St. Louis Eats | A Food Lover''s Guide to Gateway City Cuisine

St. Louis Eats: A Food Lover’s Guide to Gateway City Cuisine

Are you ready to embark on a culinary adventure in St. Louis? Beyond the iconic Gateway Arch lies a vibrant food scene waiting to be discovered. This guide is designed to help you navigate the best of St. Louis eats, showcasing its unique dishes, local specialties, and dining etiquette. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and experience the diverse flavors of the Gateway City!

A Taste of History: St. Louis’s Culinary Roots

St. Louis’s food scene is a reflection of its rich history and diverse population. The city’s central location and role as a transportation hub brought in waves of immigrants, each contributing to the culinary tapestry. German, Italian, and Southern influences are particularly strong, resulting in a fusion of flavors that’s uniquely St. Louis. This blending of traditions has led to the creation of many iconic dishes you’ll find nowhere else. From the Italian heritage that birthed the iconic toasted ravioli to the city’s love affair with barbecue, St. Louis cuisine tells a story of cultural exchange and innovation.

Local Specialties: Must-Try Dishes in the Gateway City

No trip to St. Louis is complete without sampling its signature dishes. Here are some culinary highlights you simply cannot miss:

• Toasted Ravioli (T-Ravs): This is a St. Louis original. These square, deep-fried ravioli, typically filled with meat, are served with marinara sauce.

  • Description: Crispy, golden-brown ravioli filled with a savory meat mixture. The exterior is perfectly crunchy, while the inside is tender and flavorful.
  • Where to Find It: Look for this dish at almost any Italian restaurant in the city. It’s especially popular in the historic Hill neighborhood, where it’s rumored to have been created.

• Gooey Butter Cake: Indulge in a sweet slice of heaven with this St. Louis institution. This dessert is known for its dense, buttery, and slightly gooey center, typically dusted with powdered sugar.

  • Description: Imagine a cake with a crisp, golden crust and a soft, almost custard-like center. The flavor is intensely buttery, sweet, and comforting.
  • Where to Find It: You can find gooey butter cake at many bakeries, cafes, and even grocery stores.

• St. Louis-Style Pizza: This pizza boasts a thin, cracker-like crust, a sweet tomato sauce, and a unique cheese blend that often includes Provel cheese.

  • Description: The thin crust gives it a satisfying crunch, while the sweet sauce complements the tangy Provel cheese.
  • Where to Find It: You can find St. Louis style pizza at many pizzerias throughout the city.

• Slinger: This hearty breakfast dish is a local favorite for its savory flavors, consisting of hash browns, a hamburger patty, chili, eggs, and cheese.

  • Description: A diner breakfast piled high with layers of flavor and texture. The crispy hash browns form the base, topped with a juicy burger patty, chili, eggs cooked to your liking, and a generous amount of cheese.
  • Where to Find It: A classic diner or 24-hour restaurant.

• Ted Drewes Frozen Custard: A St. Louis institution, Ted Drewes serves up thick, creamy frozen custard in various flavors and with a wide range of toppings. Known for its thick, dense texture and rich flavor.

  • Description: Thick, creamy, and intensely flavorful frozen custard, far richer than ice cream. You can choose from a dizzying array of flavors and toppings.
  • Where to Find It: Ted Drewes has multiple locations around St. Louis.

• BBQ Ribs (St. Louis Cut): While BBQ is a broad category, St. Louis-style ribs have a unique preparation and cut. They are characterized by a dry rub and a sweet and tangy sauce.

  • Description: The ribs are usually cut with a “St. Louis cut” style, which is characterized by its rectangular shape, with the cartilage removed. They are often smoked to perfection, and coated in a signature sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.
  • Where to Find It: A classic BBQ joint.

• Fried Fish Sandwich: A popular choice for those who abstain from meat on Fridays, especially during Lent. This sandwich is a simple yet satisfying offering.

