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Terry & Kathy's Tavern
THIS LOCATION IS NO LONGER OPEN

Restaurant
At Trailhead
636-987-2441

Terry & Kathy's Tavern is located on the Katy Trail, in Defiance MO

Directions: immediately east of crossing gate
Mon closed
Tue-Fri 10-10
Sat 10-midnight
Sun open at 11

Food served Tue-Fri 11-3 Sat-Sun 11-3

Terry & Kathy's Tavern
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Terry & Kathy's Tavern in Defiance
Bill in Houston from Houston on 04/26/2019 09:14 AM:
We just swung through to put on ponchos on a rainy day. Looked like a fun place to hang out. Open at 10am on a Thursday, so I expect they are open lots of hours.

Terry & Kathy's Tavern in Defiance
Ronald Roberson from PLANO on 06/04/2018 08:48 AM:
Stopped by for lunch and got a great burger & tots along with a refill on my Camelbak. I would stop here again!!

Terry & Kathy's Tavern in Defiance
Ozzy's Dad from Columbia,Mo on 05/16/2018 03:52 AM:
Stopped by yesterday on a ride from Rhineland to St. Charles. This place was super busy but Kathy, waiting on all customers alone, was taking care of all with great precision. The cheesenburger and onion rings were fantastic. I'll be stopping here again. If you haven't yet, give this place a try!

Terry & Kathy's Tavern in Defiance
Blue Tapp from St. Charles, MO on 04/30/2017 03:46 PM:
Kathy stirred up a mean bloody mary for me when we stopped by here on our Katy Trail trip in early April 2017. It was mighty delicious and definitely made my morning happy!!

Terry & Kathy's Tavern in Defiance
Steve from Tonganoxie Kansas on 09/07/2015 09:15 PM:
My ride picked me up in Defiance, came to T & C's had a couple beers, looked at pretty girls and colorful locals then hit the road. I got a kick out of the rental bikes parked along side the countless Harley's outside.

Terry & Kathy's Tavern in Defiance
Anonymous on 09/14/2013 02:38 PM:
Defiance was our planned point to take a rest and go back to other way. We were very happy to find the nice covered patio and good service. Today they had BBQ...pulled pork was great! I went inside the bar to get a candy bar and they were every nice. Music was getting set up outside on the patio but we had to go. It was great so I am sure I will be back.

Terry & Kathy's Tavern in Defiance
Bike Rider from Belton, MO on 04/24/2012 09:47 AM:
We had a great lunch on Saturday at Terry & Kathy's Tavern in Defiance! In fact, I had the best grilled turkey burger I've ever had! Who knew you could find such a great turkey burger in a tavern? They were busy and the waitress told us she couldn't serve us outside. So we ordered at the bar and waited for the food to come out of the kitchen. Then walked it outside to sit on a picnic table. Great spot for lunch! There is alot more options on the menu than what is listed above. My friend had a BLT sandwich, others had regular burgers. The toasted buns were a great addition! We will stop here again on our next Katy Trail trip!

Terry & Kathy's Tavern in Defiance
chernobylorbust from St. Louis on 06/28/2011 09:52 PM:
The food was good, but the waitress was downright rude. We are an easy going and friendly bunch. Seems like she had a bad day and wanted to take it out on us. We won't be back.

 
gene from Indiana on 06/30/2011 04:53 AM:
I ate there last September and the food was good. The waitress was all right. Then I wrote a comment about it being an ideal biker bar. Bicycles during the day and motorcyclists in the evening.

 
Paul Toigo from Kansas City, MO on 08/29/2011 05:46 PM:
We could have stayed here all night, but had to roll. The place was hopping and the band was rocking.

Terry & Kathy's Tavern (Defiance)
Trish from St. Charles on 12/25/2009 02:19 PM:
Terry and Kathy's is an awesome place.

Terry & Kathy's Tavern (Defiance) AWESOME FOOD!
Quain from St. Louis on 09/30/2009 10:59 PM:
Rode there today, best food I've had on the trail yet. Way more food options than are listed on this website. I had the burger, and have had one from the bar across the street last time I stopped in Defiance. This place has better service and WAY better food, don't miss it.

Terry & Kathy's Tavern (Defiance)
Jerry Dusterhoff from Round Rock, Texas on 06/04/2008 12:55 PM:
We came in out of the rain and were graciously offered the (empty) covered patio to put our bikes and muddy rain gear. Lunch was extended while we waited for the shower to pass, but the burgers were good, the beer cold, the waitress a lot of fun. Even a few of the patrons engaged in conversation as the lightning flashed. Glad we picked this establishment.

