Columbia

Don't forget to stop by Shakespeare's Pizza (http://www.shakespeares.com/) on 9th and Elm. Some seriously good pizza and a goofy collegetown-like atmosphere.

Booches on 9th Street has great burgers, supposedly the best burger in the nation. No known link to prove the claim, but they have a piece of newspaper framed on the wall that says so. One thing is sure, they really have great burgers. They go to church on Sundays.

9th Street Deli (http://www.ninthstdeli.com/) has good sandwiches. It also features an interesting outdoor patio if you go through the door by the restroom.

Addison's - An American Grill, (http://www.addisonssophia...) a locally owned restaurant located at 709 Cherry St. is an affordable restaurant featuring "Americana" type food: unique sandwiches, burgers, pastas and a few slightly more expensive entrees. Has a good bar and beer selection and very comfortable atmosphere. One of the local favorites is the "crab rangoo dip" appetizer.

Bangkok Gardens (http://bangkokgardens.com/), is a local favorite for Thai food. Located on the corner of Ninth St. and Cherry, is located close to campus. Atmosphere is refreshing and the cooks let you order your food on a "hotness scale of 1 low to 10 very hot. It is also known for serving water out of their signature tin cups.

Cafe Berlin International, (http://www.myspace.com/ca...) focuses on organic options. Everything from coffee to salads is offered in organic options along with fresh squeezed juices. The breakfast menu contains tried and true favorites along with a variety of international options. Lunch is served as well.

Chim's Thai Kitchen, located at Cooper's Landing (http://www.cooperslanding.net/) in nearby Easley, Missouri, and another option for Thai food. The food is served out of a trailer parked by the Missouri River, and there is often a band playing on summer nights which makes for a very fun filled evening.

Ernie's is a great 50's themed diner located at 10th and Walnut, open for breakfast and lunch. Very crowded on weekends so be prepared to wait.

Murry's located close to the corner of Green Meadows and Providence, is a locally owned restaurant with a flair for Jazz. During most evenings, there is a live Jazz piano and occasionally has a live Jazz band play participates in the "we always swing" Jazz series (http://www.wealwaysswing.org/) The atmosphere is kind of dark, crowded due to it's popularity. The food is usually excellent with a menu that ranges from the inexpensive sandwiches and burgers to more higher end entree's.

Sophia's, (http://www.addisonssophia...) is a locally own restaurant by the same group that owns Addisons located on South Providence Rd. The higher mid-range restaurant offers an excellent atmosphere, and a menu that features many diverse pastas, some unique to the area. Sophia's also has decent wine options and an excellent dessert menu.

For the vegetarian traveler, there are several options: Main Squeeze, (http://www.main-squeeze.com/) on 9th Street, is the only vegetarian restaurant in central Missouri, and it's quite popular with the lunch crowds. The cafe also recently started serving breakfast. The Root Cellar, (http://www.graphic-illusi...) on Broadway, serves up local foods and produce, but is not entirely vegetarian.