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Joplin Unboxed: Food and Finds, Joplin, MO (2026)

10/06/2026

Happy Tuesday y'all. It's Taco Tuesday.

One place we really love, and are so happy to hear despite the circumstances, they are still going strong, is Lucy's Mexican Restaurant. I believe they just got their liquor license reinstated so It's a perfect day for a margarita.

We went about a month ago, after the construction on 7th hindered us from figuring out how to get into the parking lot. We are so glad we figured it out because this is a top choice for us as well.

Pulling up we weren't sure if we were at the right spot, as the sign for Lucy's wasn't as visible and showing habaneros. But we asked and confirmed that it was Lucy's since they had moved from their original location on rangeline. Walking in though, the place was so cool with the decor and vibe like the loteria pic on the wall.

The food was so good. I had been craving huevos rancheros and I was in heaven. David wasn't too hungry, so he just got the traditional breakfast. He liked it, but wished he was more hungry to be about to try something else like the chilaquiles. I also loved the beans and rice. They were great and authentic to my socal taste.

The staff was great and the food came out quickly. Grabbed with the construction business was slow which is why these highlights are so important to us. It's disheartening to see a lot of businesses that didn't survive because of the ongoing construction.

To help support such a wonderful place with great food, please follow Lucy's, share their content, and most importantly stop in and grab a bite to eat. We are so grateful to have an option like this for us newcomers. If you do plan to visit, they are on 7th right by Walmart across from lalos.

What kind of tacos are you getting?

* Joplin unboxed is not affiliated with any business or sole entity. We are newcomers ourselves highlighting places that we found are worth checking out. We also want to support the small business community that we find makes Joplin a unique gem itself.

10/05/2026

Good morning happy Monday friends.

So I know when I originally posted this highlight before Joplin unboxed was a thought, this was one of our most engaging posts. There was a little controversy about the fact it's a national chain, but coming from the west coast it's a new find for us which is what we're about, cool finds for newcomers.

We also heard some great and wonderful things about Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. Since this is one of our personal tops, it's only right that we do the official unboxed highlight.

Where to start? Well, from walking up to getting sat, to the free croissants and great food, then a great staff to top it off. Let's start with the decor, very nice and well put. The servers, including our server Wednesday, were all so friendly and great.

The food though, let me tell ya. To start we got these awesome croissants which is a nice take from the normal bread and butter. If you love chicken pot pie, we 10000% recommend it. I used to work at KFC and know that's nothing to write home about, but that has always been one of my faves until now. David got the chicken fried chicken and if I didn't get the pot pie, I'm going with that. That chicken was otherworldly in my opinion. To end I really wanted dessert, so I went with their fried apple pie. It was fresh and so flavorful.

In our book, Cheddar's is a must try. They are over off rangeline right by the olive garden and Sam's club.

Are you going for breakfast, lunch,or dinner at Cheddar's?

*Joplin unboxed is not affiliated with any business or sole entity. We are just newcomers ourselves highlighting cool places that we didn't have in other places like on the West Coast.

Much love to all our joplonians and until next time.

10/04/2026

Happy Sunday beautiful family and friends.

Today's Sunday highlight is definitely a hidden gem if you hear the word hidden gem. After moving from Utah, but being from Southern Cali, we were on the search for some socal style menudo. We had a Friend recommend La tiendita in Carthage.

Let me start by saying, if you're anything like us, you will definitely love the hole in the wall vibe this place offers. Definitely a local hideout. So of course I had the menudo and boy I will be getting that every time since it was the most authentic I've tried since leaving Cali. Id say go early because of the amount of orders they were going through. David got the caldo de res. Normally David plays it safe, but he was so happy he went with something he doesn't normally get.

The place itself is so cool, as not only do they have the restaurant, it's also a Mexican market with fresh food to go like tamales, carnitas, and more, they have a market that sells all kinds of meat, produce, and good, and the best part to watch if you haven't seen them yet it's the fresh tortilla machine.

The staff was great and the food came out so hot. I was trying to tag them to get the location but they didn't have a website or a page so I put a screenshot of the address. I also need to go back and take more pics of the actual market because they had some stuff that we haven't been able to find like Malta India(Puerto Rican staple) and I got way too distracted.

Please if you know the owners or anything, tagged them so they know they are appreciated. We would also love to build a website for them if they're open to one or help them on social media, since we do own a graphic design business ourselves. We were having trouble getting them tagged here so people know where to find them, of course free of charge to support them.

What are you hitting first, restaurant or market?

*Joplin unboxed is not affiliated with any business or sole entity. We are newcomers highlighting cool spots in Joplin for other newcomers to find. We love the cool things that Joplin and sw mo offer.

Until next time joplin.

10/02/2026

Good afternoon friends. Today is Friday.

We wanted to highlight this truly special gem we visited. We've been personally following them for awhile now but since there are so many places for a newcomer like us to check out, we finally got a chance to check out KOI Restaurant .

We loved it from the get-go and couldn't wait to go back and hadn't even sat down yet. The decor felt like a little piece of Tokyo with a tv playing videos of Tokyo.

The menu looked so good so I asked for a recommendation, as I couldn't decide between sushi or a regular entree. Well I went with the super combo, with yu-zu chicken, fried rice, egg drop soup, and even a roll. I ordered the spicy hamachi but they were out so I went with the spicy tuna. Such a great recommendation from our server. The yu-zu was sweet with a kick. The spicy tuna was so flavorful and fresh. Definitely better than any sushi I had in Utah personally. David had the orange chicken and let me say the crispy chicken was so great, and then don't even get me started on the egg rolls. Id order dozens and dozens of egg rolls.

