Small family-owned and operated businesses are what make up the unique fabric of American culture. Some of these restaurant owners moved here from Mexico and some from Italy, but what do they all have in common? The skills and passion to make a great dish for all to enjoy.
- The Tenderloin Room - St. Louis
Philip Leara/flickr
The Tenderloin Room/Facebook The Tenderloin has been serving up some of the finest steaks in St. Louis since the 1960s. The place is so renowned, that high profile guests like Frank Sinatra and George Clooney have dined here. Address: 232 North Kingshighway Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63108
- White Rose Cafe - Union
White Rose Cafe/Facebook
White Rose Cafe/Facebook For more than 74 years, White Rose Cafe has been a landmark in downtown Union. It used to be a gas station before being turned into a 115-seat cafe. The current owner, Mary, is actually the granddaughter of one of the men that pumped gas there back in the day. As a tip, if you mention Joe Klenke (Mary’s grandfather) you’ll get a complimentary soda or coffee! Address: 208 E Main St. Union, MO 63084
- Mill-Inn Restaurant - Excelsior Springs
Mill Inn Restaurant/Facebook
Mariel M./Yelp Family-owned since 1967, The Mill-Inn is a local favorite when it comes to breakfast and lunch. Address: 415 St Louis Ave Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
- Hacienda’s Mexican Restaurant - St. Louis
John R./Yelp
Hacienda Mexican Restaurant/Facebook Founded in 1968 by Mexican-born restaurateur Norberto Rodriguez, Hacienda’s has been serving authentic Mexican cuisine in St. Louis for years. Address: 9748 Manchester Road St. Louis, MO 63119
- Main & Mill Brewing Company - Festus
Main & Mill Brewing Company/Facebook
Main & Mill Brewing Company/Facebook This family-owned and operated brewery is the first brewery to open in Jefferson County in over 120 years. Not only do they brew a delicious variety of beer, but the burgers they cook up are to die for.
Address: 240 East Main Street Festus, MO 63028
- Uncle Roosters - Seymour
newcampr/TripAdvisor
Jim P./TripAdvisor Wayne and Bobbi Dunning flipped an old liquor store into a fully-functioning restaurant that boasts the “Best Hot Dogs In Town.” Rooster’s has become such a hit among families, that the owners are starting to franchise it.
Address: 17135 US-60 Seymour, MO 65746
- Jess & Jim’s Steakhouse - Kansas City
Jess & Jim’s Steakhouse
Jess & Jim’s Steakhouse/Facebook Founded in 1983 by two friends, Jess & Jim, this Kansas City steakhouse has climbed the ranks to earn a spot on Men’s Journal’s list of “10 Best Steakhouses In The World.” Don’t believe us? Then head on over and give them a try.
Address: 517 E 135th St. Kansas City, MO 64145
- Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Columbia
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant/Facebook
Trey T./TripAdvisor Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine on the outdoor patio of this family-owned and operated joint in Columbia. Address: 3306 W Broadway Business Park Ct. Columbia, MO 65203
- The Hickory Log - Dexter
Hickory Log/Facebook
Hickory Log/Facebook Opened since 1953, Hickory Log continues to be the best place to grab some BBQ when in Dexter. Their sauce has become so popular, that they now ship it UPS to any out-of-towners with a Hickory craving.
Address: 1314 US-60 BUS. Dexter, MO 63841
- Anthony’s Restaurant & Lounge - Kansas City
Dan R./Yelp
Anthony’s Restaurant & Lounge/Facebook When you want legit Italian food, you go to Anthony’s. Today, the third generation of the family runs the business, but they still use family recipes from over 40 years ago. Because hey, if it’s not broke, then why fix it?
Address:
701 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64106
Have a favorite family-owned and operated restaurant in mind that we missed? Let us know!
Philip Leara/flickr
The Tenderloin Room/Facebook
The Tenderloin has been serving up some of the finest steaks in St. Louis since the 1960s. The place is so renowned, that high profile guests like Frank Sinatra and George Clooney have dined here. Address: 232 North Kingshighway Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63108
White Rose Cafe/Facebook
For more than 74 years, White Rose Cafe has been a landmark in downtown Union. It used to be a gas station before being turned into a 115-seat cafe. The current owner, Mary, is actually the granddaughter of one of the men that pumped gas there back in the day. As a tip, if you mention Joe Klenke (Mary’s grandfather) you’ll get a complimentary soda or coffee! Address: 208 E Main St. Union, MO 63084
Mill Inn Restaurant/Facebook
Mariel M./Yelp
Family-owned since 1967, The Mill-Inn is a local favorite when it comes to breakfast and lunch. Address: 415 St Louis Ave Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
John R./Yelp
Hacienda Mexican Restaurant/Facebook
Founded in 1968 by Mexican-born restaurateur Norberto Rodriguez, Hacienda’s has been serving authentic Mexican cuisine in St. Louis for years. Address: 9748 Manchester Road St. Louis, MO 63119
Main & Mill Brewing Company/Facebook
This family-owned and operated brewery is the first brewery to open in Jefferson County in over 120 years. Not only do they brew a delicious variety of beer, but the burgers they cook up are to die for.
Address: 240 East Main Street Festus, MO 63028
newcampr/TripAdvisor
Jim P./TripAdvisor
Wayne and Bobbi Dunning flipped an old liquor store into a fully-functioning restaurant that boasts the “Best Hot Dogs In Town.” Rooster’s has become such a hit among families, that the owners are starting to franchise it.
Address: 17135 US-60 Seymour, MO 65746
Jess & Jim’s Steakhouse
Jess & Jim’s Steakhouse/Facebook
Founded in 1983 by two friends, Jess & Jim, this Kansas City steakhouse has climbed the ranks to earn a spot on Men’s Journal’s list of “10 Best Steakhouses In The World.” Don’t believe us? Then head on over and give them a try.
Address: 517 E 135th St. Kansas City, MO 64145
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant/Facebook
Trey T./TripAdvisor
Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine on the outdoor patio of this family-owned and operated joint in Columbia. Address: 3306 W Broadway Business Park Ct. Columbia, MO 65203
Hickory Log/Facebook
Opened since 1953, Hickory Log continues to be the best place to grab some BBQ when in Dexter. Their sauce has become so popular, that they now ship it UPS to any out-of-towners with a Hickory craving.
Address: 1314 US-60 BUS. Dexter, MO 63841
Dan R./Yelp
Anthony’s Restaurant & Lounge/Facebook
When you want legit Italian food, you go to Anthony’s. Today, the third generation of the family runs the business, but they still use family recipes from over 40 years ago. Because hey, if it’s not broke, then why fix it?
Address:
701 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64106
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Address: 208 E Main St. Union, MO 63084Address: Address:
701 Grand Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64106Address: 415 St Louis Ave Excelsior Springs, MO 64024Address: 232 North Kingshighway Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63108
