Roxie's Roadhouse On The Lake Ozark Strip Crafts Uniquely Local, American Fare

No doubt, some special evenings call for gourmet dining. Beef wellington and batter-fried lobster, you’ll always have your allure. But typically, when I go out to eat, I crave two things: familiarity and excellence. We’re all this way—even those who won’t admit it. That’s why the good ole’ fashioned hamburger will never lose it’s appeal. Well, at Roxie’s Roadhouse on the Lake Ozark Strip, familiar American fare is crafted with excellence that you won’t find… well, anywhere else.

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Head chef Pierre Torres (the locally beloved chef behind the brilliant menu at Redhead’s Lakeside Grill) aimed to create something utterly unique at Roxie’s… and yet also absolutely accessible.

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Roxie’s has all the aesthetic of a classic American bar and grill, but the excellence of the food sets them apart. This isn’t pre-made stuff they pull off a freezer truck and throw in a deep fryer. Each menu item has been thoughtfully crafted, by chefs who actually care that people enjoy the food. Bonus points: they source much of the meat locally. The beef comes from Hiroshi Farms, just outside Osage Beach. It’s Wagyu beef, and you can tell the difference with the first bite. And all of their breads come from The Bread Bowl Bakery, based here at the Lake.

In showcasing their truly excellent fare, Roxie’s staff opted to bring me the most-American, most-familiar, most comfort-food menu items. In retrospect, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Let’s start with the corn dogs…

The Food

Wagyu Corn Dogs

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My kids eat corn dogs. But when I bring them to Roxie’s, they’ll have to fight me for them. Don’t dog these corn dogs — they look like bar food but taste absolutely delicious. Roxie's Head Cook Hunter Westbrook came up with the idea: they had joked about putting corn dogs on the menu. But then he took some of their locally sourced Wagyu weiners, created an Alton Brown-inspired recipe for the batter, and produced an utterly brilliant appetizer.

Mixed into the batter, grated jalapeño gives these dogs just a little kick. Every one is hand-dipped and deep-fried, then set on a plate drizzled with mustard and honey (yes).

“These corn dogs are a weiner!” exclaimed my terribly unfunny photographer as he savored one.

Order these. There are three to a plate, so do the math, and leave plenty of margin for everybody to grab an extra one.

Fat Kid Fries

I’ve had my fair share of “loaded” fries. So I was surprised when Roxie’s Fat Kid Fries arrived: they’re not at all like the roadhouse fare I expected. Instead, the Fat Kid Fries are a Roxie’s take on poutine, a pile of fries covered with gravy, braised pork, pickled onions, and garnished with chopped parsley.

It’s hard to pick a favorite, but this might have been it. The braised pork is mouth-wateringly good. Westbrook explains it’s seared, then braised, and—of course—they keep the juices in order to make the gravy. And don’t even think about picking past the pickled onions; their sweetness plays perfectly with the savory dish.

This plate will literally make you the fat kid, but you won’t care.

Roxie’s Wagyu Steak Burger

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Crafted with locally sourced Wagyu beef (Hiroshi Farms), the Roxie’s Wagyu Steak Burger proves—once and for all—that not all burgers are created equal. How do you explain the difference between Wagyu and “other” beef until you’ve had it? It’s just… flavor-loaded. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the seriously thick bacon topping the burger is cured in-house, and the tomato jam and green onion aioli are small-batch made right back there in Roxie’s kitchen. Everything just tastes fabulous, because it’s made with excellence. And because it’s actually made. “I go as scratch as I possibly can,” Westbrook says, clearly pleased to hear me raving over the burger.

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The Drinks

Roxie’s is nothing if it’s not unique. And that extends to the drink menu too.

Of course, as a classic American bar & grill, the standard stuff is behind the bar. But the Roxie’s staff points to a few customer-favorite cocktails…

Tropical Illusion

VERY fruity! VERY tropical! VERY summery! Order this if it’s summer, or it needs to be summer.

Cruzan Coconut rum, melon liqueur, DeKuyper Blue Curacao, pineapple juice, and citrus bring truly tropical vibes. The pineapple juice comes through nice and strong. This is one of their most popular cocktails.

Lady Of The Lake

Pinnacle Raspberry vodka mingles with DeKuyper Blue Curacao, sprite, and melon to create a unique cocktail. Bubbly and on the strong side, this bright blue drink—offset by the bright red cherry and orange slice—is loud and fun. If you love sweet drinks, you’ll love this one.

Expresso Martini

Pinnacle vanilla vodka and J Rieger’s coffee liqueur… who says you have to wait ’til dessert for this one?

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Whether you want to watch a game with friends, or eat delicious food that isn’t the “same old same old,” Roxie’s manages both marvelously. Make it your next lunch meeting or evening out. You already know what to order.