Undercliff Grill & Bar

Joplin, Missouri

MissouriDining

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links from which we make a commission from your purchases. Please review our full Terms and Conditions for more information. Note that any pricing, operating hours, or other such information provided may have changed since initial publication.

Save to My Trip
Please login to bookmark Close

Tucked into the rocky landscape in Joplin, Missouri, Undercliff Grill & Bar isn’t located directly on Route 66, but it’s just a short detour from the Mother Road, and well worth the stop.

Built right into the side of a cliff, this one-of-a-kind restaurant features a natural rock wall as its backdrop, so you can sip a cold beer and bite into a burger while taking in the scenery from your seat.

The building got its start in the 1920s as a second location for a local feed and grocery store serving the Tipton Ford community. After changing hands a few times and surviving a fire, it was rebuilt in the 1990s and reimagined as the restaurant travelers enjoy today.

The décor tells its own story: the tin wall and shelving behind the bar were salvaged from a nearby round barn; the bar and tables were crafted from wood off a friend’s farm; and the lighting mixes rustic and industrial flair.

The menu is loaded with hearty bar food: wings, cheesesteaks, burgers, steaks, tenders, pork chops, and the house favorite  Boomtown Fried Chicken. Don’t miss their rotating specials, like gourmet burgers, Wing Night, Prime Rib Night, or the Cave Dweller, a prime rib sandwich topped with fried onions, mozzarella, and horseradish sauce on a parmesan-crusted hoagie. They also serve up breakfast on weekends.

And if you’re there on a Thursday, listen for the rumble of the nearby train: every time it passes, they roll out “Conductor Call Thursdays” with half-off draft beer specials.

Last Modified:

State:

Attraction Type:

,
Undercliff Grill & Bar in Joplin, Missouri off Route 66

Undercliff Grill & Bar

Be the first to write a review

Address:

6385 Old Hwy 71, Joplin, MO 64804

Hours:

11:00am - 9:00pm (Wednesday - Friday)
9:00am - 9:00pm (Saturday)
9:00am - 3:00pm (Sunday)
Closed (Monday - Tuesday)

Cost:

$$

Phone Number:

(417) 629-2869

Official Website Get Directions
Save to My Trip
Please login to bookmark Close

Photos of Undercliff Grill & Bar in Joplin, Missouri

Fried shrimp and fries at Undercliff Grill & Bar in Joplin, Missouri off Route 66
Undercliff Grill & Bar in Joplin, Missouri off Route 66
Undercliff Grill & Bar in Joplin, Missouri off Route 66
Undercliff Grill & Bar in Joplin, Missouri off Route 66

Know Before You Go

To make the most of your visit to Route 66 Mural Park in Joplin, Missouri, here are some things to know before you go.

What is Undercliff Grill & Bar?

Undercliff Grill & Bar is a roadside restaurant known for its unique setting built directly against a natural rock cliff along Shoal Creek. The structure literally uses the cliff as part of the dining room wall, giving it one of the most distinctive atmospheres of any restaurant in southwest Missouri. Originally operating as a general store in the 1800s, the site has evolved over time and reopened in its current form as a grill and bar in 2018 after earlier closures and rebuilding.

Where is it located?

The restaurant is located at 6385 Old Highway 71, near Tipton Ford (often listed as Joplin), Missouri, just south of Joplin along a historic travel corridor once used between Joplin and Neosho.

What’s the atmosphere like?

The biggest draw is the setting itself. Inside, one wall of the dining room is natural rock, so you’re essentially eating inside a cliffside space. Outside, there’s a relaxed patio area along Shoal Creek that often becomes a popular hangout in warmer months. The vibe is casual, rustic, and very tied to the surrounding landscape.

What kind of food is on the Undercliff Grill & Bar menu?

The menu is classic American grill food with a strong comfort-food focus. You’ll find burgers, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and rotating hearty entrées. Popular items include burgers like the Miner’s Pick, sandwiches such as the Reuben and Philly cheesesteak, wings, spinach and artichoke dip, and sides like onion rings, fries, and vegetables. Breakfast is also served on weekends with items like biscuits and gravy, pancakes, omelets, and breakfast sandwiches.

Check out the restaurant’s Facebook page for specials.

Where to Stay Near Undercliff Grill & Bar

Complete your travel itinerary and get a good night’s rest on your road trip with a stay at one of these Missouri hotels near Route 66.

Boots Court Motel

The Boots Court Motel in Carthage, Missouri opened in 1939. This historic Route 66 motor hotel hosted actor Clark Gable numerous times.

Rockwood Motor Court

Rockwood Motor Court opened as a Tourist Camp in 1929, just three years after Route 66 was commissioned. Renovated in 2019, you’ll enjoy clean and comfortable rooms themed to eras of Route 66 with vintage décor, furniture, and memorabilia.

Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven

After a day behind the wheel, stopping at all of the Mother Road’s iconic roadside attractions, museums, restaurants, and more, a good shower and a comfy bed is always a welcome sight. Take that and add modern amenities, vintage charm, and a touch of Elvis, and you have the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven motel in Springfield, Missouri. Book a stay in the iconic Elvis Suite for a unique night!

Attractions Near Undercliff Grill & Bar on Route 66

Plan Your Missouri Route 66 Road Trip

Is road trip planning driving you crazy?

Planning your Route 66 road trip? Our Route 66 Road Trip Planning Toolkit is your go-to resource for crafting the perfect itinerary! With over 1,300 stops, including quirky roadside attractions, historic sites, and classic diners, our toolkit helps you prioritize what matters most to you. It’s the ultimate guide to making your road trip truly unique and memorable. Ready to hit the road? Start planning your adventure now! #Route66 #Route66RoadTrip #Route66TravelPlanning
Let the Route 66 Road Trip Planning Toolkit be your guide.

Are you ready to hit the Mother Road but feeling overwhelmed with planning? The Route 66 Road Trip Planning Toolkit is your one-stop solution! Spanning 2,448 miles of pure Americana, Route 66 is packed with quirky attractions, historic sites, and unforgettable experiences—so why settle for a generic, outdated itinerary? Our toolkit offers a customizable travel spreadsheet with over 1,300 stops, a detailed eBook, and a step-by-step video guide to help you craft your dream Route 66 road trip. Don’t miss out—start planning your perfect Route 66 adventure today!

Planning your Route 66 road trip? Our Route 66 Road Trip Planning Toolkit is your go-to resource for crafting the perfect itinerary! With over 1,300 stops, including quirky roadside attractions, historic sites, and classic diners, our toolkit helps you prioritize what matters most to you. It’s the ultimate guide to making your road trip truly unique and memorable. Ready to hit the road? Start planning your adventure now! #Route66 #Route66RoadTrip #Route66TravelPlanning

Is road trip planning driving you crazy?

Let the Route 66 Road Trip Planning Toolkit be your guide.

Are you ready to hit the Mother Road but feeling overwhelmed with planning? The Route 66 Road Trip Planning Toolkit is your one-stop solution! Spanning 2,448 miles of pure Americana, Route 66 is packed with quirky attractions, historic sites, and unforgettable experiences—so why settle for a generic, outdated itinerary? Our toolkit offers a customizable travel spreadsheet with over 1,300 stops, a detailed eBook, and a step-by-step video guide to help you craft your dream Route 66 road trip. Don’t miss out—start planning your perfect Route 66 adventure today!

Reviews & Ratings

Be the first to write a review

Leave a Review of Undercliff Grill & Bar in Joplin, Missouri

Rate and Leave a Review

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.