Meatball & Cooper’s got onto my radar due to a coupon I found in one of the local papers. The top of the coupon proclaimed “Lookin’ for Home Style Cookin’!” and had pictures of a burger and meatball sub. It looked like the perfect place for lunch, so I made plans to meet my friend David.
I arrived about 11:45 and there were two other tables occupied. I took a seat near the oxygen bar (more about that later) and started looking at the menu while I wanted for David to show up. The menu (viewable on the website) has an assortment of the typical appetizers and includes a couple of non-typical items: meatballs with a choice of sauces and something called the Flying Meatball (meatballs & wings). When David arrived it wasn’t a hard sell to get him to share a Flying Meatball ($7.95). The meatballs come with a choice of 5 sauces (chipotle BBQ, marinara, sweet & sour, honey mustard or garlic parmesan). I asked which sauces were made in-house and was told only the BBQ was, so that is what we picked. The wing sauce comes in mild, medium or hot (all from a bottle) – we picked hot.
The rest of the menu includes burgers, dogs, pizza, sandwiches and fried catfish. There was an electronic sign in the window that advertised daily lunch specials (as did the coupon). When we asked about the day’s special we were told they didn’t have a lunch special that day – I thought it was odd but I didn’t feel like asking why.
The Flying Meatballs arrived fairly quickly and consisted of 4 wings and 4 meatballs and a small side of the chipotle BBQ sauce. The wings were average and not particularly spicy. The meatballs tasted ok and the BBQ sauce wasn’t anything special. I asked if the meatballs were homemade and was told no – but that they ‘doctored’ them up a bit. By the way they looked, I think there was some Italian seasoning sprinkled on them before or after cooking. We were told the meatballs served with the spaghetti were homemade, but if so, why use pre-made ones in the other dishes? Also, I thought the price was too much for 4 wings and 4 ready-made meatballs – especially when you consider that most of the sandwiches cost less than the $7.95 this Flying Meatball set me back.
For lunch I decided on the bacon cheeseburger ($6.45) and David picked his usual – a Philly Cheese steak sandwich ($7.50). The Philly had a cheese option of Swiss or nacho cheese sauce. We asked about the nacho sauce and were told it was from a can – but ‘real good’. David selected nacho sauce based on that glowing recommendation.
Philly w/ Nacho Sauce
As you can see from the picture they were very (actually too) generous with the canned cheese sauce and David scraped most of it off. He also said that there wasn’t anything particularly great about the ‘really-good’ nacho sauce. The rest of the sandwich he said he enjoyed – the beef, onions and peppers were all grilled up well and there was lots of meat. He said he would order it again, but next time would ask to have it topped with the white queso sauce that is available on the appetizer menu instead of the canned, yellow substance they called nacho sauce.
The 1/3 lb cheeseburger was decent but certainly not in the same league as Bair’s. The patty was a frozen style but it was cooked properly and wasn’t hocky-puck-ish. I asked for some shredded Colby-Jack instead of the standard American cheese and it was nicely melted to the top of the patty. The bacon was good and crispy and the tomatoes were nice & red which was a nice surprise given the season. The fries were average.
Oxygen Bar
The décor is what I would call a cross between dog & sports. There are a couple of bull-dog murals which I understand are the owner’s dogs – who just happened to be named Meatball and Cooper. There are some TV’s on the walls for watching that big game and there is some sports stuff scattered here and there to round out the theme. This place is not a bar – so no alcohol and there is no smoking as well (good for them!). They do have an “oxygen” bar in the back corner so it is probably a good thing there is no smoking. Having an oxygen bar is kind of strange and I didn’t see anyone belly up to it for a hit of some pure O2.
Service was pretty good – we were checked on frequently and my diet coke did not go empty. One thing I would mention is that it was very cold in the dining room when we arrived. Others that were there all had coats on. I mentioned this to the server who didn’t seem to notice the temperature problem (he had a sweatshirt on). He went to check and returned saying that the heat had been turned off. It warmed up after that was corrected.
I would say that the bottom line on Meatball and Cooper’s is that I felt letdown on several fronts. I understand now that “Meatball” refers to the dog and not the food – but I would think having some great meatballs would be something to strive for given the name. The promise of “Home-style Cookin’” was not fulfilled with most of the items seeming to be from cans, bottles or the freezer. On the plus side, the sandwiches we had were ok except for the nacho cheese/philly thing. I appreciate the non-smoking atmosphere, but that oxygen bar concept is kind of weird.
