Dine at the Oldest Restaurant West of the Mississippi

Did you know you can eat at the oldest restaurant west of the Mississippi, less than an hour from Sedalia?

I'm talking about the J. Huston Tavern in Arrow Rock, which Tourist Secrets calls "Arrow Rock's hidden gem."

The J. Huston Tavern was built in 1834 by Joseph Huston, Sr., an early Arrow Rock settler and civic leader from Virginia. The four-room, two-story structure was originally the Huston family home. Yet, as thousands of immigrants heading west passed through Arrow Rock, Huston began offering travelers and local citizens lodging and meals.

In the mid-19th Century, the tavern was expanded with a store and ballroom. A large dining room and a modern kitchen were added in 1955. Today, diners can enjoy a drink in the store, otherwise known as the tap room, and eat in one of three dining rooms: the Sappington Parlor, the Huston Room, or the Bingham Room. The tavern is also the centerpiece of Arrow Rock State Historic Site and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Tourist Secrets writes, "With its rich heritage and mouthwatering dishes, this historic spot is a must-visit for anyone exploring the heartland of America. Come hungry and leave with a taste of history that lingers long after your visit."

Today, the restaurant is operated by the J Huston Tavern Society, a group of local historic preservation advocates and residents of Arrow Rock. The group's mission is to maintain and preserve the tavern's tradition as the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi.

The J Huston Tavern Society held a soft re-opening of the restaurant the first weekend of October. The tavern serves a variety of salads and sandwiches for lunch and entrees like Double-Cut Pork Chop, Ahi Tuna, vegetarian cacciatore, and Beef Tenderloin Medallion for dinner. The tavern's fried chicken plate is available for both lunch and dinner. Additionally, they offer specials every weekend and occasionally may offer something special in conjunction with shows at the Lycium Theatre.

The J. Huston Tavern is open Thursday from 5:00 - 8:00 PM CST, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM -3:00 PM and 5:00 to 8:00 PM CST, and Sunday from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. The restaurant is not accepting reservations now and is planning a formal grand reopening in 2025!

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The tavern is located at 305 Main Street, Arrow Rock, and is part of the Arrow Rock State Historic Site.

The best way to keep up with what's going on at the tavern is to check out its Facebook page, which can be found here.