Well Fed: Columbia, MO

After a week filled with Midwest hospitality and deliciously over-sized meals, I'm shocked I haven't gained 10 lbs! We had a great trip visiting E's mom and baby sis, Addie, in Columbia, Missouri, and eating to our hearts' content! Our meals consisted of some great home cooking and these worthy takeout meals:
First stop: Smokin' Chick's BBQ, Original Missouri BBQ. Now, growing up in Canada, I didn't fully realized there was a cuisine called "BBQ" until I met my Midwestern husband. He has taken me out a few times in search of authentic BBQ in NYC [didn't happen] and in Kansas on previous trips to visit his family. But it was only on this trip that I fully understood why people salivate at the mere mention of baby back ribs. Chick's baby backs were tender, fall-off-the-bone tasty. I did find the St. Louis ribs a bit fatty, but the baked beans and potato salad didn't disappoint. I'm officially a BBQ convert...

...and so is he!

Since first meeting E's familia, Dairy Queen has became a staple during our get-togethers, but this time we skipped the DQ and headed to Culver's for frozen custard. Addie tried to convince me that custard was just thicker ice cream, but after sampling the Concrete Mixer [a Blizzard in disguise], I'm pretty sure they're the same consistency and equally tasty! I had the banana/Reese peanut butter cup combo...Heaven! [Just a bit of warning: do not look up the nutritional info at Culver's if you want to enjoy your custard!]

[right before I devoured my 'Mixer]

Being in a *college town* [Columbia is home to the Mizzou Tigers] it's almost a necessity to have good pizza to keep the students well-nourished and Columbia didn't disappoint. Addie took us to Shakespeare's Pizza in the downtown district for some mouth-watering, whole wheat crust deliciousness [you didn't think "mouth-watering" and "whole wheat" could be in the same sentence, now did you?] Voted "Favorite College Hangout" by Good Morning America, Shakespeare's was packed to the rafters and had an hour long wait! Luckily, we called in our order and it was ready to go when we got there. Our pie was piled high with toppings that it was a balancing act trying to get a piece to my mouth without it falling apart in my lap! Paired with a yummy red wine, this pizza dinner was just about perfect.

^via

Definitely check out these spots if you're ever in Columbia. I'm still salivating reminiscing about our trip!