Thai Express//Crosstown BBQ

Submitted by the_honeyman t3_zm4o6x in springfieldMO

Crosstown BBQ is in danger of going out of business because of the (much needed) roadwork happening on Division Street. Just saw on their Facebook Thai Express is offering free appetizers or drinks for going to Crosstown and posting a selfie in the restaurant with your food.

Help a Springfield institution stay open, and get free food from a pillar of the community.

Edit: is there better barbecue in town? Yes, absolutely. Are there worse places that do more business while also not being locally owned? Also yes, absolutely.

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the_honeyman OP t1_j08zlg7 wrote

Shoutout to /u/patricknett. Thanks for using your platform to help struggling local businesses.

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h8fulcait t1_j0doxyk wrote

u/patricknett and his family are amazing people. When I was a child, my dad took us to their previous restaurant, Thai House, every other week or so. My father passed away when I was 17–shortly before Patrick’s father (Patrick Sr.) closed Thai House and opened Thai Xpress. Life moved on, I went to college, I moved to St. Louis. When I returned the first time after my dad’s death, Patrick Sr. asked about my father, who was theoretically nothing but a repeat customer to him. When I told him my father had passed, he WEPT with me. And ever since, no matter whether I return a month later or two years later, Patrick Sr. makes a point to come talk to me and ask about all my siblings and mom by name—and he usually gives me an order of my favorite fresh spring rolls on the house. Absolutely precious family. They value their customers more than some value their own family. I will never stop supporting them!

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cbduck t1_j096atj wrote

Does Steve still own the place? I used to visit there often when I lived in SGF and would always have some great conversations with Steve. He'd come by and talk with my friends and I as if we'd been friends for years. Love that guy and that place.

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Avery_Anarchy t1_j09c3sx wrote

He does! I work for KOLR10 and we just did a live interview with him the other week. He was pretty down about how much they’ve been struggling :/

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FriendshipIntrepid91 t1_j09mb1s wrote

Are they operating the building and the food truck at the same time? Which one is Steve usually at?

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Avery_Anarchy t1_j09n0ii wrote

I believe he’s only at one location per day, and that’s the location that’s open. I believe he’s at the food truck Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. He’s pretty active on Facebook though, so I would just shoot him a message if you’re not sure.

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FriendshipIntrepid91 t1_j09q985 wrote

Thanks for the reply. I will say, if I knew he would be serving me every time I would stop in a lot more. When it's somebody else there, it's not nearly as good.

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cbduck t1_j09d34h wrote

Dang. I hope the VERY best for him. I'll be visiting town for a week for the holidays and will make it a point to stop in.

(BTW I used to work with some current KOLR10 peeps at a rival station across town)

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Avery_Anarchy t1_j09si0w wrote

Small world!

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robzilla71173 t1_j0cln65 wrote

It is indeed. I'm a high school friend of a certain bearded KOLR10 videographer.

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Avery_Anarchy t1_j0clt9i wrote

Haha! I'm a videographer too, so now I'm curious lol.

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robzilla71173 t1_j0czejs wrote

Oh man, I feel like either he's trimmed his beard or is doing something different there now, there was a time when that beard was epic enough to be the whole description. I grew up with Eric R.

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Miserable_Figure7876 t1_j09ig3i wrote

Steve's a great guy and he deserves some help. I'm going to try to get out there soon!

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[deleted] t1_j091r9d wrote

[deleted]

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the_honeyman OP t1_j092s10 wrote

Division being cut down to one lane only going one direction definitely isn't helping. They were doing ok before construction started.

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Benway23 t1_j09flid wrote

Crosstown is wonderful, everybody should try it once. I hope they can hold on. And go Thai Express!

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Advanced_Car1599 t1_j096g71 wrote

When I was a kid, I would go there all the time. The last time I was there- 5ish years ago- they heated my ribs in the microwave. The microwave. I haven’t returned since.

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ItsSirTone t1_j0awtej wrote

Crosstown is a local staple in this town. The family who owns it are amazing people and don't deserve to lose what they worked so hard for.

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[deleted] t1_j09zduc wrote

Steve's brisket isn't as good as it used to be. I remember when they had a chopped brisket sandwich. It was money. Now it's apparently served in strips like most places. With the more recent options available, he has heavy competition. It's kinda like when Mexican Villa was the only Mexican food in Springfield. Now we have all of these amazing options of Mexican cuisine. Frankly, I'm surprised that Mexican Villa still exists.

