No doubt, some special evenings call for gourmet dining. But typically, when you go out to eat, you crave two things: familiarity and excellence. At Roxie’s Roadhouse on the Lake Ozark Strip, familiar American fare is crafted with a rare kind of excellence.

Roxie’s has all the aesthetic of a classic American bar and grill, but the stellar food sets them apart. This isn’t pre-made stuff they pull off a freezer truck and throw in a deep fryer. Each menu item has been thoughtfully crafted, by chefs who actually care that people enjoy the food. Bonus points: they source much of the meat locally. The Wagyu beef comes from Hiroshi Farms, just outside Osage Beach.

*To Eat*

Wagyu Corn Dogs

Normally at restaurants, the kids are the ones eating corn dogs. But if you bring them to Roxie’s, they’ll have to fight you for them. What started as a joke (“We should put corn dogs on the menu!”) became one of the best things on the menu. Locally sourced Wagyu weiners, an Alton Brown-inspired recipe for the batter, and the result is an utterly brilliant appetizer.

Mixed into the batter, grated jalapeño gives these dogs just a little kick. Each is hand-dipped, deep-fried, then set on a plate drizzled with mustard and honey (yes).

Order these. There are three to a plate, so do the math, and leave plenty of margin for everybody to grab an extra.

Fat Kid Fries

You know poutine? That strangely brilliant Canadian dish? The Fat Kid Fries are Roxie’s take on poutine: a pile of fries covered with gravy, braised pork, pickled onions, and garnished with chopped parsley.

The braised pork is mouth-wateringly good: seared, then braised, and—of course—they keep the juices in order to make the gravy. And don’t even think about picking past the pickled onions; their sweetness plays perfectly with the savory dish. This plate will literally make you the fat kid, but you won’t care.

*To Drink*

Tropical Illusion

VERY fruity! VERY tropical! VERY summery! Order this if it’s summer, or if it needs to be summer. Cruzan Coconut rum, melon liqueur, DeKuyper Blue Curacao, pineapple juice, and citrus bring truly tropical vibes. The pineapple juice comes through nice and strong. This is one of their most popular cocktails.

Lady Of The Lake

Pinnacle Raspberry vodka mingles with DeKuyper Blue Curacao, sprite, and melon to create a unique cocktail. Bubbly and on the strong side, this bright blue drink—offset by the bright red cherry and orange slice—is loud and fun. If you love sweet drinks, you’ll love this one.