The ballots have been counted, and for the 15th consecutive year, the readers of Rural Missouri magazine have selected their statewide favorites in the publication’s annual Best of Rural Missouri Readers’ Choice Contest.
During a two-month voting period, readers were asked to name their favorite eateries, destinations and activities across the Show-Me State. A winner, runner-up and editor’s choice were named in each of 17 categories, including Best Restaurant, Best State Park and Most Beautiful Town.
“If you’ve ever visited a Best of Rural Missouri winner, there’s a good chance you’ve spotted a certificate hanging on the wall that touts the accomplishment,” said Rural Missouri Editor Jim McCarty. “These restaurants and destinations are proud that their patrons voted for them, and they want everyone to know how much they appreciate the support.
“We here at Rural Missouri also appreciate the support and our readers’ continued interest in the contest. It’s a lot of fun for them, our staff and those who earn bragging rights for the coming year.”
People who completed ballots were entered for a chance to win a $500 Best of Missouri gift basket. This year’s winner was Patty Lawrence, a Crawford Electric Cooperative member from Sullivan. The basket included Missouri-made foods, locally crafted pottery and a gift certificate to a Missouri bed-and-breakfast.
Based in Jefferson City, Rural Missouri has been the voice of Missouri’s electric cooperatives since 1948. It has a circulation of more than 550,000, making it the largest paid-circulation monthly publication in Missouri.
All of this year’s winners are featured in the April 2016 issue of Rural Missouri, a digital edition of which can be read online at www.ruralmissouri.coop.
2016 BEST OF RURAL MISSOURI READERS’ CHOICE CONTEST WINNERS
Best Restaurant
1st Place: Catalpa, Arrow Rock
Runner-Up: Der Essen Platz, Camdenton
Editor’s Choice: Di Trapani’s Italian Bistro, Dixon
Best Barbecue
1st Place: Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q, Cuba
Runner-Up: Kehde’s Barbeque, Sedalia
Editor’s Choice: Hickory Log Restaurant, Dexter
Best Fried Chicken
1st Place: Heart of Nashville, New Bloomfield
Runner-Up: Stroud’s, Independence
Editor’s Choice: Sheila’s Place, Marshfield
Best Pie
1st Place: A Slice of Pie, Rolla
Runner-Up: Rolling Pin Bakery, Glasgow
Editor’s Choice: Peggy Jean’s Pies, Columbia
Best Winery
1st Place: St. James Winery, St. James
Runner-Up: Stone Hill Winery, Hermann
Editor’s Choice: Les Bourgeois Vineyards & Winery, Rocheport
Best Steak
1st Place: Matt’s Steakhouse, Rolla
Runner-Up: CC’s City Broiler, Columbia
Editor’s Choice: Ray’s of Kelso, Kelso
Best Unique Dining Experience
1st Place: Lambert’s Cafe, Sikeston
Runner-Up: Turners Station Mercantile, Turners
Editor’s Choice: Thee Abbey Kitchen, Arcadia
Best Pizza
1st Place: Yogi’s Pizza, Conway
Runner-Up: Brooklyn Pizza, Fulton
Editor’s Choice: Shakespeare’s Pizza, Columbia
Best Chili
1st Place: Casper’s, Springfield
Runner-Up: Dixon’s Chili Parlor, Independence
Editor’s Choice: “Mine”
Best Festival
1st Place: Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival, Hartsburg
Runner-Up: Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival, Columbia
Editor’s Choice: Oktoberfest, Hermann
Best State Park
1st Place: Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton
Runner-Up: Elephant Rocks State Park, Belleview
Editor’s Choice: Bennett Spring State Park, Lebanon
Best Made in Missouri Product
1st Place: Tacony Corp. vacuums, St. James
Runner-Up: Oberle Meats, Ste. Genevieve
Editor’s Choice: Hammons Products Co. walnuts, Stockton
Best Cave
1st Place: Bridal Cave, Camdenton
Runner-Up: Meramec Caverns, Sullivan
Editor’s Choice: Mark Twain Cave, Hannibal
Best Antique Shop/Flea Market
1st Place: St. Mary Antique Mall, St. Mary
Runner-Up: Relics Antique Mall, Springfield
Editor’s Choice: Old Towne Antiques, Doolittle
Beautiful Town
1st Place: Hermann
Runner-Up: Ste. Genevieve
Editor’s Choice: Washington
Best Roadside Attraction
1st Place: The Route 66 Rocker, Cuba
Runner-Up: World’s Largest Pecan, Brunswick
Editor’s Choice: The Big Pump, King City
Best Day Trip
1st Place: Lake of the Ozarks
Runner-Up: Branson
Editor’s Choice: St. Charles
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