Lambert's Cafe is a US restaurant chain with locations in Foley, Alabama; Sikeston, Missouri; and Ozark, Missouri.[1] It was founded in 1942. It is known for throwing hot rolls to the customers. It features Southern or country cooking (fried chicken, catfish, etc.); a variety of side dishes, called "pass arounds", are brought to the table to accompany each meal.[2] The restaurants have been cited as a prime example of "road food", and diners often arrive via tour bus.[3]
Lambert's Cafe | |
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![]() Lambert's Cafe in Foley, Alabama | |
Restaurant information | |
Established | 1942 |
Food type | Southern/country cooking |
Website | throwedrolls |
History
editThe cafe was started in Sikeston in 1942 by Earl Lambert, assisted by his wife Agnes, his brother Robert, and Robert's wife Ruby. In 1976 Earl's son Norman "'Ole Norm" Lambert, a former football coach at Sikeston High School, took over management. It was Norman who started the tradition of throwing rolls to customers. In 1981 he explained, "I started throwing rolls about four years ago when we were in our old cafe. It was too crowded one noon for me to serve the rolls to a customer and somebody yelled, 'Throw em.' So I threw them. So, now I do that about every noon meal and during the evenings too. The rolls are fresh, right out of the oven."[4]
Legal issues
editIn August 2015 the restaurant was sued by a customer who says he suffered permanent eye injuries after being struck by a hot roll thrown by a staff member.[5] A lawyer acting for the plaintiff said Lambert's has been sued for similar injuries in the past.[6] A Lambert's spokesman confirmed that other customers have previously sought damages for similar claims, and in some cases medical expenses have been paid.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Lambert's Cafe, Home of Throwed Rolls". throwedrolls.com. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "10 great places to take an exit to good eatin'". USA Today. May 25, 2006.
- ^ Joyce, Denise (March 11, 2011). "Throwing fun food ideas to I-55 travelers". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ Landis, Debra Chandler (September 29, 1981). "Norman Lambert Throws Rolls". Southeast Missourian. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ Gounley, Thomas (Aug 14, 2015). "Customer sues restaurant known for throwing rolls". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2019-12-01.
- ^ Schankman, Paul (2015-08-14). "'Throwed Roll' attorney says this isn't the first lawsuit against Lambert's". FOX2now.com. Retrieved 2019-12-01.
- ^ Lair, Mollie (Aug 13, 2015). "Woman suing Lambert's Cafe". KCTV. Archived from the original on 2015-08-15. Retrieved 2019-12-01.