Booches

Moving reviews over from Yelp and this was originally published on tax day back in 2017: There's Yelp recommendations and then there's the recommendation you get from the ladies at the UPS Store. I really didn't have time to obsessively dig through Yelp in an unfamiliar town and try to pick something on the fly so I asked the ladies: "where's a good local place?" I got the same answer from both so I went with their recommendation. Pretty glad I did! Yes, the bartender who served me was indifferent (at best) and the wait was longer than at Jimmy John's but sometimes you just need to slow down a little and smell the sliders. Not White Castle, not at all - these are sliders in the hand-formed, cooked to order, actually tastes like beef form. I ordered two and that was plenty for lunch. They are about 1/2 way between what passes for a slider these days and what is generally considered a burger in a sit-down restaurant. The patty was very clearly hand-formed and cooked on the flat top that couldn't be more than about 2x3. I'm not sure how they keep up with demand with such a small cooking surface but nobody in the place seemed to care so I just went with the flow. My burgers showed up in about 10 minutes and (unlike most of the other patrons) I skipped the draft beer that looked liked it would be a perfect companion. Great lunch! PS: In this century almost everywhere accepts a credit card. Not this place.

Stopped by Booches before the Mizzou–Kansas game and it was the perfect pregame stop. Classic old-school Columbia spot — pool tables, friendly crowd, and burgers that hit just right. Nothing fancy, just simple, delicious food served on wax paper like it’s been done for decades. The beer was cold, the service was quick even with the game-day rush, and the whole place had that laid-back, local vibe. Just a heads up — it’s cash only, so make sure you hit the ATM before you go. Totally worth it though. This place is a Columbia must.

Pretty neat old fashioned restaurant with a lot of history. Great place to get a good burger and play some pool. Note that they only accept cash and, unfortunately, do not have french fries! The burger itself was very moist and had good flavor. Unlike other burger places, the burger was not oversized. My boyfriend got the grilled cheese with ham and was very pleased with the amount of ham they put. Would recommend checking out this famous burger restaurant in Columbia!

Great vibe at Beaches! Enjoyed a cold Boulevard Wheat and the Double Western Burger—both hit the spot. Ambience was relaxed and inviting. Only downside is it’s cash-only, which is a bit inconvenient. Still, a solid spot for food and drinks!

If you’re looking for a cool dive place, this is the one it’s all cash only and they basically have hamburgers and hotdogs and when it’s not too busy, they offer soup and you can get a side of chips. The hamburger is served on a piece of plastic wrap, but it’s hand formed and you could tell it’s homemade and not a frozen patty. Sometimes there’s a line out the door! So don’t go to linger if it’s busy

I took my daughter here on the way home. The burgers were amazing. I should have ordered 3 of them, though, and not two. The only problem is that it's CASH ONLY. I didn't realize that and had to go to the bank to get cash. Next time I'm back by ill be back and I'll bring cash.

Great spot for burgers and dogs with a dive bar pool hall ambience. The cheeseburger with everything completely hit the spot on a break from my cross country road trip. Just a flawless burger. Staff was friendly and kind, and the food came out quick!

could be a bit nicer when ordering on the phone, also food is always great. Service was pretty substandard. I ordered ahead about 15 mins and they said they would be about 15 mins to pick up. nope! i got there right on time and then parties started to poor in and the waitress was busy serving other with families and children took priority. I watched as many orders went ahead of mine. acting like they where surprised to still notice me 3 burgers for lunch thats all i wanted.

Booches is a must-visit every time we're in Columbia. This small, often busy spot has become a staple for our family, and it never disappoints. The burgers are consistently juicy, with savory buns that are simply unforgettable. There's nothing like enjoying a burger served on a piece of wax paper--no plates here, just pure, unpretentious goodness. Side choices are limited, so don't expect French fries (they don't have a fryer). It's either a bag of chips or a bowl of chili, but honestly, the burgers are the main event, and they shine on their own. Just remember to bring cash--no credit or debit cards are accepted. The atmosphere is classic, and the food is always worth it. We've been here multiple times, and it's one of those places we just can't miss whenever we're in town.

