Katy Trail Forum

The Mokane Bar and Grill is closed. This appears to be a permanent situation. It's possible in the future it may open under new ownership but that will not happen anytime soon. If it does I will post a notice.

I am not the owner but I know that if Mark and Cynthia were doing this post they would say THANK YOU to the trail riders who stopped at their business over the years.

Sorry to hear. I wish them well. I enjoyed more than one refreshing stop there.

Said to hear. Was planning on visiting them on our trip in June. Good luck to them anyway.

They did a great job and I had a good meal there in 2009.

I believe it was Cynthia during the 2010 Katy ride when myself an a few others stopped in after the 2nd day very hot, I was a little too hot and she noticed my lunch not staying down an came over immediately with a bag of ice on my back neck. I didn't get back to thank them properly. Very good and kind people. I thank you now.

A friend and I stopped there last June, the AC, sandwich and ice cold pop really hit the spot on a hot day riding in the sun. I'm glad I got to stop there for lunch, they'll be missed. Thanks again...

Will miss them. Good luck.

Mokane bar and grill has been purchased by some really down to earth couple who plans to open it by the first of May. They have no plans on changing anything Mark and Cynthia has done and I believe that everyone will like them as well as they are wonderful people

Truly good people. Glad to have them on the trail.

While taking a lunch break today in Mokane, I spoke with a relative of the previous operators of the Mokane Bar & Grill. The word is the sale of the place did not go through and there are no current plans to re-open.

I know for a fact that the bar will be opening soon under new management. So PLEASE everyone stop ny and give the new management a chance.

I hope it works out, Mokane is a nice stop.

The food prices went up and you get less than what you did before, like 1/2 of the portions. They cut the fish in half. If they are going to raise prices, at least give the same portions Cynthia did. Common sense.

Maybe you should just learn to cook. It's probably cheaper and you can fix as much as you want.

So Riverrat, are you saying they are open under new management?

Thanks, Jim. I do cook. And I have cooked in an environment just like this. Someone said they were not going to do anything different than before, and yes, they are. Stating a fact. Everyone has an opinion, mine is if you are going to come to a small town and make drastic changes to portions, don't raise the price.
Yes, they are open under new management.

riverrat...really common sense!!!!! price go up they have to raise the prices to stay in business or cut the food sounds to me that they are smart business people

I am a local too and am very happy they have reopened the bar. I don't think everyone needs to argue on here. That is your opinion riverrat. Maybe you should give them another chance and maybe you will have a different experience. If not, it's your right to not patronize them. Me on the other hand, I have missed the bar and will be a frequent visitor!

So riverat, why didn't you buy the bar?

I spoke with Mel last week as he stated trial and error on the fish and he has went back to the full size of fish on the plate. He stated there are alot of people that waste the fish and that they didnt want a large piece..but he has started serving the full pieace...thanks

The Mayans were wrong. The world will not end in 2012. The whole fish is now back on the plate at Mokane. We can all sleep better tonight.

I agree with all the anonymies. Give the new owner's a chance to get going. Mokane is one of just a few good towns between Hermann and Jeff City on the trail.

I am the original poster of this thread. I have noticed for the past several days that they DO have an OPEN sign at the MB&G. I am sorry but I don't know any details but it does look like they have customers. I'm glad because I hate to see buildings sitting empty here.

I WISH WHOEVER HAS IT NOW GOOD LUCK!!!!

My wife used to cook there part time. She loved it when people enjoyed the food. She liked talking with the Trail riders when she had the chance. I'll always remember the day she came home and was telling me she had talked to someone from England. She was hoping to maybe talk with folks from Ireland and Germany but that did not happen. Her relatives came from those countries. She is full time retired now. We work in our garden and do things around the house. There is still plenty to do and these days I wonder how we managed to work all those years and still get things done here at home.

I stopped in there the other day on my way through and they were serving up cheeseburgers and Bud Light. That hit the spot. Also Mokane is the closest spot to buy any food you want if you're going to sleep in the Tebbetts shelter.

My wife and I stopped at the bar and grill on Wednesday May 30, 2012 in Mokane. The cheeseburger was huge and the order of fries was enough for us to share and still not be able to finish.

I recommend stopping if you are hungry.

Just stopped there late June. One of the best burgers! Really hit the spot. Staff was extremely helpful and friendly. Can't say enough good about them.

