The Bear Pit

The Bear Pit Restaurant Review:

The Bear Pit has been packing in devotees of its hickory-smoked Missouri-style beef, pork, ham, lamb and turkey breast since the 1950s. The sprawling joint hasn't changed in all those years, from the complimentary relish bowl (crudités of the Eisenhower era) that welcomes you to the sawdust-covered floors and the murals of a cartoon bear-family cooking dinner in the great outdoors. Though the requisite chili and hot wings are available for starters, we recommend skipping to the piled-high sandwiches, like the "super bear" layered with barbecued beef and ham, always paying just a little bit more to get ours on the cheese-crusted garlic toast. Combination platters, such as the "grizzly bear," come with a choice of barbecued beef, pork, ham and turkey; and baby-back ribs are offered in half- or full-rack portions. Side dish choices, standard with all sandwiches and dinners, are definitive, including one of the best non-creamy coleslaws in town, refreshingly spiked with celery seed. Ice cream dominates the dessert menu with a variety of sundaes; lemon cream shortcake is an option, too. Beer on tap comes by the pitcher or glass, and there’s a serviceable wine list.