The big bad food Influencer DariusCooks came to St. Louis and asked where to eat? After compiling a brief list, he went and reviewed. The reviews were not stellar, and the response was a lot of ‘He should have gone there’ – ‘He was too harsh’ – ‘Don’t nobody go there’ – ‘He was right’ and ‘Meet me on the corner of Natural Bridge and Grand in North St. Louis.’ So here is MY list of where to in St. Louis for future reference.
1 Italian on the Hill.
The Hill is an Italian neighborhood in St. Louis. The restaurant scene rivals the ones in New York and Chicago. The Oprahs (Winfrey) and the Franks (Sinatra) would fly in to eat in this neighborhood.
A. Gioia Deli. This place features a salami sandwich that is said to be one of the best sandwiches in the country.
B. Charlie Gitto’s. Fine Italian dining. Has toasted ravioli a St. Louis dish
C. Gian-Tony’s. Fine intimate Italian dining. Toasted ravioli
D. Antonino’s Taverna. Toasted ravioli
2 St. Louis BBQ.
In the last 20 years, the St. Louis BBQ scene has exploded to the point that the first thing out a visitor’s mouth is ‘Where can I get some St. Louis style ribs?’ St. Louis style ribs is A CUT MEAT not a BBQ style of cooking. (A St. Louis rib is the brisket bone cut off a sparerib). True St. Louis style BBQ is smoked meat and simmered in BBQ sauce cooked in a back yard. I’m gonna keep it simple and list some of the places that get the attention of St. Louis BBQ.
A. Pappy’s Smokehouse. He won championships on the competitive BBQ circuit.
B. Sugarfire Smokehouse
C. Bogart Smokehouse Pappy’s cousin, friend, drinking buddy or something
D. Salt + Smoke – Hey let us class up the dining of BBQ
E. Red’s One and Only. Wednesday through Friday is the best time to go. Get the rib tips.
F. C&K BBQ. The Snoot-Rib tip combo is great but we St. Louisans believe they have not smoked their meat since they were opened on Newstead.
3 Chinese take-out.
In North St. Louis AKA the Black of town the Chinese takeout restaurants are referred as ‘The Chinaman.’ Even though this my last column, I am not ‘finna‘ address the political incorrectness of using the word/noun ‘Chinaman.’ This is how the natives speak and it is an endearing term, but it does not make it right. I will refer to these restaurants as CTO (Chinese take-out) So, the CTOs in St. Louis cook their fried rice differently other cities and Chinese restaurants. Also, there is the St. Paul Sandwich that is unique to St. Louis. The typical St. Louis CTO meal is a box of fried rice, St. Paul Sandwich and a Vess (local brand) soda. Rule of thumb, the more your life is in danger the better the CTO.
Here is a brief list.
A. Yet Bun Chop Suey across the street from a Murder Mobile gas station.
B. John’s AKA China Chop Suey (Government name). Their security guard needs a security guard.
C. Northland Chop Suey in Ferguson. Yes, that Ferguson.
D. Lefty’s Fried Rice. A Black owned CTO with south St. Louis City state streets one block east and west.
St. Louisans know the danger of south city state streets.
4 Donuts.
St. Louis has a world class donut scene.
A. Pharaoh’s Donuts. Better than Krispy Kreme when the hot sign is on
B. Donut Drive-In
C. Old Town Donuts
D. Donut Stop
5 Ted Drewes.
Frozen custard instead of ice cream. This is a destination dining national known foodie spot on Route 66.
6 St. Louis Style pizza.
This is a thin crust pizza, cut into squares and a special blend of cheese called
Provel is used. WARNING This is a love it or hate it deal. Most St. Louisans love it, but ones who hate it,
really really really really really really hate it.
A. Imo’s. This is the standard. For some St. Louisans, no other pizza will do
B. Cecil’s Whitakers. The alternative to Imo’s.
C. Angelo’s Pizzeria. Old Italian man cooking my pizza – sign me up
7 Taste of Ferguson.
The world heard about Ferguson so here is a quick foodie tour.
A Cathy’s Kitchen. Opened in the aftermath of the Ferguson protests.
