10 Best Famous Foods to Eat in Missouri | What is Missouri known for food

Missouri, a state in the midwestern region of the United States, is known for its unique and flavorful cuisine. From barbecue and fried chicken to toasted ravioli and gooey butter cake, Missouri offers a diverse range of delicious dishes.

Whether you’re a foodie looking for a new culinary adventure or simply curious about Missouri’s famous local food, this blog is for you. Join us as we explore the best dishes and restaurants in Missouri and discover what makes the state’s cuisine so special.

What is Missouri famous for food | What to eat in Missouri

1.St. Louis-Style BBQ

Missouri is known for its barbecue, and St. Louis-style BBQ is a particular variation that is popular throughout the state. It typically involves slow-cooking pork spare ribs and beef brisket over a low flame, then coating them with a tangy barbecue sauce.

St. Louis-style BBQ is a popular style of barbecue that originated in St. Louis, Missouri. It is known for its unique blend of sweet and spicy flavors and is often characterized by its use of pork ribs that are cut in a particular way.

One of the key features of St. Louis-style BBQ is the cut of the ribs. The ribs are trimmed to remove the brisket bone and cartilage, creating a more uniform and rectangular shape. This allows for more even cooking and a cleaner presentation.

Another hallmark of St. Louis-style BBQ is the use of a sweet and slightly tangy sauce, often made with ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and a variety of spices. This sauce is typically applied to the ribs during the last 30 minutes of cooking, allowing it to caramelize and create a sticky, flavorful glaze.

In addition to ribs, St. Louis-style BBQ often includes other meats such as pulled pork, beef brisket, and chicken, as well as sides such as coleslaw, baked beans, and potato salad.

St. Louis is home to many well-known BBQ restaurants, including Pappy’s Smokehouse, Bogart’s Smokehouse, and Sugarfire Smokehouse, among others. These restaurants often use a combination of wood and charcoal to smoke their meats, resulting in a smoky and flavorful finished product.

Overall, St. Louis-style BBQ is a delicious and distinctive style of barbecue that is beloved by many in Missouri and beyond.

2.Toasted Ravioli

Toasted ravioli is a St. Louis specialty that involves deep-fried ravioli stuffed with meat and cheese, then served with a marinara sauce for dipping.

Toasted ravioli is a popular appetizer that originated in St. Louis, Missouri. It consists of breaded and deep-fried ravioli pasta filled with meat, cheese, or a combination of both. It is typically served with marinara sauce for dipping.

There are different stories about the origin of toasted ravioli, but one popular legend says that it was invented by mistake in the 1940s at a local Italian restaurant. As the story goes, a chef accidentally dropped a batch of ravioli into hot oil instead of boiling water, and instead of throwing them away, he served them to customers who loved them. The dish became a local sensation and eventually spread to other restaurants in the area.

Toasted ravioli can be found at many Italian restaurants and bars in St. Louis and is often served as a snack or appetizer. It is also a popular dish during the city’s annual Italian-American heritage festival, the St. Louis Feast of the Seven Fishes.

In recent years, variations of toasted ravioli have emerged, such as those filled with spinach and artichoke or served with different dipping sauces. However, the classic meat or cheese-filled toasted ravioli remains a beloved St. Louis tradition and a must-try for visitors to the city.

3.Gooey Butter Cake

Gooey butter cake is a dense, sweet cake that originated in St. Louis. It is made with cream cheese, butter, and a yellow cake mix, and is often served as a dessert or a breakfast pastry.

Gooey Butter Cake is a dessert that originated in St. Louis, Missouri. It is a cake that is rich and gooey with a slightly crispy top layer, and is made with a few simple ingredients: cake mix, butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar.

There are a few different legends surrounding the origin of Gooey Butter Cake, but most stories agree that it was created by mistake in the 1930s by a St. Louis-area baker who accidentally reversed the proportions of butter and flour in a cake recipe. Instead of starting over, the baker decided to sell the cake as a new creation and it quickly became a local favorite.

