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

Rural Missouri - April 2013