Mike's Musings-Reviews, Recipes and Rants

03/13/2026

Retro Metro

03/13/2026

St Pats is upon us! Some places throw together a special just to have one, others work for weeks to make their special actually special!

Chef Tiny at Retro Metro bleeds green and 1 week a year Retro basically becomes an Irish Pub with a very dedicated special menu to honor his heritage.

Today for lunch I feasted on the headliner special...

SMOKED & GUINNESS BRAISED CORNED BEEF with Guinness and Bushmill braised red potatoes, giant carrots and cabbage, a Guinness gravy and Bushmill Stone Ground Mustard on the corned beef l. This is a unique and delicious play on a traditional corned beef and it is just amazing.

The Guinness Burger was enjoyed by my table. Its the Flame Grilled Hertzog patty we already love, but with Irish Farm Cheese, mashed potatoes and Guinness gravy. 11/10!

Kelsey got her normal but delicious item...Loomers Pasta.

Dont be bored by thoughtless meals.... dining should be an experience, choose wisely.

(I may know the guy who smoked the corned beef)

03/11/2026

Well, that smoked then Guinness Braised Corned Beef i posted 2 weeks ago may have been a trial run for this!

Get over to Retro Metro for an amazing special starting the 11th (i know it says the 10th, but its the 11th)

Pics in comments, not necessarily how it will be plated, but just for drools.

☘️You know it’s that time of year! It’s our favorite time of year! Come and enjoy the delicious Irish fair grab a pint of Guinness or a good pour of Irish whiskey, and celebrate the greatest Irish American holiday ever St. Patrick’s Day!

Our St. Patrick’s Day menu runs through March 17!

Make a reservation on the Local by Toast app or make a reservation through Google

You can also call 417-720-1708

🇮🇪☘️Slainte🍻

03/11/2026

Lol

03/09/2026

THERE IS A POSER OUT THERE...

The page "Mo Mikes Travels"

IS NOT ME! Its the recently closed "Queen City BBQ" Who goes around with 417 Foodist (Billy Dove) and Petty Eddy Eats doing food promotions...which is great. But use your own name.

Instead of changing the name, he has blocked me so now, I call on all of you to report his page. Its easy, report it as a fake page for impersonating a business. Either this page or The Real Mo Mike's Page

If you thought it was me, unfollow him too until he changes his name.

Thats my name... thats my cowboy hat... thats damn near the font I used. Be gone poser.

03/08/2026

Missouri Mike's, MO Mikes, Deli Mike's, Mo Cafe all associated WITH ME.

Why would you close your BBQ shop (queen city bbq) then change your FB name to "Mo Mikes Travels"? That is NOT me.

I have went by and used Mo Mike since 2019...

I guess I have a bunch of shirts, menus and hats this guy can buy from me. Or he can change his name since I own Missouri Mike's and most all the variants as a fictitious and have the active charter.

The Real Mo Mike's Page is my old battlefield locations page. Maybe ill cross post there too

03/08/2026

Ive been rather inactive and uninspired lately.

My favorite restaurants are still killing it. They are in no order the following:

JW’s Kitchen
Retro Metro
Nonna's Italian Cafe
Ocean Zen
Farmers Gastropub
Thailand Station
SPLIT Social Kitchen

We use Texas Roadhouse as a fast cheap decent "steak and potatoes" stop...the seating app is awesome.

Tried F.D.s Grillhouse again, it was surprisingly good, especially considering entrees are under $15.

Ive tried several new and newer places and it seems nothing is inspired, seasoned or even made in-house anymore. I dont want to waste my time ripping these places apart... likewise I dont want to write about the same 5 restaurants on repeat.

Unlike many other food influencers, I dont announce my presence, we choose our food, eat, pay full price, tip above average and leave. Outside of reviewing every experience good or bad... there not alot out there impressing me lately.

Cook at home, make memories and eat a little healthier I guess.

02/22/2026

Finished the Guiness reduction

02/22/2026

02/22/2026

Playing around today....

Smoked then Guinness braised corned beef with Guinness mustard reduction(i need to reduce more and mount more butter to balance)

Butter poached cabbage
Olive oil, s&p roasted potatoes
B
Olive oil, brown sugar carrots for balance & contrast

The dominant notes are Umami, Salt, Bitter (from guiness and smoke)
Balanced by Sweet + Fat + Acid

All 6 elements of flavor on 1 plate.

02/22/2026

Playing around with my classic smoked pastrami... then something a little different

02/19/2026

I recently shared post about chefs, and inspired homemade foods. While chef is a nice touch, I also highly respect some restaurants that share their families well executed recipes. So this post is about a Mexican restaurant that was suggested by a friend. It did not disappoint! Lets dig in!

In Branson, just across the lake from the Landing on 76 is an inconspicuous building with a simple sign.... Tacos No 1 ... honestly, WOW.

I won't go into great detail because we ordered over half the menu just to sample around. But the blow you mind highlights are...

Tacos! All of them!
•The Asada was tender seared, nicely seasoned and simple.
•The Pastor (WOW, WOW, WOW) roasted on a vertical spit like gyro meat!
•The Chorizo was amazing and not "cinnamony"
•Barbacoa was nicely braised, super tender and flavor throughout

QUESABIRRIA! Finally a proper stewed birria (not just roast with red sauce) in a nice grilled shell and and nice consome. Its not spicy but its packed with flavor.

Quesadilla! The person that suggested this gets a quesadilla with Barbacoa and Pastor with side of sour cream... I loved it and I never get a quesadilla

Tamale Special ... hand made, huge, full of meat with a fantastic sauce!

There is a little salsa bar and the green ### hot (habanero and serano) was my favorite.

This food is great, more authentic than most and with that you pay for chips and salsa... but we shouldnt expect that for free anyway.

If you're in the area, stop in!