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Saltpork545 t1_j09m4e7 wrote

I like their smoked turkey. I'll head their way next week and give them some support.

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Longjumping-Ice-8814 t1_j0bcu9d wrote

I LOVE their spicy bbq sauce, and their fish and okra! Can’t wait to see the pictures from this because Steve is so cool! He’s super kind and always checks in with us when we eat! He’s also a Springfield community guy too, so this is like full circle for him!

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sgf-guy t1_j0abavn wrote

I’ve watched a fair number of civil engineering videos and one thing stands out to me…that stretch is largely along a watershed/next to a creek. Water constantly and being dramatic of dry/wet if a poor base layer of earth will wreck asphalt and also concrete. That’s why it got so bad to begin with.

I’m guessing the contractor somehow didn’t quite take all that into account and found a civil engineering nightmare, esp close to the stream. They talked to the city and the city engineers saw it and they prob agreed to “fix it right” as best they could even if it meant longer times…cuz that should have been done months ago if any normal stretch.

I see good/bad points and barbecue is such a big drama place because of both methods/styles versus basic restauranteering and also social factors.

At best you like it for what it is and go support, at worst you go try it and don’t care for it and have your view but donated to someone in a hard time.

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the_honeyman OP t1_j0acdb8 wrote

Well they're widening it and reinforcing it since it's used by truckers so much, which also contributed to the problem. So they're moving utilities, building proper drainage, ripping a road out, and basically starting from scratch.

It does seem like the same lane has been closed for an inordinate amount of time though. And I agree with your best/worst scenarios.

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maxxshepard t1_j0cbfvw wrote

I went to crosstown for the first time about 6 months ago, and since then, I have been utterly gob smacked at why people love it so much. Unless we went on a day that the place was hijacked by a rouge prankster, I will never go back.

Me and my gf were served 4 slices each of what appeared to be reheated slices of grocery store deli meat, a slice of white bread, and weird tasting bbq sauce on a styrofoam plate, for $14 each.

It was BARELY edible. We went in expecting a lot due to the hype, and I would sooner eat at a gas station based on what we were served. Did someone punk us? Why do y'all love it so much?

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Khulric t1_j0hu0h2 wrote

I have the same experience. They mixed the orders of my partner and I together, got some of the meats wrong, didn't include one I paid extra for, and people think this is gold tier dining?

Fuck, at this point a middle schooler could make a more competent lunch.

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JKulp42757 t1_j0d3n7j wrote

I went once, about 10-years ago. I thought it was pretty good...but obviously, not being back in a decade, decided it was not good enough for the almost 25 minute "crosstown" drive for me.

As was stated by someone above, more recent options available, equals heavy competition. I think that is more of an issue for the business than any road work.

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AceTheRed_ t1_j0cf6xy wrote

Oh damn. I’ll be hitting them up today for lunch!

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Internal_Story_6699 t1_j193dmj wrote

Love sentiment, but sometimes places just need to close. Crosstown hasn’t been good since 1995.

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Khulric t1_j0hsewl wrote

Ah yes, the place that messed up every aspect of my order when I went isn't doing the best? That's unfortunate.

Being one of two cars in a drive thru when I went. Ordered lunch for my partner and I. Two entrees total with a couple of sides each, and a rib to sample the place. The meals and sides were all mixed between the orders, a couple of the meats were wrong, and I never got the ribs that I paid for.

It tasted, fine, but the attention to detail was abhorrent.

So no, I don't care to give them another dollar. Smoking Bob's is great. Plus Stusquatch's just opened on West Sunshine and it's shockingly good.

If people want to support a local business, go try Stusquatch's! It's near Red's close to Nathaniel Greene

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dannyjbixby t1_j098sjp wrote

Unfortunately crosstown is an example of a springfield institution that doesn’t deserve it. Their food is awful and overpriced.

The construction isn’t killing their business, it’s just the last nail in a coffin that should have been closed years ago.

Legit BBQ options springing up in town over the past decade were what did them in.

I know nothing of the owner, many people say he’s a nice guy. But that doesn’t mean your business should succeed.

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ProgressMom68 t1_j09gg3y wrote

Wow. Ok. One wonders what barbeque you do like.