Today, Gooey Butter Cake is a beloved dessert in St. Louis and can be found at bakeries, cafes, and restaurants throughout the city. There are also many variations of the cake, including chocolate, pumpkin, and even savory versions.

One of the most popular places to try Gooey Butter Cake in St. Louis is at Park Avenue Coffee, which offers a variety of flavors and variations, including a “gooey butter burger” made with a Gooey Butter Cake bun. Other popular spots for Gooey Butter Cake in St. Louis include Russell’s on Macklind and Missouri Baking Company.

Overall, Gooey Butter Cake is a delicious and unique dessert that is closely associated with the city of St. Louis and its culinary traditions.

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4.Slinger

The Slinger is a St. Louis dish that involves layering hash browns, chili, eggs, and cheese on a plate. It is often served as a hearty breakfast or late-night snack.

The Slinger is a popular breakfast dish that originated in St. Louis, Missouri. It is a hearty and filling dish that typically consists of hash browns or breakfast potatoes, topped with a hamburger patty, chili, and fried eggs. Additional toppings can include cheese, onions, and jalapenos.

The Slinger is said to have originated as a late-night or early-morning dish, as it was popular among shift workers and late-night partiers looking for a satisfying meal. Its name is said to come from the idea that the dish could “sling” you into the next day, providing enough sustenance to get through a long day of work or play.

Today, the Slinger remains a popular breakfast option in St. Louis, and can be found at diners and restaurants throughout the city. Some variations of the dish may use different types of meat, such as bacon or sausage, and some may replace the chili with gravy or hollandaise sauce.

One popular spot to try a Slinger in St. Louis is at the Original Slinger’s, which has been serving the dish since 1947. Other popular spots for a Slinger include Courtesy Diner, Eat-Rite Diner, and Southwest Diner.

Overall, the Slinger is a unique and satisfying breakfast dish that is closely associated with the culinary traditions of St. Louis and is a must-try for visitors to the city.

5.Kansas City-Style BBQ

While St. Louis-style BBQ is popular in Missouri, so is the Kansas City style. This involves slow-cooking meat over hickory wood and then coating it with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.

Kansas City-style BBQ is a popular style of barbecue that originated in Kansas City, Missouri. It is known for its sweet and smoky flavor, as well as its emphasis on a variety of meats and sauces.

One of the key features of Kansas City-style BBQ is the use of a sweet and tangy sauce, often made with tomato, molasses, brown sugar, and vinegar. This sauce is typically applied to the meat during the last stages of cooking, creating a sticky and flavorful glaze.

Kansas City-style BBQ is also characterized by its emphasis on a variety of meats, including beef brisket, pork ribs, chicken, and burnt ends. Burnt ends are a Kansas City specialty, consisting of the caramelized, fatty ends of a brisket that are cut off and served as a separate dish.

In addition to meats, Kansas City-style BBQ often includes side dishes such as baked beans, coleslaw, and potato salad, as well as traditional Kansas City dishes like cheesy corn and Kansas City-style barbecue sauce.

Kansas City is home to many well-known BBQ restaurants, including Arthur Bryant’s, Gates BBQ, and Joe’s Kansas City BBQ, among others. These restaurants often use a combination of hickory and oak wood to smoke their meats, resulting in a smoky and flavorful finished product.

6.Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a classic southern dish that is popular throughout Missouri. It is often served with sides like mashed potatoes, cornbread, and collard greens.

Fried chicken is a beloved dish in Missouri, and there are many restaurants and local chains that specialize in this Southern classic. There are also regional variations in the recipe and preparation of fried chicken across the state.

In St. Louis, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken is a popular spot that has been serving up spicy, crispy fried chicken since 1953. The chicken is marinated in a secret blend of spices, then coated in seasoned flour and fried until golden brown.

