The 75 Best Restaurants In St. Louis According To Me

St. Louis Restaurant Comparisons

Because I'm only one dad and cannot eat at every restaurant in St. Louis, I visit as many highly-rated restaurants as possible, following recommendations from friends, family, and long-time residents.

I have visited over 1056 restaurants in the area and spent over $2,000 to find these picks for you.

Based on my scoring system, an average restaurant scores 3.5 out of 5. Anything over 4.5 out of 5 is in the top 10 percent of restaurants I've had.

I base these rankings on a combination of taste and price, emphasizing service and atmosphere less. You can read more details on my restaurant review philosophy. I have every restaurant across categories in rank order based on overall stars.

But remember, I don't make the rules; I just think 'em up and write 'em down.

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Best Restaurants In St. Louis

  1. #1 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Union Loafers

    Union Loafers Takeaway. The Crown Jewel Of St. Louis. My favorite St. Louis restaurant. 8/10 Salad. 8.9/10 Sandwiches. 9.1/10 Pizza. 10/10 Sourdough Bread.

    The Simone Biles of STL food.

    Always order a loaf. Get anything with bread. ~$8 bread. $8 salad. $15 sandwiches. It's expensive. Ask your parents to take you when they come to town. Twenty minutes to an hour for pick up. Ordering pizza can be a pain. Parking is easy on side streets with a three-minute walk. Tip: Try a pizza rosa with chili oil at lunch. Note: Pizza review coming in the future.

    Union Loafers
  2. #2 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Cate Zone

    Cate Zone Takeaway. The best Chinese food I've ever had. Currently in my top two favorite St. Louis restaurants. Better than any Chinese food I ever had in Los Angeles or San Francisco. It's Szechuan, so add one spice level to everything. Expect 45-60 minutes for takeout or a table on Friday/Saturday. Huge portions. ~$30/person. Tip: Go for lunch if you don't want to wait. Eating in the restaurant is 1.5x better than takeout, which is still amazing.

    Cate Zone
  3. #3 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Balkan Treat Box

    Balkan Treat Box Takeaway. Treat yourself to Balkan Treat Box whenever you're in the area, and they're open. One of the best restaurants in St. Louis with a general food score of 9.3 / 10 from me. Hard to classify exactly what food type a "pide" or "doner". Not a sandwich; it's more a Mediterranean delight. The pita may be the best I've ever had, and it's definitely the best in St. Louis. I order a bag to go every time.

    They even fixed the biggest downside - their hours. They're now open from 11-8 Friday and Saturday.

    Still closed on Sunday and Monday. You should check availability before making the trek to Webster Groves.

    Service is fine. You order at the counter, get a number, and go to your table. It usually takes 10-15 minutes to get your food; even if a long line runs, you only have fifteen minutes to wait. My favorite place to sit is outside when the weather permits. They have a dedicated lot in the back or street parking out front.

    Balkan Treat Box
  4. #4 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Blues City Deli

    Blues City Deli Takeaway. Happiness is family, friends, and Blues City Deli sandwiches. Hot Italian is my go-to. The best sandwich in St. Louis. Get anything with roast beef. $10.50 before tax and tip. Super fast service. Line out the door only means 15 minutes. Park on a side street. Limited seating. Get there before 11:30 a.m. for no line.

    Every staff member is perky, talkative, and helpful. People come from all around Saint Louis. Everything great about St. Louis in one deli.

    Update: After visiting another 15 sandwich shops in the past three months, I came back to Blues City Deli and it somehow managed to beat my expectations.

    Blues City Deli
  5. #5 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Nathaniel Reid Bakery

    Nathaniel Reid Bakery Takeaway. Nathaniel Reid pastries rightfully rank among the nation's best, never mind St. Louis. They have some of the best pastries I've had anywhere, including France. I give it a near-perfect score of 9.9/10. The kouign-amann ($4.95) is the star: crisp, buttery, custardy, and completely unforgettable. It's worth the trip on its own.

    A multi-time James Beard Award winner, with reasonable prices, consistent execution, and a few unforgettable bites, there's always a line. But that's a small price to pay for what are arguably some of the finest baked goods in the United States. The sandwiches and bread are fine, but they're not why you're here. This place is about the pastry case, full stop.

