March 29, 2024

AmericanHummus

Food & Travel Enthusiast

Iconic St. Louis Restaurants [PHOTOS]

Village Bar
(12247 Manchester Road, Des Peres; 314-821-4532)

This tavern’s staying power has made it a multigenerational center of the Des Peres community for more than a century, even before Des Peres existed. Stop in for a taste of its famous burgers, onion rings and ice-cold beer.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Andy Paulissen” itemprop=”image” />Hodak’s
(2100 Gravois Avenue, 314-776-7292)

This south St. Louis fried chicken institution that has been serving up breaded birds since 1962 and the reasonable price point makes the food accessible to everyone.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Andy Paulissen” itemprop=”image” />King & I
(3155 South Grand Boulevard, 314-771-1777)

King & I makes Thai food so well for so long that it has received the prestigious Thai SELECT award, an honor from the Royal Thai Government that recognizes authenticity in Thai cuisine served in the United States.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Andy Paulissen” itemprop=”image” />Pat Connolly Tavern
(6400 Oakland Avenue, 314-647-7287)

This bar and grill on the corner of Oakland and Tamm avenues has been a part of St. Louis culture for 79 years. The Dogtown landmark is famous for its fried chicken, fried fish and burgers.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Andy Paulissen” itemprop=”image” />Mom’s Deli
(4412 Jamieson Avenue, 314-644-1198)

People go to Mom’s Deli the nostalgia as much as the sandwiches, taking comfort in the fact that the deli remains a constant in their lives. The sandwich shop has been a mainstay of the St. Louis deli scene since 1977.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Andy Paulissen” itemprop=”image” />LeGrand’s
(4414 Donovan Avenue, 314-353-6128)

LeGrand’s operates like a mini grocery store, with small aisles filled with dairy, produce and dry goods. Since meat is treated like fine wine at this place, LeGrand’s sandwiches have quite the following. Served up hot or cold on your choice of 7:: French or wheat bread, LeGrand’s sandwiches are stuffed with Boar’s Head meats, cheeses and flavorful sauces.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Johnny Fugitt” itemprop=”image” />Paul’s Market
(1020 North Elizabeth Avenue, 314-524-3652)

Over the 61 years in business, Paul’s has evolved from a grocery store to a butcher shop to a specialty foods store and now a place increasingly dedicated to hot foods such as burgers and barbecue.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Andy Paulissen” itemprop=”image” />Frank & Helen’s Pizzeria
(8111 Olive Boulevard, 314-997-0666)

Frank and Helen owned the restaurant for 35 years, gaining a following for their pizza, steaks, broasted chicken and house creamy garlic dressing — which is such a closely held secret that, for most of his tenure, Frank insisted he be the only one to make it so as not to give away his recipe.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Andy Paulissen” itemprop=”image” />Woofie’s
(1919 Woodson Road, Overland; 314-426-6291)

Since the 1950s, the Overland spot has been a mainstay for people seeking casual soda-shop fare, first as the diner Hamburger Heaven, and eventually as Woofie’s

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Andy Paulissen” itemprop=”image” />Mandarin House
(9150 Overland Plaza, Overland; 314-427-8070)

This massive, nearly four decades-old restaurant is famous for its mix of authentic and Western-style Chinese cuisine.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Mabel Suen” itemprop=”image” />Cyrano’s
(603 E Lockwood Avenue; 314-963-3232)

Cyrano’s has been serving some of the city’s most iconic desserts since 1960. They measure their success in the regulars they have gained throughout the years and have delicately balanced the importance of keeping old favorite dishes while offering new items for the current generation of diners.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Andy Paulissen” itemprop=”image” />Uncle Bill’s
(3427 South Kingshighway Boulevard, 314-8321973)

You know a pancake house is tough when a car crashes into it and they just reopen immediately like it isn’t a big deal. Order the slinger. You need it in your life.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Danny Wicentowski” itemprop=”image” />Carl’s Drive-In
(9033 Manchester Road)

Brentwood burger institution Carl’s Drive-In was built as an automobile service station in 1918, became a hot-dog stand in the early 1940s, was established by Carl Meyer as Carl’s Drive-in in 1959 and had a good run under its second owner, Frank Cunetto, from 1986 through 2015. Basically, it’s too good to die. Long live Carl’s!

