Travelers used to turn up in a major American city armed only with a collection of cultural, natural or family-friendly attractions to see. Nowadays, many of us also bring a 'must-eat-and-drink' list with us too.
Credit Anthony Bourdain, credit the Mayor of Flavortown, credit food trucks or even Instagram. Whoever is responsible for this rise in food-focused tourism, we raise our collective craft beer to you.
Those heading to St. Louis are in especially good hands, as the city is home to a few signature items from a handful of famous local purveyors that you simply cannot get anywhere else in the United States. Just in time for your trip, here is a primer on what to eat and drink in St. Louis:
St. Louis-Style Pizza
Served on a thin and crispy crust that is covered in a tangy tomato sauce and cut into squares, St. Louis-Style Pizza would be just regular old thin crust if it wasn't for one magical 'you-can-only-find-it-there' ingredient: Provel cheese.
This lovingly-processed cheese is a mix of Swiss, provolone and cheddar, giving this pizza its signature taste. Some love it, some love it less, but no one disputes that St. Louis-Style Pizza is engrained in the psyche of this city.
Eat your pieces with caution though, because Provel cheese is infamous for remaining in a solid-on-top-but-molten-lava-below stage that can lead to 'cheese slides' and chin burns.
Where to sample it:Imo's is an icon in St. Louis, with dozens of locations serving up the quintessential version of this pizza.
Gooey Butter Cake
A dense and decadent coffee cake, Gooey Butter Cake tastes as good as it sounds.
Made with generous helpings of butter and sugar (with other ingredients that vary depending on the baker), Gooey Butter Cake has picked up cult status in St. Louis, and you are bound to be dreaming of it long after your trip.
Where to sample it: Nearly every bakery and supermarket in the city will have their own version, with Lubeley's Bakery having an especially stellar reputation. If you just want one slice on the side of your coffee though, try Park Ave Coffee who serves it in smaller but equally delicious portions.
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Toasted Ravioli
What happens when you roll ravioli in breadcrumbs and then fry them up?
Well, you get Toasted Ravioli, St. Louis' favorite appetizer. These crispy meat-filled pillows may just be breaded and fried ravioli, but something magnificent happens during the process that will have your mouth watering the moment they get placed down in front of you. A good 't-rav' will have plenty of filling and perhaps even an uneven shape, signaling that it has been homemade.
Where to sample it: Toasted Ravioli is said to have originated at Charlie Gitto's, so you certainly can't go wrong there. However, fellow Italian restaurants Zia's and Trattoria Marcella are also known for great takes on t-ravs.
Concretes
Rumored to have been the inspiration for the Blizzard, Concretes blow DQ's signature treat out of the water. Concretes are essentially shakes made with frozen custard and laced with various toppings, and these bad boys are so thick you need to eat them with a spoon.
Where to sample it: No trip to St. Louis is complete without a stop at Ted Drewes, which invented the Concrete, but some (including this correspondent) prefer the flavor of Fritz's or even smaller local frozen custard outlets like Mr. Wizard's.
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The Slinger
Perhaps the inspiration for the phrase 'hot mess', a slinger is a mix of hash browns, eggs and hamburger or sausage all topped with a heaping helping of chili. Meant to be a breakfast item, more of them tend to fly out in the wee hours of the morning to folks seeking a post-night-out meal.
Where to sample: Eat-Rite Diner is a local legend when it comes to Slingers, but Tiffany's Diner will also do you right.
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