The name Groves is an important one in these parts. Hayden Groves is the great-great-grandson of the legendary Junius Groves (1859-1925), known as America's "Potato King" at the turn of the last century: Groves was one of the wealthiest African-American entrepreneurs of the early 20th century.
In 1902, Edwardsville resident Junius Groves was named "Potato King of the World" for growing the most bushels of potatoes per acre than anyone else in the world up to that point in time. Groves also bought and shipped potatoes, fruits and vegetables extensively throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada. And he built a 22-room mansion near the Kaw River for his family (the house, Hayden Groves says, mysteriously burned years after Groves' death.)
Nu Nu's Cafe is located in a historic stone building at 104 South Fourth Street in "downtown" Edwardsville, right next to the post office. It's a narrow storefront with a cozy dining room boasting six two-top tables that can be moved around to seat larger parties -- just not too many of them.
Most customers, Glenda Groves says, order one of the daily specials: meatloaf on Monday, baked chicken on Tuesday, chicken-fried steak on Wednesday, spaghetti and meat sauce on Thursday, fried or seared fish on Friday, and a taco plate on Saturday night.
The food is served on Styrofoam plates, and the desserts -- including one of the best peach cobblers in the metro -- in Styrofoam boxes. Fancy, it ain't, but the prices are right. Last night, I had the spaghetti special with two side dishes, and a choice of cornbread or roll for $6.99.
The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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