Fried pepper jack cheese sits right on top of a burger here, and it shares space with bacon, BBQ sauce, and crispy fried onions. Yep, the cheese gets fried before it ever meets the patty.
I can’t imagine a better excuse to loosen my belt a notch.
The burger even has a name that sounds like a dare. Then dessert shows up as a house-made gooey butter cake, a St. Louis classic with a buttery crust and a thick cream cheese filling.
Maybe it’s just me, but a Missouri meal that ends with Missouri’s own famous cake feels exactly right. The flavors on that cake also rotate with the seasons, so you have to ask your server what’s on deck.
I like how this kitchen cooks Southern food from scratch every single day. How many visits do you think would it take to try everything?
Missouri’s Own Cake Gets The Grand Finale It Deserves
St. Louis gave the world gooey butter cake. Across the state, this kitchen keeps that sweet tradition alive and makes it in house.
The menu describes it as a Southern classic with a buttery flavored crust. On top sits a thick, rich cream cheese filling that earns every bit of the word gooey.
Fun fact for your next trivia night. Gooey butter cake is a true Missouri original, so ordering it here feels like a little state pride on a plate.
The best twist? Variations rotate with the seasons, so the cake you try in spring may look different by fall.
Always ask your server what today’s version is. That simple question might lead you to a flavor you didn’t know you needed.
Planning matters here, too. A loaded burger plus a thick slice of cake is a serious lineup, so pace yourself during the main course.
Sharing is a friendly option if you’re dining with a group. Of course, you could also claim the whole slice and dodge eye contact.
Either way, dessert here isn’t an afterthought. The kitchen clearly wants your last bite to be the one you remember on the drive home.
Start With Cheese Wedges And A Sauce Named JalaMango
Pepper jack shows up twice on this menu, which tells you somebody in the kitchen loves it. The PEPPER JACK CHEESE WEDGES make a fun appetizer before the main event.
They arrive with JalaMango dipping sauce. Judging by the name, that’s a mix of jalapeno heat and mango sweetness, a pairing that keeps your taste buds guessing.
Cheese lovers have other choices on the starter list, too. Pretzel Bites come with Hot Pimento Cheese, a Southern favorite with a little extra punch.
Fried Green Tomatoes also hold a spot on the appetizer menu. They’re a classic for good reason, with tart tomatoes hiding under a crisp coating.
So how do you choose? If you’re with friends, order two starters and pass them around the table.
That way, everybody gets a taste without filling up too fast. Trust me, the burgers and entrees here aren’t the type you want to face on a full stomach.
A solo diner might pick just one. The cheese wedges make sense if you’re getting the fried pepper jack burger, because why not go all in on the theme?
Pimento Cheese Gives The House Burger Its Swagger
Not every burger needs fried cheese to stand out. THE SOUTHERNER BURGER takes a different path and still shows plenty of personality.
Smokey bacon leads the way. House made pimento cheese follows, bringing that creamy, tangy Southern spread straight onto the patty.
Pickled red onion adds bright color and a sharp bite. Scratch sweet pickles finish the job with a sweet crunch that balances all the richness.
Notice how much of this burger gets made in house. The pimento cheese and pickles both come from the kitchen, not from a jar off a shelf.
Picky eaters, rejoice. A BUILD YOUR OWN BURGER option lets you pick your toppings and skip anything that doesn’t excite you.
That flexibility makes this a solid spot for groups with mixed tastes. One person can go bold with fried pepper jack while another keeps things simple.
Here’s a little strategy for burger fans. Bring a friend, order one SLAP YO’ MAMMA and one Southerner, then trade halves.
You get two burgers worth of flavors without needing a nap at the table. Honestly, that might be the smartest plan in this whole article.
Fixins Deserve Their Own Spotlight
Sides go by a friendlier name here. On the menu, they’re called Fixins, and that word alone tells you the kitchen speaks fluent Southern.
Gouda Mac and Cheese might be the star of the group. Smoky, creamy gouda makes regular mac and cheese seem a little sleepy by comparison.
Cheddar Bacon Grits bring comfort in a bowl. Fried Okra adds crunch, and Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts give you something green to feel good about.
Then there are Mammow’s Hushpuppies. A side named after a grandma figure basically promises recipe love passed down through the family.
That fits the restaurant’s whole approach. Recipes here are inspired by family traditions and a real passion for all things Southern.
Want a tip? Order a couple of Fixins for the table instead of one per person.
Everyone gets to sample, and nobody gets stuck with side envy. It’s a simple way to taste more of the menu in one visit.
The Southerner by Tractors cooks from scratch daily with fresh, local, and in-season ingredients. That care shows up even in the smaller dishes, which is where many restaurants cut corners.
Fried Cheese On A Burger Is A Bold Move, And It Works
Some burgers wear a slice of cheese. The SLAP YO’ MAMMA BURGER at The Southerner by Tractors wears fried pepper jack cheese like a crown.