B Elicious Breakfast/Brunch spot
C King of Soul. Soul Food
D Northland Chop Suey CTO
E Drake Place Soul Food
F Red’s One and Only.
G Vincenzo’s A Hill like restaurant
H Faraci Pizza St. Louis Style pizza
This was a brief list of what a non-native St. Lousian can eat when visiting. Yes, the list skewered to the Northside of St. Louis (where the Black folks live) but this is where I am from. This list is far from complete, and it is intended to be a simple starting point for the next Influencer or visitor to the 314 (the major St. Louis area code). REMINDER- This is a brief list. Of course, many St. Louisans upon reading this list will scream ‘he didn’t mention this and how he could leave out that.’ Well as some of us St. Louisians say “It is what it is”.
Gioia’s Deli
1934 Macklind Ave
St. Louis, MO 63110 Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm Sunday: Closed
Charlie Gitto’s
5226 Shaw Ave St. Louis Mo 63110 Hours: Monday through Thursdays 5pm –9pm Friday/Saturday
5pm – 9pm Sundays 4pm – 9pm
Gian-Tony’s
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Thursday: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Friday: 4:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday: 4:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Sunday: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Antonino’s Taverna
2225 Macklind Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Sunday: Closed
Mon-Sat: 11am – 10pm
Pappy’s Smokehouse 3106 Olive St. Louis, Mo 63103
Mon-Tues: Closed Wed: 11am-4pm* Thurs: 11am-6pm* Fri-Sat: 11am-7pm* Sun: 11am-4pm*
*Or earlier if they sell out
Sugarfire Smokehouse (Several locations Including)
9200 Olive Blvd St. Louis Mo 63132
Daily 11am- 7pm or until sold out
Bogart’s Smokehouse
1627 S. 9 th Street. Saint Louis Mo 63104
Tue-Saturday 10:30 am 4pm
Sunday- Monday Closed
Salt + Smoke (Several locations including)
6525 Delmar Blvd. St Louis, MO 63130
Sunday – Thursday: 11am-9pm
Friday + Saturday: 11am-10pm
Reds The One and Only BBQ
304 South Florissant Road St. Louis, Mo 63135
Tuesday-Wednesday 10am-9pm
Sunday/Monday Closed
C&K Barbecue
4390 Jennings Station Rd. St. Louis Mo 63121
Wed –Monday 11am –8p.m
Tuesday Closed
Yet Bun Chop Suey
5814 Natural Bridge Ave. Saint Louis 63120
Mon-Sat 11-10:15 p.m.
John’s AKA China Chop Suey (Government name)
6165 W. Florissant Ave Saint Louis Mo 63136
Mon – Sat. 10:45- 10:30 p.m.
Northland Chop Suey
9240 W. Florissant St. Louis 63136
Monday- Saturday 11am- 11pm
Sunday 12-8pm
Lefty’s Fried Rice
Home/Menu (leftysfriedrice.com)
3000 South Jefferson, Saint Louis Missouri 63118
Monday-Saturday 11am 8pm
Sunday Closed
Pharoah’s Donut’s
www.pharaohsdonuts.com
202 N 9th St, St. Louis, MO 63101
Hours:
M-F 6AM-3PM
S-S 7AM-2PM
Donut Drive-In
6525 Chippewa Saint Louis Mo 63109
Tuesday-Thursday 5am-10pm
Friday-Saturday 5am-Midnight
Sunday 5am-10pm
Monday Closed
Old Town Donuts
508 New Florissant Rd.
Florissant, MO 63031
Open 24 Hours ‘Err’ Day
Ted Drewes
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
Imo’s
Imo’s Pizza | Order Delivery or Carryout (imospizza.com)
Cathy’s Kitchen
Cathy’s Kitchen – Cathy’s Kitchen (cathyskitchen.net)
Elicious Southern Style Breakfast and Brunch
eliciousrestaurant.com
King of Soul Café
www.kingofsoulcafe.com
Vincenzo’s Italian Restaurant
Contact – Vincenzo’s Italian Restaurant (vincenzosstl.com)
Faraci Pizza
520 South Florissant Road St. Louis, Mo 63135
Tuesday – Sunday 4p.m to 10p.m