    The staff are friendly and helpful. There's a dedicated parking lot right outside. However, turning back onto Manchester can take a minute.

    Nathaniel Reid Bakery
  6. #6 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Pizza Head

    Pizza Head Takeaway. Perfect Pizza That Tastes Like New Jersey. Pizza Head in Tower Grove made my night last night. This pizza tastes exactly like New Jersey. Perfect sauce-to-cheese ratio. Super thin undercarriage that maintains its structure. A bit chewy, but still crisp. Brought me back to being a kid.

    At 9.2 / 10, this is in the top 5% of pizzas I've had in my life. The 8/10 crust held it back from scoring even higher. $18 for 20" weighing 40 oz is the BEST VALUE non-Dominos/Costco division. CRAZY. And you can order by the slice.

    The best pizza in St. Louis.

    Take out only. Order online to schedule pickup. You pickup or order from a very small window. Street parking in downtown Tower Grove.

    Pizza Head
  7. #7 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Salt + Smoke

    Salt + Smoke Takeaway. My pulled pork place in St. Louis. 8.7 / 10 bbq score. The pulled pork, brisket, and chicken are all top-notch. Each plate comes with two sides and a pop-over. It's a ton of food, but on the relatively pricer side of St. Louis. $18.99 for a plate. I am partial to the mac-and-cheese and duck-fat fries. Every bite from start to finish is heavy, tasty, and filling. Just have a Tums on hand afterward.

    I ordered online for pickup this time, but I've been at the Delmar location for lunch and dinner. Never had an issue with service or time-to-food. For pickup, I park in the little parking lot next to the restaurant on the Loop or across the street on a side street. Parking is easily available behind the building.

    Salt + Smoke
  8. #8 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Menya Rui

    Menya Rui Takeaway. The best ramen I've ever had. I climbed a personal Everest and made it to Menya Rui. An inverse dining experience, you wait outside for 45 minutes to an hour chatting and then get in and eat in under twenty. Spectacular broth with melt-in-your-mouth ground ramen. Splurge the extra $1 for the soft-boiled egg, bringing it to $16 / bowl. Karaage was yummy, but just save stomach space for ramen.

    Very high-energy vibes make you feel alive. Inside, it holds maybe twenty people. There are small tables and bars. They expect you to get in and get out quickly. You order and pay from an electronic menu tied to your seat, so bring a phone. Come in small groups. Expect to wait an hour in line outside. There is plenty of parking.

    Menya Rui
  9. #9 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Clementine's Naughty & Nice Ice Cream

    Clementine's Naughty & Nice Ice Cream Takeaway. Naughty = Expensive, Nice = Delicious. Clementine's may cost an arm and a leg for ice cream, but damn is it good. 9.2 / 10 ice cream, it's the real deal. I got an espresso royale with flakes of espresso. My wife had a midnight cherry bite in a waffle cone. At $5.50 for a scoop and $2 for a waffle cone, ice cream for two cost us $16. They have a ton of custom flavors, including chocolate bourbon and champagne. Real deal ice cream experience.

    Clementine's is my favorite ice cream in St. Louis.

    Standard ice cream service in a single file line with multiple people taking orders. You can taste test any flavor you like, with some people tasting two. They had two people taking orders, so a line will form when eight people come in like us at 9 pm. Parking in a giant dedicated lot at this location in Clayton, they have several locations around St. Louis.

    Clementine's Naughty & Nice Ice Cream
  10. #10 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Corner 17

    Corner 17 Takeaway. Truly awesome Chinese food. The hand-pulled and hand-shaved noodles are the star of the show. Order anything with dough. Expect a 30-minute+ wait at non-lunch times or order online. Standard Chinese food price. It feels small on the inside. Parking on the loop is easy, even at 8 p.m. on a Saturday. Extensive list of bubble teas, slushies, and milt teas I've never had. Everything is green.

