On the square at 113 W Lexington Avenue in Independence, Missouri, there’s a narrow set of steps leading down beneath the sidewalk. You might miss them if you’re not looking. But if you follow them down, you’ll find a doorway into another time. That’s where we found the Courthouse Exchange, a tavern that’s been pouring cold beer and flipping burgers for over a hundred years. These walls have heard it all—farm talk, court gossip, election chatter, and laughter from a time before televisions flickered in every room. Some places hang on out of habit. This one has endured out of affection.
Echoes of Old Independence
Independence has always had a little more story to tell than most towns. It was the edge of the frontier once—a place where wagons rolled westward and pioneers stocked up for the long road ahead. The Courthouse Exchange sits in the shadow of the historic Jackson County Courthouse, where Harry Truman once held court before heading to Washington. This eatery and saloon has stood watch through decades of change, serving generations of locals who’ve come in from the cold, the rain, or the courthouse across the street for a plate of comfort and a bit of community.
Down Below, a Cozy Hideaway
After spending the morning tracing wagon ruts and wagon dreams at the nearby National Frontier Trails Museum, we stopped into the Courthouse Exchange for lunch. Something about stepping below street level makes a place feel like a refuge. Inside, stone walls wear their age proudly. Tin ceilings and old photos tell stories without a word. The air is quiet, not from silence but from the hush of people feeling at ease. Locals filled booths and barstools. We settled in, feeling more like neighbors than tourists.
Tasting the Trails
I ordered the 3 Trails Sliders—three miniature burgers named after the trails that carved this country’s path west: the Oregon, the California, and the Santa Fe. Each one told its own story. The Oregon Trail slider came piled with Swiss cheese and mushrooms that clung to the crispy edge of the patty as boldly as the pioneers who faced mountains. The California slider leaned west with its punch of creamy avocado and jack cheese, smooth and fresh. The Santa Fe slider was rounding out the trio, stacked with zesty Pico and pepper jack cheese, a peppery nod to open skies and endless miles. They lined up on a plate like little monuments to the American appetite.
Crystal’s Choice, Sweet and Simple
Crystal, who’s never one to rush a menu, chose the Turkey Bacon Avocado sandwich. It came piled high and pressed just enough to keep its shape. The bacon was crisp, the turkey real, not the processed, and the avocado was the color of fresh spring grass. She added sweet potato fries, which were golden and crisp enough to satisfy that first bite. I noticed she was hesitant to share, and in our travels, that’s a sign of something worth savoring. She gave a smile and a shrug that said it all.
Courthouse Exchange: A Place to Remember
There are restaurants that feed you and restaurants that welcome you. The Courthouse Exchange does both. It’s a place that holds its ground in a world spinning too fast, where a good burger still matters and where memories are made around a table that’s seen more stories than we ever will. Places like this remind me why we travel—not just to see what’s new, but to hold onto what’s worth keeping. If you’ve ever found a historic spot like this in your own travels, let us know. We’re always looking for the next chapter in America’s story.
When “Corvettes On The Square” was an annual Corvette show surrounding the Courthouse prior to it’s renovation, a popular spot was Clinton’s on the NE corner of the Square for delicious ice cream on a hot day! Unfortunately, we outgrew the Square with too many (if there is such a thing) Corvettes.
We love Clinton’s. They have some amazing sundaes.