{{Short description|US restaurant chain}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox restaurant | name = Lambert's Cafe | logo = File:Lambert's Cafe logo.png | logo_width = | logo_alt = | image = LambertsCafeAlJul07.jpg | image_width = | image_alt = | image_caption = Lambert's Cafe in Foley, Alabama | pushpin_map = | map_width = | map_alt = | map_caption = | established = 1942 | closed = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | current_owner = | previous_owner = | chef = | head_chef = | food_type = Southern/country cooking | dress_code = | rating = | street_address = | city = | county = | state = | postcode = | country = | coordinates = | seating_capacity = | reservations = | other_locations = | other_information = | website = {{URL|throwedrolls.com}} <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> }}
'''Lambert's Cafe''' is a US restaurant chain with locations in Foley, Alabama; Sikeston, Missouri; and Ozark, Missouri.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.throwedrolls.com/|title=Lambert's Cafe, Home of Throwed Rolls|work=throwedrolls.com|accessdate=19 October 2015}}</ref> It was founded in 1942. It is known for throwing hot rolls to the customers. It features Southern or country cooking (fried chicken, catfish, etc.); a variety of side dishes, called "pass arounds", are brought to the table to accompany each meal.<ref>{{cite news |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/10great/2006-05-25-roadside-restaurants_x.htm |title=10 great places to take an exit to good eatin' |date=May 25, 2006}}</ref> The restaurants have been cited as a prime example of "road food", and diners often arrive via tour bus.<ref name="Joyce">{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/03/11/throwing-fun-food-ideas-to-i-55-travelers/|title=Throwing fun food ideas to I-55 travelers|last=Joyce|first=Denise|date=March 11, 2011|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=19 October 2015}}</ref>
==History== The cafe was started in Sikeston in 1942 by Earl Lambert, assisted by his wife Agnes, his brother Robert, and Robert's wife Ruby. In 1976 Earl's son Norman "'Ole Norm" Lambert, a former football coach at Sikeston High School, took over management. It was Norman who started the tradition of throwing rolls to customers. In 1981 he explained, "I started throwing rolls about four years ago when we were in our old cafe. It was too crowded one noon for me to serve the rolls to a customer and somebody yelled, 'Throw em.' So I threw them. So, now I do that about every noon meal and during the evenings too. The rolls are fresh, right out of the oven."<ref name="Landis">{{cite news|url=http://www.semissourian.com/blogs/flynch/entry/62397|title=Norman Lambert Throws Rolls|last=Landis|first=Debra Chandler|date=September 29, 1981|work=Southeast Missourian|accessdate=19 October 2015}}</ref>
==Legal issues== In August 2015 the restaurant was sued by a customer who says he suffered permanent eye injuries after being struck by a hot roll thrown by a staff member.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/08/14/man-sues-restaurant-rolls-throwing/31703807/|title=Customer sues restaurant known for throwing rolls|last=Gounley|first=Thomas|date=Aug 14, 2015|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-01}}</ref> A lawyer acting for the plaintiff said Lambert's has been sued for similar injuries in the past.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fox2now.com/2015/08/13/the-man-behind-the-throwed-roll-lawsuit-against-lamberts/|title='Throwed Roll' attorney says this isn't the first lawsuit against Lambert's|date=2015-08-14|website=FOX2now.com|language=en|first=Paul|last=Schankman|access-date=2019-12-01}}</ref> A Lambert's spokesman confirmed that other customers have previously sought damages for similar claims, and in some cases medical expenses have been paid.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kctv5.com/story/29775197/woman-suing-lamberts-cafe |title=Woman suing Lambert's Cafe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815000518/http://www.kctv5.com/story/29775197/woman-suing-lamberts-cafe |archive-date=2015-08-15 |date=Aug 13, 2015 |first=Mollie |last=Lair |website=KCTV |accessdate=2019-12-01}}</ref>
==See also== * List of Southern restaurants
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.throwedrolls.com/ Official website]
Category:Southern restaurants in the United States Category:Buildings and structures in New Madrid County, Missouri Category:Restaurants in Missouri Category:Restaurants in Alabama Category:Restaurants established in 1942 Category:1942 establishments in Missouri