A short version of the whole ride is posted under Ride/Run/Hike Reports, for a long version or answer to specific questions email jerryd@acyclistpublishing.com

Terry & Kathy's Tavern (Defiance)
Jeremy on 03/16/2007 03:54 PM:
I have never eaten in this establishment. My only experience is with a parking situation.

I was going to take my family for a ride down the Katy Trail. It was a nice day and the trailhead parking lot was pretty full. I pulled into what I thought was a spot and began to unload the kids and bikes. An employee of the establishment was cleaning the patio and stopped to inform me of the following in a comabtive tone: "This is not parking for the Katy Trail. That is obvious. That should just be obvious." (I am hoping that I was not the first person who had done this and that was the reason of his agitation.)

While what he was saying was completely true, I certainly did not believe that it was deserving of a combative tone. I only post this to warn people to not my apparent and obvious act of stupidity. Don't park anywhere near this place if you are going to ride down the trail. From this man's tone, I guess that others must have been doing that, so I want everyone else to learn from my experience.

 
rdaines from Dardenne Prairie on 03/16/2007 05:46 PM:
There is no excuse for rudness, however, as you saw parking is precious in Defiance and Katy Trail parking might cut into his business. I often park at Matson, which has never been full for me and is just 1.5 miles further west.

 
Jeremy from O'Fallon on 03/16/2007 09:17 PM:
Thanks rdaines,

I will probably do that next time. Now that I think about it, Matson is usually really empty when I ride by. Good idea. I'm all for the small business doing well in towns like Defiance. I think that I was just taken aback by the immediate attitude I received for a simple mistake. I did not want any others (or the owners for that matter) to make the same error. Thanks.

 
Anonymous on 03/17/2007 07:14 PM:
How ironic is it that when you drive by the Defiance parking area after dark the parking lot is completely full of the bar crowd's vehicles and the KATY Trail staff have to spend a considerable amount of time picking up beer bottles and cigarette wrappers every Saturday and Sunday morning.

 
Whisky from Defiance, Missouri on 04/06/2007 05:38 PM:
Interesting that the comment about cleaning up the Katy Parking lot in Defiance. I've been there the past few weeks to see if this is actually the case. Other than finding a few wine bottles from the next town south, and a few discarded plastic cups accompaning the bottles, there was no evidence of Bar abuse.

 
David from St. Louis on 06/29/2007 01:56 PM:
I like the place and have had nothing but good experiences there. They have even started serving delicious BBQ in the later afternoon on Saturdays and Sundays.

 
Jeff Palko from FT.Worth Texas on 02/07/2008 12:52 PM:
Its a great place to stop for cold long neck after a long harley ride in the country.Hello from texas to my friends i met there.Sandy, Mark,Terry and Kathy and all.

 
Derek on 02/08/2008 08:47 AM:
We ate there when we rode the KATY trail several years ago. It was a great place to eat.

 
Anonymous from St louis on 05/23/2008 12:49 PM:
We stopped by a few saturdays ago when biking down from St Chuck and grabbed a bite to eat. The waitress was very nice and no one fussed about us having our bikes up on the patio next to the table. Food was good. We arrived a little too early to enjoy the BBQ, but they were cooking it up as we left, and a band was setting up. Wish we could have stayed a bit longer, it smelled great. :)

 
Shotgun from Juneau, AK on 05/29/2008 11:19 PM:
I find it odd "Whiskey" said that the parking lot had no bar abuse, I used to work as a volunteer on the Katy Trail and I know for a fact this parking lot is one of the biggest headaches for the Katy Trail Staff to keep clean. On Saturday and Sunday mornings the Katy parking area is always littered with beer bottles and cups from Terry and Kathy's bar. The sad thing is, this parking area has never been on the State Parks official list of parking areas and could be closed at any time. The state has left it open due to it's popularity with trail riders and a fear of complaints if closed. The owners of Terry and Kathy's bar have continuously promised to help clean up the parking area and never once followed through with any action to do so.

Terry & Kathy's Tavern (Defiance)
Donna from St Louis on 10/13/2007 10:16 PM:
This is a very fun stop.

Whether you need to stop and stretch or stop for a pizza and beer. This parking lot is often full, but if your on a bicycle, parking is everywhere and free.

A must stop and see

Terry & Kathy's Tavern (Defiance)
Anonymous on 05/25/2005 01:40 PM:
I heard about this website from Kathy, the owner of Terry & Kathys, and she is upset that her establishment is on the web. She neither created it or approved of this website.

Terry & Kathy are wonderful owners and have built a great client base. There food is good and is served from 11am-8pm Tuesday through Friday and Saturday and Sunday in the off season. Off season is November through April. During seasoning (May - October) they serve food on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-3pm. After 3pm they have hotdogs and brats. They also have great bands every weekend May-October. As to not taking credit cards, they do take credit cards inside all day and night. Outside only takes credit cards during lunch hours.

