These 16 Missouri restaurants made Yelp's Top 100 of the Midwest, including the top spot

After showing their customers something, Missouri restaurants showed off, with 16 spots around the state landing on Yelp's recent list of Top 100 Midwest Restaurants. And the very top of the list belongs to St. Louis, with its Blues City Deli ranked No. 1.

The popular site, which crowdsources reviews and recommendations across the business world, ranked restaurants using various criteria "including the total volume and ratings of reviews between January 1, 2021, and May 1, 2023."

Complementing the list, Yelp's Adele Chapin offered narratives that bring a little extra flavor to the Top 10 — which includes four Missouri spots as well as restaurants in Chicagoland, Indianapolis, Columbus, Ohio and Minneapolis.

While no local spots made the list, these notable Missouri restaurants deserve a spot on your must-try list or a place at the center of your next day trip across the state.

1. Blues City Deli, St. Louis

In describing the Midwest's top spot, Chapin praised proprietor Vince Valenza's fanatical, fresh approach to the sandwich. Certainly sandwich lovers would find something satisfying here. From twists on certain classics — such as the Feisty Tuna — to a bevy of Italian favorites, Blues City appeals to a variety of tastes.

Other intriguing options include the Panino Fresco (two types of cheese, olive salad, tomato, onion and Italian vinegar oil on Italian bread); the Knuckle Sandwich (featuring Italian beef, capicola and pepper Jack with a variety of sweet and spicy toppings); and who wouldn't wonder about a sandwich called the Aporkalypse Pretzelwich? 2438 McNair Ave. For more, visit https://www.bluescitydeli.com/.

3. Malinche Mexican Culinary Experience, Ellisville

Named for a pioneering woman, this St. Louis County restaurant celebrates the birth of modern Mexico, noting that in order to offer "diners a Mexican Culinary experience it is important to recognize that Mexican culture is a fusion of Spain and the Indigenism of America."

That aim is made manifest through a menu that features, at least in its summer iteration, items such as quesabirria, mole-forward dishes and more. And rather than begin every meal with chips and salsa, they start with "'antojitos'—snacks such as esquites (corn cups) or flautas," Chapin notes. 15939 Manchester Road. For more, visit https://www.malinchestl.com/.

5. Songbird, St. Louis

Chapin praises Songbird's Combo as "the region’s most perfect breakfast sandwich:a quintessential farm-raised fried egg combined with apple-smoked bacon and aged white cheddar on toasted sourdough, finished with a touch of local honey and sea salt."

The menu expands from there into kale frittatas, breakfast tamales and much more. 4476 Chouteau Ave. For more, visit https://songbirdstl.com/.

8. Arzola's Fajitas and Margaritas, St. Louis

Arzola's offers everything its name promises — and much more. Among the most promising fajitas are the mojo shrimp, marinated with chipotle adobo, roasted garlic and agave and grilled with poblano rajas; among the most promising margaritas: the Tamarindo, which joins tequila, triple orange brandy, tamarind puree, lemon and agave nectar. And among the more? Street tacos, quesadillas and one-pound burritos in steak, chicken and veggie varieties.

"The small restaurant moves 1,000 pounds of protein a week, with all the meat hand-trimmed and marinated for 72 hours," Chapin writes. 2730 McNair Ave. For more, visit https://www.eatarzolas.com/.

11. Jafra Mediterranean Restaurant, St. Charles

Specials here include shakshouka, grilled chicken and mujadara, which joins rice, lentils, "deeply caramelized" onions with crispier onions, yogurt and salad. 3551 Veterans Memorial Parkway. For more, visit https://jafrastl.wixsite.com/restaurant.

18. Balkan Treat Box, Webster Groves

With the promise of woodfired flavor, this St. Louis-area restaurant delivers on menu items like döner, pljeskavica — a "Balkan burger" stuffed with cheese and topped, in part, with ajvar, a sweet pepper and eggplant relish — and other sandwich-like options foregrounding grilled fish, eggplant and more. 8103 Big Bend Blvd. For more visit, http://www.balkantreatbox.com/.

