When we brought you 21 Restaurants You Have To Visit In Missouri Before You Die, we asked you to let us know which restaurants we forgot. The amount of suggestions we received was overwhelming! There are hundreds of great places to eat in Missouri, and you reminded us of so many that deserved to be on the list!
Because there were so many legit suggestions, we are still not able to include them all here, but here are 21 that were featured most prominently in our virtual suggestion box.
1. Westport Flea Market, Kansas City
Westport Flea Market has received numerous accolades for their burgers. They are a local favorite and an over 30-year-old institution. They serve delicious made-to-order foods in a nostalgic atmosphere. Special events, live music, pool, shuffleboard and video games provide fun for your dining experience. They are proud to offer 44 different cold beers on tap. Westport Flea Market is located north of the Country Club Plaza at 817 Westport Road.
Website: westportfleamarket.com
2. Justus Drugstore, Smithville
Located in a former drugstore featuring farm-to-table American fare, Justus boasts unique, from-scratch menu items. The food has been referred to as "country food on steroids." They are located at 106 W Main Street.
Website: drugstorerestaurant.com
3. Lemp Mansion Restaurant and Inn, St. Louis
Located in the infamous and stately Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, this restaurant serves delicious American fare as well as family-style dinner on Sundays. They offer special Murder Mystery Nights, ghost tours, and a gift shop. The Lemp Mansion is located at 3322 Demenil Place.
Website: lempmansion.com
4. Broadway Oyster Bar, St. Louis
The Broadway Oyster Bar is a popular hangout in the city of St. Louis. They feature a relaxed atmosphere, Cajun food, nightly live music and an awesome outdoor patio. It has been a locally owned and operated business for over 35 years. Affectionately known as BOB, it’s housed in an 1840s building, one of the oldest buildings still in daily use in the city. They are located at 736 S Broadway.
Website: broadwayoysterbar.com
5. Corner Café, Riverside
Corner Café is known for being one of the best places to get a traditional American breakfast in the Kansas City area. The Riverside location is one of a small chain of three cheery little restaurants who draw crowds with hearty American comfort classics. They are located at 4541 NW Gateway Avenue.
Website: thecornercafe.com
6. Bentley's, Lake Ozark
Bentley’s is a neighborhood institution that serves seafood, steak and chops in a relaxed atmosphere. The original Bentley’s was founded over 40-something years ago in St. Louis, and they have been in Lake Ozark since 1974. Although reservations are encouraged, they are not required. Also, be aware that the restaurant is closed each January. They are located at 3100 Bagnell Dam Blvd.
Website: bentleysrestaurantmo.com
7. Stroud's, Kansas City
Stroud’s boasts, "80 Years of Choking Our Own Chickens." They started as a BBQ restaurant on the county line at 85th and Troost and remained so until the rationing of beef in World War II. It was at that point pan-fried chicken was added to the menu. Currently, they have a total of four locations. The Oak Ridge Manor location has been in operation since 1983.
Despite the many changes throughout the years, Stroud’s maintains an award winning reputation for quality food, service, and atmosphere. Oak Ridge Manor Stroud’s is located at 5410 NE Oak Ridge Road.
Website: stroudsrestaurant.com
8. Bluestem, Kansas City
Bluestem opened in March of 2004, and is a low-key, white-tablecloth-type restaurant that serves delicious New American fare. They have received many local and national accolades including being named in 2015 as a James Beard Foundation semi-finalist for "Outstanding Restaurant." Don’t skip dessert! They are located at 900 Westport Road.
Website: bluestemkc.com
9. Instant Karma Hot Dogs, Joplin
Instant Karma Hot Dogs is a hip, brick-walled restaurant located in downtown Joplin. They serve gourmet burgers and hot dogs, and are well known for menu items like The Tueben, a Black Angus hot dog topped with sauerkraut, swiss cheese, and homemade Karma sauce. They also serve a large variety of beers. They are located at 527 S Main Street.
10. Crown Candy Kitchen, St. Louis
Crown Candy Kitchen is a St. Louis staple that has been around since 1913. They offer retro soda-fountain atmosphere and food, as well as homemade confectionaries and desserts. In addition, they are well known for having the best BLT for miles around. They are located at 1401 St Louis Avenue.
Website: crowncandykitchen.com
11. ECCO Lounge, Jefferson City
Another local favorite and icon is the ECCO Lounge in Jefferson City. Great food and service combined with a full bar and old-school tavern atmosphere to provide a quality dining experience. They are well known for their Ecco Burger, onion rings, and Breaded Pork Tenderloin. They are located at 703 Jefferson Street.