    Corner 17
  11. #11 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    El Guanaco Taqueria & Pupuseria

    El Guanaco Taqueria & Pupuseria Takeaway. El Grand Guanaco Delivers With The Baleada Especial. Oh my god, was that delicious. Chorizo, steak, chicken, queso, eggs, avocado, and cream. I mean, come on. Where has this been all my life? And only $7.99?!?!!?!? The $3 pupusa was heavy on the bread, and the sauce detracted from the flavor. It wasn't a table favorite. Chips were a 4.8/10 for me, but free. Excellent red salsa > green salsa.

    Total hole in the wall on Page Ave. Barely enough parking for lunch.

    Friendly, fast service.

    No frills. No filler. Just totally amazing food. Currently in my top five best restaurants in St. Louis.

    El Guanaco Taqueria & Pupuseria
  12. #12 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Sado

    Sado Takeaway. Best sushi in Saint Louis at totally reasonable prices. Incredibly fresh fish. Expertly designed appetizers and rolls. Surprisingly, large portions make a solid price-to-flavor ratio. They save walk-ins, so you have a 50/50 shot on Friday and Saturday night. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Parking can take a minute in The Hill. Top 5 sushi places I've ever been. Tip: Sitting at the Sushi Bar lets you speak with the chef and possibly nap some samples.

    Sado
  13. #13 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Bowood By Niche

    Bowood By Niche Takeaway. Fancy Pancakes Come With A Fancy Price. 9.9 / 10 pancakes may be the best pancakes I've ever had. With a slight Irish soda bread flare to them, they do their best to deliver on the $19 price tag. The Standard Breakfast combo goes for $15, but includes bacon. 7.8 / 10 breakfast score. The best eggs I've had in St. Louis.

    One of the best breakfast places in St. Louis. Based purely on taste, it's a 4.9 / 5 restaurant. However, considering everything is at least 50% overpriced, it's more than 4.75 / 5. So, it goes from the top 1% to the top 5% for me.

    Really, really different vibe. No working-class clientele, all fancy sundresses. The main eating area is in a plant center, which is very cool in person. They also have a beautiful patio garden for eating outside. The server and service were fantastic. Parking on the street.

    Bowood By Niche
  14. #14 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Lona's Lil Eats

    Lona's Lil Eats Takeaway. Big Thai and Chinese flavors come from these lil eats. Out of nowhere, for me, at least, delicious spicy tofu wrap. One of my favorite meals in St. Louis 8.7 / 10 is the combo of spicy tofu wrap and a side of spicy eggplant. We came before a concert at Chaifetz Arena on somewhat whim, and it totally blew us away. The spicy cucumber side was too spicy even for me, but everything else was a perfect 3 out of 5 on the spice scale. The only nitpick is the clear rice wrap can be overly chewy.

    And what a fabulous deal. At only $11.25 for the spicy tofu wrap, Lona's is among the best flavor for your buck in all of St. Louis and one of my favorite Asian restaurants.

    Like several over Asian restaurants in the area, it's counter service. You order and get a ticket for your food. However, we ordered ahead online and the food was ready right on time. You get to cut the line and pick up your mobile order from a special counter. At 6 pm on a Tuesday, the line was ten people deep. You have to find street parking in Fox Park.

    After telling several friends about this great place called Lona's, they all responded the same way - duh. Apparently, I should have been coming here for years.

    Lona's Lil Eats
  15. #15 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Carl's Deli

    Carl's Deli Takeaway. My go-to in St. Louis when I have a pastrami hankering. Overloaded sandwich with at least half a pound of meat. 9.3 / 10 pastrami sandwich. 9.6 oz of meat is a behemoth. Not quite NYC quality, but close. Solid rye, mustard, and pickle. $11.95 for a sandwich pre-tax. Service is slow, so expect 2-3 minutes per person in line. Bagels for $1, but not fresh. Parking is a three-minute walk for free or closer with change. Tip: Bring cash to save 3%.

    Update: Went back today, and it was as delicious as ever. The weight varies per sandwich maker, but it should be at least half a pound. Super friendly service.

    Carl's Deli
  16. #16 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Soup Dumplings STL

    Soup Dumplings STL Takeaway. Savory Soup Dumplings Steal The Show. The pork dumplings top my charts for single-dish Asian food in St. Louis. The accompanying vinegar and chili sauce complete the experience. Six dumplings ($9-12.75) aren't enough, and 12 are too many, so bring a friend and split 18. My preference is pork dumplings >> chicken > beef.

