Local favorites bring diners to downtown Neosho
by Jim McCarty | jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop
You’re driving down the highway and realize your stomach is growling “feed me.” You stop and whip out your phone in search of sustenance. When this happens Charlotte and Bryan Ward hope you’ll browse the search results a little deeper.
“Anytime you go to a small town, you can Google and find a ‘restaurant near me,’ ” Charlotte says. “But I would encourage them to go a step further and find a local restaurant, those places that are unique and special to a community. You can hit a chain at any time. But do that Google search and be like, ‘OK, I want a unique local flavor.’ Take that Google search just a little bit further and see what else that community might be able to offer.”
On a trip out West, the Wards visited a family-friendly restaurant that offered a bar where parents could relax and an arcade to entertain the kids. “I said, ‘We need to build something like this,’ ” says Bryan. “We came home and I looked at a few buildings.”
“And I resisted,” Charlotte says with a laugh.
“She resisted,” Bryan admits. “Then I told her, ‘I bought a building. We’re gonna build a restaurant.’ ”
Actually, it was three historical buildings located on the courthouse square in downtown Neosho. As Bryan started work on what would become Eastside Social, he took care to preserve as much of the charm as possible. Bricks were reused. A beam with the name of a former cafe formed the base of the bar. The brick facade facing the street still carries the name of the dry goods store that once called this home.
Two of the three one-story buildings were torn down to make room for a pet-friendly patio and pickleball court. The decor is a lesson in Neosho history, with signs saved from area businesses. One of the most unique draws is the wall-sized wildcat mural, salvaged when the local school bus depot was razed. It’s a popular selfie stop for Neosho Wildcat students.
“We really wanted to provide a place where families could come and enjoy our space. If the parents wanted to go outside and have a drink, they could watch their kids play, and the kids love it because they have something to entertain them,” Charlotte says, adding games are part of the attraction.
The result is a destination where visitors and locals alike can relax and socialize while enjoying signature drinks and American comfort food. The most popular eats vary from week to week, but one local favorite is credited to Bryan’s dad, Bob. “Bryan grew up on fried bologna sandwiches,” Charlotte relates. “He said, ‘If I’m going to have a restaurant there will be a fried bologna sandwich on the menu.’ ”
Bob’s Bologna sandwich includes two slices of thick-sliced bologna fried on the flattop, with a slice of cheese melted on top, mayo and an optional egg cooked however you like it.
Another Eastside Social staple is the Chamber. This food bowl starts with fried rice steamed on the grill along with fresh broccoli. Diners can add their choice of protein, including chicken, salmon or steak, along with dipping sauces.
For starters, Eastside Social offers The Usual, which is corn tortilla chips topped with fire roasted salsa and queso. A crowd favorite is the Garlic Cheese Curds.
The menu includes five burger options, including the quarter-pound Big Spring bacon burger, the Tearjerker with pepper jack cheese and jalapenos, the Patty Melt, the Rodeo and the Hangover, distinguished by bacon, tater tots and an egg cooked over medium.
Then there’s the “This & That” section, which includes the Naan Mini Pizzas in Philly Cheese and Chicken Bacon Ranch versions. This selection starts on toasted naan to which queso, shaved steak, onions and peppers, or chicken, bacon, ranch and mozzarella are added. The Bar Master Buffalo Chicken Sandwich is named for bartender Kyler Frye. Other favorites include the Philly Cheesesteak; County Seat Pork Tenderloin; Pesto Chicken Club and BBQ Chicken Nachos presented on a layer of fresh greens.
Entrees include Chicken Pasta Parmesan and the Hatchery Special. The latter, named for the nearby Neosho National Fish Hatchery, is grilled or blackened salmon with an optional balsamic glaze. A 12-ounce grilled sirloin steak rounds out the entree offerings.
The restaurant really shines with its salads. These include the Mother Clucker with grilled or fried chicken; the Cran Apple Pecan with chicken and optional lemon vinaigrette dressing and the Southwest, with chicken, Southwest bites, shredded cheddar, roasted corn, black beans and tomato salsa.
Parents will love that ordering for the kids is simple. “I Don’t Care” equals chicken chunks, fries, dipping sauce and a soda, while “I’m Not Hungry” brings a cheeseburger slider with fries and a soda.
On Sunday there’s a brunch menu with the regular offerings and breakfast dishes. There’s a special “Pawtio Pup” menu for especially good dogs. The “Bar Master” also serves a large variety of colorful cocktails.
Eastside Social is a great place to relax and enjoy the company of good friends. “We want people to know we aren’t just a restaurant, but also a place you can come and just hang out, be social and have fun with your friends, gather and have a good time,” Charlotte says.