Another popular St. Louis fried chicken chain is Hodak’s Restaurant & Bar, which has been serving up its famous chicken for over 50 years. Hodak’s chicken is lightly battered and fried to order, resulting in a crispy exterior and juicy interior.

In Kansas City, Stroud’s Restaurant & Bar is a must-visit destination for fried chicken lovers. The restaurant has been serving its famous pan-fried chicken since 1933, and it is still made from scratch using the same recipe today.

Beyond these iconic establishments, there are many other local spots throughout Missouri where you can find delicious fried chicken. Some variations of fried chicken in Missouri include the use of a spicy seasoning blend, the addition of honey or other sweeteners to the batter, and the use of buttermilk or other marinades to tenderize the meat.

Overall, fried chicken is a beloved dish in Missouri that has a long and storied history in the region. Whether you prefer your chicken spicy or sweet, pan-fried or deep-fried, there is sure to be a local spot that serves up your perfect plate of fried chicken.

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7.Pork Steaks

Pork steaks are a popular dish in Missouri that involves grilling or smoking pork shoulder steaks until they are tender and juicy. They are often served with barbecue sauce and sides like baked beans and potato salad.

Pork steaks are a popular dish in Missouri and are considered a staple of St. Louis-style barbecue. The dish typically consists of a pork shoulder steak that is cut from the shoulder blade of the pig and grilled or smoked until tender and flavorful.

Pork steaks are a relatively inexpensive cut of meat, which is one of the reasons why they became popular in Missouri. They are also a versatile cut that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including grilling, smoking, or pan-frying.

In St. Louis, pork steaks are often served with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, and they are typically accompanied by classic BBQ side dishes like baked beans, coleslaw, and potato salad.

One popular spot to try pork steaks in St. Louis is at Pappy’s Smokehouse, which is known for its flavorful and tender pork steaks that are slow-smoked over apple and cherry wood. Another local favorite is the Shaved Duck, which offers pork steaks that are smoked for up to 14 hours and served with a variety of creative sides and sauces.

Overall, pork steaks are a beloved dish in Missouri and are closely associated with the state’s barbecue traditions. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, trying a pork steak is a must-do culinary experience in Missouri.

8.Imo’s Pizza

Imo’s Pizza is a St. Louis-based chain that serves a unique style of pizza made with a thin crust, a blend of cheeses, and a tangy tomato sauce.

Imo’s Pizza is a regional chain of pizza restaurants based in St. Louis, Missouri. The chain is known for its unique style of pizza, which features a thin, crispy crust and a distinctive blend of cheeses.

Imo’s Pizza was founded in 1964 by Ed and Margie Imo, who used their life savings to open their first pizza shop in St. Louis. The couple worked hard to perfect their recipe, which used a special blend of Provel cheese – a processed cheese that is unique to the St. Louis region – along with a thin, cracker-like crust.

Today, Imo’s Pizza has over 100 locations throughout Missouri and the surrounding states. The chain is still family-owned and operated, and it continues to use the same recipe and techniques that made it famous.

In addition to its signature pizzas, Imo’s also offers a variety of other menu items, including salads, sandwiches, and appetizers like toasted ravioli and garlic cheese bread.

Imo’s Pizza has a loyal following among St. Louis locals and visitors alike, and it has become an iconic part of the city’s food scene. Whether you’re a fan of thin crust pizza or just want to try something new, a visit to Imo’s is a must-do culinary experience in Missouri.

9.Cashew Chicken

Cashew chicken is a popular dish in Springfield, Missouri, that involves stir-frying chicken with cashews, vegetables, and a savory sauce. It is often served over rice or noodles.

Cashew chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish that was first created in Springfield, Missouri in the 1960s. The dish typically consists of chicken that is battered and deep-fried, then stir-fried with cashews, vegetables, and a savory sauce.

The origins of cashew chicken can be traced back to Springfield resident David Leong, who was the owner of the Leong’s Tea House restaurant. Leong was experimenting with new dishes and came up with cashew chicken as a way to appeal to American diners who were unfamiliar with traditional Chinese cuisine.

