St. Louis, Missouri, boasts a unique and evolving food scene. When exploring the local cuisine, it’s important to know the classic, old-school eateries that have become synonymous with specific dishes. This article highlights some of the most iconic foods that St. Louis is known for, focusing on the establishments that have truly mastered them.
Pork Steaks
A staple of St. Louis summer barbecues, pork steaks are cut from the pork shoulder, also known as the Boston Butt. The slow cooking process, combined with a generous slathering of BBQ sauce, tenderizes this cut, typically used for pulled pork. While not every BBQ joint in St. Louis features it on their menu, Smokie O’s Barbeque on North Broadway is your best bet for a traditional pork steak. This family-run establishment has been perfecting their slow-cooked barbecue since 1997. A bonus: It’s located across the street from Bissinger Chocolates.
Toasted Ravioli
Originating on “The Hill,” St. Louis’s historic Italian neighborhood, toasted ravioli are breaded and deep-fried pillows of deliciousness filled with meat or cheese. Two restaurants on The Hill, Charlie Gitto’s and Mama Campisi’s, both claim to be the originators. While some establishments use regular boiled ravioli, true toasted ravioli aficionados can taste the difference. For handmade toasted ravioli, Mama Toscano’s Ravioli is the place to go. The Toscano family has been making them by hand since the late 1940s, offering original meat (beef and pork blend), cheese (ricotta-based), and pizza (sausage, pizza sauce, and provel cheese) varieties.
St. Louis Style Pizza
Characterized by its thin, crispy crust, generous layer of Provel cheese, and square-cut slices, St. Louis-style pizza is a local favorite. Provel cheese, a processed cheese loaf specifically formulated for the St. Louis market, is a blend of white cheddar, provolone, and Swiss cheeses prized for its melting properties. IMO’s Pizza chain is the iconic pizzeria known for popularizing this style. With over 99 locations, there’s likely an IMO’s near you.
The St. Louis Slinger
A late-night staple, the Slinger is a diner specialty consisting of a hamburger patty, topped with hash browns and two eggs (typically sunny side up), all smothered in chili and shredded cheddar cheese. Onions and jalapeño slices are optional additions. Courtesy Diner is recommended for the ultimate diner experience, especially during the 3 AM rush after the bars close. Courtesy Diner serves Slingers all day long.
St. Paul Sandwich
Despite its name, the St. Paul sandwich is a St. Louis creation found in almost every Chinese take-out restaurant. It consists of an egg foo young patty (made with mung bean sprouts and chopped white onions) topped with dill pickle slices, onions, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise, all between two slices of white bread. The egg foo young patty can be customized with chicken, pork, shrimp, or beef. A simple Google search for “Chinese food take out St. Louis” will help you find a nearby eatery that serves this sandwich.
Gooey Butter Cake
Gooey butter cake is a flat, dense coffee cake, about an inch tall, typically dusted with powdered sugar and cut into squares. It consists of a bottom layer of butter and yellow cake batter and a top layer of butter, sugar, and eggs. Gooey Louie’s is a top choice for this dessert, with their perfect proportions of cake to gooey butter filling and daily fresh varieties. They also ship nationwide. Park Avenue Coffee is another great option, offering a large variety and multiple locations.
Gerber Sandwich
Originally created by Ruma’s Deli in 1973 and named after a customer, Dick Gerber, the Gerber sandwich is an open-faced sandwich consisting of a half-section of Italian or French bread, spread with garlic butter and topped with ham and Provel (or Provolone) cheese, seasoned with paprika, and then toasted. While many St. Louis delis offer their own version, Ruma’s Deli, with its two remaining locations, is the place to taste the original. Consider ordering a half Prosperity (roast beef) and half Gerber for the best of both worlds.
Concrete
While soft serve ice cream is plentiful in St. Louis, frozen custard, a dairy-based ice cream made with eggs and honey, is a distinct treat. A concrete is this custard blended with various ingredients to create an extremely thick mixture that will hold a spoon upside down. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard is the ultimate classic destination for concretes. Their location on Chippewa Ave (Route 66) is a popular summer spot.
By exploring these iconic St. Louis foods and the establishments that have perfected them, you’ll gain a true taste of the city’s culinary heritage. These dishes and restaurants represent the unique flavors and traditions that make St. Louis a food lover’s paradise. Go out and explore these iconic foods!
