This post is part of an ongoing series called 66 Fridays, which explores the wonders of old Route 66. Click on the preceding “66 Fridays” link to view all posts in the series, or visit the initial overview post here.

Unlike Bill Johnson’s in Phoenix or Frank’s in San Antonio, the Missouri Hick is still open for business.

And hallelujah for that, because it’s hard to find better barbecue than this.

Plus, I am a sucker for anywhere that takes local quirks, dials them up to eleven and turns them into decor.

The place was just about empty, as we didn’t roll into town until just before closing time (we had come a long, long way since our early breakfast in Chicago that morning, and even our afternoon snack was hours in the past).

But luckily for us, they were still happy to feed us—and we were more than happy to chow down.