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…
Must-see restaurants in The Great Plains
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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…
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Iowa
Good smells have wafted out of this traditional bakery since 1903. Savory choices include zelniks (buns filled with cabbage and caraway seeds). Another…
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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…
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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…
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Iowa
Inventive, fresh seasonal fare is the hallmark of this industrial chic eatery downtown. Always crowded, diners share large and small plates of the…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Nebraska
West of downtown in Midtown, chef Clayton Chapman has challenged perceptions of Great Plains cuisine with his fiercely local and seasonal dishes. Winners:…
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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…
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Kansas
The model for diners everywhere. This bustling local downtown fave has fabulous chow, including corned-beef hash, banana-bread French toast and eggs…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Iowa
Beloved donut shop that also sells cinnamon twists; the fresh fruit numbers are the bomb.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
