Stepping inside Mad Cow Steakhouse in Fredericktown, Missouri is like walking into a living memory, where carved marble tile and polished wood carry decades of flavor and tradition. The building—originally built in the early 1900s—holds silent stories of family dinners past, but today it’s alive again with laughter, clinking glasses, and a steady sizzle from the charbroiler.
Owners Andy and wife, Laura, breathed new life into a place once known as Olympic Steakhouse. After purchasing the space in August of 2023 they carefully and thoroughly remodeled the local staple and reopened that December. “I couldn’t stand the thought of seeing it go,” Andy says, recalling childhood visits here with his grandfather. The bar, a masterpiece shipped from Italy, has a story all of its own. Its hand-carved tiles are among only a handful in existence, a rare piece of craftsmanship anchoring the restaurant with timeless elegance.
Andy, born and raised in Fredericktown as the son of a small-town Baptist preacher, brought both passion and experience back home. “There aren’t very many options here in town for dining,” he explains, “and I wanted to create something for the community.” That vision was anchored by Head Chef Greg, who spent nearly three decades at Olympic before joining Mad Cow. A self-taught chef, Greg has an uncanny knack for the grill. “He can temp a steak just by touching it with his spatula,” Andy says with a grin.
The menu blends nostalgia with fresh flavor. Olympic favorites like potato skins and the marinated chicken breast remain, joined by signatures like the ribeye steak sandwich and the Mad Cow steak burger. Each cut is charbroiled over an open flame and seasoned with the restaurant’s proprietary blend, now produced in bulk due to popular demand. Classic sides like baked potatoes and rice pilaf mingle with premium options such as sautéed shrimp, fried okra, onion rings, and breaded zucchini. And then there’s the salad bar, brimming with crisp produce and plentiful toppings. And the best part? You can finish it off with a drizzle of their infamous house-made ranch – a hometown favorite.
For Andy, the restaurant is as much a family affair as it is a business. Their two teenage children often bus tables during busy weekends, while Laura, an accomplished baker, creates desserts that leave guests lingering over their every bite. Chocolate chip bread pudding draped in vanilla sauce, the indulgent “Holy Cow” cake layered with caramel and Heath bar, and seasonal cobblers make it hard to skip the sweet finale of your meal. Weekends bring a lively crowd, but even Mondays draw steady traffic since Mad Cow is one of the few sit-down restaurants open that day. Specials like Wednesday’s Loaded Steak Taco Salad or a smoked prime rib dinner on Valentine’s Day add even more reason to return. Ribeye is the undisputed favorite cut—served in hearty 12- or 16-ounce portions—followed closely by the eight-ounce top sirloin.
Mad Cow’s connection to Fredericktown runs deeper than its menu. From sponsoring the Azalea Parade and Miracles on Main Street to feeding the cowboys at the annual Froggy 95.9 rodeo, Andy and Laura have made community involvement part of their recipe. For them, the steakhouse is more than a place to eat—it’s a way to carry forward the values that have defined their hometown for generations. “This town has always supported us,” Andy reflects. “We want to support it right back.”
In this warm, family-friendly environment where food, history, and heart come together, Mad Cow isn’t just serving meals—it’s serving the soul of Fredericktown. Whether you stop in for a char-grilled ribeye, pile your plate high at the salad bar, or savor one of Laura’s decadent desserts, you’ll leave with more than a full belly—you’ll leave with a taste of community and home. As Andy and Laura look ahead, with plans for new locations, a food truck, and even an ice cream shop, their commitment to Fredericktown remains steadfast, ensuring Mad Cow continues to be a place where flavor and family meet.
Mad Cow isn’t just about steaks—it’s about keeping a tradition alive. Every plate, every smile, every story shared here is a reminder that food can bring a community together and keep the heartbeat of a hometown strong.