Rural Missouri - April 2021 - 37

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Rural
Missouri
Restaurant

Contest reveals Rural
Missouri readers' favorites

ven though Missourians may have been a little less mobile this past
year, they sure haven't forgotten the places they love throughout the
Show-Me State. This year's Best of Rural Missouri Readers' Choice
Contest ballots were chock-full of your favorite places to eat, shop,
visit and play.
Just as we published last year's contest, the COVID-19 pandemic hit
and left many of the locations featured in the 2020 contest temporarily
closed or with reduced service options. Here's hoping you can visit as
many of this year's winners as possible!
Eighteen was the magic number this year as this is the 18th edition
of the contest and it featured 18 categories showcasing the many unique
opportunities available to Missourians all year long. Some categories
- such as Best Restaurant and Best Barbecue - have been contest
staples while others like Best Food Truck and Best Getaway Without the
Kids were brand new. Some categories had clear runaways while others
came down to just a few reader votes. Each category includes a ﬁrst- and
second-place winner along with an editors' choice (EC).
Thousands of votes came pouring in both online and through the mail.
All who completed a ballot in at least ﬁve categories were entered to win a
$500 Visa gift card to use at whatever Missouri restaurant or destination
they enjoy most. This years' winner was Intercounty Electric Cooperative
member Lois Boykin of Cabool.
In addition to highlighting this year's winners here, online and on social media, in August we will display these pages in the Missouri's Electric
Cooperatives Building during the Missouri State Fair. Be sure to stop by
and see us. So, without further ado, here are your 2021 winners!

1st: Lil' Black River Cafe, Grandin; 573-593-4023
When Alan and Valerie Porter returned to Alan's stomping grounds in south-central Missouri, they had one goal in mind for the Lil' Black River Cafe: " Big-city
quality at a small-town price. " In the process, they put Grandin on the map for
diners who ﬂock to the banks of the Little Black River for a diverse culinary
experience be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. Can't decide which to have? Try a little of both with The Italian Breakfast comprising pasta piled high with farm-fresh
eggs, vegetables, bacon and sausage gravy. Check for daily specials on the cafe's
Facebook page. Or take on one of Alan's specialties - seafood - with catﬁsh,
served blackened or breaded three different ways.
2nd: Fulton Cafe, Fulton; 573-642-8444,
www.fulton-cafe-llc.square.site
Court Street in Fulton continues to be a hotbed for our contest. This year, Fulton Cafe became the third restaurant in one block to grace our contest. John
and Iris Atkison serve up a combination of bona ﬁde Cuban cuisine along with
some American favorites. For the best experience, go with the Cuban fare that
is reminiscent of Iris' youth in Cuba. Start with a Cubano sandwich with a side of
ham croquettes and a Cafe con Leche to drink
EC: Haven 55, Pineville; 417-223-2055, www.haven55.com
Located 2 miles from the Missouri-Arkansas border, Haven 55 serves up casual
lunch fare along with upscale dinner entrees inside an old gristmill overlooking
the Elk River. Burgers are the most popular item at lunchtime, featuring onethird pound of certiﬁed Angus beef grilled to order with a host of toppings available for that perfect bite. At dinner, opt for a steak cooked to your liking or the
creamy shrimp pesto.
APRIL 2021 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP

April21_Best of Missouri.indd 1

3/11/21 10:46 AM

http://www.fulton-cafe-llc.square.site http://www.haven55.com http://www.RURALMISSOURI.COOP

Rural Missouri - April 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - April 2021