David Roundy from Webster Groves, MO on 09/27/2006 10:05 AM
After reading a couple of less than positive comments about Mokane, and in particular its country market, I find I must respond. As a displaced New Englander who has lived many years in small, rural Maine towns, I feel quite at home in the Mokane market. In fact, one of my wife and my favorite rides is the Bluffton to Mokane round trip, with lunch in the Mokane Market. Not only is the ride pretty and secluded, with plenty of the route directly along the Missouri River and very little anywhere near the highway, it takes us to a wonderful, if simple lunch at the market. The proprietors certainly don't cater to cyclists because they are focused on serving their farm community customers who come and go in a constant stream. But we always get our to-order sandwiches cheerfully made, pay a very modest price, and then contentedly eat them at the little tables in the window, watching the flow of people into and out of the store. Listening to the snatches of conversation between the people, and reading their community bulletin board, we get a good sense of life in the bustling, down to earth town. We don't expect them to take any particular notice of us, and I must say, it seems a bit self centered to do so. They serve a small farming community, and well, so it appears. I highly recommend this ride, and this stop. But I'll add this caveat. In the tiny town of Orland on the Maine coast, there is a popular local restaurant called Duffy's. Mr. Duffy has posted the following sign prominently outside his door: "We here at Duffy's are a family oriented restaurant. We aren't fussy, and we certainly aren't fancy. If you are, Bucksport is 11 miles west, and Ellsworth is 13 miles east." This might be the Mokane store. As for me, I fully intend to keep going back.