St. Louis boasts a vibrant and ever-evolving food scene, filled with unique dishes that reflect its rich history and culture. When exploring the local cuisine, the question often arises: “What food is St. Louis, MO famous for?”. As a lover of tradition and classic flavors, I will guide you through some of the most iconic culinary creations that define St. Louis. While many restaurants offer variations, the recommendations here are those that have become synonymous with these specific food items.
Pork Steaks
No St. Louis barbecue is complete without pork steaks. This cut, taken from the pork shoulder, also known as Boston Butt, benefits from slow cooking and a generous slathering of BBQ sauce. This process tenderizes the meat, which is the same cut often used for pulled pork.
While not every barbecue joint in St. Louis features pork steaks on their menu, Smokie O’s Barbeque on North Broadway is your best bet for a traditional experience. This family-run establishment has mastered the art of slow-cooked barbecue since 1997. As an added bonus, it’s located across the street from Bissinger Chocolates.
Toasted Ravioli
“Mama Mia, they are delicious!” These breaded and deep-fried pockets of goodness originated on “The Hill,” where our flagship food tour takes place. Filled with meat or cheese, Toasted Ravioli is a St. Louis staple. Two restaurants on The Hill, Charlie Gitto’s and Mama Campisi’s, both claim to be the originators. While some establishments now use regular boiled ravioli, true Toasted Ravioli aficionados can discern the difference.
For handmade Toasted Ravioli, visit Mama Toscano’s Ravioli. The Toscano family has been crafting them by hand since the late 1940s. They offer the original meat (beef and pork blend), cheese (ricotta cheese based filling), and pizza (sausage, pizza sauce, and Provel cheese) varieties.
St. Louis-Style Pizza
Thin, crispy crust, Provel cheese, and a square cut define St. Louis-style pizza. The divisive ingredient is undoubtedly Provel cheese, a processed cheese loaf created specifically for the St. Louis market, comprising white cheddar, Provolone, and Swiss cheeses. Its excellent melting properties made it a hit with local pizzerias.
IMO’s Pizza Chain is the iconic pizzeria credited with popularizing St. Louis-style pizza. The love for Provel runs deep here. With over 99 locations, an IMO’s is never far away.
The St. Louis Slinger
The slinger is a late-night culinary staple, found in many St. Louis diners. This diner specialty consists of a meat patty (typically hamburger), topped with hash browns and two eggs (usually sunny side up), all smothered in chili and shredded cheddar cheese. Optional onions and jalapeño slices are welcome additions.
For the ultimate diner experience, visit Courtesy Diner at 3 a.m. on a Sunday morning. The crowds of revelers seeking a post-bar fix create a memorable atmosphere. But don’t worry, Courtesy Diner serves slingers all day long. This hearty meal will keep you full for hours.
St. Paul Sandwich
Despite its name, the St. Paul sandwich is a St. Louis original. You’ll find it at almost every Chinese take-out restaurant in St. Louis and the surrounding areas. The sandwich features 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. You can choose chicken, pork, shrimp, or beef in the egg foo young patty.
Simply search “Chinese food take out St. Louis” and call a nearby eatery to see if they have it on the menu.
Gooey Butter Cake
Gooey butter cake is a beloved St. Louis dessert. This flat, dense coffee cake, about an inch tall, is typically dusted with powdered sugar and cut into squares like a brownie. It features a bottom layer of butter and yellow cake batter and a top layer of butter, sugar, and eggs. Extremely rich and delicious, it comes in various versions, including those with and without cream cheese.
Bakery or coffee shop versions are generally preferred over store-bought cakes, which often rely on cream cheese. Gooey Louie makes my absolute favorite. One of the downsides of grocery store versions is the large proportion of cake bottom, which is my least favorite part. The best part of gooey butter cake is the gooey butter, not the cake! Gooey Louie’s offers the perfect balance of cake and gooey butter filling, with fresh varieties made daily. As a bonus, they ship nationwide! Park Avenue Coffee is a close second, with a wide variety and multiple locations.
Gerber Sandwich
The Gerber sandwich originated at Ruma’s Deli in 1973 and was named after a customer, Dick Gerber. Many St. Louis restaurants have since duplicated it. This open-faced sandwich consists of a half-section of Italian or French bread, spread with garlic butter, and topped with ham and Provel (traditionally) or Provolone cheese, seasoned with paprika, and then toasted.
Most St. Louis delis offer a version of the Gerber. However, to experience its true splendor, visit the source. Unfortunately, only two Ruma’s Deli locations remain. If you go, order half Prosperity (a version with roast beef) and half Gerber for the best of both worlds.
Concrete
While many ice cream shops exist in St. Louis, few offer frozen custard. A concrete is this custard blended with any combination of dozens of ingredients. The mixture is so thick that a spoon inserted into the custard will not fall out if the cup is inverted.
The ultimate classic concrete can be found at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. Their location on Chippewa Ave (Route 66) is a summer evening spectacle, with crowds holding their signature yellow cups filled with custard, pouring into the streets. Despite numerous franchise requests, it remains a family-owned business to this day.
In conclusion, the answer to “what food is St. Louis, MO famous for?” is a diverse and delicious array of dishes, each with its own unique story and connection to the city. From savory pork steaks to sweet gooey butter cake, St. Louis offers a culinary adventure for every palate. So, come explore the flavors of St. Louis and discover your own favorite local treat.
