Fun Foods and Spirited Beverages

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Find your new old favorite in St. Joe

Like any town with its fair share of stories, well-known places and local faves, St. Joseph has a list of fun foods we love to indulge in — and the beverages to go along with them. Come try our establishments and get ready to find a new “old favorite.”

FUN FOODS

When it’s time to kick back and indulge a little, make a checklist all your own in our city. For lighter-than air donuts, it’s got to be Gold ‘N Glaze. For huge nachos, go for the Ground Round downtown or Barbosa’s. Onion rings and Cajun gravy? That’s Boudreaux’s. If German food is what you crave, you’ll love the local fave The Cabbage Roll. Head to the giant “pink cone” a.k.a. Kris and Kate’s for 1950s style treats and a game of volleyball. (With a palm tree.)  A tenderloin war is a perpetual battle in St. Joseph, with contenders including Pappy’s, nearby Dairy Barn and Hi-Ho Bar & Grill.  Add this little known secret to your list: Magoon’s homemade cheesecake and famous ham salad. A long-time tradition, Marek’s Deli in the southside has the famous Torpedo sandwich. Disclaimer: The fun foods you can try in St. Joseph may not actually be part of any diet or eating regimen. They’re mostly just fun. And that’s OK.

COCKTAIL, ANYONE?

Soon after St. Joseph was founded, businesses sprung to life to serve the locals and those passing through. First Ward House, established in 1878, has a sign that proudly states “Oldest Saloon West of the Mississippi.” Some of the other businesses that served early residents were famous names, like Goetz Brewing, and their mark is still present today. Grab a regional brew or specialty cocktail at local favorites The Tiger’s Den, Room 108, Club Geek, and more. Check out the expansive deck at Il Lazzarone, First Ward House, Norty’s or a Friday evening cocktail in the summer at Pronto Cafe’s patio. On the east side of town, check out more nationally-known chains like 54th Street, Chili’s or Cheddar’s. The Hi-Ho on Frederick Avenue is an old-school fave across several generations as is and the iconic Brown Bear Tavern. And you can’t miss River Bluff Brewing and the Angry Swede Brewing Company if you want to try local craft beer.

LOCAL WINE AND BEER

For more choices than you might even need, check out Smooth Endings, a locally-owned liquor, wine and cigar store with lively tastings on weekends and a large beer cave. Choose your own six-pack from dozens of interesting craft beers. The shop also has many Missouri wine selections and a quaint patio for kicking back. Hy-Vee and Price Chopper both carry a long list of local and regional beverages. From St. Joseph, it’s only 20 minutes to Windy Wine, a family-run operation that also offers their own beer selections.