Must-see restaurants in The Great Plains

  • Johnny's Cafe

    Nebraska

    The same family has been running this local legend of a steakhouse since 1922. The restaurant itself is a living museum of decor, with custom artwork…

  • Cattlemen's Steakhouse

    Oklahoma

    Oklahoma City's most storied restaurant, this Stockyards City institution has been feeding cowpokes and city slickers slabs of beef since 1910. Deals are…

  • Sykora Bakery

    Iowa

    Good smells have wafted out of this traditional bakery since 1903. Savory choices include zelniks (buns filled with cabbage and caraway seeds). Another…

  • Ted Drewes

    St Louis

    Don't dare leave town without licking yourself silly on the super-creamy ice-cream-like frozen custard at historic Ted Drewes, west of the city center on…

  • Galleria De Paco

    Iowa

    It took Michelangelo four years to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, but it took Evelin 'Paco' Rosic just four months to make a half-sized…

  • Roca

    Iowa

    Inventive, fresh seasonal fare is the hallmark of this industrial chic eatery downtown. Always crowded, diners share large and small plates of the…

  • Elmer's

    Oklahoma

    A legendary barbecue joint where the star of the menu is the potentially deadly 'Badwich,' a bun-crushing combo of superbly smoked sausages, ham, beef,…

  • Q39

    Kansas City

    This slick joint has fab service, great microbrews and some of the best meats to come off a grill in the region. The spare ribs are the best we've had and…

  • Golden Ox

    Kansas City

    In 1949, when this riverfront strip was the site of the KC stockyards, the Golden Ox served its first steak. Over the years it became a local legend for…

  • UNL Dairy Store

    Nebraska

    Agriculture majors make the ice cream with milk from the university's own herd at this store on the East Campus. The results are amazingly creamy and come…

  • Bluestem

    Kansas City

    Multiple-award-winning Bluestem has a casual elegance that extends from the bar to the dining room. Many stop into this Westport star just for a fine…

  • Dobyns Dining Room

    Missouri

    Located by College of the Ozarks (and staffed by its students, who also make the ice cream), this is as close to fine dining as Branson gets. The setting…

  • Cornbred Barbecue

    Iowa

    Located in the old Ames train station, this barbecue joint has tables overlooking the still busy tracks. The food is sensational, cooked by a crew of…

  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que

    Kansas City

    This legendary joint is housed in a brightly lit old gas station and is the best reason to cross the state border (it's actually not far from the Country…

  • Potter’s Mill

    Iowa

    This converted grain mill draws folks from across the region with both its made-from-scratch Southern cooking and live blues and jazz music (Saturday and…

  • Cheever's Cafe

    Oklahoma

    This former art deco flower shop is now an upscale cafe with excellent Southern- and Mexican-influenced fare. The menu changes seasonally and is locally…

  • Free State Brewing

    Kansas

    One of many good places on Massachusetts St downtown, this is the first brewery in Kansas since temperance campaigner Carrie Nation got one closed in 1880…

  • Grey Plume

    Nebraska

    West of downtown in Midtown, chef Clayton Chapman has challenged perceptions of Great Plains cuisine with his fiercely local and seasonal dishes. Winners:…

  • Eleven Eleven Mississippi

    St Louis

    This popular bistro and wine bar fills an old shoe factory. Dinner mains have a Tuscan flair and farm-to-table vibe. Other options on the seasonal menu…

  • Doo-Dah Diner

    Kansas

    The model for diners everywhere. This bustling local downtown fave has fabulous chow, including corned-beef hash, banana-bread French toast and eggs…

  • Adriana's

    St Louis

    Redolent of herbs, this family-owned Italian deli serves up fresh salads and sandwiches (get the meaty Hill Boy) to ravenous lunching crowds. The thin…

  • Broadway Oyster Bar

    St Louis

    Part bar, part live-music venue, but all restaurant, this joint jumps year-round. When the sun shines, people flock outside where they suck down crawfish…

  • Shaved Duck

    St Louis

    A South Grand stalwart, the Shaved Duck fires up its grills early in the day and turns out excellent BBQ, such as the signature smoked duck. Options…

  • Crown Candy Kitchen

    St Louis

    An authentic family-run soda fountain that's been making families smile since 1913. Malts (hot fudge, yum!) come with spoons, the floats, well, float, and…

  • Betty Rae's Ice Cream

    Kansas City

    The best ice cream in the Great Plains? Could be. Choose from 25 flavors of sensationally creamy ice cream, including the remarkable lavender honey. After…

  • Indigo Bridge

    Nebraska

    This fine Haymarket cafe in a fantastic bookstore serves excellent coffee, snacks and sandwiches throughout the day. Best of all, 100% of all coffee…

  • MB Haskett Delicatessen

    South Dakota

    Michael Haskett's retro cafe serves brilliant food throughout the day, from breakfast through dinner. The ever-changing menu draws inspiration from the…

  • Arthur Bryant's

    Kansas City

    Not far from the Jazz District (18th and Vine Sts), this famous institution serves up piles of superb BBQ. The sauce is silky and fiery, the staff…

  • Gettin' Basted

    Missouri

    Brisket, pulled pork and that holy grail of barbecue, burnt ends, are the stars at one of the very best places to eat on the Strip. The pitmasters here…

  • Nic's Grill

    Oklahoma

    The hamburgers at this outlet are lauded nationwide. The limited hours mean that crowds form to get a chance at one of the juicy masterpieces. Be sure to…

  • Wyman's Spudnuts

    Iowa

    Beloved donut shop that also sells cinnamon twists; the fresh fruit numbers are the bomb.

  • Machine Shed

    Iowa

    This excellent restaurant serving hearty fare is out west near I-35/80 exit 125 and the Living History Farms. It's a bustling place that emphasizes top…

  • Tumea & Sons

    Iowa

    Generations of locals have feasted on homestyle Italian classics at this proudly family-run restaurant. Have an amazingly cheap mixed drink at the bar…

  • Slice of Pie

    Missouri

    Pie! Who doesn't say they love it, but when was the last time you had a really good slice? Amid pervasive mediocrity, this family-run pie shop is a winner…

  • Jesse's Embers

    Iowa

    A classic that's had an open kitchen since before they were trendy. Succulent steaks (go for the prime sirloin) are perfectly grilled and come with sides…

  • Ben Magoon's Famous Delicatessen

    Missouri

    This downtown tavern dates back to the 1920s, when the real Ben Magoon started serving what became much-loved sandwiches. The current owners carry on this…

  • Murphy's Original Steak House

    Oklahoma

    'Gravy over it?' Expect that question from the seen-it-all waitresses no matter what you order (ok, maybe not pies – maybe). The signature dish is a…

  • Freddie's Hamburgers

    Oklahoma

    You'll never be satisfied with a burger from a fast-food chain again after you wipe the juices from these beauties off your chin. Burgers come with an…

  • Park Avenue Coffee

    St Louis

    A treat unique to St Louis is the butter cake, a buttery treat that reminds one of a heavenly cross between cake and fudge. This small chain of local…

  • Hub Cafe

    Nebraska

    Right in the amphitheater building on Lincoln's main square, Union Plaza, this creative cafe serves locally sourced breakfasts all day. Try the huevos…

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