Missouri takes its fried chicken seriously, and some of the best plates are hiding in small towns you might blow right past on the highway. From a historic farmhouse in Kansas City to a family cafe sitting on old Route 66, these spots pull people in from every corner of the state.
Some fry it in cast iron the old way, some pile it high on a buffet, and one even throws the rolls. Grab your appetite and maybe a road map, because this list is worth a full tank of gas.
1. Stroud’s Oak Ridge Manor, Kansas City, MO
Set inside a rustic 1800s farmhouse on the northeast side of Kansas City, Stroud’s Oak Ridge Manor treats pan-fried chicken like the main event it should be. The crust comes out thin and crispy, and the chicken stays moist and tender because it is fried the old fashioned way in a skillet.
The menu leans hard into comfort food. Think chicken fried steak with gravy, hamburger steak, salmon, and cottage fries or a baked potato on the side…