I know all this because I work for Terry & Kathy. Please come to Terry & Kathy's and she would be more than happy to prove all the above information stated.

Sincerely-

 
Hungry Traveler on 05/25/2005 02:35 PM:
Do they serve fish??



Something sure seems fishy here....maybe just coincidence....oh well....can you Biggie Size that for me?


 
Ray (webmaster) on 05/25/2005 04:03 PM:
Does Kathy really want her listing removed from this website? I would be happy to remove everything from the individual business page (the page with the photo of the restaurant, hours, directions, and other and details about the establishment). But be aware that lots of people really do use this information to find your business and to plan a stop at your business on their Katy Trail trips.


Even if Kathy does want all useful information removed from the individual business page, I still can not remove the listing entirely from the Defiance page. The primary goal of this website is to provide information about all relevant businesses on or near the Katy Trail. It would be a disservice to website visitors to pretend that Terry & Kathy's does not exist - so as long as you're listed in the public phone book, you'll be listed here. You might be surprised how many people plan to come into your business after seeing here on the web.


I'll hold off on actually removing the business information until I hear from you or Kathy. By the way, I've enjoyed a few beers there myself. :-)

 
TT from Florissant, MO on 06/30/2005 10:21 AM:
I really enjoy Terry & Kathy's. My fiance and I head out there at least once a month when we can sit outside and listen to the bands. Nothing formal here and the clientele sure varies.



We're planning to come out after our wedding in October!

 
Visitor from St. Louis City on 09/07/2005 10:27 AM:
Just as a side comment, it would be beneficial for Terry & Kathy's to have a website. I occassionaly like to visit the bar, but I am never sure what band, if any, will be playing there on the weekends and sometimes it's too far just to check it out so we go somewhere else. A website with entertainment information could benefit.

 
Jeff from Defiance on 10/07/2005 05:00 PM:
Terry & Kathy's is great. We have been going there for a long time. We usually meet old friends fro Francis Howell there every summer. The food is great and the drinks are cold

 
Jeanenne from Lake Saint Louis on 10/08/2005 11:21 PM:
We have friends coming from KC and are looking for places to go...this actually sounds like a fun place....bands? we'll be around October 22nd..anything good going on their?

 
Keyboard Princess from St. Louis on 11/15/2005 06:34 PM:
In reading the stories here on the web about Terry & Kathy's in Defiance I can testify to the fact it is a very busy & fun place to go to & being a patron for approx. 5+ years I have spent many many hours & of time at their establishment. I do not drink liquor & I still had a ball of fun. My husbands band played there monthly so we had a reason to attend but on his weekends off we would sometimes ride to Defiance just to watch the other bands & for the scenic drive on a Sunday afternoon. Terry is very nice to deal with & always smiling. A few of the bands they have had in the past years were just wonderful along with the atomosphere of being outside, even with a jacket on in the cool fall weather & the summer heat being to hot. So this girl from St. Louis states that Terry & Kathy's is a GREAT PLACE to stop by when your in that neighborhood.

 
Anonymous from Augusta on 03/06/2006 01:11 PM:
I don't know whether Kathy wants the mentiion on the web, but Terry and Kathy's is a great place. The food is good - they have a "Full" bar menu - pizza, sandwiches, etc., but on Saturdays and Sundays when they have a band they close the kitchen at 3:00 pm, but usually have barbeque outside.



The service is excellent. The bartenders and customers are friendly. Terry and Kathy are the best. Great cross between a neighborhood and country bar.

 
Ralph from Litchfield on 07/24/2006 08:21 AM:
I'm somewhat surprised that Kathy, the owner, would be upset if her business was mentioned on this web. If the owners didn't like having her business mentioned, then she should get her business name removed from all medias including newspapers, yellow page, and white page and forget advertising the business. What's the point of owning a business in the first place if she doesn't like her business mentioned. If I was the bar owner, I would be more than HAPPY to have my bar listed if it would means more business!!! It's FREE ADVERTISING space that costs her nothing! This is no different from spreading by word of mouth. I'd rather hear comments from the owner directly rather than hearing from a worker who works for them. It's more believable that way. Maybe the owners are web-illiterate who may have misunderstood the intention of listing one's business on a website.



