Rural Missouri - April 2020 - 37

Hamburger

1st: Booches, Columbia;
573-874-9519
No doubt about it, Booches is an institution. The cash-only
Columbia burger joint still makes its burgers like they were
when it ﬁrst opened in 1884; low on frills and high on taste. The
standard burger comes with white American and Swiss cheeses,
ketchup, mustard, pickles and onions. The perfectly seasoned burgers are cooked just inside the Ninth Street entrance of the wellknown pool hall. It's no surprise a visit to Booches has become a
tradition for the Tiger faithful.
2nd: White Grill, Nevada;
417-667-9388
White Grill might be as old school as it gets. Hand-pattied burgers
sizzle on that ﬂattop as you watch from your bar stool seat. The
menu board above you isn't sprawling, but it doesn't need to be,
the aroma in the air tells you that. Burger variations include adding
cheese or bacon or making it a Whistleburger, served between
two slices of browned toast. Make sure you add their famous Suzie Q's, White Grill's take on a curly fry.
EC: Mary Jane Burgers & Brew, Perryville;
573-547-6279, www.maryjaneburgers.com
With more than 20 burger options, you're sure to ﬁnd just the
right one at Mary Jane Burgers & Brew. If you show up hungry,
go for the Johnboy featuring two beef patties, double pepper jack
cheese, bacon, fried onions and chipotle aioli. For a southeastern
Missouri favorite, try The Legend of Ted. It features a beef patty,
American cheese, fried bologna and carmelized onions.

April20_Best of Missouri_2.indd 3

Breakfast/Brunch

1st: Cosmic Cafe, Warsaw;
660-438-6171
Shannon Noland didn't want Cosmic Cafe to be known as just a
run-of-the-mill breakfast joint. She focuses on eye-opening meals
along with top-notch coffee. Standard fare such as a two-egg
breakfast and plenty of omelets are available. For something different opt for the made-to-order beef and hash or eggs Benedict
with smoked Virginia ham. The steak huevos rancheros features
rib-eye and veggies topped with a pair of eggs and ranchero sauce.
It's served with potatoes, a crepe and guacamole.
Runner-Up: Ginger Sue's, Liberty;
816-407-7707, www.gingersues.com
Located in historic downtown Liberty, Ginger Sue's has been sending customers home satisﬁed for more than a decade. No matter
if it's sweet or savory, you'll ﬁnd just the breakfast for you at Ginger Sue's. Chocolate chips and plenty of fruit options are available
to accompany your wafﬂes and pancakes hot off the griddle. For
a twist on eggs Benedict, try the crab Benedict featuring crab and
andouille sausage served on a honey-wheat English mufﬁn.
EC: Billy Gail's, Branson West;
417-338-8883
Billy Gail's has been the Branson West breakfast standard-bearer
since 1995. After the passing of matriarch Gail Blong, the restaurant has changed hands, but is an homage to the plentiful portions
and signature dishes Gail and her husband, Billy, were known for.
You can try Gail's Famous Four-Egg Omelet or Billy's Belly Buster
Breakfast. If you need a breakfast perfect for your social media
feed, add Billy Gail's 14-inch pancake to your order. Come hungry!

3/13/20 8:40 AM

http://www.gingersues.com http://www.maryjaneburgers.com

Rural Missouri - April 2020

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