Food in St. Louis

[Lono]

Meeting up with 7 friends in a couple weeks from around the country. Where are some places to eat in St. Louis that we need to try and places to absolutely stay away from? Not sure everyone's cash flow so probably no $50 meals.

[Simply Red]

100+ thread. I assure you - CP loves their food topics.

[TribalElder]

Random rib joint
Random Italian joint
Imos pizza
White Castle
Jack in the box

Serious responses

Strip joint steak suggestion

Arguments over where to eat

Disregarding of suggestions and eating at .....

This thread has potential

[Baby Lee]

What type of place are you looking for?

[WhawhaWhat]

Some people may try to convince you otherwise, but provel cheese is disgusting. Stay away from it.

[Simply Red]

What type of place are you looking for?

lono is looking to get crunk upinda' club.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Go to Pappy ' s BBQ

[Pasta Little Brioni]

lono is looking to get crunk upinda' club.

Sauget!

[Canofbier]

For BBQ, Pappy's Smokehouse is about the best you'll get there.

I also have one sort of off-the-wall recommendation I make to anyone wanting to eat in St. Louis: India Palace. It's an Indian restaurant on the top floor of an old hotel overlooking the airport. The place used to be a Tiki bar, and I'm not sure that they remodeled it at all. I don't think I ever went there for dinner, but I had their lunch buffet a ton and I think it's the best I've ever had.

[NewChief]

Any of David Bailey's places (Small Batch, Rooster, Bridge) are pretty awesome. I particularly like Bailey's Range (http://baileysrange.com/). Incredible, interesting burgers, great beers, excellent handcrafted cocktails, and delicious milkshakes in a really cool atmosphere.

If you're wanting to try out St. Louis BBQ, one of my foodie friends has this to say:

BBQ has exploded in StL the last couple years (along with whiskey bars). Pappy’s sorta became a gold standard but, similar to Gerard Craft, they’ve had acoloytes go on to open their own, just as good (and not as crowded) establishments, like Bogart’s (which we prefer) and a brand new place called Adam’s Smokehouse.

Bogarts has awesome, awesome ribs and, strangely, pastrami, which is also fabulous. Adam’s apparently does their own salami, in addition to all the regular bbq items. Both guys worked at Pappy’s for a long time. We’ve not been to adam’s.

Another BBQ place I know that is not Pappy’s related at all is called Southtown Pub, basically up the street from where we used to be in the city. They do BBQ and oysters. BBQ was very good the one time I went, no idea on the oysters.


If you want authentic mexican, go to Cherokee street. There are also some amazing Vietnamese joints, which I can find out the name of if you're interested in that.

Also should try out Strange Donuts (similar concept to Voodoo Donuts in Portland). I could go on and on, as the St. Louis food scene is really, really good and exploding right now... but I'll stop there.

[Baby Lee]

For BBQ, Pappy's Smokehouse is about the best you'll get there.

I also have one sort of off-the-wall recommendation I make to anyone wanting to eat in St. Louis: India Palace. It's an Indian restaurant on the top floor of an old hotel overlooking the airport. The place used to be a Tiki bar, and I'm not sure that they remodeled it at all. I don't think I ever went there for dinner, but I had their lunch buffet a ton and I think it's the best I've ever had.

I actually prefer the buffet at House of India off 170 at Delmar. I eat like an asshole there.

[Skyy God]

I actually prefer the buffet at House of India off 170 at Delmar. I eat like an asshole there.

I'm an Everest guy, but it's probably too small for a group of 7.

2nd NewChief's Rooster rec..... they're downtown and are great for breakfast.

[Canofbier]

I actually prefer the buffet at House of India off 170 at Delmar. I eat like an asshole there.

That place is good, too - if I wanted Indian for dinner, I would go there since it was closer than Palace to where I lived.

[alpha_omega]

Pfft...everything in St. Louis sucks...the Rams, the Cards, and especially...the food.

[Simply Red]

Any of David Bailey's places (Small Batch, Rooster, Bridge) are pretty awesome. I particularly like Bailey's Range (http://baileysrange.com/). Incredible, interesting burgers, great beers, excellent handcrafted cocktails, and delicious milkshakes in a really cool atmosphere.

If you're wanting to try out St. Louis BBQ, one of my foodie friends has this to say:


If you want authentic mexican, go to Cherokee street. There are also some amazing Vietnamese joints, which I can find out the name of if you're interested in that.

Also should try out Strange Donuts (similar concept to Voodoo Donuts in Portland). I could go on and on, as the St. Louis food scene is really, really good and exploding right now... but I'll stop there.


