Cartoon's Oyster Bar and Grill~Seafood Chowder

If you ever find yourself in Springfield Missouri, you might want to visit

Cartoon's Oyster Bar and Grill. 

Trip Advisor gave it Thumbs Up! on their Oyster Poorboys so that got our attention. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but more times than not that is where you find the really great places!

Typical bar and grill when you enter, we were surprised to find a live band playing to a whole roomful of cold, wet bikers who were raising money for the March of Dimes. Bikers are like that, and a little cold rain isn't going to keep them from riding for a good cause! 

Cartoon's is one of those places that people love to gather, they provide all the creature comforts like a fire to warm you on cold days and even a pool out back to enjoy the hot summer days.... really!!!

I ordered the Oyster Poorboy and a bowl of their homemade Seafood Chowder. Like always, I dive in and then remember to take the picture after I've devoured half my meal! The chowder was so good, and really very different from any I'd ever had. In place of the potatoes that are normally a given in chowder, it had chunks of very tender broccoli and cauliflower. Lighter than a chowder, but rich and satisfying... I could have eaten two bowls easy! The poorboy was super too, big fat oysters lightly breaded and fried on a fresh french baguette. Good thing it was half portion or I'd have had to go lay down somewhere! I came home and looked at Taste of Home and found this one.

Close, dangerously close to their recipe...

Seafood Chowder 6 bacon strips, cut into 1-inch pieces 2/3 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped celery 1 cup cut up broccoli 1 cup cut up cauliflower 2 cups water 1/2 cup chopped carrots 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1/2 pound crabmeat 1/2 pound shrimp, cut in chunks 1 cup half-and-half cream In a 3-qt. saucepan, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon to paper towels; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. Saute onion and celery in reserved drippings until tender. Add the broccoli, cauliflower, water, carrots, parsley and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Add crab, shrimp and bacon; simmer for 5 minutes. Add cream and heat through. Yield: 4-6 servings.