218 N. Massey Blvd, Nixa (Behind McDonalds) – (417) 725-9598
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- Burger & Fries
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- Philly w/ Nacho Sauce
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- Oxygen Bar
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- Dining Room
Can you say “Failure of market research”?
I simply cannot imagine any consistent clientele for a “sports” grill that doesn’t serve alcohol. Nor do I know anyone who frequents sports bar/grill establishments who would be caught dead near an oxygen bar.
Steve,
I agree. I get groceries at the Price Cutter right next to this place, so I’ve driven by it several times. I’ve also seen the coupons many times. Despite all of this I’ve never had a meal there.
It just didn’t look appealing to me. And before I even read the review I had an idea of what the outcome would be….I was spot on. Exactly why it gave me that feeling I’m not sure…
Average food, no alcohol (and I don’t even drink myself, but I know in the restaurant biz that’s a big money maker), and nothing to make it stand out = failure.
My advice would be to get rid of the “sports theme”, get a chef who can prepare everything from scratch, and if they aren’t going to serve alcohol, get some really good soft drinks in there…maybe some of the high quality soda’s such as Fever Tree Ginger Ale (served at some of the Top restaurants in the world), Virgil’s, or Reeds.
Excellent burgers made from fresh choice ground beef, excellent fries, and if no alcohol replace it with high quality soda. That’s it.
Bob,
I was your server and I remember you guys coming in. I appreciate the positive comments. However, there are some inaccuracies or things that I can clarify for people that may read your reviews. I’m here to set the record straight and correct a few things mentioned in the review and comments. I’ll go in order: 1. The “home style cooking” ad was done by a marketing company and was used only due to time and trusting them to write something well. That was their failure and we no longer use them. We do however have home style cooking specials for dinner sometimes. 2. You asked if we made the bbq sauce in house and I told you we only made the chipotle bbq in house. We also make the other sauces you listed in house. 3. The wing sauces do not all come from the bottle. Fyi, most places do that though. 4. We do have daily lunch specials 98% of the time. If the owner doesn’t tell us one due to their day job then that is the reason we don’t. 5. We offer two types of meatballs. The regular smaller ones that we buy from a well respected food company and the homemade larger mozzarella stuffed ones. You have the choice on the spaghetti and people love them both. 6. If you knew the price of food you would know why items are priced accordingly. You also have the choice of ordering that item if you are price sensitive. 7. All nacho cheese sauce is from a can. Just like in Philadelphia where you have the option of cheese. The “real good” statement was a personal preference. I eat the philly both ways. Our philly is our best seller and we’ve had numerous people that say it is the best one they’ve had outside of Philadelphia. I will have to agree with you on too much nacho cheese. I even told the cook that day. They can get carried away sometimes. Your friend didn’t mention any problems though. 8. Our hamburgers are not the frozen patties you refer to. We buy the meat from Harter House and hand make them. 9. Most people love our fries and they are much better than Bair’s as a reference point. 10. Fyi, all of Nixa is non-smoking. 11. The oxygen bar isn’t strange or weird. It’s simply pure oxygen for the curious or health conscious. We have numerous people that use the oxygen for stress relief, headaches, and cancer. 12. The temperature inside was at 65 degrees and I had told you that the thermostat had 4 hour intervals and had gone back down to the default of 63. The set temperature was 72 before it kicked off unexpectedly. As you stated, I fixed that. 13. Steve, this isn’t a failure of market research. It was done knowingly due to the fact that people who do not want to be around alcohol or those that drink alcohol do not have place to go to meet their needs. People love the atmosphere and the fact that we stand up for our beliefs. 14. Josh, our food is not average. I would implore you and Steve to come in and give us a try for yourself. Myself or another worker will be there to answer any questions you may have.
Again I appreciate the positive comments. I find it funny though that you didn’t mention you were there to write a review and you had no complaints when I was talking with you guys. I didn’t notice that you were taking notes as you were going. That may be a reason for the inaccuracies. Picking items to slam or stating things that are inaccurate hurts business. Luckily we have numerous people that love our food and atmosphere. Please come back and give us another try and we’ll help you with any questions.
