When I was asked by my mom where I wanted to go out to eat for my 18th birthday, I immediately thought: The Hawthorne Inn. My family has been regulars at this family-owned restaurant for years since my mom got a teaching job in the elementary school (that caters it out quite frequently) near the Inn. It has become a staple eating place for my family ever since.

The Hawthorne Inn is located right in the heart of Labadie, MO. A small town about 30 minutes off 109 and Clayton with one elementary school, part of Washington School District, an old fashioned gas station/ice cream parlor and a fire station.

Hawthorne is the ideal place for any occasion with any person no matter what eating habits. Here, take my family as an example.  My brother either has the Hawthorne Burger, or 12 oz. Hawthorne Strip,  (depending if he wants meat for dinner, or if he wants MEAT for dinner) with a side of fries. My dad constantly orders the Grilled Scampi, pasta with grilled shrimp in caramelized shallots and olive oil topped with asiago cheese. And if you think that you can’t get good seafood in landlocked Missouri, you might be under a false perception. My mom and grandparents usually stick with the local award winning Chicken Christine, a breaded chicken breast topped with a white wine lemon butter sauce. Speaking of white wine, all you wine moms out there, the bar has an extensive wine and craft beer list.

Me on the other hand, I am a vegetarian. This makes eating out difficult sometimes, but at Hawthorne I recommend the house salad and a flat bread vegetarian pizza. No meat, all the flavor. For any vegans out there, I suggest the potato skins (no bacon or cheese) and house salad (no cheese).

Oh, and if I have not mentioned before: the portions are huge. They will last you for at least a meal and a midnight snack the days after. So although it can get a little pricey, you really are getting two and a half meals in one.

Although large portions, the house salad is a must if you come here. The St. Louis provel cheese plus the house vinaigrette makes this a staple for any meal, and if you don’t think you can finish your meal plus the salad to start, take one to go and have it for lunch the next day. Trust me, you won’t be sorry.

Want to treat your girlfriend to a nice dinner? Hawthorne. Need a place to host a party? Hawthorne. Need somewhere to take your senior pictures? Eat at Hawthorne then go down the road five minutes and there will be a beautiful view, and you won’t be sending your friends and family a picture of the same background they have seen time and time again.

You can check out The Hawthorne Inn, and I suggest you do, at 123 Front Street Labadie, MO 63055, and for hours and menu visit http://thehawthorneinn.net/. For reservations call 636-451-0004.