Whether you’re taking a once-in-a-lifetime road trip across Route 66 or you want to see more of what Missouri has to offer as a state, you can’t leave without getting a taste of the local cuisine. Here, we’re going to take a look at some of the iconic foods of the Midwest and where you can find the best places to taste, take, and learn about them.
Becoming a gastronomic genius
From the perfect pizza to French cuisine, this state has seen influence from a wide range of cultures that come and settled the wild, rugged lands and brought all their favorite foods with them. If you’re looking to get an education in fine European dining with a modern American twist, then the cooking courses available from A Thyme for Everything in Lee’s Summit can help do just that. One lesson covers a meal, so a single stop is able to help you take home a truly gastronomic experience, especially thanks to the gourmet ingredients sold right there, too.
Pub grub with a difference
When you’re driving across the state, finding a handy tavern with hearty food, good ale, and better whisky is always a bonus. Missouri takes the pub grub very seriously, however, with a host of gastropubs that attract wanderers and locals alike. No place is a better example of that than the 44 Stone Public House. With beers and ales from England, Germany, and Belgium, and the finest bourbons, scotches, and Irish whiskeys complementing meals like the English Breakfast and steak & eggs with a gourmet twist, there are few better places to fuel up for the journey.
Sipping on the river
One of the must-see locations of the state, the Hermann Wine Trail grew up from the primarily German community that soon found it calling in creating some of the best vineyards in the country. With a host of award winning wines for visitors to try, as well as walking the trails and getting a good view of the countryside, your foodie trip through the Midwest simply isn’t complete without stopping here. You might even find a few tasty souvenirs to take home with you.
Taste the history
If you’re heading to St. Louis, then you simply can’t miss out on some of the city’s staples. The St. Louis-style pizza and St. Louis-style ribs may not be imaginatively named, but they are certainly flavorful, and the Historic Soulard Food Tour can help you experience them all. Combining architecture with tastings and the chance to enjoy some local craft beers, it’s a not-too-long tour that makes for a perfect lunch while also most likely helping you find the right place for dinner in the same evening. The St. Louis Food Tour company runs a whole host of different tours exploring different neighborhoods with some surprises on the way, so you shouldn’t spoil yourself too much on what to expect.
If you consider yourself a foodie, then your bucket list isn’t complete until you’ve tried some of the cuisine to be found in Missouri. The examples above are only a taste, so feel free to go exploring and eating all the more.