  • Description: The star of the show is the perfectly fried, flaky fish fillet, usually cod or haddock, served on a toasted bun. It’s often dressed with tartar sauce, lettuce, and tomato.
  • Where to Find It: Local restaurants and bars, especially during Lent.

Dining Etiquette and Local Customs

Understanding dining etiquette can enhance your experience. Here are some cultural norms to keep in mind:

• Tipping: It’s customary to tip servers 15-20% of the pre-tax bill for good service.
• Reservations: Making reservations is a great idea, especially for dinner at popular restaurants.
• Casual Atmosphere: St. Louis boasts a generally relaxed dining scene. Most restaurants have a casual to smart-casual dress code.
• Pace of Dining: Dining is generally relaxed and unhurried. Enjoy each course and the company of your fellow diners.
• Getting the Server’s Attention: To get the server’s attention, make eye contact and gently wave or make a small hand gesture. Avoid snapping your fingers.
• Sharing Food: Sharing appetizers or dishes is common and encouraged.
• Table Manners: Standard table manners apply: use your utensils, keep your elbows off the table, and refrain from talking with food in your mouth.

Key Ingredients that Define St. Louis Cuisine

The unique flavors of St. Louis are shaped by key local ingredients:

• Provel Cheese: A processed cheese blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone, known for its low melting point and smoky, tangy flavor.

  • Description: A processed cheese with a unique, tangy flavor, known for its meltability.
  • If you can’t find it…: Substitute a blend of sharp cheddar, provolone, and a touch of mozzarella.

• Chili: A staple ingredient in many dishes like the Slinger.

  • Description: A hearty, flavorful stew.
  • If you can’t find it…: Use your favorite chili recipe.

• Toasted Ravioli Filling: The fillings that make the ravioli so unique. Typically filled with meat.

  • Description: A combination of ground beef, pork, or a blend, along with breadcrumbs and spices, that is used to fill the ravioli.
  • If you can’t find it…: Use ground meat or your favorite combination of ingredients.

• Sweet Tomato Sauce: Commonly used as a base for St. Louis style pizza.

  • Description: A lightly sweet tomato sauce that offers a good base to many dishes.
  • If you can’t find it…: Use a blend of ketchup, tomato sauce, and herbs.

5 Fun Facts You May Not Know About St. Louis Food Culture

Expand your knowledge of St. Louis’s unique food scene with these interesting facts:

1. The 1904 World’s Fair, held in St. Louis, introduced ice cream cones and iced tea to the world.
2. The Gateway Arch is the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere.
3. St. Louis is home to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, one of the largest in the United States.
4. The city is famous for its beautiful parks, including Forest Park, which is larger than Central Park in New York.
5. The first public kindergarten in the United States was established in St. Louis in 1873.

Frequently Asked Questions about St. Louis Cuisine

Are credit cards widely accepted? Yes, most restaurants and establishments accept credit cards.

Is it safe to drink tap water? Yes, the tap water in St. Louis is safe to drink.

Where can I find authentic local food markets? The Soulard Market, the oldest farmers’ market west of the Mississippi, offers fresh produce and local goods.

Are there any food-related festivals I should know about? Keep an eye out for the Taste of St. Louis and various neighborhood festivals that celebrate food, music, and culture.

How do I ask for the bill in St. Louis? Simply say, “Check, please,” or signal your server. Making eye contact and gesturing is also a common and polite way to get your server’s attention.

Conclusion: Savoring the Flavors of St. Louis

St. Louis offers an incredible array of culinary experiences waiting to be discovered. From its unique local specialties like toasted ravioli and gooey butter cake, to the many regional variations and dining etiquette, you’re sure to have a flavorful adventure. So, pack your appetite, explore the neighborhoods, and prepare to be amazed by the Gateway City’s delicious offerings. Have you tried any of the dishes mentioned above? Share your favorite St. Louis food experiences in the comments below!