New York Matinee called it "a playful but mysterious little dish"

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Pfft...everything in St. Louis sucks...the Rams, the Cards, and especially...the food.

Horrible post. Just horrible. Tons of good food round there.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Broadway Oyster Bar

avoid Blueberry Hill.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

also Zio's on the Hill was tasty

[htismaqe]

They have food in St. Louis?

http://images.yuku.com/image/gif/0f535aec6ed435265d448448536cf4c14b49d11.gif

[Baby Lee]

http://www.riverfronttimes.com/bestOf/index/2013/

The Riverfront Times has a pretty exhaustive catalog of good and popular [ie, critic's picks and reader picks] restaurants in the St. Louis area. You can search by almost didactically specific categories The link above is all categories, places events, people, arts and entertainment, etc. Below is food and drink specifically.

http://www.riverfronttimes.com/bestof/2013/section/food-and-drink-29275/

[Deberg_1990]

St Louis loves IMO's!

[tooge]

When I was there last, a buddy took me to a dive type bar right off of 270 if I remember correctly, near Olive perhaps? They were like a little chalet looking place with killer burgers. Cant remember the name though

[NewChief]

When I was there last, a buddy took me to a dive type bar right off of 270 if I remember correctly, near Olive perhaps? They were like a little chalet looking place with killer burgers. Cant remember the name though

Wasn't O'Connell's off 44 and Kingshighway?

[Kman34]

Mike Shannons downtown by the ballpark is good but might be alittle over your meal budget

[Baby Lee]

Wasn't O'Connell's off 44 and Kingshighway?

O'Connell's looks like a firehouse, not a chalet.

I'm think Bradford's Pub or Llewellyn's by the Chalet hotel off 270 and Page.

Did it have an Irish or British feel to it?

[bdj23]

Gus' Pretzels.

[gblowfish]

My favorite St. Louis Food Places:

Cunetto's (Italian on the Hill)
http://www.cunetto.com/
Iron Barley (South St. Louis)
http://www.ironbarley.com/
Broadway Oyster Bar (3 blocks south of Busch Stadium)
http://www.broadwayoysterbar.com/
Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard (desert....yum)
http://teddrewes.com/home/default.aspx
Breakfast: Duff's, Central West End
http://duffsrestaurant.com/wordpress/

Late night people watching after the bars close:
Uncle Bill's Pancake House
http://www.yelp.com/biz/uncle-bills-pancake-and-dinner-house-saint-louis

[loochy]

I heard that North StL has a ton of cool restaurants. Just take a drive through the area and I'm sure you'll find something. The area is very walkable too.

[tooge]

O'Connell's looks like a firehouse, not a chalet.

I'm think Bradford's Pub or Llewellyn's by the Chalet hotel off 270 and Page.

Did it have an Irish or British feel to it?

I thought is was the _________ Inn, or something like that. I'll ask my bud from STl

[tooge]

Village Bar was what it was called

[crazycoffey]

Some people may try to convince you otherwise, but provel cheese is disgusting. Stay away from it.

I agree, never caught the Imo's bug.

The hill has several good Italian spots.
One place probably not mentioned yet is highway 61 roadhouse, recently featured on food network's diners drive-ins and dives. Excellent smokehouse and Cajun food, not over priced either.

Over the river in Alton is fast eddies, real cheap food.

Let me read through the responses before I keep going.

[crazycoffey]

My favorite St. Louis Food Places:

Cunetto's (Italian on the Hill)
http://www.cunetto.com/
Iron Barley (South St. Louis)
http://www.ironbarley.com/
Broadway Oyster Bar (3 blocks south of Busch Stadium)
http://www.broadwayoysterbar.com/
Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard (desert....yum)
http://teddrewes.com/home/default.aspx
Breakfast: Duff's, Central West End
http://duffsrestaurant.com/wordpress/

Late night people watching after the bars close:
Uncle Bill's Pancake House
http://www.yelp.com/biz/uncle-bills-pancake-and-dinner-house-saint-louis

Excellent post, courtesy diners are also good 2am breakfast places for people watching.

I heard that North StL has a ton of cool restaurants. Just take a drive through the area and I'm sure you'll find something. The area is very walkable too.

Please do not listen to this man, north St. Louis looks worse than Bosnia, and Iraq right after the wars. Probably more dangerous too.....

[Third Eye]

Village Bar was what it was called

270 and Manchester. Best burger in St. Louis IMO. It's not a fancy, gourmet kind of burger, just simple, greasy, cheesy, bacony goodness.