32. Have a Cow Urban Farm Store and Cafe, St. Louis

"Love Coffee. Love Burgers. Love Your Enemy." is the tagline for this enterprise, joining farm, table and gift shop. Burgers and breakfasts lead the menu, which also features options like the Grilled PB and J and The Cow Kicker, a sandwich which revolves around cheddar and jalapeno meatloaf. 2742 Lafayette Ave. For more, visit https://www.haveacow.farm/.

33. The Russell, Kansas City

A gourmet approach to staple dishes characterizes The Russell's fare; among the promising options: cedar plank salmon, rack of lamb and The Russell Bowl, which joins brisket, quinoa, a number of vegetables, feta and green goddess dressing. 3141 Main St. For more, visit https://therussellonmain.com/.

39. El Jarocho Mexican Store and Taqueria, Valley Park

Located in St. Louis County, El Jarocho promises food that's faithful to the Mexican state of Veracruz as well as grocery options. The menu features a wide variety of street tacos — from camaron to lengua, tripa to al pastor — as well as tortas, vegetarian tacos de nopal (cactus tacos) and more. 25 Stonegate Center. For more, visit https://www.eljarochotaqueria.com/.

50. Scott's Kitchen and Catering at Hangar 29, Kansas City

Barbecue pilots this aviation-themed joint, but the menu spreads its wings to include breakfast fare, tacos, burritos, bowls and wings. 11920 N. Ambassador Drive. For more visit, https://www.scottskitchenandcatering.com/.

60. The Bruncheonette, Joplin

Waking up early sounds tastier at this Joplin restaurant with multiple versions of breakfast migas (the Runaround, the B.A. Baracus and the Darth Vato) as well as brunch poutine, buckwheat crepes and lunch sandwiches and tacos. 424 N. Main St. For more, visit https://www.thebruncheonette.net/.

61. J's Pitaria, Sappington

The St. Louis-area spot fulfills its place in a Mediterranean culinary tradition. Somun bread anchors featured sandwiches and appetizers, and the restaurant offers a variety of Mediterranean pies, ranging from spinach and cheese to zucchini and more. 91 Concord Plaza Shopping Center. For more, visit https://www.jspitaria.us/.

65. Baba's Pantry, Kansas City

This Palestinian-American deli offers everything from falafel and shawarma to specialty desserts such as baklava and hilbah. 1019 E. 63rd St. For more, visit https://babaspantrykc.com/.

76. Bay Boy Specialty Sandwiches, Kansas City

Bringing together a Bay Area vision with Midwest presence, this sandwich shop serves up its wares on fresh Dutch Crunch bread. Sandwiches include The Bandit, which dresses up its roast beef in raspberry jam and horseradish; and the Bay Boy, featuring soppressata, house-made garlic and hot pepper sauces, lots of veggies, cheese and more. 4706 Holly St. For more, visit https://bayboykc.com/.

77. Q39 Midtown, Kansas City

One of the many strong options in a barbecue-loving city, Q39 offers every meat lover's favorite dish as well as inventive sandwiches and appetizers like smoked beef brisket poutine. 1000 W. 39th St. For more, visit https://q39kc.com/locations/kansas-city-bbq/.

81. Grünauer, Kansas City

Using "classic Viennese techniques" and "family recipes," Grünauer's entrees include multiple varieties of schnitzel, bauernschmaus — which combines smoked pork loin, grilled pork belly and bauernwurst — and vanillerostbraten, in which a Kansas City strip steak is prepared with garlic-red wine sauce, fried potatoes and blistered cherry tomatoes. 101 W. 22nd St. For more, visit https://grunauerkc.com/.

Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. He's on Twitter @aarikdanielsen.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: These 16 standout Missouri restaurants delighted Yelp users