WOW, We have been stopping at Mokane every year even before Mark Rogers had it. I must say the new owners by far are much better no disrespect to Mark. They seem to be fixing it up and the food was just wonderful and very plentyful. Im very pleased to see it open again but if you are taking a trip you are missing out if you dont stop

I just want to thank everyone who came into the bar when Mark and I owned it. I can honestly say that there were times I was busy in the kitchen that I could not come out but for the ones I got to visit with I enjoyed you!Mark started working long distances from home and being a mother of four and having livestock and trying to run a business we felt it best to take time for the two small children we had at home ages 9 and 4. We are sorry for not letting everyone know but it was way too much for one person and we never wanted anyone to think we were being selfish, that has never been our nature and I think the community knows that. I wish Mel and Kelly the best of luck and our hearts have always been in our small town and our community. Mark and I will never forget all the wonderful people who have walked thru that door and have made a difference in our lives.

You have surely put in alot of time and energy for continuing that establishment, and you can both be proud of your efforts! Time goes on and life changes course, so now yet another Journey to explore. Know you will both succeed an any avenue you choose in life Cynthia, expecting your lives will be overflowing with enjoyment as time goes on. Choices, gotta love em!!!

We stopped by on our way thru on Friday evening. Something going on in shelter across the street. Decided to go to the bar for a cold one and sandwich. Food was good beer was cold and good. Service not so good slow and hardly none. Seen a food truck in the back with signs on it, thought we would stop by Sat. which we didn't no truck with what they were advertising. Has a pulled pork and tried frog legs for the first time in my like. taste like chicken to me.

Mokane is going through growing pains as most cities do during times of expansion. Just bear with us. Nothing but fine folks here. If I am at the bar, and service is slow, I just reach in the cooler and get me one. Nod to waiter and she puts it on my tab when she gets squared up. No big deal.

I'm with you Billy. I am nowhere near a regular but sure get treated like one when I stop in. Could you really understand what Just Me was trying to say? I think they liked the food.

I found an IPhone on Katty Trail on Saturday. If you lost one please respond so i can get it back to you. Only respond if this is really yours.

Who and why was it named Katy Trail?
thanks!
Mary

Named after the MKT Railroad- or "Katy" for short. MKT stood for Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad.

The actual MKT rail bed was used for the trail when the Katy ceased operations in 1986. They salvaged the rails and ties and graveled the surface. The trail saved the little towns along its length so we are happy it exists.

Thanks Mike. Not everyone sees it the same as you...which I understand...but I appreciate your welcoming comments.

I'm not a native, but I do come over from Kansas and ride at least a few times each year. Most years I ride Clinton-St.Charles-back to Hermann and catch the train back to KC. When I ride - I spend money and support those small-town businesses. I greatly appreciate them and am thankful for the wonderful resource known as the KATY.

Please recall the Taj Mahal tune, "She Caught the Katy" immortalized by The Blues Brothers. That KATY is the MKT.

Hi....Which is the recommended direction for a Katy Trail ride W-E or E-W?? thanks for the assistance.

The prevailing winds are out of the Southwest, with luck going west to east it would be at your back, and the general elevation drops from west to east, but it is not really noticeable. You will pedal almost the entire distance either way, except for a few grades between Sedalia and Boonville.

It seems that most people travel from west to east. It will be a fun trip going either direction.

Agree with the assessment above. It doesn't seem like it would/should make that much difference, but I like WEST to east MUCH, MUCH better!! Much more than it looks "on paper".

Anyone know if they have Tandems for rental?

some do.

Does anyone know which shuttles are still running? Tried to call several but no response. Four of us need to go from Hermann to Sedalia in Sept - looking for an option other than Amtrak

I'm thinking about riding from Columbia to St. Louis and am just trying to estimate how long it might take me. I'm wondering, are there are a lot of hills or is one direction more uphill or downhill than the other direction? Also, what are some of the fastest times for riding the entire trail?

Hans, since you live in Columbia take a ride from Columbia to either Rocheport or McBaine. That will give you a good idea of what to expect. Columbia to the Katy is mostly downhill and the rest of the trail to St. Charles is flat.

Looking to cycle the Katie trail from Columbia to Machens and back toward the end of August. Plan to stay 4 nights along the way. Any advice on good places to stay / eat would be appreciated!

In St. Charles, I like the Country Inn and Suites right on Main Street and right on the Trail. Not the cheapest, but it works well for me. Easy walk to Trailhead Brewery or other eating places along Main. Have also had great service from Lococo House in St. Charles including help with transportation to the MetroLink Train. Very helpful folks. I'm just not a B&B person really.