This place is awesome! My husband and I stopped for lunch on our way back to Nashville. Burgers were DELICIOUS! My husband also had the werst and chili and said they were amazing. The guys running the place were so friendly and made us feel right at home. A really cool bar. Wish Booches was in our neighborhood at home. We hope we have the opportunity to stop in another time.

Cash only!!! So good! Never had a hotdog split griddled and then served on a burger bun, only way to do it now in my opinion! I would be able to eat 10 of these little burgers! Love the ambience and the staff! 10/10 for some good burgers and brews

Damn good burger and a great place to hang with friends and family. If you're short on either, then you can always make new friends at Booches, as long as you follow the rules. Cash only. No sniveling. No salads. Unruly children are often packaged and sent away. Service is great and you should do your best to pay attention to the menu on the wall and to tip well. It is a full time job for them.

Sometimes the wait for a table can be long, or not at all if you come off peak times. Simple menu and quick service. Love the hamburger here and you can't beat the prices. Hamburger $5 - Delicious, no frills (comes with fresh onion, sliced pickles, ketchup and mustard). Tax is already included. The potato chips are good, not sure how much a bag cost because they don't give you a bill at the end, just a total. I tried the Old Vienna of STL Red Hot Riplets. It wasn't very spicy, but has good flavor. Cash only. .|\---/| | @_@ | ..\_^_/..2024

A Columbia iconic place....and has the little slider burgers. Now, this place is a pool hall...but tons of people go here for the burgers. Well, I see why and I'm sure a fan of those tasty little fresh beef burgers!

Stopped in for the food. Some friends of ours used to hang out and eat here often. So, passing through town, we stopped. Loved the automosphere of the pool hall. The location looks like it has been there forever. Maybe not even retouched up any paint. I love it. We found a spot quick on a Thursday evening. The waitress was quick. We were coached on what to get. I got the burger and chili on the side with Fritos. The chili had a nice subtle heat. It was the perfect size. Then I paired with the hamburger. No plates, no fancy, just awesome food. Hubby had the chili brat, which you get a plate. And it's an open faced cut and smothered with the chili. We all dined on wax paper and were pleasantly full. The drinks were on point. The bathroom is the tiniest ever, but clean. If we lived around here, we'd be back as I loved it.

Recently returned to Mizzou after 13 yrs. Still the best burger in town, tastes exactly the same. Nothing fancy about this place, exactly the way I like it.

Went on a Wednesday at 6 and got a table right away. Great service! I got the only vegetarian thing on the menu, the grilled cheese. Other reviews say you need multiple items to feel full, but I thought this one grilled cheese was fine. Friends got burgers and loved them. Probably the cheapest food in Columbia

Food service and ambience are amazing... It's literally my favorite place on earth. I've been going to Booches since 1967 and I can tell you that I have never had a bad time there. The new owners are awesome and they have maintained all of the elements that make Booches perfect.

We heard this was one of the best burgers in Columbia, so we were excited to try this place! It is cash only, so it took us a while to finally head in. It is a sit down, super casual burger place with pool. Service was good overall. They recommended we order 2 burgers per person. - Hamburger (4.5/5): the burger overall was simple but so yummy! Has all the basic ingredients, ketchup, mustard, onion, pickle. And so good! - Vegetable beef soup (4/5): surprisingly super delicious, the flavors on point and we were both blown away by how good this soup was

I went solo to this bar before a football game to watch the game. I was there 15 minutes before the game started and the bar was lightly attended. I picked the most out of the way table since I was solo. I ordered a drink, hamburger and later a hot dog. Since I was there solo the waitress was deliberately trying to get me out of the bar since it was starting to fill up. I was treated very rudely. I regret leaving a tip. I will not return to this establishment.

The cheese burgers are phenomenal!! Period, no fries just a bag of chips or Fritos! Chili is good! They are perfectly cooked, medium rare with a brioche bun!

