Remembering Cookin' from Scratch: for many, this is a trip down memory lane on I-44 in Missouri

The iconic chicken in the car that sat out front of the Cookin' from Scratch restaurant.Photo byA. Blakely via Foursquare.

Cookin' from Scratch used to sit at 90 Truman Street in Doolittle, Missouri off of I-44. This restaurant had also been listed as being in Newburg, but it was actually in Doolittle which sits on old Route 66. Doolittle is located in Phelps County by the intersection of Missouri Route T and I-44 between Rolla and Jerome, and it's 2.5 miles south of Newburg.

It probably left the community and surrounding area with a sense of loss when it closed down in March 2021, especially for all the loyal patrons. For as long as it existed, travelers and over-the-road truckers may have grown accustomed to it being there.

For 21 years, Cookin' from Scratch became more than a place to grab a meal for some. The owners were Tony and Melissa Sherrer and the people inside were considered family.

It was where plates delivered to your table contained some awesome homemade food. And who could forget the giant chicken in the red El Camino? The Silly America blog by Valerie Bromann featured this attraction in 2020.

Customers raved about their food and service in the reviews. When news spread of the restaurant's closing, it brought disappointment and some were sad to see it go. Even though Cookin' from Scratch closed its restaurant, it's still remembered. The facility had new ownership, were focused on convenience, and opened a new eatery. The new owner even remodeled the building.

Serving appetizers, salads, and sandwiches, Cookin' from Scratch was known for its pan-fried chicken and the King of the Road Burger Challenge. You can visit here to see the menu.

This is the location today. Stuckey's is still there, but Cookin' from Scratch is not.Photo byGoogle Maps screenshot.

The reasons behind closing Cookin' from Scratch serve as a reminder how the landscape of the restaurant industry can change. We live in an era where convenience and efficiency are priority. This doesn’t mean that making a meal from scratch for every restaurant’s commitment has changed entirely. It’s harder for some venues to compete with larger chain establishments.

For all the loyal patrons, they don’t have to let their memories go. They can remember the aromas and flavors of the meals like biscuits and gravy. They can remember the sense of community. It's hard to fill the void of your favorite eatery once its gone.

Photo byOnly in Your State via Pinterest.

Cookin’ from Scratch has been gone for three years now. Besides being a spot for the community, it was also at a convenient location for travelers coming down I-44 or for those making their own path down old Route 66. The closing of this restaurant is also a tender reminder of the value of supporting local businesses, the kind of businesses that make a community unique.

The legacy of this restaurant will live on with its fans, especially with its Route 66oz Burger Challenge described in the below video posted over a decade ago. The Sherrers left their mark and the experience of homemade meals in the minds of many.

Thanks for reading!