»

Best of Columbia 2010

What we've loved this past 12 months.

By the MOVE Staff

Published May 7, 2010

Best Sandwich

Which Wich

It's easy get waylaid by the menu board of wiches, and you can always leave with something completely different. Unless you have a live-in gourmet chef, there's no other place you and your friends can enjoy a gyro, surf-n-turf or a Thanksgiving-style turkey sandwich all at the same time. Doodle on the back of your bag, and watch it go down the assembly line while you munch on some house chips.

Readers' pick: Pickleman's

Best Citywide Event

True/False Film Fest

True/False Film Fest is giving the university a run for its money as Columbia's best-known attraction. The ever-expanding festival continues to exceed our expectations, and the national and international communities agree. Just this year, The Auteurs, a social networking site and online cinema, featured a festival retrospective. This fast-growing festival has only been running for seven years, and we can't wait to see what the eighth will bring.

Readers' pick: Roots 'N Blues 'N BBQ

Best International Food

Casablanca

Casablanca has the best hummus and pita in town, hands down. If you're looking for a cheap, filling and portion-perfect meal, head to Casablanca on the corner of Fifth and Elm streets -- it recently moved from Peachtree Drive near Rock Bridge High School. Its sandwiches, gyros, shawarma, falafel and shish kabobs range from $4 to $6 and make the perfect lunch. Its ratio of cheap-to-delicious makes Casablanca MOVE's Best International Food for 2010.

Readers' pick: Bangkok Garden

Best Second-Hand Store

Leo's Old Clothes

Travel up a glittery gold staircase on North Ninth Street to discover The District's best hidden-in-plain-sight thrift store. Tucked away near The Blue Note, Leo's Old Clothes offers a range of vintage options, costume rentals and even objects such as old pipes and antique cameras. Take an afternoon to explore the store. You could even walk away with a newfound friend in the cat that naps among the piles of clothing.

Readers' pick: Maude Vintage

Best Restaurant (Non-Fancy-Pants)

Flat Branch Pub & Brewing

Flat Branch's list of must-orders is too expansive for one meal, so bring some friends or a trailer to take home your leftovers. The menu options are phenomenal, from the appetizers (try Chokes 'n Cheese) to the desserts (like the stout brownie sundae) and everything in between, including a wide selection of microbrews. Flat Branch keeps it laid back and homey, so there's no need to break out the fancy duds.

Readers' pick: Flat Branch Pub & Brewing

Best Restaurant (Fancy-Pants)

Addison's

Three words: sweet potato fries. When family is in town, there's never a question of where you should take them. Addison's menu includes all your favorites with a classy twist, like the sweet potato fries or toasted ravioli with crab and shrimp inside. Pay attention when your server lists the specials, and go with your gut if something sounds intriguing. Whatever it is, it's going to be delicious. Our hit list: barbecue ribs, crap dip with wonton chips or any extravagant pasta dish.

Readers' pick: Addison's

Band We Wish Would've Come to Columbia

Phoenix

The French rock/synth/pop band skipped over Columbia on its latest tour, instead opting to perform at only slightly larger venues in Kansas City and St. Louis. Our furious letter-writing campaign has gone completely unnoticed so far (possibly because we've yet to start one), but hopefully the more rockin' residents of Columbia will be able to hear the smooth flow of "If I Ever Feel Better" and the power-packed beats of "1901" at home sooner rather than later.

Readers' pick: Phoenix

Establishment We Wish Would Come to Columbia

Trader Joe's

Not to rip on Hy-Vee or Wal-Mart, but Columbia could seriously use some influence from Trader Joe's. Who doesn't love a shopping experience that feels like an isolated beach oasis? Cute packaging ("Trader Jose's" branding on Mexican food? "Trader Giotto's" on Italian faves?), employees with floral button-ups and microwaveable ethnic foodstuffs are good enough reasons to love it. Not to mention, it's reasonably priced. We want you, Trader Joe's, and we have a market for you.

Readers' pick: Trader Joe's

Best Concert Venue

The Blue Note

Bigger is better, and The Blue Note has been voted the biggest and best venue in Columbia yet again. Along with bringing notable artists to Mid-Missouri like Chuck Berry, Grizzly Bear and most recently, OK Go, The Blue Note has also played host to Bluebird Music and Arts Festival and True/False Film Fest. It's still the go-to place for live music downtown.