That’s only the start of the stack. BBQ sauce, smokey bacon, lettuce, tomato, and pickle all pile on for the ride.
Then come the crispy fried onions on top. Crunch meets melty heat, and your napkin supply suddenly matters a lot.
Pepper jack brings a gentle kick from the peppers mixed into the cheese. Frying it adds a golden outside, so every bite gets both crisp and creamy.
The name sounds silly, and that’s part of the charm. Nobody orders a burger called that expecting something shy or quiet.
Here’s a smart tip for first-timers. Grab extra napkins before the plate lands, because BBQ sauce and fried cheese don’t believe in staying neat.
You might also want to share an appetizer instead of a big starter. This burger has plenty going on, and you’ll want room for dessert later.
Fans of spicy food will feel right at home here. Folks who prefer milder flavors can still enjoy it, since the BBQ sauce and bacon balance the pepper nicely.
Your Mama Probably Never Stuffed Meatloaf With Gouda
Bold claims live right in the menu names. NOT YOUR MAMA’S MEATLOAF comes stuffed with smoked gouda, so the name feels pretty fair.
Meatloaf usually means plain weeknight dinner. Hide melty smoked cheese inside, and suddenly it’s the dish people want to talk about.
PIGGY MAC is another signature entree worth knowing. You choose smoked pulled pork or fried chicken bites, all piled over Gouda Mac N’ Cheese.
Yes, gouda appears again. This kitchen clearly has a favorite cheese, and honestly, it picked a great one.
Both dishes show what the restaurant means by re-envisioned Southern food. Familiar comfort meals get fresh twists without losing their homey feel.
So when should you skip the burger? If you’re craving something hearty and fork-friendly, these entrees make a strong case.
Families might like PIGGY MAC since kids usually understand mac and cheese right away. The restaurant is considered child-friendly, which helps when you’re feeding a whole crew.
Of course, choosing between meatloaf and a fried pepper jack burger is a tough call. Maybe that’s a sign you need to come back more than once in Missouri.
A Hotel Address Makes Dinner Plans Super Easy
Finding dinner can’t get much easier than this. The Southerner by Tractors sits inside the Drury Plaza Hotel at 3359 Percy Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.
That’s handy for travelers staying overnight. You can enjoy a big Southern meal and head upstairs without worrying about a long drive.
Locals benefit, too. The restaurant has private lot parking, so you won’t circle the block hunting for a spot.
Accessibility matters here as well. The space is wheelchair accessible, which makes it a good pick for groups with different needs.
Outdoor seating is available when the weather cooperates. A sunny afternoon and a plate of fried green tomatoes sounds like a pretty great combo.
Takeout is another option for busy nights. Gooey butter cake on your own couch still counts as a win.
Hours run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Friday and Saturday stretch until 10 p.m., and the restaurant is closed on Sundays.
Reservations are recommended, so call ahead if you’re bringing a group. That small step can save you from staring longingly at other people’s burgers.
Those Two Words In The Name Tell A Bigger Story
Ever wonder what by Tractors means? It points back to Tractors Classic American Grill, which owners Steve and Teresa Blankenship have run since 1997.
That’s a lot of experience feeding people in southeast Missouri. When they opened The Southerner in September 2017, they weren’t beginners figuring things out.
The partnership with Drury started even earlier. The Blankenships provided catering for the Drury Lodge for six years before this restaurant opened in the new hotel.
Teresa still handles catering today. So if you’re planning a party or event, this team knows how to feed a crowd.
Zach Martin serves as the Executive Chef. His kitchen turns family-inspired recipes into the dishes on today’s menu.
The owners share a sweet motto about hospitality. At The Southerner, there are no strangers, just friends we have not met yet.
The restaurant has also earned attention from MissouriLife Magazine and the Southeast Missourian. That kind of coverage suggests this place matters to the region.
Knowing the backstory makes the meal feel more personal. You’re eating food from people who’ve spent decades caring about their community.
Save A Spot For Bread Pudding Too, If You Dare
Gooey butter cake gets top billing, but it has company on the dessert list. House-made Bread Pudding also waits for anyone with room left.
Like the cake, the bread pudding rotates with the seasons. The menu promises unique flavor combinations, so each visit could bring a new surprise.
That rotating approach keeps dessert interesting. Two visits a few months apart might feel like two different menus.
So which should you pick? Ask your server about both, then follow whichever flavor sounds more exciting that day.
Better yet, bring a dessert buddy. Order one of each and split them right down the middle.
This plan works especially well after the SLAP YO’ MAMMA BURGER. Fried pepper jack at the start and two sweet treats at the end makes a pretty legendary Missouri meal.
Remember the motto about friends you haven’t met yet. Sharing desserts seems like the perfect way to live up to it.
Whatever you choose, The Southerner by Tractors makes sure dinner ends on a sweet note. Go for the fried cheese, and stay for the cake.
