Top 10 Places to Eat in Columbia, Missouri

I moved to Columbia when I was 18 to attend college at Mizzou (AKA: The University of MO). I stayed in town and bought a house here because it is a great place to live. It's small enough that you can usually get anywhere in town in about 20 minutes, but there is still a great art and music community with so many interesting things to do. One of my favorite aspects of the city is the great selection of locally-owned restaurants! This article will introduce you to 10 of the most popular locally-owned spots, in no particular order.

1. Flat Branch Pub and Brewing: www.flatbranch.com 115 S. Fifth St. (Downtown)
With high ceilings and a beautiful patio, this restaurant is a favorite for all ages. Adults and college kids come for the excellent selection of home-brewed beers and delicious food made from high quality ingredients, while kids will love the famous Brick Oven Pizza, delectable desserts like the Stout Brownie Sundae, and homemade root beer or cream soda. You won't find any frozen pre-packaged food here! They make everything fresh, from the Italian Sausage to the salad dressings and hot sauce. Even their ice cream is made right here in town!

2. Booche's: 110 S. 9th Street (Downtown)
Don't expect any waiters in white gloves, but this downtown billiard hall and burger joint has been around as long as any Columbian can remember. Their burgers actually made it on USA Today's Top 10 Burgers in America list in 2000. Neither the decor nor the recipe appears to have changed since the early 20th century... with high ornate ceilings and an antique bar which serves beer in thick frosty mugs, you won't mind the fact that your sandwiches are served on wax paper. The price is right too: 2 people can split a pitcher of beer and eat 2 cheeseburgers and a bag of chips each for under 20 bucks.

3. Bangkok Gardens: 811 Cherry Street (Downtown, just a block south of Broadway)
This place has the best Thai food I've ever tasted. The Phad Thai is a favorite, but I usually order Thom Kah Kai, a coconut chicken soup with lemongrass, lime and ginger root. They had to move from their always crowded original location to a new building with 2 levels of dining and a giant foyer with windows that overlook Cherry Street. It's a great atmosphere, and though the prices have risen with the new location, most dishes cost around 10-12 dollars.

4. The '63 Diner: www.the63diner.com/ 5803 N. Highway 763 (Take the Rangeline exit off 63 heading South or from I-70 heading North)
If you are looking for an old-time diner experience, this restaurant will not leave you disappointed! With wattresses donning poodle skirts, a real 1/2 a cadillac adorning the front of the buidling, and Elvis memorabilia galore, this is a 50's affecianado's dream come true. They have the best milkshakes in town as well as a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. You can get a burger with fries and a shake for under $8.

5. Murry's: 3107 Green Meadows Way (towards the South end of Providence Road)
Although finding a parking spot may be tricky, you'll understand why when you taste the food! The dim lighting and live jazz music make this a favorite hangout for jazz enthusiasts. Everything they serve is made from scratch, and the steaks and seafood are fantastic! They also have some unique appetizers such as hand breaded green pepper rings, fried eggplant slivers, and chicken livers. Their homemade peppercorn ranch dressing is to die for, and there is a completely different dessert menu every time I visit. The price is very reasonable: two people could eat a full meal and share a bottle of wine for under $50.

6. Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine: 19 N. Fifth Street (Located Downtown, just North off Broadway)
Whether you love Indian food or you've never tried it before, you should check out Taj Majal's tasty selection of traditional dishes. They have a buffet on the weekends with excellent Chicken Tikki Masala (Tandoori chicken pieces in a creamy, spicy, red sauce with a hit of lemon) and fresh naan (grilled flatbread with a hint of sweetness). The family that owns the place is really nice, and you'll love the friendly atmosphere. Most dishes are between $8-12.

7. Taqueria El Rodeo: 805 E. Nifong #G (Near the South end of Providence Road)
Authentic Mexican food can be hard to find in Mid-Missouri, but this new restaurant will take your tastebuds south of the border. My favorite dish is ground chicken with cilantro and spices rolled up in a fried corn tortilla and served with rice, beans, fried potatos, and a lime wedge. The prices are right, and the food is muy delicioso! Many of the clientele there are Hispanic, so you know it's the real thing. Enjoy a cerveza or margarita with your comida!

8. Addison's or Sophia's:www.addisonsophias.com/ 709 Cherry Street (Downtown) or 3915 S. Providence (Southside)
These two restaurants are owned by the same people, but Addison's is a more casual downtown American grill while Sophia's, on the south side of town, specializes in fine southern European cuisine and tapas. Both have amazing appetizers and main dishes as well. Addison's has great deals on their late night happy hour. You can get 1/2 price appetizers like nachos bianco or the best hot wings in town, and imported beer on tap for only $2 a pint!

9. Shakespeare's Pizza:www.shakespeares.com 225 S. 9th Street (Downtown) or the new location next to Hy-Vee on West Broadway.
If you ask anyone within a hundred mile radius of Columbia where the best pizza is, they will direct you to Shakespeare's. The original location downtown is more of a college atmosphere, whereas the new one by Hy-Vee, with it's plethora of video games, is usually populated by families. The pizza is made with all the fresh ingredients you can imagine. I love to eat their thick-cut pepperoni with pepperjack cheese, sliced red onions and mushrooms piled high on a homemade whole wheat crust. Make sure you sprinkle some parmesean on top: It's soft and tastes fresher than any I've ever had from a shaker!

10. The International Cafe: 209 Hitt Street (Mizzou Campus/ Downtown)
If you are looking for great mediterranean food, look no further! This Greek restaurant has amazing falafel, hummus, gyros, baklava, and other tradional foods that are mostly priced under $10. The decor inside is not too fancy, but you'll love the friendly atmosphere and great view of the Mizzou campus from their large deck-style patio. The service is fast. The food is wonderful. The only downside: you have to pay for drink refills.