<script>
(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),
m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)
})(window,document,'script','https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga');
ga('create', 'UA-91038877-1', 'auto');
ga('send', 'pageview');
</script>
ST. LOUIS = THE GATEWAY
My time in St. Louis was spent searching out regional specialties like Pork steak, Fried ravioli, St. Louis style pizza, and The Slinger. A Slinger can only be described as something that a college kid would order after a two day bender to help soak up all the bad stuff still in his body. See Courtesy Diner below. But I also found some great gems that were unique to St. Louis, like Ice Cream so thick that they serve it to you upside down, or a bacon sandwich that I thought was only an urban legend. My time here may have been brief, but it was well spent eating like a local.
​
The Pig
CULINARY EXPLORATIONS IN MISSOURI
ST. LOUIS
PIG'S PICKS
Where to eat Desserts, BBQ, and sandwiches in St. Louis
UNION LOAFERS CAFE
PIG SCORE: 3.8 / 4.0
WHAT: CONTEMPORARY DELI
WHEN: You want quality sandwich or pizza
PRICE: $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
​
WHAT TO ORDER:
-
Rare Roast beef Sandwich
-
Roast Beet Sandwich
-
Pepperoni Pizza
WHY: They aren't trying to hard and not being something they're not. They are a contemporary deli that makes great sandwiches and pizzas. Run, don't walk for the reare beef sandwich.
VINCENT VAN DOUGNUTS
PIG SCORE: 3.8 / 4.0
WHAT: QUALITY PASTRIES FOR AN ADULT AUDIENCE
WHEN: You to treat yourself to a real doughnut and a good cup of coffee.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
​
WHAT TO ORDER:
-
French Toast
-
Chocolate Mint
WHY: Vincent Van Doughnut puts quality over quanitity. They started out as a food truck, and became so popular that they eventualy purchased a brick and motor store front. And the people of St. Louis are happy he did. These are doughnuts with soul.
GUERRILLA STREET FOOD
PIG SCORE: 3.7 / 4.0
WHAT: FILIPINO STREET FOOD
WHEN: You're feeling a little adventurous and want great flavor
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Cash/Credit
MAP IT:
​
WHAT TO ORDER:
-
Flying Pig
-
Belly of the Beast
WHY: They started out as a food truck concept bringing St. Louis Filipino street food, and have turned it into two brick and motors and a food truck. This is deep rich flavors off the beaten path.
TED DREWES
PIG SCORE: 3.6 / 4.0
WHAT: THE ORIGINAL CEMENT MIXER
WHEN: A after diner treat on a hot night.
PRICE: $
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT: (2 Locations)
​
WHAT TO ORDER:
-
A Cardinal Sin
-
A Dottie
WHY: This is a popular walk up window ice cream joint that has been serving up the good stuff since 1930. This is a real local independent joint that deserves your patronage. Their strategy is focus on quality and the business will follow. It has been family run since the very beginning.
BEAST CRAFT BBQ
PIG SCORE: 3.6 / 4.0
WHAT: BEASTLY GOOD BBQ
WHEN: You're craving great BBQ
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
​
WHAT TO ORDER:
-
Baked Beans
-
Brussel Sprouts
-
Brisket
-
Pork Steak
WHY: I was able to talk to the owner for about 30 minutes and he was super passionate about his craft. The wood he used, how they cooked the beans, The type of meat they use. And the meal I got enforced everything he said. This was really good BBQ and the VERY best beans I've had at a BBQ place yet.
FITZ'S
PIG SCORE: 3.4 / 4.0
WHAT: ROOT BEER FACTORY & FOUNTAIN
WHEN: You have some calories to burn
PRICE: $
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
​
WHAT TO ORDER:
-
Root beer Float
WHY: Enjoy one of the biggest root beer floats you will ever set your eyes on. The restaurant is set inside of a root beer bottling company with a retro bottleling line right inside. This is just a cool place for a ice cream treat.
CROWN CANDY KITCHEN
PIG SCORE: 3.25 / 4.0
WHAT: THE URBAN LEGEND OF BACON SANDWICHES
WHEN: You have your cardiologist on speed dial.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
​
WHAT TO ORDER:
-
The Bacon Sandwich
WHY: This is St. Louis's oldest soda fountain, and you'll know it the second you walk in. It just doesn't feel retro, it IS retro. This place still has it's original booths. And they may have a good size menu, but there is only one thing you need to order, THE BACON SANDWICH. This is the elusive Big Foot of the sandwich world.
COURTESY DINER
PIG SCORE: 3.25 / 4.0
WHAT: THE HANG-OVER CURE
WHEN: Your still a little drunk from the night before
PRICE: $
PAYMENT: Cash only
MAP IT: (multiple locations)
​
WHAT TO ORDER:
-
The Slinger
-
WHY: Slinger's are a St. Louis specialty, and I'll go one further, Slingers are a St. Louis college kid specialty. Literally food slung together on a plate, meat, chili, hash browns, eggs, and cheese, it is something to behold once in your life, preferably before the age of 25. The curtesy Diner is open 24 hours seven days, so stop in anytime.
FRANK & HELEN'S PIZZERIA
PIG SCORE: 3.2 / 4.0
WHAT: ST. LOUIS STYLE PIZZA
WHEN: You're looking for the thinnest crust pizza, ever.
PRICE: $ - $$
PAYMENT: Credit/Cash
MAP IT:
​
WHAT TO ORDER:
-
Fried Ravioli
-
St. Louis Style Pizza
WHY: This little old school Italian pizzeria is serving traditional St. Louis style pizza. The thinnest crust (if you can call it that) ever. They don't use yeast here. Then they top it with Provel, a cheese varietal that is a cross between American, Provolone and Swiss. Locals fold the pieces on top of each other to prevent the cheese from sticking to their teeth.
