Ask anyone from St. Louis about pork steak, and you might get a cookout story along with the answer. This thick slice of pork shoulder, cooked low and often finished with sauce, is a true Missouri favorite that many outsiders have never heard of.
The good news is you do not need a backyard grill to enjoy one, because restaurants across the state serve it with real pride. From the St. Louis suburbs to Columbia, Cape Girardeau, and a small Bootheel town, these eight spots know how to do pork steak right.
1. Mann Meats BBQ, Florissant, MO
Big appetites tend to point toward St Ferdinand Street in Florissant. Mann Meats BBQ is a casual counter-service spot built around smoked chicken, brisket, and pork, and the pork steaks here are large, tender, and known for pulling right off the bone.
It is easy to understand why some folks never get past that one menu item. Still, the burnt ends and loaded baked potatoes deserve attention, and the menu also includes burgers, a brisket sandwich, white cheddar mac and cheese, and smoked sweet corn…