FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Fort Leonard Wood’s Ozark Tavern has had a successful 2021 so far, with a number of specials that have proved popular with customers since the restaurant reopened for in-person dining in mid-February, according to Chloe Williams, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Food and Beverage manager.
“We were actually slammed our first week open,” Williams said. “Business has leveled off, but our first weeks back were a huge success. People were eager to get back out.”
One of the most successful specials so far, according to Williams, has been “Wing Wednesdays,” offering customers 75-cent chicken wings in a variety of flavors.
“That brought in a lot of business,” she said. “(It’s) been a big hit, so much so that we are looking at expanding our sauce offerings, including a new dry rub or two very soon.”
The current Wing Wednesday flavor lineup includes classic or hot Buffalo sauce, classic or hot barbecue, Parmesan garlic, Cajun, honey mustard, sweet-and-spicy Gilly rub and a purposefully hot and spicy “Red Phase” sauce named for the challenging entry phase of Basic Combat Training. In addition to new flavors, Williams said, “Red Phase” will soon become more intense.
“Our hottest sauce of all doesn’t quite do that phase of BCT justice, so we are tweaking the recipe to ensure it lives up to its name,” she explained. “Customers can expect it to be tongue singeing.”
Another popular special at Ozark Tavern is “Salad Society,” which offers patrons a punch card that offers a free salad after every seventh punch.
“It’s as popular as we hoped it would be, and I know our customers want healthy and fast options,” Williams said.
Specialty salads this month include the Greek Salad now through Saturday, the Korean Barbecue Salad March 20 through 28 and the Apple Feta Salad March 31 through April 3.
Ozark Tavern has several other specials lined up for the coming weeks and months, including a “Drink of the Month” special, a possible return of Friday night Karaoke to Fort Leonard Wood at the restaurant, trivia nights, an outdoor summer movie series and more. Williams said the schedule for events will depend greatly on the future status of COVID-19 and the level of mitigation and safety procedures needed.
“Nothing is set in stone in our current COVID-19 climate,” she said. “(But) stay tuned. We plan to keep our customers busy this spring if we can, pending COVID-19 rules.”
Ozark Tavern’s hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. For more information, including menu items and specials, visit https://leonardwood.armymwr.com/programs/ozark-tavern or call Ozark Tavern at 573.596.0001.
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