Pool Hall Burgers in Columbia MO—Booches, Billiards on B'way

Columbia, Missouri seems like a good town for pool halls and for burgers but it's a great town for pool hall burgers.

Enthusiasts of cue sports should make an effort to visit Booches, a fixture of downtown Columbia since 1884. Not too much has changed since then. The back three-quarters of the space is devoted to ancient tables, all in perfect condition. It's a special place.







Booches has an appealing bar food menu, including their famous hamburger, once placed in a list of 25 top dishes in the world by Jerry Shriver of USA Today, for whatever that's worth (probably not very much at all, as that list also includes the steamed cheeseburger from Ted's in Meriden, Connecticut). Anyway, it's a real good burger, small but mighty, one of the somewhat unusual thick griddled patties. A no-nonsense burger served on a tiny square of waxed paper.



Cathy2 opted for a Booche Ruben, made with ham, well proportioned and very enjoyable.



Billiards on Broadway is a much newer pool hall, but also a serious place to play.





I'm not sure of the history of BoB or its burger but they're quite proud of it.







It's a solid griddled burger, "spanked to perfection."

Booches Billiard Hall
110 S 9th St
Columbia MO
573-874-9519
Mon-Sat 11-12, "Closed on Sunday. See you in church."

Billiards on Broadway
514 E Broadway
Columbia MO
573-449-0116
Mon-Sat 11-12, Sun 12-12

Good to know about these spots, particularly Booches. While not exactly in my 'hood, I can envision a trip out that way. Did you happen to get explanations of the "Fat Freddie" and the "King Tut"?

Josephine wrote:Good to know about these spots, particularly Booches. While not exactly in my 'hood, I can envision a trip out that way.

Booches might be a perfect halfway stop between St Louis and Kansas City. I-70 cuts through the city of Columbia, so a detour to Booches would add only about two miles to the trip. My problem would be forcing myself to leave. I love the place.

Josephine wrote:Did you happen to get explanations of the "Fat Freddie" and the "King Tut"?

Here's an enlargement of the menu. All I know about those items comes from the menu descriptions. In case the small print isn't readable, here's what it says: Fat Freddie—dog, cheese, chili, kraut; Western—cheeseburger with ham; Booche Ruben—grilled ham, cheese, kraut; King Tut—2 eggs, sausage, ham, cheese.



I can hardly believe I went to Booches and didn't order a Fat Freddie. It doesn't sound very good (chili and sauerkraut?) but I rarely let that stop me.

Any baseball historians out there? In the menu photo in the first post, you'll notice a blackboard at the bottom of the picture. I assume it was used to post current scores and standings in the days before television (perhaps before radio). Can anyone explain what the 1-2-3-4-T box at the top was used for?

A reuben made with ham? Is that even kosher?

Rene G wrote:Any baseball historians out there? In the menu photo in the first post, you'll notice a blackboard at the bottom of the picture. I assume it was used to post current scores and standings in the days before television (perhaps before radio). Can anyone explain what the 1-2-3-4-T box at the top was used for?

I would guess it's for the Missouri Tigers football games since Columbia is the home of the University of Missouri.

stevez wrote:A reuben made with ham? Is that even kosher?

It's not a reuben, it's a ruben. Actually it's a Booche ruben so I suppose that allows them to do whatever they want with it (even call it kosher?). Ham actually works quite well subbing for corned beef in a r(e)uben. I'd choose ham over turkey for my pseudo-reuben more often than not.

It seems I've been relaxing my reuben standards to an alarming degree lately. Earlier this year I enjoyed a kielbasa reuben at the Polish Yacht Club and the name didn't bother me a bit. Especially if the corned beef is nothing special (as is too often the case) I'd just as soon have a reasonable substitute. To me, ham and kielbasa are both worthy stand-ins.

Artie wrote:I would guess it's for the Missouri Tigers football games since Columbia is the home of the University of Missouri.

Ah, thank you, that makes sense. I didn't even consider the possibility it could have been a multi-sport blackboard—sort of the SportsCenter of the early 20th century. Speaking of the Tigers (and other Mizzou teams), there are some great turn-of-the-century team photos hanging back by the pool tables. I suspect most have been there since they were new.

stevez wrote:A reuben made with ham? Is that even kosher?

Sort of reminds me of a bagel sandwich with cream cheese and ham standing in for the lox. I tried that combination, (which, like the Ruben, works surprisingly well) at the bagel place that used to be on the ground floor of the Monadnock Building ( I can't remember the name.) Strange bedfellows, eh?

Josephine wrote:

stevez wrote:A reuben made with ham? Is that even kosher?

Sort of reminds me of a bagel sandwich with cream cheese and ham standing in for the lox. I tried that combination, (which, like the Ruben, works surprisingly well) at the bagel place that used to be on the ground floor of the Monadnock Building ( I can't remember the name.) Strange bedfellows, eh?

Jacob Bros. was the bagel place

boudreaulicious wrote:Jacob Bros. was the bagel place

Thanks, boudreaulicious for filling in that gap. I knew it wasn't Einstein's.

Rene G wrote:
It's a solid griddled burger, "spanked to perfection."

I almost missed this gem, so I am reposting it. I assume this verbiage comes from the menu? BTW- this would make a great banner quote, mods.

Got excited to see this post today as I'm driving through Missouri twice next week, but I will not be near Columbia. Thanks for sharing anyway.