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417 Magazine
Feature
July 2006
Author: Chris DeRosier
There are local legends about El Dorado Springs?!
Believe it, and The Rusty Jug BBQ & Root Beer Saloon (1209 S. High St.,
El Dorado Springs;
417-876-4669) is a most addictively tasty legend. The name comes from the springs the town gets its own name from; locals filled metal jugs at the mineral-rich springs. In time, the minerals in the water seeped into the metal and the people who made regular trips to the well were called “rusty juggers.” The Rusty Jug still has an example of one of those jugs on display.
Scattered throughout the room are photos, art and bits of literature dating back 100 years or more. Red Cloud and Chief Joseph glare out from behind frames while an original May 1922 issue of Successful Farming leans against a shelf on the wall. The froth from the tap carries just as much historic credit: Owner Todd Leonard says he purchases root beer, one of America’s oldest soft drinks, from 81 suppliers from around the country. Since El Dorado Springs is a dry town, root beer is the only kind of beer around, and Leonard says he has the best root beer sales in southwest Missouri.
Then there’s the food. Leonard got off to a rocky start in 1994 when his first efforts at smoked meat failed to impress his first taste-tester, his dog, but he kept at it, opening The Rusty Jug in 1996. He’s not afraid of taking an unusual approach or two, either; for example, the “B” in the Rusty Jug’s BLT actually stands for two things: bacon and brisket. Foods like these, coupled with the restaurant’s fun, slightly Wild-West-like feel that keep the customers coming back. (Check out the welded iron custom barstools!) And did I mention the root beer?
Experience
. . . The Rusty Jug’s quirky deer head. It was donated by a local taxidermist after a hunter brought it by for stuffing and never picked it up. “Hey, want a deer mounting?” the taxidermist asked. “Sure. Why not?” came Leonard’s reply. Sometimes, that is how legends are born.
If You're Staying
. . . Come ready for a walk. Though it’s similar in name to Big Spring Park in Neosho, Spring Park in El Dorado Springs is a different place with a different history. The spring in the middle of the park is the town’s namesake and was believed at the time of its discovery to have medicinal purposes.
The park features picnic areas, tennis courts, monuments and a cornucopia of other points of interest, but the bandstand takes center stage on the weekends.
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 We Cater too!
We're more than just Barbeque!!
Our catering menu
includes our specialty
Smoked Meats and all the fixin's
as well as so much more!
We cater any and all events including weddings, office parties, reunions, etc.
No matter whether your group
is large
or small, we can help!
Just give us a call,
we'll be glad to help!
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We
have Gift Packages
Love our Sauces and Root Beer?!
Now you can take some home with you! Also, available
as a gift package for any special occasion like birthdays,
holidays, office parties, weddings, and more.
Just give us a call,
you'll be glad you did!
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The Famous Deer Head!
"Belly Up" to our Root Beer Bar
Restaurant
Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday
11 AM to 8 PM
Friday-Saturday
11 AM to 9 PM
Or until the BBQ runs out!
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