Natalie’s Pastries offers quality food at a reasonable price

By Neal A. Johnson, UD Editor
Posted 9/9/21

Natalie’s Pastries in Meta has opened successfully and owner Natalie Russell said she couldn’t be more pleased.

“I really wanted to bring something healthy to the …

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Natalie’s Pastries offers quality food at a reasonable price

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Natalie’s Pastries in Meta has opened successfully and owner Natalie Russell said she couldn’t be more pleased.

“I really wanted to bring something healthy to the community,” said Russell. “My main focus is offering a great lunch with high-quality ingredients. So far, everything has gone pretty well.”

Russell does not have culinary training but said her upbringing provided her a lot of hands-on education.

“I have Polish and Italian roots,” she said. “I was born to cook and I love being in the kitchen.”

In recognition of her roots, Russell offered a chicken linguine alfredo recently and has a meatball sub on her menu.

“I will continue to come up with specials for lunch,” said Russell.

Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Russell said she loves the idea of having high-quality hot or cold coffee and fresh pastries to offer.

“People stop in here on their way to work for coffee and pastries and it feels good to have that option,” she said. 

Located just up the hill from Diamond Pet Foods, Russell said she has seen a lot of business from employees on their lunch break as well.

She also offers six-inch subs that include a wide variety of meats and toppings.

“These are New York-style big subs,” said Russell. ‘You will not be disappointed with my subs.”

Everything is fresh and prepared daily, from chicken to Angus meatballs and Black Forest ham. Russell also has plenty of vegetables.

“I’m proud of the freshness of my food and the quality of the ingredients,” said Russell. “Everyone needs to eat and I want their meal experience at my restaurant to be the best.”

The business is located in a home built in 1904. At one time, the structure served as a hotel, and a switchboard already in the lobby is a reminder of days gone by. Russell also found old insurance books dating back to the 1950s. She learned the house was also used as a doctor’s office at one time.

While Russell was born in Missouri and spent much of her youth in Dixon, she eventually made her way to the state of California, where she worked for a decade as a registered medical technician. However, that was not the career she wanted.

“I knew I wanted to cook,” she said.

With the wildfires in California, Russell said she knew it was a matter of time before she would have been forced to evacuate. COVID was also a factor two years ago, when she decided to return to Missouri and settle in Meta to be close to her mom, Christine Peach.

“It’s good to be here near my mom,” said Russell. “She helps in the kitchen when she can and it reminds me of growing up cooking together.”

Russell’s son, Dylan, 11, also helped as the business opened as well.

Natalie’s Pastries completed the final health inspections from both Osage and Cole counties.

Russell has no plans to remodel the house and is only using the lower floor.

“I think we have a nice waiting area with space to social distance,” said Russell.

She will sell takeout-only pastries, subs, specials, and coffee at her shop at 102 W. Fourth Street at a reasonable price.

“I’m not trying to gouge anyone,” said Russell. “I’m not trying to get rich here. I just want to give the community a good place to eat.”