If you like beer hall food from a bag, mon-premium beers and are aiming for a night in a locale whose decor is from slightly past the Prohibition era, you're in for a treat. Historically worn interior rarely if ever updated serves up a great hot dog and cold Stag beer. As curious epicureans it was a hoot to eat/drink like local forefathers did. Pool tables add nice clicking background marking time.

Most mediocre burger ever. It was tiny and had no flavor. The meat was chewy and there was so much mustard. It was excessive. After reading the reviews on their burgers again, I had to laugh. Someone must have been under the influence of something strong to Rate this food anything but below average. Students must not be very particular. Never again Booches.........

Best burger in town and new owners are great! I also loved the history of the place and the amount of regulars they had.

Decent food, staff was very rude and very short with me and everyone that I was with. We heard before hand this might be the case and it is.

Small and comfortable. It was game day and had a little line to get in, but moved real fast. The service and burgers and top notch!!

We have heard a lot about the legendary Booches. I have to say it lived up to the hype. Cash-only, burger joint with cool working pool hall. Great beer options and burgers were delicious. I loved everything about it and will definitely be back to hangout again.

Amazing burger and chili, 3 burgers chili and 3 beers $32 and great service. Heard of this place all the way in San Diego had to check it out during Mizzou visit was well worth it

The burger was tiny, and the whole place very unsanitary. Took a couple bites and left the rest, I was so grossed out by the nose wiping and then directly touching the cheese, buns, straws where people put their lips. The bartender was telling everyone how he felt like crap, kept wiping his nose, and then grabbing everything with his snotty dirty hands.

This place was a complete disaster. We went there because we heard the burgers were good. The waiter was sick, openly talk about how bad he felt, rubbing his nose and holding a tissue. Then grabbing everyone's straws and the insides of the cups with his bare hands. The cooks were also grabbing the cheese and buns with their hands after rubbing their noses. I didn't even want to eat the food after seeing how gross the preparation of it was.

This is a must try at least once. Some of the best chili I have ever eaten and I highly recommend it. The little burgers are not bad. Cool setting on the inside. I love a good pool hall!

If you want the Booches experience that everyone talks about then go to Booches. If you want a good burger...don't go to Booches. There is nothing special about these burgers. They are all pretty much the same and all cooked well done. No french fries, just chips. Cash only. Limited seating. A divey place but not really with writing home about.

Don't go to birches if you want a beer they will not let you drink after 930. The bartender seem to be mean and vindictive just because he wanted to have a beer. Love the history of this place but the staff seems so frustrated

Need a greasy, delicious, thick slider? Get to Booches and bring your cash (they don't take cards). The menu is on the wall with prices. You'd think you would need a double to fill you up, but I promise a single is enough. They don't have a fryer, just a flat-top, so don't expect fries. They also offer chili, hot dogs, grilled cheese, grilled ham and cheese, and chili hot dogs. Seating is hard to come by, but you can stand at the bar just fine. The bar also features lots of pool tables (no food or drink allowed near the pool tables though). Never too many people playing pool, so you'll always find an open table if that's what you're into. This place is always a "must visit" when I'm in Columbia.

There's Yelp recommendations and then there's the recommendation you get from the ladies at the UPS Store. I really didn't have time to obsessively dig through Yelp in an unfamiliar town and try to pick something on the fly so I asked the ladies: "where's a good local place?" I got the same answer from both so I went with their recommendation. Pretty glad I did! Yes, the bartender who served me was indifferent (at best) and the wait was longer than at Jimmy John's but sometimes you just need to slow down a little and smell the sliders. Not White Castle, not at all - these are sliders in the hand-formed, cooked to order, actually tastes like beef form. I ordered two and that was plenty for lunch. They are about 1/2 way between what passes for a slider these days and what is generally considered a burger in a sit-down restaurant. The patty was very clearly hand-formed and cooked on the flat top that couldn't be more than about 2x3. I'm not sure how they keep up with demand with such a small cooking surface but nobody in the place seemed to care so I just went with the flow. My burgers showed up in about 10 minutes and (unlike most of the other patrons) I skipped the draft beer that looked liked it would be a perfect companion. Great lunch! PS: In this century almost everywhere accepts a credit card. Not this place.

