Booches

Founded in 1884, Booches is a restaurant and pool hall at 110 S. 9th Street in downtown Columbia, Missouri. Their cheeseburgers, which are served on wax paper, were named one of the top ten burgers in America by USA Today in 2000. In 2005, Jerry Shriver of USA Today included Booche's hamburger on the list of top 25 dishes from his "Down-home Dining" project. [ [http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2005-12-22-travel-review-food_x.htm USATODAY.com - Belly-up to the table for the finest fare around the world ] ]

Booches has three full-sized pool tables, two snooker tables, and one billiard table (no pockets) for three cushion billiards play. Booches hosts yearly invitation-only Snooker and 3-cushion tournaments.

Booches is known for the saying "Closed on Sunday, see you in church," among other witticisms posted on their walls, including "Unattended children will be sold as slaves" and "No sniveling." Also adorning the walls are original comic strips incorporating Booche's regulars, team photos of the Mizzou football teams in the early 1900s, and other old-time sports memorabilia.

Booches received its name when its owner was nicknamed "Booch" by writer Eugene Field. The restaurant has gone through many owners in its time and was male-only until the 1970s. Today, it is a haven for University of Missouri and St. Louis Cardinals sports fans, and has a considerably more family-friendly atmosphere.

You can also purchase handwritten gift certificates at this restaurant.

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