Today, cashew chicken remains a popular dish in Missouri, and there are many restaurants throughout the state that offer their own versions of the dish. Some variations include the addition of other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms, or the use of different sauces to create unique flavor profiles.

One popular spot to try cashew chicken in Springfield is Leong’s Asian Diner, which is owned by David Leong’s son and continues to serve up his father’s famous recipe. Another local favorite is Hong Kong Inn, which has been serving cashew chicken since the 1970s and offers a unique take on the dish that features a slightly sweet sauce.

10.Fried Ravioli

Fried ravioli is another St. Louis specialty that involves deep-frying ravioli stuffed with cheese, then serving them with a tomato-based dipping sauce. It is often served as an appetizer or a snack.

Fried ravioli is a popular dish in the state of Missouri, especially in the city of St. Louis. It is believed to have originated in the Italian-American community in St. Louis in the 1940s or 1950s. The dish consists of breaded ravioli that is deep-fried and served with marinara sauce for dipping.

Fried ravioli is often served as an appetizer in restaurants and is also a popular snack food at events such as sports games and festivals. Some variations of the dish include adding Parmesan cheese to the breading or using different types of ravioli such as spinach or cheese-filled.

Fried ravioli has become a cultural icon in St. Louis and has even been featured on food shows such as the Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food.”

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What is the most popular food in Missouri?

There isn’t one particular food that can be considered the most popular in Missouri as the state has a diverse culinary scene. However, some of the most famous dishes of Missouri include toasted ravioli, St. Louis-style barbecue ribs, and Gooey Butter Cake.

Barbecue, in particular, is a significant part of Missouri’s food culture, with many famous barbecue restaurants in Kansas City and St. Louis. Additionally, Missouri is also known for its love of fried foods, including fried chicken, fried catfish, and corn fritters.

Foods invented in Missouri

Missouri is known for several foods that were invented or popularized within the state. Some examples include:

• Toasted Ravioli – This St. Louis specialty is believed to have originated at the Oldani Brothers restaurant in the early 1940s.
• Gooey Butter Cake – This sweet and decadent dessert is said to have been created in the 1930s by a St. Louis baker who accidentally mixed up the ingredients for a coffee cake.
• Cashew Chicken – This Chinese-American dish was first created in Springfield, Missouri, in the 1960s by chef David Leong, who was looking to create a dish that would appeal to Midwestern tastes.
• St. Louis-style Pizza – This pizza features a thin, crispy crust that is topped with Provel cheese, a combination of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone cheeses that is unique to the St. Louis area.
• Gerber Sandwich – This sandwich, which consists of a half-veal-brain, egg and cheese on a hard roll, was invented at the landmark St. Louis restaurant, O’B. Clark’s.

These are just a few examples of the many foods that were either invented  in Missouri.

FAQs:

Q: What are some traditional dishes of Missouri?

A: Some traditional dishes of Missouri include toasted ravioli, St. Louis-style barbecue ribs, Gooey Butter Cake, and the famous Missouri Slinger.

Q: Are there any famous breweries or wineries in Missouri?

A: Yes, Missouri is known for its breweries and wineries. Some of the most famous ones include the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis, the Boulevard Brewery in Kansas City, and the Stone Hill Winery in Hermann.

Q: Is there a specific cuisine that Missouri is known for?

A: Missouri doesn’t have a specific cuisine that it is known for, but it is known for its barbecue and its love of fried foods.

Q: What are some popular restaurants in Missouri?

A: Some popular restaurants in Missouri include Pappy’s Smokehouse in St. Louis, Arthur Bryant’s Barbecue in Kansas City, and The Roasterie Cafe in Kansas City.

Q: Is Missouri a good place for foodies?

A: Yes, Missouri is a good place for foodies. It has a wide range of cuisine, including barbecue, Italian, and German. It also has a number of farmers’ markets and local producers, making it a great place to try locally sourced foods.