There's a lot of hype for Booches, but honestly, I don't reaaally see the hype. We came on a Monday during lunch, and quickly realized how little seating there is. We sat at the bar, and the lady who was taking orders at the tables stood an inch away from me as she was giving orders to the cook. They're known for their burgers. However, I'd say the hot dogs were better than their burgers. They're served in burger buns, and tasted much better than the cheeseburger. I got the chili dog and cheese dog, and both were better than our cheeseburgers with everything (ketchup, mustard, onion, pickle). Cash only. Tiny bathrooms. Very sticky.

THE WORLD'S GREATEST CHEESEBURGER!!! Stopped in there on the way from Chicago to Kansas City & luckily made it in on time for the world's greatest cheeseburgers! Word to the wise, though, mind your P's & Q's here. They have some "rules" here--both official & unwritten. They can be a little surly at times. So, decency & common courtesy go a long way here. But, if you want the world's greatest cheeseburger, a beer, and an unpretentious atmosphere, you must go here! Closed on Sundays, see you in church!

A college and old-timer hangout known for its bar & pool food. We got a burger and left-- not the casual dining experience I expected. Nice, helpful staff.

Decent burger...HORRIBLE I MEAN HORRIBLE SERVICE. It was unfortunate because it was recommended to us by a patron so we went and the server was rude.

The burgers are incredible. For their burgers, Booches is a must-try for locals and visitors, even if it's out of your way. This echoes all the other comments, and the articles written on the establishment, but it's worth staying again. The lack of advertisement might make it hard to find, and the cash-only part can be inconvenient, but these also add to its rustic charm.

First time I've ever been to Booches and they were packed. So me and my date stood at the front by the door trying to figure out what to do since there was no seating available and since we had never been there before and had no idea how it worked or if we had to wait to be seated or get on a wait list. The guy working at the bar screamed at us to get out of that area and to move because no one should be standing there. We were right inside the door. We didn't know. He didn't even try asking us nicely to move. He straight up YELLED it. We just left after that

1. Outstanding cheeseburgers, served on paper. There's something very old timey about the style and taste of these burgers and I mean that in the best way. I was just here and they've gotten more expense, I think they're $5 and change each now, for a burger that is maybe a bit heftier than a McDonald's cheeseburger. If you like fries, you're out of luck. They only serve chips. Soda comes in a smallish paper cup. Again, vintage feel. 2. I'd give this place a full five stars for food, but what's always annoyed me a bit about this place is that the service is usually a bit uppity. Not in your face uppity, but you'll be treated at times as if you're at their house and you're asking them to make you food. Like they don't equate things like a smile or even a heartfelt "hey there" with a better tip. Now, mind you, places with really great food will do that, but it's called service for a reason. I don't want to feel rude for making you take my order. Now service is not always this way, but if you don't get one of those servers you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. Anyway, this place is a throw back and a must visit in Columbia. Enjoy.

A must visit when in Columbia. Delicous little burgers in a no-frills atmosphere. Booches is first and foremost a billiard hall, so there are only a few tables up front to eat. Get there early and order a couple of these little gems, a bag of chips, and a beer before you head to the game.

The place is rundown, food mediocre, and the cook kept rubbing his nose while handling food. Nobody wore gloves and hand hygiene was nonexistent. The place needs some TLC and a visit from the health department. I honestly would not eat here again because of the food handling issues. There is also not a sink in the bathroom, so where are people washing their hands afterwards? Hmmm...

I finally went because everyone always raves about this place, but the menu was limited and the famed sliders were just okay. They didn't offer any full burgers. I'm not planning on going back.

Absolutely best burgers in town! Burgers are on the small side, just get two or three lol. Love the vintage old school pool hall feel.

For a place that is known around columbia as the place to go--not good. Tiny over priced burgers that don't even come with cheese. Pretty mid too. Any adult would need to eat at least 3 of them to feel any satiation. Not to mention if you're not a townie and walk in every local looks at you like you've got 2 heads.

Good burgers. Great pool tables. Service was pretty good. Do not recommend the chili dog.