As someone earlier said, there are some real good Vietnamese places around town. Pho Grand gets most of the hype, and it's good, but the best is Banh Mi So. Small little dive place compared to Pho Grand, but everything there is amazing. The mung bean spring rolls might be the best food item I've ever had in my life.

[Baby Lee]

Over the river in Alton is fast eddies, real cheap food.

He's not kidding, they use their food as a loss leader for their beer.

Big Elwood On A Stick - marinated tenderloin w/peppers - 2.99
1/2lb. Fat Eddie Burger - the tastiest burger you'll ever eat - 0.99
Homemade Bratwurst - old schwegel recipe - 0.99
Pork Kabobs - seasoned just right - 1.99
Peel 'n' Eat Shrimp - from the cool waters of mexico - Each 0.29
Hot Chick On-a Stick - cajun style - 2.99
French Fries - a big ol' basket of 'em - 0.99

[Baby Lee]

270 and Manchester. Best burger in St. Louis IMO. It's not a fancy, gourmet kind of burger, just simple, greasy, cheesy, bacony goodness.

O'Connell's
Blueberry Hill
Dooleys

are my faves, but I'll have to check this out.

[Third Eye]

O'Connell's
Blueberry Hill
Dooleys

are my faves, but I'll have to check this out.

Here's their yelp:

http://m.yelp.com/biz/the-village-bar-saint-louis

You'll notice how everyone raves about their burgers. One caveat, and I can't stress this hard enough, everything else there is average at best. Whenever I take a group of folks there it never fails that against my vocal protestations someone will say, "I think I'm going to try ______ instead of a burger." Then when the meal is over they say, "Gee, maybe I should've tried the burger." Never fails.

Protip: order the double bacon better burger.

[gblowfish]

I like Blueberry Hill in U-City as well. Great Chuck Berry stuff in there.

[Sure-Oz]

http://officialblog.yelp.com/2014/02/yelp-data-reveals-top-100-places-to-eat-bookmark-these-babies-now.html

Yelps top 100 has three places from STL
#19 Bogarts Smokehouse
#29 Blues City Deli
#98 Pappys Smokehouse

[patteeu]

Lion's Choice if you want good fast food roast beef sandwiches.

[DMAC]

Pfft...everything in St. Louis sucks...the Rams, the Cards, and especially...the food.

obvious troll is obvious

[DMAC]

Benton Park Cafe near Anheuser Busch is really good. Lots of variety there.

It is the hipster scene. So that may deter or attract. Just lettin ya know.

[Rain Man]

Imo's Pizza.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Any of David Bailey's places (Small Batch, Rooster, Bridge) are pretty awesome. I particularly like Bailey's Range (http://baileysrange.com/). Incredible, interesting burgers, great beers, excellent handcrafted cocktails, and delicious milkshakes in a really cool atmosphere.

If you're wanting to try out St. Louis BBQ, one of my foodie friends has this to say:


If you want authentic mexican, go to Cherokee street. There are also some amazing Vietnamese joints, which I can find out the name of if you're interested in that.

Also should try out Strange Donuts (similar concept to Voodoo Donuts in Portland). I could go on and on, as the St. Louis food scene is really, really good and exploding right now... but I'll stop there.

/Thread

Bailey's Range and Bogarts are musts.

[Fishpicker]

I actually prefer the buffet at House of India off 170 at Delmar. I eat like an asshole there.

why? is the food really sour?

[Baby Lee]

why? is the food really sour?

The 'like an asshole' bit is Jimmy Pardo's, and I find it humorous.

Basically when he gives up caring. 'Man, I get to the Dodger's nacho stand and eat like an asshole.' Or 'that trip to Vegas is boring, I just drive like an asshole.'

[Fishpicker]

eat like an asshole, assholes pucker, sour foo... never mind. I'm still working on it

[CoMoChief]

If you want good Italian...go to The Hill district.

[CoMoChief]

fuck Imo's Pizza

that is all

[Baby Lee]

eat like an asshole, assholes pucker, sour foo... never mind. I'm still working on it

I get it, but you have to hear his mock self-loathing delivery, the joke wouldn't occur to you because basically sighing 'I'm a jerk.'

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Definitely Pappy's. I'm sure some KC snobs will try to convince you it's terrible, but it's actually very good.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Definitely Pappy's. I'm sure some KC snobs will try to convince you it's terrible, but it's actually very good.

Bogarts is actually better, IMO.

[Third Eye]

Speaking of St. Louis BBQ, I keep hearing great things about Sugarfire. Anybody been yet?

[O.city]

It's expensive, but I always liked Shannon's downtown.