Thanks,
Steve “your server”
OH! OH! OH! what an unfound, bias, untruthful report. I happen to have frequented meatball and coopers on various occasions and i am wondering which restaurant the the whiner diner ate at before he came to asses meatball and coopers that had his pallet in such a confused state. for i know that the hamburger patties are hand pattied and bought fresh from harter house .( i have been there when they were ordering) and you can tell by the inconsistent shape and the shape of the hand press..mr. bob! to be such a expert, i am appauled that you can`t identify sauces made in house and bought in a bottle or a can. everything is in a can or bottle til you blend all the ingredients. i know for a fact the sauces are in house, and believe me some of the cooks have given me some very helpful clues. lol!l i admonish everyone to go and try the burgers that were compared to another eatery ,because the flavor and seasoning is no where close. yes! i have eaten at the other mentioned place.absolutely no taste. an i promise you they do not season their food.(not that you can taste anyway) so all i am saying is please lets be fair! for i know the catfish breading is in house and the chicken strip breading and the tarter sauce.(which is the best ever. NOW! as for the oxygen bar! it is so funny mr. whine and dine would bash it. its like buying cars. they have so many kinds and colors on the lot you have the option not to by or rent the one you don`t like but it is ludicrous to bash the other cars cause you don`t take to them.I happen to enjoy the oxygen bar as well as many others i have seen use it. NOW! for the guy! that agreed with all you said , in your comments ,BUT! to his own admission, said he never have been there! well! i think the readers will see through that one . I won`t even elaborate on such bias.”:>**. wow! now I admonish everyone that can and will, to go to meatball and coopers and see if the patties are not fresh hand done. and savor the taste of in house recipes. and if you find any sauce that matches theirs in a can even the tarter sauce, please let me know. lol! and if you ever try the catfish and tarter sauce at meatball and coopers you will agree this taste can`t be confined to a can , pouch, sack,tube lol! this kinda taste has to be fresh and free ! lol! oh! and for the pricing. it is sooooooooo funny the place mr. bob speaks of and all the other places around, apple bees, ruby tue,, bairs, and many more are priced just the same or higher. now! for the issue of alcohol ! I DO applaud this establishment for having the morals, values, desire,(guts) to stick to their guns in trying to provide a place a MAN! can carry his , wife, daughter, son or mother, and have a very fun eventful night and watch a game and play games or listen to live music and not be disrespected by people that have had to many drinks. and the simple fact to show our kids that alcohol is not a synonym for fun. why bash a family oriented establishment? so to all the readers and viewers lets go out and support meatball and coopers. and MEN! lets show our sons we can sacrifice a beer a night or two and give them some quality fun and dining. thank you for reading my comments please remember the proof is in the pudding.not letters on the paper.
Edwin & Steve, I appreciate your comments. The reason I allow comments on my reviews is to give a voice to people who have a different opinion . I also understand that everyone has different tastes and wouldn’t want to be in a world where that was not so. Remember, my experiences are just that – my experiences and observations and of course my opinion.
The hamburger patty I had appeared to be frozen as it had that all-too-familiar industrial shape. I’ve eaten (and cooked) a lot of hamburgers and can usually tell – but I may have been wrong about that and I’ll admit I did not ask. I did think the burger was decent -actually better than many places- but I didn’t not like it quite as well as the one other place I mentioned. I also said that the Philly sandwich my friend David had was pretty good with lots of meat – but it had way too much cheesy sauce on it which was a shame.
I asked and was told only the chipotle BBQ sauce was made in house – there were no other BBQ sauces listed on the menu so I took that to mean that the other sauces were not made in house.
I also can’t help it if my expectations were set for some home-cook’n based on the advertising I saw (at least it was effective and got me to visit). I can understand an advertising mistake though. However, to advertise having a daily special and not have it ‘daily’ (like on the day I visited) is directly under control of management.
I did not have any issues with not serving alcohol and I still think the oxygen bar is a strange thing to see.
I also still take exception with the non-homemade meatballs. Why not just have home made meatballs and make that a signature dish? I think people just looking at the name would have a reasonable expectation to have some really great home-made meatballs.
I did take notes (and pictures).
Bob.