What To Eat in Missouri
The barbecue of Kansas City is legendary, rightfully so. But K.C., MO, also is home to four-star fried chicken dinners and blue-ribbon steaks. And let’s not forget St. Louis, which has its own fine barbecue customs as well as custard to die for. The Gateway City offers a multitude of unique specialties that include toasted ravioli, St. Paul sandwiches (egg foo young on white bread), and a sweet tooth’s best friend, gooey butter cake.
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With a smoke-cooking heritage that derives from both deep south and Texas traditions, Kansas City is a barbecue lover's paradise. Both pork ribs and beef brisket are at their best, not to mention chopped and sliced pork, hot links, and even mutton. Sauce plays a major role in KC barbecue, adding spicy drama to mellow meat. And to the east, St. Louis has its own treasure trove of great smoke-cooked meals.
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A low-rise pastry unique to St. Louis, gooey butter cake has a tender crust around the edge and a middle that is custard-soft and overwhelmingly sweet. Originally it was simply yellow cake mixed with butter, cream cheese and powdered sugar. City bakers have taken the idea and run with it, creating such flavors as banana split, white chocolate raspberry, Amaretto, Butterfinger and funky monkey. Center cuts are dripping-moist; outside segments tend to be a balance of gooeyness and plain cake.
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Also known as a Wilbur, the Slinger is a kitchen-sink breakfast unique to St. Louis. Eaten for lunch or breakfast or as a pre-dawn prophylactic for an oncoming hangover, its exact configuration varies, but a typical slinger would be two hamburger patties sided by fried potatoes, topped with a fried egg or two, completely blanketed with chili, then garnished with grated cheese and chopped raw onions.
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Salt and Smoke
With options from traditional St. Louis ribs to vegetarian falafel burgers, Salt & Smoke is a favorite haunt for locals & visitors on the St. Louis Loop.
Natalie’s Cakes & More
The specialty is caramel cake, moist and buttery, at Natalie's, a charming neighborhood bakery that survived the Ferguson, Missouri, riots, and now thrives.
Allin’s Diner
For a great St Louis slinger, head to Allin's Diner in St. Charles, which also offers a wide variety of homemade soups every day for lunch.
Nathaniel Reid Bakery
A splendid French bakery in suburban St. Louis? Nathaniel Reid Bakery, an unexpected spot off Route 66, offers tasty treats for all sweet tooth needs.
Niecie’s
A St. Louis soul food best, Niecie's is a 3-meal-a-day gathering place for regulars and visitors. Chicken & waffles is a specialty. As are pig ear sandwiches.
Cafe Osage
Located next to a functioning greenhouse in St. Louis, Cafe Osage is a locals' favorite for brunch, featuring dishes made from natural produce at its best.
Riley’s Pub
Riley's is a St. Louis corner tavern with a full pub menu that includes the city's unique style of pizza with cracker-thin crust and topping of Provel cheese.
Room 38 Restaurant & Lounge
College students and Columbia citizens flock to Room 38 for comfort food, brunch, stylish New American fare, and unique cocktails.
Danna’s Bar-B-Que & Burger Shop
Danna's is a big, happy purveyor of hand-pattied burgers and long-smoked meats including ribs, pork, brisket, sausage & chicken.