We usually eat there before catching a game.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Speaking of St. Louis BBQ, I keep hearing great things about Sugarfire. Anybody been yet?

Haven't been, but have heard it's on par or better than Pappy's.

[Rams Fan]

I actually prefer the buffet at House of India off 170 at Delmar. I eat like an asshole there.

Tastes so fucking amazing for a lunch on a Saturday.

Lulu's in U-City if you want Chinese. Pi in the Loop/Downtown if you want pizza(not fucking Imo's).

[OnTheWarpath15]

Tastes so fucking amazing for a lunch on a Saturday.

Lulu's in U-City if you want Chinese. Pi in the Loop/Downtown if you want pizza(not fucking Imo's).

We get carryout from Pi in Kirkwood damn near once a week.

The Maplewood rocks.

[Rams Fan]

Crushed Red for a salad in Clayton is also nice, but the line can be long, same as Pappy's.

[Fishpicker]

I get it, but you have to hear his mock self-loathing delivery, the joke wouldn't occur to you because basically sighing 'I'm a jerk.'

I haven't heard Pardo tell that joke. but i have heard Leary and Louis CK tell it.

and


eat like an asshole, assholes pucker, sour foo... never mind. I'm still working on it


is pretty much the same thing

[Rams Fan]

We get carryout from Pi in Kirkwood damn near once a week.

The Maplewood rocks.

I don't go there often due to the fact the closest location(Probably in the Loop) isn't that close to Clayton.

Other recommendations:
Ami's
Cafe Manhattan
Amighetti's
Bristol's
J. Buck's
Dewey's(Not really a St. Louis chain, but I think it's probably my favorite pizza in the area)
Oishi Sushi
Ozzie's
The London Tea Room(My favorite hole in the wall place in downtown to get lunch)
Schlafly's

[Why Not?]

I can't remember the place but in Chesterfield there is a restraunt that served buffalo wings, BBQ wings, and a combo called a "buffaqu" wing. So don't necessarily eat there but do say "buffaqu" 10 times fast. And then eat anywhere except Imos

[Baby Lee]

Pizza starts and ends with Blackthorne Pub and Racanellis. Accept no less.

[Baby Lee]

Cafe Manhattan

Their 'Imo's Style' is actually very tasty. Especially a pizza and salad lunch combo. Pizza cooked and salad prepared to order makes a big difference.

[DMAC]

Imo's Pizza.

Diarrimos

[Baby Lee]

A few more that come to mind

Southwest Diner - standard diner fare in comfortable surroundings
Giovanni's on the Hill - second only to Tony's on the Hill for fru-fru Italian, prepare your anus for the check, though.
Joanie's Pizzeria is a decent alternative to the one's I outlined above
Johnny's - Amazeballs bar food with hot waitresses. Never had anything there that wasn't decadent bar food delicious, but a little expanded. Open face sandwiches, angel hair with seafood, corn beef and cabbage, a thing called a calypso sandwich which is pastrami with a cajun sauce which is a personal favorite.
Salume Beddu - Artisan sandwich shop with meats cured onsite
Café Natasha's - Persian Cuisine in slightly upscale setting
Three Monkeys - a bar-ish setting, but a Sunday brunch to die for
Amigos Cantina - decent Mexican, family operation. but they have the best habanero/avocado salsa I've ever tasted [OK, the only habanero/avocado salsa, but it is amazing, fiery and soothing at the same time a glaze style salsa, guessing a corn syrup binder with habaneros and green chiles, no tomato, and little corn nib sized chopped avocado].

[Rams Fan]

Fozzie's

[Simply Red]

I wouldn't go to St. Louis - if I was 'going to St Louis'

[Fritz88]

Anni Gunns, Tuckers, Citizen Kane for steak.
Carls Drive In for the best burger.
Posted via Mobile Device

[bdj23]

I had Imo's once and thought it was good. But in hindsight, I had just got done with St. Louis Mardi Gras.. So that might have been the "Burrito King" effect taking place.

[Baby Lee]

Anni Gunns, Tuckers, Citizen Kane for steak.
Carls Drive In for the best burger.
Posted via Mobile Device

For burgers, O'Connell's, Blueberry Hill, and Dooley's. Carl's isn't bad, but it's more about the scene of a muscle car drive-in that the quality of the burgers.

Tucker's is honestly a little more upscale Western Sizzler. Bacos instead of real bacon bits on the salad ferfucksake. Not a bad deal, but not the pinnacle of steakhouses. I'd take Outback and Texas Roadhouse over it 9/10 times, in fact I do.