No Need to Travel! Savor These Regional Favorite Foods in Columbia, MO

When You Have a Craving for Your Favorite Dish From Another Part of the Country, Don’t Book a Flight! Book a Reservation at One of Columbia, Mo’s Best Restaurants!

Whether you’re a Columbia transplant or you’ve lived here all your life, it’s normal to get a craving for one of your favorite non-local or regional dishes. That could be a great fish taco, a funky burger, or Cincinnati Chili. Luckily for you, Savor Magazine is sharing our favorite spots to find your regional favorites. We’ve got barbecue, po’boys, and even cheese curds! Check out our recommendations for finding your favorite regional foods. 

Texas Style BBQ

Where to Find It: Bud's Classic BBQ 

We have it on good authority that “God Blessed Texas” by Little Texas was written about the state’s unique barbecue. When you want to experience a little bit of that blessing, stop by Bud’s Classic BBQ in downtown Columbia for their show-stopping brisket. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and good all over, Bud’s Classic BBQ’s Texas-style smoked brisket will leave you wondering how you’ve gone this long without experiencing this regional favorite. Cowboy hat not included.

New York Style Bagel

Where to Find It: B&B Bagel Company


Slather it in cream cheese, top it with lox, or even St. Louis slice it–you can’t mess up a bagel, especially when it’s boiled and baked New York style. When you want to get your day started the right way, or you need a dozen bagels to charm your coworkers, B&B Bagel Company has the goods. Their boiled and baked New York-style bagels have a rich crust, a super soft interior, and all the flavor you crave no matter the time of day. Visit at breakfast or lunchtime for all-day satisfaction.

New Orleans Po’Boy Sandwich

Where to Find It: The Quarry 


It is a truth universally acknowledged that a sandwich is a perfect choice any time of day. We’ll be happy with just about anything stuffed between bread for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you want to feast and crave something southern, we’d like to introduce you to The Quarry’s Po’Boy Sandwich. Piled high with shrimp (or other meat options, we don’t judge) and served on a New Orleans-style French roll, The Quarry’s Po’Boy will satisfy your New Orleans cravings and then some. Oh, and don’t forget the Hurricane, a deliciously indulgent cocktail sure to take you by storm.

St. Louis Pork Steak

Where to Find It: D. Rowe's Restaurant & Bar


St. Louis has created a lot of incredible regional favorites over the years. From the heavenly Gooey Butter Cake to Missouri’s favorite appetizer, the toasted ravioli, we’ll take anything St. Louis has to offer. But if we’re talking about dinner, we’re looking for a St. Louis-style Pork Steak. This unique cut of meat is rich in flavor and always delicious, especially at D. Rowe's Restaurant & Bar, where it’s dry-rubbed and hickory smoked. Pair your Pork Steak with an ice-cold Budweiser and enjoy a St. Louis creation at a Columbia favorite.

KC Burnt Ends

Where to Find It: Como Smoke & Fire


We’re pretty sure the MU vs. KU battle began over the last plate of Burnt Ends at a tailgate. Don’t fact-check us on that. These flavorful, crispy, salty, sweet, too-good-to-be-described barbeque staples are more than just the cut ends of a tasty brisket. These KCMO creations are a treat and should be ordered wherever you can find a local barbecue. As for us, we’ll be sitting down to a messy plate of brisket, or pork belly Burnt Ends as an entrée, sandwich, or even on mac and cheese at Como Smoke & Fire! Stop by their North and South locations to get the goods.

Southern Shrimp & Grits

Where to Find It: Glenn’s Cafe

In the South, they love to pair their foods—biscuits and gravy, chicken and dumplings, and the true classic, Shrimp and Grits. Of course, these aren’t your boring, flavorless grits and seasoned shrimp. Nope! Glenn’s Cafe serves up Shrimp and Grits with blackened shrimp, white cheddar grits, veggies, andouille sausage, and a charred poblano cream that will have you clambering for more. If you catch us saying “bless your heart” to the incredible servers at Glenn’s Cafe, no, you didn’t.

New Mexican Green Chili Patty Melt

Where to Find It: 44 Canteen


If you know anything about New Mexico, then you know green chili goes on EVERYTHING. Packed with flavor and heat, green chili spices up any dish, and when we want a little mouth burn in our lives, we make a trip to 44 Canteen. This isn’t your typical patty melt. With Chihuahua Cheese, toasted sourdough, roasted poblano, and refreshing lime aioli, the Green Chili Patty Melt will take you from ravenous to satisfied instantly. Pair it with the Sloppy Disco Fries for a perfectly messy meal you will never forget.

Wisconsin Cheese Curds

Where to Find It: Park Restaurant & Bar

Attention cheese lovers! That’s everyone, right? If you love cheese and want to get it from plate to mouth without interruptions, let us introduce you to Park Restaurant & Bar’s Cheese Curds. They’re breaded in panko for a fun crunch and come with ranch for dipping–cheese and ranch? Could we be any more Midwest? When you crave a true Wisconsin favorite, stop by Park Restaurant & Bar. Start with the Cheese Curds and let your appetite run wild. After all, Cheese Curds are only the appetizer.