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Andy Paulissen” itemprop=”image” />Courtesy Diner
(multiple locations including 3153 South Kingshighway Boulevard, 314-776-9059)

This old-school spot is open 24 hours a day and serves up diner classics like burgers and eggs in addition to slingers, the St. Louis specialty, and the Courtesy’s own ::Devil’s Delight.::

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Jennifer Silverberg” itemprop=”image” />Sportsman’s Park
(9901 Clayton Road, Ladue; 314-991-3381)

Since opening 47 years ago under the name Jackie’s Place, the restaurant has become a beloved gathering place, not just for its immediate neighbors in Ladue but for sports fans throughout the area, thanks to its impressive collection of photographs and memorabilia amassed over the years.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Andy Paulissen” itemprop=”image” />Al’s Restaurant
(1200 North 1st Street, 314-421-6399)

This classic riverfront restaurant features cobblestones from the riverfront, an actual gangplank from a riverboat, a mural painted by a man who was a set designer for the Muny, and woodwork hand-carved by monks that gives the place a riverboat feel.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Andy Paulissen” itemprop=”image” />Tony’s
(105 Carondelet Plaza; 314-231-7007)

Tony’s is pretty much the opposite of a fast-casual restaurant. The St. Louis classic is known for its impeccable meals and fine dining vibe. Bring a suit jacket and head to Clayton for all the best because Tony’s moved there from downtown a while back.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: screengrab via Google Maps” itemprop=”image” />Carl’s Deli
(6401 Clayton Road, Clayton; 314-721-2393)

Many consider Carl’s Deli’s signature hot pastrami sandwich to be the closest thing to the quintessential New York deli staple in town. Don’t miss out on a taste.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Danny Wicentowski” itemprop=”image” />Protzel’s Deli
(7608 Wydown Boulevard, Clayton; 314-721-4445)

Since 1954 this family-owned establishment has been churning out a wide array of fresh deli meats and cheeses. The full selection of sandwiches at Protzel’s includes roast beef, pastrami, peppered beef, salami and bologna. The deli also offers specialty sandwiches, such as the ::John Carney Special,:: with a third of a pound of corned beef and pastrami, Munchee cheese, honey mustard and coleslaw served on an onion roll.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: screengrab via Google Maps” itemprop=”image” />Piccadilly at Manhattan
(7201 Piccadilly Avenue, 314-646-0016)

The best dish at the Piccadilly might be the burger: a single or double cheeseburger or a patty melt. It’s simple but it’s perfect. If you want a perfectly classic meal served in a perfectly classic restaurant, visit the Piccadilly at Manhattan in Ellendale.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Jennifer Silverberg” itemprop=”image” />Charcoal House
(9855 Manchester Road, 314-968-4842)

If you crave the hearty meals dished out by a classic steakhouse, the Charcoal House on Manchester will hook you up.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: RFT file photo” itemprop=”image” />Crown Candy Kitchen
(1401 St Louis Avenue, 314-621-9650)

Stop into Crown Candy Kitchen if you want a taste of a classic malt, shake or their famous Heart-Stopping BLT. Oh yeah, and they have candy. Tons of it.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Keith Yahl / Flickr” itemprop=”image” />The Tenderloin Room
(232 Kingshighway Boulevard, 314-361-0900)

One of St. Louis’ most storied restaurants has reopened — and with updated digs and new menu items, it’s poised to enter its next chapter in style. For all of your steak needs, check out the new Tenderloin Room inside the Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta St. Louis.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Ed Aller
” itemprop=”image” />Gioia’s Deli
(multiple locations including 1934 Macklind Avenue, 314-776-9410)

For great sandwiches at a good price, visit Gioia’s Deli on the Hill. Locals have been raving about their classic Hot Salami sandwich for decades.

Find out more here.

Photo credit: Jaime Lees” itemprop=”image” />