Food Worth a Drive in Missouri: Hermann to Springfield

Food worth a drive in Missouri spans two big cities, a river valley of German heritage and an Ozark town that invented its own chicken dish. A road trip from St. Louis to Kansas City passes farmland, vineyards and diners on the square, with Hermann and Springfield as the stops.

What is Hermann Missouri food like?

Hermann is a small town on the Missouri River west of St. Louis, known as a Little Germany. Hermann Missouri food includes bratwurst, sauerkraut and schnitzel, as well as German American baking. Look for family restaurants with traditional fare and a winery restaurant serving German and American favorites.

Oktoberfest is held on weekends in October, and the Hermann Wine and Jazz Festival is held in September. Check dates before you plan, since festival schedules change from year to year.

Why is Missouri wine country worth a stop?

Missouri wine country begins in Hermann, which has a federally recognized wine appellation and a wine trail that links seven wineries. A winery on a hilltop overlooking the town is said to be the oldest in Missouri, founded in 1847 by a German immigrant. Chambourcin and Norton are the local grapes to try, and Norton is Missouri's official state grape.

A tasting is a good break from the road. Plan a designated driver, and combine a tasting with lunch. Reservations are wise on weekends.

The German influence on the river towns goes back to the nineteenth century, when immigrants found hills that reminded them of the Rhine and planted grapes. Their descendants still make wine, sausage and bread, and the architecture of Hermann, with its brick houses and church steeples, adds to the feeling of a small European town on the Missouri.

What is Springfield cashew chicken?

Springfield cashew chicken is a Missouri original. The city's tourism site credits David Leong with it at Leong's Tea House, and he was happy to share the recipe, so many local restaurants now serve their own versions. The dish is fried chicken pieces in a savory sauce with cashews, served with rice.

Leong's Asian Diner, at 1540 West Republic Road, carries on the family's cooking. The city's tourism site notes that Springfield and the Ozarks have many restaurants offering the dish, so you can compare. Order it with rice and a vegetable, and share. Because so many Springfield restaurants make their own version, a good way to explore is to order it at two places and compare the sauce, the crispness of the chicken and the amount of cashew.

Which Missouri road trip food stops connect the cities?

Missouri road trip food stops are spread along Interstate 70 and the smaller highways that parallel it. Hermann sits near the route between St. Louis and Jefferson City. Springfield is in the southwest, a long drive from either end. Each city has its own food traditions, from toasted ravioli on The Hill to burnt ends in Kansas City.

Plan a loop rather than a straight line. A weekend can include a day in St. Louis, a night in Hermann and a morning in Jefferson City on the way back. A long weekend adds Springfield.

What should you know about St. Louis and Kansas City?

The state's two big cities are worth separate trips. In St. Louis, read about the Hill St. Louis restaurants, and visit the weekend markets in the St. Louis markets guide. In Kansas City, the barbecue tradition crosses the state line, which the food worth a drive in Kansas guide explores.

Both cities have frozen custard, barbecue and Italian American cooking. Allow a day for each, and eat early, since lines form at popular places.

Between the two sits the state capital and a long run of farm country. Jefferson City and the small towns along the river have diners and bakeries that serve travelers, and a lunch stop there breaks the drive into manageable pieces. Look for a lot full of pickup trucks, and go in.

How do you plan food worth a drive in Missouri?

Check the season. Fall is a favorite for wine country and foliage, while summer brings festivals. Winter can be slow, and some small town restaurants close for weeks. Check hours by phone, and book rooms in advance for festival weekends.

Bring a cooler and a map. Cell service can be patchy in rural areas, and a printed route is handy. Stop at roadside stands for peaches, melons and tomatoes in summer.

Finally, keep an open mind about what counts as a destination. A bakery in a small town, a roadside stand with a hand-painted sign or a diner counter that has not changed in years can be the highlight of a trip, and these are the places a list cannot predict.

What else should you eat around Missouri?

For a family day in the city, read family friendly restaurants in St. Louis. The US guides page lists more states to compare.

How can Mosey help on a Missouri food drive?

After each stop, open the Mosey app while you remember it: rate the dish, pick a tag and add a line. Ten seconds of notes beat trying to recall the name of a plate a month later, and the daily games, Ladle, Origin and Ingredient, fill the gaps between towns.

A long drive is a good time to take notes. Get the Mosey app, rate each stop by its dish, its room and its welcome, and keep a Missouri list that tells you which exit is worth the detour.