Have also been pleased with my stay at Dollhouse B&B in Rhineland. Again, not cheap, but it was where I needed to stay. Restaurant an easy walk across the highway...but that's the only choice and in my opinion the quality of the food has gone down there over the past couple years. Again, that's just my opinion.

The ride down to Hermann is an easy one and a safe one now. I think it's worth the trip. Several good places to eat down there. I've stayed at the Vinchester in Hermann a couple times. As Hermann goes, its pretty cheap....unless its some kind of festival weekend when everything in Hermann is (in my opinion) outrageously priced. Vinchester is basic, but clean and meets my needs just fine.

Hope that's useful. Have a great trip.

Although we've started trips in Columbia, for the out of towner I'd suggest either starting in Rocheport or riding there before heading on eastward. Abigail's and the Rocheport General Store are good places to eat in town, as well as Les Bourgeois on top of the bluff northeast of town. The A-frame at Les Bourgeois has a good river valley view. Boonville can be seen from the bluff to the west ten to twelve miles away. There is also a good BBQ restaurant just behind the bike shop at the trailhead. Rocheport also has the tunnel on the west edge of town and just east of town are several interesting railroad related things such as the old ammunitions bunker. We've stayed at the Schoolhouse B&B which was nice, but our room was pretty small for the dollar charged.

Hartsburg has Dotties Café which is a welcome spot, very friendly and good food. We haven't been to the Hartsburg Grand, but it gets good reviews here. We've not stayed in Hartsburg, but would like to stay in the Caboose sometime.

In Jefferson City, which is a short ride off the trail, we've stayed at Cliff Manor B&B and several of the hotels just south of the capital grounds. All were nice accommodations and reasonably priced. We've eaten at Madison's a few times. Aris pizza is good food (Columbia location anyway) and the Central Dairy is a good stop too. All three of those are just a few blocks from the capital.

We've stayed several places in Hermann in years past. A lot of the places there now require a two nights stay, which at the rate charged is no longer a good deal for us. Nice places like Hermann Hill and Hermannhof are good stays, but are pricey. There are other places though. The Stonehill Winery is a good place to eat German food and the tour of the prohibition period wine cellar is worth seeing. If you're going to buy wine, Loutre Market just south of McKittrick is less expensive than at the wineries and they have a decent selection. Hermannoff winery has a nice patio

I would agree with starting in Rocheport over Columbia. The ride down the MKT spur from Columbia is the same distance as riding from Rocheport but if you ride from Rocheport you won't have wall-to-wall walkers, runners and kids on bikes for the first 5 or 6 miles.

We have started in Columbia at Flatbranch park. It is right across the street from Flatbranch Brewery, so had a bite of lunch before hitting the trail. We roadie to Jeffeson City and stayed at the Baymont Inn close to the capital. Pedestrian / bike bridge is fun to cross and the views of the river are amazing. Aris Puzza is always good, too. We rode the next day to Washington. Had a large group with us, so stayed at the Super 8. Bridge into Washington is scary, so we had a private shuttle take us to the hotel. From Wahington, rode to St. Charles. Stopped for a bit at Augusta Brewery. Beer is good but you will wait awhile on food. Stayed at Country Inn and Suites. Right on the trail and in the historic district. Within easy walking distance to several restaurants. We have also stayed overnight in Hermann at the Wine Valley Inn. Hermann is easy to get to now with the bike friendly bridge but you will have some hills in town. Have a great trip.

I'd definitely check out Hermann and Augusta. The last comment about not making the trip to Washington is dead on...nice place but road is not really bike friendly. Rendleman in Bluffton is a real bike guy...at least stop and say hi! If you can stay over for a fun nite there.

I will just put in a plug for my place, Joey's birdhouse in McKittrick, right on the trail, reasonably priced, no two night minimum and I will always happily make a delicious supper for my guests with advanced notice.

I would agree with starting in Rocheport, or your going to miss a very nice part of the trail.

who here has done this ride, n is it doable in 2 days. also, how much rest time will i most likely need to ride back from clinton?? TY

If you check out one-day-aspx you can do it in two days..18 hrs. out to Clinton get some rest overnight and 18 hrs. back to St. Charles. That would be a first for sure.

Are you into endurance events? Sounds like it would take the fun out of the trip....why don't you take off and end up where you run outa steam...then go back the next day. May not be the entire trail...I know it wouldn't be for me.