Rural Missouri - April 2013 - (Page 25)
H
12th annual contest results reveal readers’ favorites
ave you ever visited a Best of Rural Missouri winner? If
you have, there’s a good chance you’ve spotted a certificate touting the accomplishment somewhere near
the cash register or perhaps in the entryway.
These restaurants and destinations are proud that their patrons
have seen fit to vote for them, and they want everyone to know
how much they appreciate the support.
We here at Rural Missouri also appreciate the support and your
continued interest in the contest. Everyone seemed happy with
how the contest went last year, so we left the 12th edition as-is,
offering you 20 statewide categories in which to vote. You’ll see
some familiar names, along with some new ones and the return
of a few past winners who’ve been absent for a while. If you visit
any of them, be sure to let them know you read about them in
Rural Missouri.
When reading through this year’s results, take note of the
Facebook logo throughout. Winners with a page on the popular
social media network are indicated with this logo, which in our
digital edition links directly to their pages.
Also, we extend a special congratulations to Intercounty Electric Cooperative members Roger and Carolyn Kirkman of Summersville, winners of the $500 Best of Missouri gift basket. The
basket included Missouri-made foods, locally crafted pottery, a
gift certificate to a Missouri bed-and-breakfast of the Kirkman’s
choice along with Rural Missouri merchandise.
Now, without further ado — the results!
R E S TA U R A N T
BARBECUE
1st Place: Catalpa, Arrow
Rock;
660-837-3324,
www.catalparestaurant.
com
Last year, Catalpa burst
into the contest in a big way,
winning this category in its
first year of business. The intimate, fine dining experience
that owner and chef Liz Huff
provides her patrons is second
to none, so it’s no surprise
the little eatery has become
a back-to-back winner. With
only eight tables in the dining
room, reservations are a must,
especially during the Lyceum
Theatre season.
1st Place: Piggy’s BarBQ, O’Fallon;
636-272-7444,
www.piggysbarbq.com
During the past six years, Piggy’s
has become a stalwart in our barbecue
category, winning in our region-based
contest from 2008 to 2011 and finishing runner-up in last year’s statewide
contest. So, we’re not surprised that
readers voted the eatery No. 1 this
year. Pitmaster Mike Killian says
that Piggy’s hickory-smoked ribs and
pulled pork are top sellers at this Kansas City-style barbecue joint.
Runner-Up: Lambert’s Café,
Sikeston;
573-471-4261,
www.throwedrolls.com
What haven’t we said about
Lambert’s during the past 12
Best Restaurant: Catalpa, Arrow Rock
years? The restaurant known for
its generous portions and “pass
arounds” is a Missouri institusummer, Field Editor Kyle Spradley
tion that has spread from Sikeston to
took the trip down the gravel road
Ozark and down to Foley, Ala.
to this eatery near Dillard Mill and
fell in love with the Cuban sandwich
Editor’s Choice: The Traveler’s
and the St. Louis-style gooey butter
Table, Davisville; 573-244-5300,
cake. Owners Greg Kerlin and Chris
www.thetravelerstable.com
Johansson offer up their fare during
This category was formerly known
weekends only from Memorial Day
as “Dining Worth the Drive,” and The
through September.
Traveler’s Table certainly qualifies. Last
Runner-Up: Dexter Bar-B-Que,
Dexter; 573-6248810, www.dexterbbq.com
For 30 years,
this eatery has
served up traditional dry-rubbed,
slow-cooked pit
barbecue. What
began with a
mobile barbecue
pit for catering
has turned into
a small smoked
meat empire with
locations in Dexter, Sikeston, Cape
Girardeau and
Jonesboro, Ark.
Editor’s Choice: Lonnie Ray’s,
Harrisburg;
573-874-0020,
www.lonnieraysbbq.com
For a truly unique barbecue experience, visit Lonnie Ray’s, says Field
Editor Kyle Spradley. “My favorite
brisket in the state — bar none,” he
adds. Don’t let the appearance of Mike
Whiteley’s eatery fool you; this place
is legit. Try unique dishes such as the
pulled pork and green chile tamales or
the smoked bologna sandwich known
as “Gee Willikers” that weighs nearly
three pounds.
Best Barbecue: Piggys’s BarBQ, O’Fallon
BURGER
1st Place: Booches, Columbia;
573-874-9519
This Columbia institution has been
around for more than 125 years, and
when it comes to the burgers, nothing
has really changed. They’re simple,
but delicious: a hamburger cooked on
a flat-top grill then dressed with mustard, pickle and onion. If you’re feeling adventurous, add a slice of cheese.
Runner-Up: Wheel Inn Drive-In,
Sedalia; 660-826-5177
While often imitated, the Wheel
Inn’s GuberBurger reigns supreme as
the best burger slathered with peanut
butter. Sedalia nearly lost this local
icon in 2007 when highway expansion closed the original location, but
longtime employee Judy Clark resurrected the restaurant. When you go,
order a Double GuberBurger with
Soozie-Q fries and a fresh-squeezed
cherry limeade.
Editor’s Choice: Heroes Restaurant
& Pub, Warrensburg;
660-747-3162,
www.heroeswarrensburg.com
Heroes All American Burgers are
well-regarded both by locals and the
students at the University of Central
Missouri. Editor Jim McCarty has
a son attending UCM, so when he
visits, he orders the Warrensburger, a
half-pound of USDA Choice ground
beef served on a Kaiser roll and garnished with tomato, red onion and
pickles. If you’re looking for something more exotic, try the B-2 Burger
with Heroes’ fresh-cut fries.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lonnie-Rays-BBQ-Harrisburg-Missouri/105151405687?fref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Piggys-BarBQ/120340785906?fref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/catalparestaurant
http://www.catalparestaurant.com
http://www.piggysbarbq.com
http://www.lonnieraysbbq.com
http://www.catalparestaurant.com
http://www.dexterbbq.com
http://www.dexterbbq.com
http://www.facebook.com/throwedrolls
http://www.throwedrolls.com
http://www.thetravelerstable.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heroes-Restaurant-and-Pub/59071500875?fref=ts
http://www.heroeswarrensburg.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - April 2013
Rural Missouri - April 2013
Table of Contents
Comments
Columns
Companion planting
News Briefs
Operation cooperation
Outdoors
It’s all about redemption
Best of rural Missouri
Hearth and Home
Marmaduke’s Cape expedition
Around Missouri
Marketplace
The soldier’s paper
Neighbors
Just4Kids
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