Now the staff was what made this experience so enjoyable. Our waiter was great and so nice, and the chef even brought the food out to us. After talking to our server, we found out they have only been open as KOI for 4 months. That's why this page was started. Small businesses like this need support so we can keep the wonderful food and things that make joplin such a cool place.

We can't wait to go back so I can try my hamachi. Thank you so much KOI for a wonderful experience. For those interested in checking them out especially since it's the weekend, they are located on Rangeline right next to El Vallarta.

Would you get sushi, an entree, or both?

*As always these highlights are not associated with any business or some entity. We are newcomers ourselves and want to support the small businesses but also show other newcomers what we've found with checking out.

Until next time joplin.

09/28/2026

Good morning beautiful joplonians. Happy Monday.

Was a busy weekend for us, but we managed to fit in some time to head to Joplin Empire Market. We've been here a few times since moving here and think the market is perfect for those wanting to support the small business community.

One spot here every Saturday, is Purple Chin Condiment Co. The items he has and all the great sauces he has. We've tried the Thai basil pesto, the spicy peach bbq sauce, and now will be trying the cilantro pesto. The Thai basil goes great on everything, and the spicy peach was great on some baked chicken.

When we think of small business support, this is what we think when finding small businesses like this.

You can find him every Saturday at empire market on 4th St, right when you walk in to the left. We still are waiting to try one of his burritos when they are available and those empanadas always look so great.

What items would you be interested in trying from chef purple chin himself? To support small businesses, the best way is liking their content, following their page, and of course checking out these cool finds.

Until next time, Joplin.

*These highlights are not affiliated with any business or entities. Just simply small business highlights from a newcomer to support the small business community that makes Joplin such a unique hub.

09/25/2026

🍁🍁Hello fall🍁🍁
Your favorite “fall special” is available now!!

09/25/2026

Happy Friday, wonderful peeps of Joplin

When we first got to Joplin and we were looking for a place to live, I had driven by this hidden gem so many times and had passed out because it's a little hidden if you aren't looking for it, but something that always caught our eye

We had owned to go to Charlie's chicken but had made a split minute change to check this out. I was glad I did because Thai Time was so enjoyable. From the atmosphere, food, decor, and great staff, it is one of our personal top choices.

Although not a big parking lot it's totally worth it to stop by. We shared the wings and they were so good. Some of the best we've had out here. Chicken satay, very flavorful. I had the khoi soi g*i and I think that will be a go to for me after trying other items. David had the combination fried rice.

We really appreciate everything Thai time offers. It's amazing to see when we highlighted them on our personal page, there were so many wonderful stories shared and community impact they have especially for a small business. This is true to our intention of supporting the small business like this that makes us love moving to Joplin.

Do you love Thai time? Show them some love with a follow so this newcomer can keep getting his Thai fix lol. They are located on 32nd and Connecticut, catty corner from Suzanne's.

*Joplin unboxed is not affiliated with any business and these are solely personal shared experiences for those looking for great food and finds who are new to the area.

09/23/2026

Happy Wednesday, beautiful Joplin.

So this is one of the first Mexican restaurants besides mis primos we've tried. I always drive past this after I started working and couldn't wait to try it out.

I had a craving for some menudo, so we checked out Chavela's Mexican Cuisine. What a cool find that we enjoyed. The decor was awesome and the staff was great. The food was delicious, fresh, and flavorful. I of course had the menudo. Although not the authentic, SoCal style I personally prefer, but it was clean, not too spicy, and if you like tripe it was cooked really great. I hear they have a really good pozole if you don't like tripe. David had the flautas, and let me say he scarfed everything down. I didn't get a chance to order the pan dulce but it looked great.

When we went back in July, they were doing the remodel on the market next door so we haven't had a chance to check it out since they've been finished. We can't wait until life calms down to come try the pozole and other food items. They are located off rangeline all the way down by the Caseys right off zora.

We definitely will be taking friends and family here. Can't wait to come back after we catch up on our other finds.

Give a heart for chavelas to show them some love.

09/20/2026

Happy Sunday beautiful peeps.

Been a few days and now that we have a moment to breath, it's only fitting to highlight our next awesome find. Since we had relocated in July and missed actual pride month events, we went to Chaos Brewing Company and let us just say, the different types of things to do and eat here is great. The board game selection was perfect since David and I are big time board game fanatics. What I personally loved was the selection of beers. Probably the best thing was the pretzel.

The staff was super friendly and the pretzel came out fresh and hot.

All in all for a night out with options like board games, good food and drinks, this is a great choice. We appreciate you chaos brewery.

They are located on main by the post office in downtown if anyone wants to go.

09/17/2026

Good morning beautiful friends and family.

In the mood for breakfast? Well, this spot is definitely with it to check out. Our first week exploring, and we found out about the awesome Norma's Diner- Joplin , Mo

We loved the decor and vibe going on. The menu has great options, and the staff was awesome.

I totally forgot to take pics of the food, since when it came out looked great and we were starving. But David got the chicken fried steak with biscuits and gravy. With his smaller appetite I was surprised that he finished it all. I got the veggie skillet, which was divine if you love veggies like I do.

The service was great, staff was quick and attentive. It also have the small town, family run business that I personally love. I believe there are other Norma's in the surrounding area, but the one on main Street is such a good option if you're looking for some good breakfast.

What's your go to breakfast order?

Until next time friends.

Joplin Unboxed: Food and Finds

10/06/2026

10/05/2026

10/04/2026

10/02/2026

09/28/2026

09/25/2026

09/25/2026

09/23/2026

09/20/2026

09/17/2026

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