Booches is a well known burger joint in Columbia, MO. It was highly recommended to us by a family member who lives in the area. Unfortunately, from the start, our waitress was extremely rude, DEMANDING we couldn't move tables together or even pull another chair over (this would've been understandable had it not been relayed to us in such an ugly manner). The burgers were in fact good, but they are small and you need to order at least two to feel satisfied. The worst part of our experience was by far our interaction with the waitress. Between the intermittent rude side comments she made throughout the entire experience, she was visibly texting while the place was packed and taking drags of her vape pen while passing our table.

I've lived in Columbia for 4 years now and there is no place I consistently crave more than Booches. There is just an aura about the place that is hard to put into words. When you walk in the door time seems to slow down, which is nice in a world that's go-go-go all the time. It feels old, and that's because it is...1884 old. It's a great place to grab a beer and relax or order a couple cheeseburgers. The cheeseburgers are an order two type deal, one just won't be enough. Oh, and leave your pocketbook at home, it's cash only of course. Go see for your self why a business stays open for 130+ years.

We live in the Saint Louis area and regularly take day trips to Columbia simply for Booches and Hitt Records. Even if we are simply passing through for a road trip, we time our departure perfectly with what time we will need sustenance on the way. The burgers are delightful and simple. Too many people today think a burger has to push the limits. Wrong. It just has to be good! These melt in your mouth and fill that empty little spot so perfectly. It is no frills. Simple menu. No plates. No fries, just chips. The chili is always a plus. Lots of laughs, lots of noise, lots of fun. Bring cash and keep your kids under control. It is not that kind of place. My favorite spot is at the bar. The bathroom is in the back and the sink is outside of the room. It is fun to watch noobs try to figure that one out LOL. One of my most cherished memories was on a weekend trip with my husband. We were in town to see a band and stayed at the Broadway. After checking in he asked "now what?" I responded by pulling a $100 bill out of my pocket and telling him we were going to Booches and spending every bit of it there. After a great afternoon of beers and burgers, we returned for a great dinner of more beer and burgers. I am proud to say that we spent every bit on goods and gratuity and it was worth every penny.

So how do you give s five bar 5 stars? Got be Booches. Now, you also have to know what you're getting into. It IS a true dive bar. Can't recommend the tiny and weird bathrooms, but you are their to eat the Boochie Burger and people watch. Don't try to play pool or snooker during daytime hours unless you have cash to give away to the sharks, just watch them and eat your burger. And order a couple more burgers because they aren't too enormous and they are so very tasty! Want a dive bar? Go to Booches and love it for what it is and what it is not. Don't try to get fancy with the burger, again take it for the simple goodness it is. Yum!

Eaten here a many a time great burgers use to a hangout for the older men to visit and eat drink smoke and play pool ...its so different now So welcoming to all people so great its on Broadway know You have got to have a burger

Where else can you play snooker and have a mighty fine burger in a very old setting. Bring cash.

Dropped my son off at college today and a big group of us went in because I've heard the burgers are awesome. Will NEVER go back. Do not know if it was the owner or just a manager but him and the staff were complete a@&holes. One of my son's friends went up to the bar to get ketchup and his mask wasn't covering his nose and the Owner/manager said and I quote" Put your fucking mask on right. We didn't stay.

A classic must see in Columbia. Historic--almost museum like. Food is awesome, unique burgers are highly recommended. A great place to hang out with friends any time. "Closed on Sunday--See you in church"

Have been to Booches many times, and boy has it changed... for the worse. Went on a Thursday at 1:30 p.m. Not busy by any means, and nobody came in after me. Ordered 2 cheeseburgers with onion and pickle, that's it! 35 minutes later they still hadn't served them. Asked them to cash me out as I was only planning on a 30 minute lunch. Asked me if I wanted my burgers to go. After 35 minutes you're just now getting around to making the burgers? Cook had put on the wrong toppings on two previous burgers. REALLY? Just pickle and onion. How hard is that? Left with no plans to ever return. Hire competent workers or kick them to the curb.