Even though Missourians may have been a little less mobile this past year, they sure haven’t forgotten the places they love throughout the Show-Me State. This year’s Best of Rural Missouri Readers’ Choice Contest ballots were chock-full of your favorite places to eat, shop, visit and play.
Just as we published last year’s contest, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and left many of the locations featured in the 2020 contest temporarily closed or with reduced service options. Here’s hoping you can visit as many of this year’s winners as possible!
Eighteen was the magic number this year as this is the 18th edition of the contest and it featured 18 categories showcasing the many unique opportunities available to Missourians all year long. Some categories — such as Best Restaurant and Best Barbecue — have been contest staples while others like Best Food Truck and Best Getaway Without the Kids were brand new. Some categories had clear runaways while others came down to just a few reader votes. Each category includes a first- and second-place winner along with an editors’ choice (EC).
Thousands of votes came pouring in both online and through the mail. All who completed a ballot in at least five categories were entered to win a $500 Visa gift card to use at whatever Missouri restaurant or destination they enjoy most. This years’ winner was Intercounty Electric Cooperative member Lois Boykin of Cabool.
In addition to highlighting this year’s winners here, online and on social media, in August we will display these pages in the Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives Building during the Missouri State Fair. Be sure to stop by and see us. So, without further ado, here are your 2021 winners!