Midwest Meandering
What the middle of our country might lack in towering mountains or endless coastlines, it makes up for in wide open spaces and beautiful countryside. From the Mississippi River to the red rock deserts of New Mexico, you'll also find bustling cities full of some pretty spectacular food. Roaming from Missouri through Kansas, down into Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico, you'll find everything from rich Italian specialties to smoky barbecue and spicy chiles. Here's where to stop along the way for the best food on a midwestern road trip.
What to ask for
Toasted Ravioli
Your culinary journey through the Midwest begins in St. Louis, and while the city is known for its barbecue, there are plenty of other great places for barbecue along this route. Instead, opt for St. Louis other most iconic dish – toasted ravioli. This Italian‑American adaptation is a citywide obsession in The Lou, and if you want to experience it like locals have for over 40 years, head to St. Louis Little Italy.
What to ask for
Kansas City BBQ
Head west on I‑70 through the entire state of Missouri to the Kansas side of KC, where you'll have to sample some of the city's famous barbecue. It's known for its signature tomato‑and molasses‑based sauce and hickory‑smoked char. And while other BBQ regions specialize in one meat, Kansas City BBQ is inclusive of almost anything, including pork ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, sausage, and turkey.
What to ask for
Steak
Head down I‑35 to Oklahoma City, one of the most vibrant, fast‑growing cities in the Midwest. Oklahoma is the heart of cattle country, and you'll get no better steakhouse experience than in the Oklahoma National Stockyards, OKC's hub for restaurants and nightlife. So after you've polished off a T‑bone, you can hit the town and get a sense of how the city's grown up around this 115‑year‑old institution.
What to ask for
Fajitas
As you venture south into Texas and the Southwest, it's time to try some Tex‑Mex. Fort Worth didnt invent the fajita, but some will tell you they perfected it, plating big plates of spicy, sizzling meat. You'll see fajitas on nearly every table in this city's Tex‑Mex restaurants.
What to ask for
Pueblo Taco
In case you didn't notice them on the license plates, chiles are a New Mexico obsession. So much so, in 1996, the state made “Red or Green?” the official state question. Do your road trip in the fall, and you'll smell the chiles roasting all over Albuquerque. And while you can find them in dishes from sushi to cheeseburgers, the ultimate experience is the pueblo taco – served on Native American fry bread and topped with ground beef, chiles, lettuce, and tomato. It’s the best thing you’ll eat in Albuquerque.
