Fred & Red's — Restaurant in Joplin

We called Fred & Reds to ask if they were busy and they said, no not at all. Son and I drove from Carl Junction Missouri to Joplin Missouri to eat at a restraunt we heard about on channel 16 news. We go in and there's just a bar to sit at and the bar was almost full, 2 seats open. We go sit and order what we thought sounded good. Chilly burger, spaghetti, fries and a drink. WARNING!! I could not eat with a dirty spoon and fork! If you scratch it and it comes off, it's not going in my mouth! So I got another pair which wasn't any better. I go to the bathroom to go clean my silverware to come out to sloppy grease burger and fries which was nasty as hell. It taste like the grease that had bin sitting on the bottom of the pan all day, bland, gross! 😝 My spaghetti had the same greasy slop that was on my burger which taste the same as the junk I just tasted. $25 meal for two that was not worth the post I seen on the news channel. Never go again. I'm sure I'll be squirting like its water for days and if not...

You either love it or you hate it and that's ok. That makes more room in the tiny historic place for those who love it as much as I do. At times you can expect a long wait that I feel is worth it.

It's extremely greasy* chilli, burgers, tamales, and spaghetti with chilli on top. Perfect if you want your grease fix or are curing a hangover. Also great to take out by the brick to make Frito, chilli, and cheese loaded burritos at home.

The most known dish is the spaghetti red. It's spaghetti with tomatoless greasy chili on top. I recommend it fully loaded with pickles, onions, and crackers. I have always found the food to be delicious.

I am a big fan. This place is a big part of Joplin Missouri. From the tiny, historic building to the recipe for the chili itself. People plan their vacation home around prime chilli season.

You can disagree with me, that's cool. Just let me have my fave and it's all good.

*Greasy here is a great thing. It's about flavor not getting a lollipop from...

I loved this place my entire life. Larry was a nice man who treated his staff and customers well. He knew you by name and worked hard everyday to keep his dad's and dad's best friends legacies alive. It was so disheartening when the shop closed down. Then hope came when someone bought the location. Unfortunately it was a disappointment. It's not the same. They say it's the same, but its not. The taste is off. The friendly environment is gone. They even changed the building so much it doesn't feel right. I continued to give them chances because of memories and nostalgia. We even moved 2 hours away and would still make trips to buy bricks of chili to bring home and make. When my papa passed his last meal was spaghetti red. I continued the tradition of eating it on the anniversary. Then the owner decided to throw a rally for Josh Hawley and support Donald Trump vocally. I haven't been back and I won't be back. That was the final straw. Oh, well. Like I said, it doesn't...