Southward-Ho: Day 12 (Memphis to Champaign)

Watch out for low flying rolls! Passing through Sikeston, MO near the intersection of interstate routes 55 and 57, we encountered the original Lambert's Cafe, where the tradition of throwing hot rolls to diners fresh from the oven, has been practiced since 1976.

To find our table, we passed by dozens of satisfied diners and the smiling lady pounding out Christmas songs on an old upright piano. We poured over the menu that included frogs legs, chicken fried steaks, homemade meatloaf and more.

It was cold outside so we ordered coffee. When they arrived the mugs were large enough to bathe a small child.

Each table had a giant size roll of brown paper towels, and a large plastic weave basket filled with small packets of whipped spread.

After the enormous plates of fried catfish, sweet potato, baked beans, chicken salad, and sliced apples arrived, we were visited by a succession of servers carrying large steel bowls, ladling out oversized spoonfuls of black-eyed peas, fried potatoes and vegetables. And the food tasted better than the tempting aroma.

Eating all we could manage, we trudged out into the winter chill through the gift shop. Visit their website at www.throwedrolls.com