From savory barbecue to thirst-quenching cocktails, summertime calls for mouth-watering food and drink to help battle the heat and humidity in the Show-Me State.
Fact: high temperatures require refreshing beverages. Also fact: Brookside Barrio in Kansas City has nine house-made margaritas on their menu. Pair a Spicy Piña (habanero-pineapple infused tequila and triple sec) with a fresh-mex menu option like the Street Taco Platter with your choice of chicken, steak, pork carnitas or jackfruit.
In Columbia, Flat Branch Pub and Brewing offers a diverse, made-from-scratch menu and 11 handcrafted beers. Head to the shaded patio to munch on the World Famous Chokes ‘n’ Cheese and sip a honey wheat or house-made root beer.
Experience a new twist on a classic summer favorite at Steve’s Hot Dogs, with three locations in St. Louis. Try the St. Louis Dog with grilled onions, grilled peppers, banana peppers, bacon, provolone cheese, and house-made smoked pepper mustard. The Pork Steak Dog is covered with tender shredded pork steak and topped with creamy slaw, Steve’s Famous Honey Chipotle BBQ Sauce and crispy onions. Napkins at the ready.
Craving a big, juicy burger? Find 18 appetizing options on the menu at Mary Jane Burgers and Brew in Perryville, where the hamburgers are made with locally grown beef and served on fresh-baked buns. Order the PB-Que Burger with peanut butter, bacon, caramelized onions and porter barbecue sauce or the Smokey Jam with smoked gouda, bacon, onion jam and garlic aioli. Choose from more than 20 brews on tap to wash it all down.
Ripe, red strawberries are the epitome of summer, and at Pegg Jean’s Pies in Columbia, they are the star of the White Chocolate Strawberry pie, named one of the “Best Pies in America” by Food Network. If strawberry is not your jam, choose from the wide variety of fruit, nut, cream, and savory pies made daily by the mother-daughter duo who own the bakery.
No summer is complete without the enticing aroma of perfectly smoked meat dripping with tangy barbecue sauce, accompanied by a craft beer. Smoke Brewing Company, a barbecue brewery in downtown Lee’s Summit, is a perfect marriage of the two. Enjoy a craft beer with the Loaded BBQ Fries – topped with house beer cheese, pulled pork, fresh jalapenos and The Contender BBQ Sauce.