12. Wobbly Boots Roadhouse, Osage Beach
An Osage Beach favorite, Wobbly Boots is known for representing great BBQ at Lake of the Ozarks. Its lake views, live music, and live sports on 110" big screen TV combine with an exceptional menu to complete the award-winning dining experience. They are located at 4717 Osage Beach Pkwy.
Website: wobblybootsbbq.com
13. The Blue Owl, Kimmswick
Located in historic Kimmswick, the Blue Owl has been featured on television, in magazines and online many times for its reputation for exceptional food. Most known for their Famous Levee High Apple Pie, they also serve up homestyle country favorites like chicken & dumplings and country fried steak. They are located 6116 2nd Street.
Website: theblueowl.com
14. Charlie Gitto's On the Hill, St. Louis
Charlie Gitto’s is a St. Louis landmark located in The Hill neighborhood in St. Louis, an area known for its Italian food. For more than 35 years at its current location, this longtime local favorite delivers delicious Italian fare in an old-world, elegant atmosphere. It is at this very location in 1947 when St. Louis’ most famous appetizer, toasted ravioli, was accidently discovered when a chef at what was then called Angelo’s dropped a ravioli in hot oil instead of water. They now have a total of 3 locations, their original being located at 5226 Shaw Avenue.
Website: charliegittos.com
15. CC City Broiler, Columbia
CC’s is an upscale American restaurant & bar an historic exposed brick setting, offering steaks, seafood & fine wines. It is a locally famous Columbia gathering spot featuring fun dining rooms usually packed with enthusiastic guests and a second-to-none service staff.
For almost 20 years, CC’s City Broiler has been Columbia’s premier award-winning restaurant and steakhouse. In 2014 they earned Trip Advisor’s "Best Restaurant in Columbia" honors. They are located at 1401 Forum Blvd.
Website: ccscitybroiler.com
16. Les Bourgeois Blufftop Bistro, Rocheport
This captivating restaurant and vineyard sits on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. The views, especially from a window table, are stunning. It is one of mid-Missouri’s top attractions, offering a unique combination of rural quaintness and accessibility. It is located about midway between St. Louis and Kansas City, and is a family owned and operated vineyard. It was originally purchased by Curtis and Martha Bourgeois in 1974 and underwent extensive renovations to create the destination experience it is today. It is located at 14020 W Hwy Bb.
Website: missouriwine.com
17. Arthur Bryant's BBQ, Kansas City
Arthur Bryant’s is a well-known Kansas City BBQ staple. They serve their smoked meats with Wonder bread and fries in a simple, self-service atmosphere. Now with two locations, the original can be found at 1727 Brooklyn Avenue. It is considered by some to be the most famous BBQ restaurant in the U.S. With history dating back to 1908, its current incarnation began in 1940 and for many years was located at 18th and Euclid. It has been at its current location at 1727 Brooklyn in 1958.
Website: arthurbryants.com
18. Kline's, Rosebud
Kline’s is a local favorite in the very small town of Rosebud. They are an extremely busy restaurant serving barbeque, breakfast, burgers, Cajun/Creole, sandwiches and seafood. They serve wonderful food at great prices. Serving sizes are generous. They are located at 302 Old Motel Road.
Website: klinesrestaurant.com
19. Hickory Log, Dexter
Hickory log is the place to go for amazing ribs! Proudly serving Dexter since 1953, the restaurant cooks their ribs outdoors on open brick-walled pits, with only a real hickory wood fire. They have their own blend of special spices that combine with the slow real wood cooking to create results that are known throughout the United States. A full menu includes "certified angus beef steaks", grilled chicken, salads, appetizers, and sandwiches. In addition, they offer online ordering of their ribs and sauce. They are located at 1314 US-60 Business.
Website: thehickorylog.com
20. Town Topic Hamburgers, Kansas City
A man named Claude Sparks opened a little diner in downtown Kansas City in 1937. The now famous hamburgers sold at the time for 5 cents each. Now, 75 years later, Town Topic has become an iconic piece of Kansas City history. They pride themselves as having the same great food and atmosphere as they did back in the beginning, and they are open 24/7. Besides the original location at 2021 Broadway, there are also two other locations.
Website: towntopic.com
21. Strawberry's BBQ, Holcomb
Strawberry’s BBQ in Holcomb has been said to have the best Barbequed Pork steak you will ever eat. It is little haunt in the middle of nowhere, with a small town feel and charm. You can also buy their spice rub to take home and add to your own favorite dish. It’s amazing to find such a place in a town of 600 people. You will also have a hard time choosing from the amazing sides like baked beans, okra, and scalloped potatoes. They are located at 107 Main Street.
Website: strawsbbq.com
We are calling this a part one of reader's choice feature on this topic because of the tremendous outpour of support for so many Missouri favorites. We haven't forgotten the rest of you, but let us know if we are still missing your favorite!
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