Downtown Springfield coffee shop expands brunch menu; Nixa food truck prepares to reopen

This week in 417 food news, a downtown coffee shop expands its brunch menu and a food truck prepares to re-open after having to close for a couple months. Also, where to find the viral Dubai chocolate bar in the area — or where to get a taste of something similar.

Coffee shop now serving made-to-order brunch

The Coffee Ethic, 124 Park Central Square, is now serving an expanded brunch menu daily, according to a Facebook post.

The food items are made to order and include a maple-butter sausage biscuit, apple and swiss croissant sandwich and a parfait. The coffee shop will continue to serve oatmeal, veggie mini-quiches and beverages. The expanded brunch menu is served until 1 p.m., according to the post.

The Coffee Ethic is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nixa food truck reopens after accident

Big Al's Crab Shack, 420 N. Main St. in Nixa plans to reopen after a little more than two months. The food truck had to close in early January when an accident damaged the trailer housing the kitchen as well as the building it was parked next to.

In a March 18 Facebook post, owner Allan Willoughby posted that he is anticipating the food truck will be back in business Friday. The truck will be open from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, he wrote, and customers can call in orders at 417-494-5007.

Big Al's Crab Shack serves snow crab and shrimp combos with sides, according to its Facebook page.

Dubai chocolate bars have come to the Ozarks

Grocery store chain Hy-Vee announced in a press release this week that select stores are now carrying the viral Dubai chocolate bars but Ozarks residents may have a hard time finding them.

The Hy-Vee location on 2150 E. Sunshine St. confirmed that they do carry them, but are currently sold out. Based on information from the retailer's online shopping page, you'll need to drive to Columbia to purchase one if you have a craving that won't wait.

Dubai chocolate bars, which have gone viral on TikTok, feature a pistachio filling that's been mixed with cooked and shredded phyllo dough called kataifi. The candy bar is inspired by a Middle-Eastern dessert called knafeh, which is made with kataifi, sweet attar syrup and layers of pistachio and cream.

Some local restaurants including The Kebab Shack, 900 E. Battlefield Road, have the viral chocolate bars on their menu, but are currently sold out. Other area spots have treats inspired by the viral candy, such as a Dubai chocolate bar latte at Sips & Scoops, 3202 W. Republic Road, and strawberry Dubai cups at Edible Art, 3167 W. Republic Road.