Readers' pick: The Blue Note

Best Place to Dance

Eastside Tavern

You haven't lived until you've been danced up on not one, but two large men dressed as zombies on Valentine's Day Eve. Eastside's themed shindigs compliment the weekly Dirty Disco it hosts, where you can boogie to electronica and remixes of '80s power ballads while enjoying the sometimes-crazy and always-energetic crowd. The under-21 crowd can enjoy the scene for a mere $5. Afterward, follow the revelry to nearby establishments on Broadway for late night noms.

Readers' pick: Everywhere

Best Breakfast

Broadway Diner

If Broadway Diner weren't open until the late hours of the night, nearly no one at MU would know of it. Luckily, this is not the case. Broadway Diner has the best breakfast, and you should know it. Eggs, crispy bacon, a slab of ham a mile long -- whatever you want, Broadway will provide it.

Readers' pick: Broadway Diner

Best First Date

Ragtag Cinema

Columbia has a great atmosphere, but it is easy to miss if you do not stray off campus. Next time you want to impress a date, head to Ragtag Cinema. The theater's cushy sofas are the perfect way to snuggle and the low-key bar can help set the mood. The film line-up changes frequently, so look up what they are playing first.

Readers' pick: Ragtag Cinema

Best Place to Get Coffee

Kaldi's

Everything about Kaldi's is great. If anything, it is the antithesis to Starbucks. With no annoying music or uncomfortable seating, no two-hour-old brews and no corporate (lack of) charm, Kaldi's has a mellow atmosphere with fresh brews that rotate daily. And the other drinks, such as lattes, teas, smoothies and hot chocolates, are just as tasty for the non-black-coffee fan. A tad over-priced? Maybe. Pretentious? Unapologetically so. Delicious? Always.

Readers' pick: Kaldi's

Best Park

Peace Park

At age five, a park is not worth its woodchips without the mandatory swing set, slide and jungle gym. Welcome to college, everyone! Peace Park might not be equipped for the unevolved monkey tendencies we all have, but it certainly provides the adult in us with a romantic setting for a picnic or the perfect spot for late night games of Capture the Flag.

Readers' picks: Rock Bridge State Park and MKT Nature and Fitness Trail

Best Delivery Food

Gumby's

Gumby's is the restaurant every college student should know. Gumby's, a pizza restaurant chain, features a themed menu from the show Gumby, such as Pokey Sticks instead of cheesy bread sticks. The delivery service lasts until 2 a.m., making it the perfect post-partying treat. Nothing is better to soak up those adult beverages than some Pokey Sticks and a delicious cheese pizza.

Readers' picks: Gumby's

Best Place to Study

Ellis Library

Ellis accommodates every study style. For the chatting crowd or those who enjoy sipping coffee while writing a paper, there is Bookmark Café. For the person who needs to become a hermit to get work done, there are desks tucked into every corner of the stacks. Printing and copying services are available, not to mention the reference desk to help you find that pesky source. And did we mention the books? There are a lot of books.

Readers' pick: Ellis Library

Best Place to Get Drunk

Everywhere

No matter what and where you want to drink, Columbia can provide it. Every place reflects different moods and tastes. Stay at Trops, sip on alcohol slushies and order some food. Go to Flat Branch and try a micro brew. Go to the nearest liquor store and stay in for the night. As long as you have some friends with you, everywhere makes for a great weekend.

Readers' pick: Everywhere

Best Ninth Street Eats

Noodles & Company

The carb chain Noodles & Company takes inspirations from foods all over the world, Americanizes them and puts them on a plate for you to enjoy -- no need to travel or experience new culture. All you need to know about Japan is they make some killer pan noodles. The speedy service and the ability to take the food to-go puts Noodles at the top of convenience and will satisfy even the most impatient college student.

Readers' pick: Noodle's & Company

Best Local Band

Slippy Larue

Slippy Larue came to Columbia, saw it and conquered it. The upstart quartet hypnotizes audiences with its funky, groovy sound. The band has already booked summer shows at Summer Camp Music Festival in Chilicothe, Ill., and in Lawrence, Kan. Before the band gets big, remember, you heard about it here first.

Readers' pick: Slippy Larue

Best Late-Night Food

El Rancho

People rarely crave El Rancho when they are sober, but it is the first place that pops into mind when you are drunk and hungry. El Rancho not only provides really awful Mexican food, but it is also the go-to place for late-night dining. Save yourself the embarrassment of being "that" drunk dude and just go to El Rancho, conveniently located next to all the bars downtown, and fit in with the rest of shitfaced Columbia.

Readers' pick: Broadway Diner