I rode my bike there from St Charles and had a couple beers. It was nice to sit in their outdoor area to have a couple beers after a 21 miles ride. If it wasn't for the bike trail, this business would probably be deader than a dead man cuz it's a small town situated in the middle of Lewis and Clark's boondock. The owners should be grateful for increased business to afford them a retirement where they could be sitting on a beach somewhere in Florida sipping margarita! I know I would!!!! So let's not get too offended here. Just enjoy life, enjoy bike riding, enjoy serving business to bike riders and making money off from us, the riders. Heck, we've got two different type of bike riders...........the Harleys riders and the regular bicycle riders.

 
kcc from Bridgeton on 08/07/2006 01:09 PM:
Does the owner Kathy know an employee posted this message? It makes me not want to go there. Why would she be upset having her restaruant on this page. Nothing bad was said about the place! You would think it would help boost business...or does she have enough already? I think the employee should have left it up to Kathy to post her own complaint or not!! Like it said, it makes me want to steer clear of the place, just because of the confuision.

 
Nails on 08/07/2006 05:40 PM:
kcc, your statement, "an employee posted this message" is the key. Remember the old saying, "Believe nothing of what you hear and half of what you read."? In the blog world, what you read is as likely to be true as what you hear.



In September of 2005, I printed out the webpage of concern, showed it to her, she kindly helped me mark it up, and I e-mailed those marks to Ray. I don't have those marks handy, so I don't know if he updated the page.



From the little time I spent with Kathy, it was apparent that she's a go with the flow person and her policies might change with the wind (but almost definitely with the seasons). I don't think she cares what is on this website. She might have been upset at what someone told her someone said on this website, but that's a different matter.

 
Ray (webmaster) on 08/08/2006 08:42 AM:
This is actually an old thread from over a year ago that bubbled back to the surface. Kathy was originally unhappy about some comments in a different, even older thread, that complained about their credit card policies. Nails was kind enough to help set the record straight, and everyone is happy at this point, as far as I know.

 
Mom who rides with her daughters from Lee's Summit on 08/27/2006 10:31 AM:
There was also another post that was negative earlier.

But, as the saying goes you can't please everyone.....

or was that a song?

Also, if an employee posted something they heard Kathy saying, then just take that with a grain of salt.

Sounds like lots of postive feedback from this thread...and if I ever get out that way riding, I would love to check the place out.


live band (Terry & Kathy's Tavern)
D&K from Blue Springs, MO on 08/09/2006 09:12 AM:
We were not impressed at all with this establishment and we didn't need to go in to form an opinion. Some live band was revving up the crowd blasting out some song about someone being an A.H. over and over...we could hear it for a mile or so down the trail because the volume was so LOUD. I felt sorry for the nearby residents of Defiance...especially those with children.

Defiance food options
The Psychlist from St. Louis on 06/28/2004 09:10 AM:
We rolled into Defiance hungry & low on cash. Went to Terry & Kathy's tavern, where we were told we could buy food at the outside patio, but the patio only accepts cash - no credit. Inside the bar, they do take credit cards, but they won't sell food. OK, you don't want our business.

So we walked across the street to Dave & Jackie's, where we enjoyed an awesome meal (I highly recommended the grilled chicken sandwich) and were amused by the stuffed squirrels playing cards. If you're looking for a meal in Defiance, Dave & Jackies is the place.

 
Gloric from St. Louis on 05/15/2005 08:34 PM:
I disagree. I go to Terry and Kathy's with my dad sometimes and I like their food. They even gave me free peanuts! My dad is well known to them and their good friends, but they have good food and thats what matters. I haven't actually met Terry but Kathy is really nice. I would recomend this restrant.

 
Dan and Jamie from St Louis on 06/28/2005 01:11 PM:
The people were really friendly at Dave and Jackies. The service can be kinda a slow but the food is worth stoping by.

 
Ray (webmaster) on 07/29/2005 11:38 AM:
OK, here's the story: the guys who sells hotdogs and stuff on the Patio is not actually part of Terry & Kathy's. He is a separate business; Kathy lets him sell food there for the convenience of the customers. So the tavern always accepts credit cards, but the independent BBQ vendor does not.

Terry & Kathy's Tavern (Defiance)
Renee from Lake St. Louis on 05/25/2005 01:49 PM:
I have just returned from a walk on the Katy Trail and then lunch at Terry and Kathy's. What a great time. We had a terrific lunch (awesome cheeseburgers) and enjoyed hanging out with the locals. By the time we left, we felt like a part of the community. They DO take credit cards for lunch inside and outside on the deck. This is definitely a place I will visit often. Terry and Kathy's has a great reputation in the community and in St. Charles County. The first comment sounds like someone who had a long, bad day, and I'm sure Terry and Kathy's wasn't the cause, just the scapegoat! Keep up the great work!

 
Hungry Traveler on 05/25/2005 02:34 PM:


Do they serve fish??



Something sure seems fishy here....maybe just coincidence....oh well....can you Biggie Size that for me?