SwingbySteelville

Three of Missouri’s most popular rivers for float trips meet in Steelville, Missouri, making this small town an undeniable floating destination. Steelville embraces its river-centric destiny wholeheartedly; cruise down High Street and you’ll see hand-painted canoes rising from the sidewalk. This street is also where you’ll find specialty burgers, ice cream and coffee to help you recharge before or a er your time on the river.

Dairy Isle & Grill

Dairy Isle & Grill’s menu features burgers too, but its real draw is the ice cream. You’ll get more than chocolate and vanilla here; try the banana pudding shake, brookie (brownie and cookie) concrete or the Harry Po er-inspired Bu erbeer shake. The casual window-service joint’s regular hand-scooped ice cream flavors include black walnut, strawberry cheesecake and orange sherbet. For the kids, get the I y Bi y Baby Cone, which rings in at less than a dollar.

Dairy Isle & Grill, 502 Main St., Steelville, Missouri, 573-775-5388, dairyisle.com

Rich’s Famous Burgers

When you’re physically and mentally drained from a day on the water, a burger and fries are guaranteed to revive you, and Rich’s Famous Burgers has a menu full of specialty burgers, apps and sweets. A can’t-miss menu item is the jam burger: an Angus pa y topped with bacon, peanut bu er and a housemade hot pepper jam on Texas toast. Other burger options include a breakfast burger complete with a sunny-side-up egg; the Big Cheesy, with American and cheddar cheeses, bacon, deepfried jalapeño mac ‘n’ cheese bites and a sweet barbecue sauce; and a flame-grilled soy protein burger.

Rich’s Famous Burgers, 112 Main St., Steelville, Missouri, 573-775-8888, richsfamousburgers.com

Singing Butcher Shoppe

If you’re spending the night in Steelville, your vacation rental is most likely outfi ed with a grill. Instead of bringing meat from home, stop by the Singing Butcher Shoppe for fresh, local cuts. For a crowdpleaser, pick up some brats, which come in rotating flavors including strawberry rhubarb, jalapeño popper and curry. All of the brats and sausages are made in-house, and the bacon is smoked in-house. The shop also serves sandwiches for lunch Tuesday through Friday; you might get lucky and come on a day it’s serving a soup special like chicken noodle or potato.

Singing Butcher Shoppe, 104 Main St., Steelville, Missouri, 573-775-4561, singingbutchershoppe.com

Spare Rib Inn

Open since 1929, Spare Rib Inn has earned its time-worn sign proclaiming "good home cooking." The cozy eatery opens for breakfast at 5:30 a.m. and closes late enough for you to grab dinner too. For breakfast, choose from diner classics like omelets, pancakes and biscuits and gravy, or opt for the aptly named Meramec Stack, which comes with four layers of the meat, cheese and vegetables of your choice. The lunch and dinner menu includes burgers, sandwiches and fried sides, and you can always expect daily specials like Polish sausage and kraut or hand-ba ered fried fish.

Spare Rib Inn, 119 Main St., Steelville, Missouri, 573-775-2077

The Fountain Emporium/Em’s Bakery

Take a step back in time as you walk into The Fountain Emporium, which is also the home of Em’s Bakery. It’s located in a historic general store building, with a black-and-white checkered floor, shiny barstools and classic Coca-Cola memorabilia. And The Fountain Emporium still holds the essence of a general store; it stocks products like artisan soda bo les, jewelry, clothes and more. You can count on freshly baked treats – think Nutella-filled puff pastries, cinnamon rolls and cookies – as well as housemade ice cream any time you stop in and lunch specials on select Saturdays.

The Fountain Emporium/Em’s Bakery, 105 Main St., Steelville, Missouri, 573-775-2800, facebook.com/thesodafountain

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