Some Missouri taverns were serving burgers long before your grandparents learned to drive. These are not shiny new chains with matching menus.
They are old brick bars, Route 66 stops, and pool halls that still fill up on a Friday night. If you like a good burger in a place with real history, this list is your next road trip plan.
1. Concert Hall and Barrel Tavern, Hermann, MO
Plenty of bars claim history, but few can point to a reputation as the oldest continually operating tavern west of the Mississippi. That is the kind of bragging right that comes with this spot at 206 E 1st St in Hermann.
Hermann itself is a compact German river town with a 19th-century brick main street, so the tavern fits right in. The building is roomy, with lots of tables, a jukebox, and outdoor seating where dogs are welcome.
The menu leans German with American pub fare mixed in. Look for the Bratwurst Sampler Platter, Schwein Schnitzel, a Catfish Filet Sandwich, and vegan Fried Green Tomatoes.
The burgers come cooked well on a toasted bun and served hot.
Weekdays run 11 AM to 9 PM, and Friday and Saturday stretch until 1:30 AM. Saturday afternoon is the busiest stretch, so come earlier in the week if you want a quieter lunch.
2. Johnnie’s Bar and Grill, St James, MO
Route 66 fans, pull over. Johnnie’s sits at 225 N Jefferson St in St. James and wears its dive bar label proudly.
The kitchen keeps things simple with fresh, made-to-order burgers and fries. No fuss, no long menu to study.
That focus is exactly why it belongs here.
St. James is a small Phelps County town of about 4,000 people, with plenty of roadside character from its spot along the old highway. Johnnie’s adds bar games, live performances, and room to dance on busier nights.
Plan around the schedule. It is closed Sunday and Monday, opens at 9 AM Tuesday through Saturday, and stays open until 1:30 AM on Friday and Saturday.
Parking can be a bit tight, so give yourself a minute to find a space.
3. 1851 Underground Tap & Grill, Fulton, MO
Head downstairs for this one. 1851 Underground Tap and Grill sits below street level in a 19th-century commercial space at 111 E 5th St in Fulton.
The signature burgers are the draw, backed by a big lineup of drinks and a full vegetarian menu. Happy hour includes food deals too, which makes an early dinner an easy call.
Fulton is a Callaway County town of around 12,500 with a historic brick courthouse square downtown. The crowd here mixes college students, families, and visitors, and there are kids’ menus and high chairs ready to go.
Hours run 11 AM to midnight, Tuesday through Saturday. Tuesday evenings and Friday afternoons get busy, so reservations are a smart move.
4. The Dew Drop Inn, Bloomsdale, MO
Drivers on US-61 have been stopping at The Dew Drop Inn since the 1940s. Not bad for a village of roughly 500 people in Ste.
Genevieve County.
Barbecue runs the show, with a half rack of ribs, a Brisket Melt, and Smoked BBQ Baked Beans. The bourbon burger is the one people keep coming back for, juicy and stacked high.
Save room for cheesecake. The kitchen offers around 60 different flavors, and they are a big hit for parties and catering orders.
There is an outdoor social space with live music, plus a private dining room for events. Friday and Saturday hours go until midnight, and parking is usually plentiful.
5. The Corner Pub, Warrenton, MO
Here is a tavern that opens at 7 AM every single day. The Corner Pub at 101 Booneslick Rd in Warrenton does breakfast before it does burgers.
Later in the day, the kitchen turns to burgers and a wide spread of pub fare. Happy hour food, desserts, and late-night eats round things out.
Warrenton is a rural county seat of about 8,500 people built around historic Booneslick Road. The pub plays the role of a longtime community gathering spot, with bar games and live music.
It stays open until 11 PM most nights and 1 AM on Friday and Saturday. Saturday evening draws the biggest crowd.
6. Whittle’s Pub & Grub, Eldon, MO
Can a small town turn out a truly unique burger? Whittle’s makes a strong case.
The burgers weigh in at half a pound, formed from fresh ground beef and loaded with toppings. A Mushroom Swiss Burger is on the menu too.
The giant pork tenderloin sandwich is the house signature, and there is even a Breakfast Tenderloin. Tater kegs, nachos, wraps, and a Cobb Salad fill out the menu, with rotating monthly specials.
You will find it at 108 S Maple St in Eldon, a town of about 3,900 near the Ozarks. Breakfast starts at 7 AM on weekends, there is a pool table, and reservations are not taken.
7. Booches, Columbia, MO
Booches has been around since 1884, and it still runs on a simple formula. Hand-patted fresh burgers, a wooden bar, and a long row of pool tables.
Order the Cheese Burger with Everything or a plain Hamburger, and add a bowl of chili. The menu is short on purpose.
Bring cash, since that is how it works here. Reservations are not accepted either.
It sits at 110 S 9th St in downtown Columbia, open 11 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday. Street parking is paid and can be tricky, so plan to walk a block or two.
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