Tie & Timber Beer Company

 
​Tie & Timber in Springfield, Missouri

Breweries don't usually make it to the Dining Adventure blog.  

But in June, Don and I visited Tie & Timber Beer Company, 2 times. There was something oddly magical about the place. There is some food involved in my sloppy write-up.

"Ales and Rails" on Cherry Street
 
​We were visiting my Dad in Springfield and ran across the brewery, just blocks from our motel. It was on Cherry Street, near the railroad tracks that I remember from childhood.

The business is on property, where a lumber yard once stood in 1918. I remember, because it was still there in the 1960's, when we used to visit my grandparent's house, where Dad grew up. The tracks weren't far from their house or my my aunt and uncle's. I'm not sure how many years the railroad tracks transported timber and lumber, but at some point the lumber yard closed. A tanning salon was here when a young couple thought about opening up a brewery, about 5 years ago. 

Great Space

The weather was heavenly, the evening we discovered Tie & Timber. Friends and families were just beginning to arrive. I guessed that some had walked over from the houses in nearby Rountree Neighborhood. A couple arrived on bikes and one family approached T & T on foot, walking down the train tracks.

Don and I headed inside to check out the options for craft beer. There were at least 18. Don was pretty excited. 

Families and Friends

We sat outside and watched. We spotted friends greeting one another and patting each others' dogs. Kids from different tables played together. I watched a dad, teaching his child to play chess.​  

2 moms arrived with kids. After they ordered beer, they unpacked a spread of picnic food. (There were signs encouraging people to bring their own food) I felt like we were at a church picnic, only better.  
​

Tea Bar & Bites... Skully's Ramen

Two days later, we stopped by again. This time we wanted to enjoy our beer and wine, with food. After we enjoyed our drinks for a while, I went on a mission to find a meal.

The neighborhood near Cherry Street, had many options. I vaguely remember this area from childhood visits to Springfield. Beautiful homes and a few little shops. Today we can't buy lumber, but we can buy cakes and ramen, pizza, pasta or tacos... from cute little buildings, near cute little houses.

Old Grocery Store

I recognized the green and white building. Nearly 80 years ago, it had been The Cherry Street Grocery Store. I wasn't exactly alive then, but my dad was. He was a young teen when he worked there.

I remember my dad pointing the little store out to us, when we were kids. I was impressed when he told me he'd worked at the grocery store. I thought that sounded cool. It was a job I could understand!

Cherry Street Grocery Store

In 2014, when visiting Springfield, we drove Dad by the old grocery store. It had a sign saying, Homegrown Food.

Dad's legs were bothering him. He didn't want to go in, but I did. Inside, I looked at the old floors and admired the wooden counter. I could picture my young dad, stocking shelves.

I met Brad that day. He was so moved to learn that Dad had once worked in the store. He came out to the car to introduce himself and handed Dad a complimentary bottle of root beer.

Bryce in 2021

I stepped inside the old grocery once again, during my search for dinner. The store had changed and I met the new owner Bryce. He told me about their house made treats and ice cream, but I had my eye on some miniatures in the window.

They weren't really for sale, but we laughed and talked and I eventually left with 3 dollhouse miniatures. I still didn't have dinner, but what fun! I decorated our picnic table and had a couple sips of wine. Then I got serious about finding food.  

Ott's  

Ott's was actually right next to Tie & Timber. The tiny Italian restaurant was housed in an old filling station.  They've been serving pasta for 20+ years.

I headed in and took a quick look at the cozy interior. The kitchen appeared to be in the garage portion.  

I glanced at the menu and grinned. The prices looked like they were from my childhood. I ordered the House Casserole Meal for $5.55. 

Vintage Photo

The nice young man said I could wait for my order on one of the pews, or he could bring it to me outside when it was ready.

I took a look at the old photo on the wall and imagined the DX Station 50+ years ago. Then I headed outside to wait and chatted with the sweetest older woman, who just walked over from her house. She practially swooned when she told me how much she loved her neighborhood. I was ready to go house shopping.

Pasta at the Picnic Table

After a few minutes the young man brought out a bag with my hot meal. I headed back to Don at the picnic table and surprised him with our shared feast.

Baked pasta casserole, Caesar salad, toasted ravioli and bread! Plenty for 2 people and less than 6 dollars. How could this be? It was tasty, but mostly it was just so darn fun, eating at our table as the sun lowered and  more folks gathered.

Eating and Watching

​Don and I sipped and ate and watched. I can't remember what craft beers Don tried and I only remember that I had red wine.

We didn't exactly have a restaurant dining adventure, but we had a memorable evening.

Heading Back

As the sun sunk lower, we headed back towards our motel. We took a shortcut on the tracks.

The next day I talked to Dad about his memory of the tracks. He talked about flattening pennies when he was young and hopping a train, when he was older. 

This is sort of an odd write up for the old Dining Blog, but I will remember this evening well. Yay for wine and pasta and little bit of nostalgia, on a summer evening.