Take A Culinary Adventure In Missouri

When it comes to finding the best regional fare, perhaps there's no better judge than folks who dine close to home regularly: Local residents.

That's why the VisitMO.com staff enlisted its Facebook fans to help find some of the best and most beloved restaurants in the Show-Me State. What follows is a compilation of their selections, which, like the state itself, are fun, interesting and varied.

A great way to start your Missouri getaway is with a hamburger from O'Connell's Pub. Known for its charbroiled burgers, O'Connell's has been a staple in St. Louis since the 1960s, and the restaurant's location serves as a convenient gateway to nearby attractions such as the Saint Louis Zoo, The Muny, Saint LouisArt Museum and MissouriHistoryMuseum.

If you're interested in a more intimate experience, enjoy Ray's of Kelso in Sikeston. Housed in a former bank – yes, you can dine in the vault area – Ray's has a variety of steak and seafood choices, along with a wide selection of cocktails, plus signature creations such as a Chateaubriand that's carved and served tableside.

If big portions are your thing, visit Cookin' From Scratch in Doolittle (just off Route 66, west of Rolla) which has comfort foods second-to-none. They've got everything from catfish to chicken-and-dumplings to an assortment of cakes and pies. Don't forget the Route 66 Burger Challenge: a 66-ounce (1.87 kg) cheeseburger served with 1.5 pounds (.68 kg) of fries. Eat it in 66 minutes and it's free.

Farther southwest on Route 66, enjoy the Bacon-wrapped Shrimp and BBQ Chicken dish at Red Onion Café in Joplin. This house specialty comes highly recommended by locals and visitors alike. The romantic atmosphere makes this a great date-night location, and don't forget to split a dessert, or two. With options like Kentucky Bourbon Pecan Pie, Italian Cream Cake and Caramel Fudge Pecan Cake, it is difficult to pick just one.

Speaking of destinations on Route 66, one of Missouri's most popular is the Elbow Inn, located a stone's throw from the BigPineyRiver in Devils Elbow. One of the Elbow Inn's signature dishes is the Tater Burger: a large hamburger patty, filled with jalapeno and other peppers, topped with two kinds of pepper-cheese and spicy ketchup or barbecue sauce; calling it hot doesn't do it justice. In 2011, Rand McNally and USA Today listed the Elbow Inn on their “Best of the Road” restaurants.

If you find yourself in central Missouri and in the mood for pizza, make Shakespeare's in Columbia your first stop. One of their creations, the Masterpiece Pizza, was selected as a winner on the “Good Morning America” program's “Best Bites: College Edition” broadcast. At this famous pizzeria, it's not just about the pizza; it's about the atmosphere. Shakespeare's is located downtown, two blocks from the University of Missouri campus.

Of course, when you're talking food in Missouri, you're talking barbecue, which always leads to a mention of Kansas City, one of the country's great barbecue destinations.

Zagat's worldwide restaurant guide places Arthur Bryant's Barbeque (founded in Kansas City in the 1920s) on its list of the top-10 barbecue joints in the country, one of the “barbecue havens you must go to before you die.” For slow-smoked meats served cafeteria-style, visit Gates Bar-B-Q, often referred to as the friendliest barbecue joints in town: as soon as you walk in the door, you are greeted with, “Hi, may I help you?”

Barbecue also is big business in other sections of Missouri, with establishments such as Dexter Bar-B-Q in Dexter being well known for delicious meals and generous portions.

If you're in Missouri and have an urge to dine on Cajun cuisine, check out Boudreaux's Louisiana Seafood, which dishes up authentic Louisiana Cajun cuisine, in an old-world atmosphere. Boudreaux's is just a few blocks from the PonyExpressNationalMuseum, located in a renovated warehouse in downtown St. Joseph

Of course nothing caps a great meal like a great dessert. In Missouri, our desserts aren't just great, they're legendary.

The Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery in Kimmswick offers some of the best meals found anywhere, while the bakery and nearby Mary's Sweet Shoppe offer delights you'd be silly to refuse. The Blue Owl is perhaps most famous for its Levee High Caramel Apple Pecan Pie, which contains 18 Golden Delicious apples and is one dessert you have to see to truly believe.

Another well-known Missouri sweeter is Central Dairy, located in Missouri's capital, Jefferson City. Serving hand-dipped ice cream from an old-fashioned storefront, Central Dairy is a popular year-round stop for visitors and residents alike. Try one of their mammoth banana-split treats; if you can finish it, pat yourself on the back for a job well done.