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dannyjbixby t1_j09grfl wrote

Current top two are city butcher and smokin bob’s

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ProgressMom68 t1_j09hojw wrote

Eh. Barbeque preferences are personal depending on where you’re from and what you like. It’s not cool to trash someone’s hard work just because you, personally, don’t care for it.

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Khulric t1_j0htcyz wrote

People are allowed to give a place a poor review. Just because you like it doesn't make it cool to tell others their negative opinion is wrong.

I've had horrible service at Crosstown before. They messed up more than basic fast food or a late night waffle house. I too prefer a range of bbq places around town that I consider to be better in taste and service.

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dannyjbixby t1_j09j5ep wrote

Eh

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ProgressMom68 t1_j09kkxl wrote

I’m serious. What is it about “I don’t like this thing” that equals “bad?” Barbeque, like many things, is completely subjective. It’s beyond obnoxious and entitled to get insulting because something isn’t to your personal taste.

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AceTheRed_ t1_j0cgkpj wrote

Smokin Bob’s pork belly burnt ends are so fucking good.

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xchadrickx t1_j0bd1kf wrote

Unfortunately, City Butcher and Smokin Bobs are examples of Springfield institutions that doesn’t deserve it. Their food is awful and overpriced.

They should have been closed years ago.

Legit BBQ options springing up in town over the past decade were what will do them in.

I know nothing of the owners, many people say they're nice guys. But that doesn’t mean thier businesses should succeed.

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Khulric t1_j0htrl9 wrote

HARD disagree. Smokin Bob's is fantastic and one of the best bbq spots in town for service and flavor.

Now if we want to say a bbq place that has no right to be open it would be Getting Basted. Took over an hour to get three orders of half ribs. Plus they stopped me during my order to tell me that almost everyone who's tried the beans hates them. What bbq is going to stop your order to tell you their food sucks? No thanks.

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xchadrickx t1_j0i0h92 wrote

Fair, but I was definitely just editing the strong opinion post. I don't have a favorite in the BBQ fight.

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poopdickcashmoney t1_j09gyg1 wrote

Smokin bobs and gettin basted walk circles around crosstown weak attempt at bbq

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ProgressMom68 t1_j09i806 wrote

Why do you feel the need to insult someone else’s hard work because it doesn’t appeal to you, personally? Barbeque is a pretty personal taste. There’s no need to tear down one business to build up another.

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RockemChalkemRobot t1_j0a9xlj wrote

Mexican Villa gets absolutely railed here. Weird to stand up for one but not THE one.

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zerov75 t1_j09j27o wrote

Small business owners and their sycophants love the free market until it turns on them. I've went to crosstown a few times and it's more expensive and worse tasting with smaller portions than anything else I've had in town. If the majority of the posters in a thread are complaining about quality there might be something to that.

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FriendshipIntrepid91 t1_j09pf2i wrote

This guy thinks gettin basted passes as good bbq.

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zerov75 t1_j0b5gkw wrote

Never had it. I'll try both again and get back to you.

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The_Doja t1_j0bvquo wrote

Smokin Bob and Gettin Basted used to hook it up for me whenever they were just food trucks. One on Walnut Kimbrough by the uniform place and the other in the old glenstone food truck lot. Bob was just selling sandos, but I was cutting carbs so he'd sell me 1/2 lbs of chopped brisket no sauce for $5

I like to think I was one of his first regular customers and convinced him he had a good enough product to open a brick and mortar.

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poopdickcashmoney t1_j092wcj wrote

Don't patronize this place out of pity there bbq is straight up terrible and deserves to go outta business.

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the_honeyman OP t1_j09414d wrote

It's no worse than Rib Crib, and at least Crosstown is local.

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ehoneygut t1_j09f2ne wrote

Saying it's 'no worse than Rib Crib' seems like a pretty horrible way to shill for restaurant.

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dannyjbixby t1_j09gtkh wrote

Pretty much sets the bar so low it could be stepped over

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ProgressMom68 t1_j09giex wrote

Please share what you consider good barbeque.

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ehoneygut t1_j0b4wuu wrote

Sugarfire is the best around.

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The_Doja t1_j0bw0dm wrote

I got their leftover standing seam sheet metal roofing for my shed. That rust colored panels on the protruding awning

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