The news soon spread on Facebook that Missouri Hick BBQ, a popular Cuba, Missouri and Route 66 restaurant owned by Dennis Meiser, had sustained damage during a middle of the night fire. Smoked meats, rustic decor, the waitresses called MO HIck Chicks, and many billboards have made a name for this “must stop” Cuba trademark. Some folks plan their trips around a stop at the BBQ spot. Many glowing remarks, often from international travelers, fill its guest book.
I received a text from a friend that said, “Mo Hick, say it ain’t so.” I replied. “So. It will rise again.”
Before church, I ventured to the popular, award winning BBQ spot to see what I could see for myself. A group of dispirited employess were sitting on the front porch. Doors to the building were propped open. Other than telling me not to go into the building, they didn’t have much to say. It was plain that the fire had saddened them. One employee said that the fire department may have been alerted by the fire alarm system during the middle of the night. No employees were on site when the fire started, and Meiser had been out of town. The employees said that he was on his way back to Cuba.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that while both floors of the dining areas are smoke-damaged, they are intact. The outside of the building on the front and sides look about the same. Most of the damage was in the kitchen although the front door was cracked.
We have not talked to the fire department or Dennis, but we hope this popular eatery is soon reopened. Our thoughts are with Dennis and his hard working staff. We hope that like the mythological Phoenix, that MO Hick BBQ rises from these ashes to an even greater success that before.
UPDATE: This week’s Cuba Free Press carried an ad that says the that Missouri Hick will re-open on Tuesday, October 25, 2011. The restaurant originally opened February 12, 2002. The phone number for Missouri Hick is 573-885-6791.
To see the many improvements at MO Hick after the fire, go here.
[…] A blog post by Jane Reed at Cuba Murals had some details about the fire at Dennis Meiser’s restaurant: A group of […]
[…] A blog post by Jane Reed at Cuba Murals had some details about the fire at Dennis Meiser’s restaurant: A group of […]
Dennis,
all your car buddies are here for you for whatever you need.We’re praying for you.we’ll be the first ones there when you reopen.Let us know what you need.This place is going to leave a hole in the community until it reopens.
Dennis H.
I stopped by Mo Hick, and Dennis has his office set up on the porch. It’s a busy place with work going forward.
I wrk at mo hick and have for 3 years. I love my job, the ppl I work with but mostly my boss and will stand behind him100% until we reopen! We will have a grand 10 yr reopening hopefully about a mnth so watch for ads and hope to c u there!
I gasped when I heard the news, and then breathed a BIG sigh of relief as I read this blog and the comments. My motorcycle group makes Missouri Hick a “destination” at least once a year, and once “newcomers” experience it, they want to go back again and again. Smoke damage is a tough cleaning job, but not nearly as much as a total rebuild. My best wishes are with Dennis and all the Missouri Hick Folks as they rebuild.
They are busy cleaning, tearing out, and building back. MoHick will be better than ever. I am sure they will appreciate your kind words.
my granddaughter lost her retainer there and the employees went through all the trash including 2 dumpsters and found it we were so greatful. few if any other places would have done that
Yes, they try to accommodate their customers. We look forward to their re-opening.
This is Oct 16th. Has the Hick reopened?
KL
Not yet, but we expect it to reopen this month.
I work at Missouri Hick and wanted to let everyone know we are reopen!!!! Everyone come in and see us! We have added afew new items to the menu so come on in and check them out.
Thanks for writing in. Mo Hick is open and better than other. Check out this newer blog with photos of Dennis and his new kitchen: https://cubamomurals.com/wordpress/2011/10/its-back-missouri-hickory-bar-b-q-re-opens-on-route-66/
We were visiting friends and they took us to Missouri Hick Barb-B-Q to eat. The food, and service was fantastic, and the atmosphere was truly different.
The town of Cuba was a great place to visit and would love to go back again.