delicatessen!

The details:
9 West Main St., Washington
Follow Joe’s on Facebook

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in Franklin County March 17 – March 23, 2025

Typically each Monday morning I create a post highlighting things to do around Franklin County for the week, and while I am still sharing some events, today I’m starting this article with a list of ways to help those in our community who need a hand due to the storms that hit our region on Friday, March 14.

Hands in varying skin tones forming a heart shape

If you know someone in need, or you’re looking for ways to help through donating items, below is a list of businesses that are collecting items for those in need. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and I don’t claim to know every organization, business, or individuals who are helping out, however, I am sharing what I’ve seen posted on Facebook.

And, since things can change rapidly, including what kind of donation items may be needed, I have included a link to each organization or business Facebook page so anyone interested in helping can connect with them directly.

Blessings Are Miracles is a non-profit organization that helps provide everyday essentials to those who need it.

The Competitive Edge Fitness in Union is offering free hot showers for anyone affected by the storms on Monday, March 17, regardless of if they’re a member of the gym or not. The gym is open to the public from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Red Cross of Missouri shared a list of area shelters by county for those displaced by the storm.

Present Moment Yoga in Washington shared a post that anyone affected by the storms can receive a free yoga class.

Stacked Coffeehouse in Villa Ridge has been collecting donations for those in need during business hours. View the shop’s Facebook for more details.

The Novel Nook in Washington while not open to the public yet, is serving as a drop-off site for donations. Since the store isn’t open just yet, definitely reach out via phone or Facebook to coordinate a drop-off time.

Project Linus of Franklin & Crawford County is an organization that collects new blankets for children in need. If you would like to donate new blankets to Project Linus, reach out to them to get details on what they need and to find a drop-off location.

1861 Social House Eatery & Bar in Washington is serving as a drop-off site for donations.

Now, here’s the list of the events happening around Franklin County this week.

Wednesday, March 19
Every Wednesday is Karaoke Night at The Tipsy Keg. Belt out your favorite song, enjoy flash sales and drinks specials, plus happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. Kitchen is open until 9pm!
Find out more.

Thursday, March 20
Stop in to The Tipsy Keg Bingo Night for half priced wings, happy hour, and bingo. Prizes to be won with every game!  
Follow The Tipsy Keg on Facebook for more details.

Freelance Services business ad
Ad purchased by Freelance Services – residential architecture and design services.
“My goal is to make your home your castle.”

Friday, March 21
Head to The Washington Coffee Shop for the shop’s monthly Open Mic Night. Come out as a spectator or step up to the mic to share your talent with the community.
Find out more at this Facebook event.

Saturday, March 22
Learn the most effective ways to provide everything your plants need to grow and thrive at the Feeding Your Plants Workshop at Hoffmann Hillermann Nursery & Florist in Washington.
Reserve your spot.

Saturday, March 22
The 25th Annual Spring Bluff Dinner Auction is put on by the Spring Bluff Educational Foundation as a fundraiser to raise funds for the Spring Bluff School District. The community is invited to join in this fun filled night held at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Sullivan.
Learn more.

Saturday, March 22
Put on your grooviest outfit and head to The Tipsy Keg! They’ll have a 70s playlist, disco ball and a costume contest. Karaoke starts at 9 p.m., Costume Contest awards are at 11:30 p.m. for 1st and 2nd place prizes. Take advantage of specialty cocktail deals, Tequila Sunrise $5 and Long Island $6
Get more details at the Facebook event.