The Standard

Issue date: 11/10/09 Section: Features

Media Credit: Chris Cox

If you get pumped about pumpkins, there are several area restaurants that include the portly fruit on their menu this time of year.

Andy's Frozen Custard

Andy's Frozen Custard has multiple locations in Springfield, and each building makes one feel like the carnival is in town. But Andy's employees won't bark at you for a dollar to play the ring toss.

Andy's makes desserts that blow the mind, and for a limited time, the Pumpkin Pie Concrete is available. A whole slice of homemade pumpkin pie is blended with vanilla frozen custard. It is the god of all pumpkin pie desserts. It heals lepers. It raises the dead. Seriously, if you're ever near the Red Sea with a Pumpkin Pie Concrete, lift it above your head and watch the water part.

If pumpkin pie is not your bag, try the James Brown Funky Jackhammer: frozen custard blended with peanut butter and brownies and a center filled with hot fudge. Brown would say "Haaaayy!"

Be careful not to touch a Jackhammer with a Pumpkin Pie Concrete, though, as the collision of such awesomeness might rip a hole in the space-time continuum.

Thai Xpress

The next time you can't find a parking place on campus - A.K.A. tomorrow - don't cruise around in mind-numbing futility. Head east on Grand Street, turn left on Glenstone Avenue then right into Thai Xpress and try the Pumpkin Curry.

Co-owner Patrick Netthongkome said the dish is made with the best pumpkin in the area. Why is it the best?

"Oh," Netthongkome said, rubbing his belly, "the pumpkin is sweeter and - let me get you a piece."

He disappeared into the back of the restaurant and reappeared with a chubby slice of pumpkin jutting from a fork in one hand, and a squat, dark green pumpkin in the other.

"Try this!" he said, passing the fork.

It was sweet, although difficult to choke down - probably should have just taken a bite instead of cramming the whole thing into my mouth.

The pumpkin curry contains broccoli, baby corn, cabbage, green beans, carrots, red and green peppers, coconut milk and steamed rice. It's definitely worth the short drive.

Tea Bar & Bites Bakery & Café

Tea Bar & Bites is a white stucco building just south of Cherry Street at 621 S. Pickwick Ave.

When he was in town recently, Bob Barker, formerly of "The Price is Right" and face-smasher of Happy Gilmore, had the Pumpkin Sage Risotto: a vegan dish made with coconut milk, mushrooms and sage.

Continued...

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