    Some notes. Chopstick only. I've never asked for a fork, but they might have some. The chili sauce on the table is A++. And try it with the recommended vinegar. I highly recommend putting your bowl under the eating operation to not let any soup get away.

    Service takes a minute as they only have one register. The dumplings are also handcrafted in the back, so they take another bit to cook. Give yourself 20 minutes to get food from the time you step in during lunchtime. There is plenty of parking. Solid hours for St. Louis.

    Soup Dumplings STL
  17. #17 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Original Pancake House Ladue

    Original Pancake House Takeaway. Chart Topping Pancakes And Bacon. One of the best pancakes you'll have, or possibly the worst. The 9.3 / 10 pancakes have a unique fermented potato flavor you'll either love or hate. I love it. Paired with some of the best bacon you'll find, it's worth the price of admission.

    And the price of admission isn't cheap. The $13.50 Dutch Baby pancake I had will get you two meals at other breakfast establishments. Throw in the bacon and a cup of coffee, and your order is pushing $20.

    Super fast and friendly service. They're old pros at serving a ton of people as quickly as possible. Expect a wait on the weekends. Parking is available in the dedicated strip mall lot.

    Original Pancake House Ladue
  18. #18 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    LeGrand's Market & Catering

    LeGrand's Market & Catering Takeaway. LeGrand's Legend Club is layers of legreat. A beautiful beast of a sandwich. 8.8/10 sandwich. More meats than I can remember. The antithesis of vegan. Meat on meat on cheese on cheese. Most affordable sandwich yet at $11.16 after tax and tip. Friendly and quick service. It weighed 11.4 oz with 7.6 oz of meat. Compact but delicious.

    Another sandwich that will make you happy inside. One of the best sandwiches in St. Louis, with a fierce following. Reddit recommended.

    A dozen tables of sitting. Attached grocery. Dedicated parking lot was empty at 11 a.m. Call ahead about twenty minutes to pick up.

    LeGrand's Market & Catering
  19. #19 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    The Lobby Lounge

    The Lobby Lounge - Ritz Carlton Clayton Sushi Takeaway. Surprisingly stellar hotel lobby sushi. An 8.8/10 on my sushi scale was St. Louis pricey at $22 for a gourmet spicy tuna roll. The sushi melts in your mouth, which is a different sushi experience. The fries were standard hotel fair, and my wife's rainbow roll goes head to head with others in the area.

    The best part of eating sushi in the Ritz Lobby is people-watching. Get there early on the weekends before it fills up to see all kinds of people. Service was spotty, as the server seemed overworked, but it didn't detract from the evening. Valet parking is available at the front, or street parking is three to five minutes away for plebes like me.

    The Lobby Lounge
  20. #20 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    El Burro Loco

    El Burro Loco Takeaway. I'm loco for El Burro Loco. My new favorite Mexican restaurant in St. Louis. Best fajitas I've ever had. Top-of-the-line rice and beans. 8.4/10 unlimited chips. Above-average complimentary salsa. Amazing atmosphere and decorations. Good service. Gross bathrooms. The most expensive Mexican food I've had because it's in the Central West End. $21.25 for fajitas compared to $12-13 elsewhere in STL. Still great for families. Parking on the street. They have a second location downtown.

    El Burro Loco
  21. #21 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Parker's Table

    Parker's Table Takeaway. The Adult Sandwich Store. Surprisingly delicious salami sandwich cracked the top five best in St. Louis for me at 8.5/10. Small sandwich, but comes with chips and a drink. $13 for a 9 oz sandwich with 4.8 oz of meat, chips, and drink. The smoked brisket sandwich bite I stole from my father-in-law was also heavenly. Salad wasn't what I had imagined for $11.

    Loved the vibes. For being a wine, cheese, and fancy meat shop, it is incredibly unpretentious. The average age in the store with me in it was easily 55+, and I'm 36. Amazing seating area with museum-worthy art, at least IMO.

    Sandwiches are from 11 am - 2 pm. Service was a bit slow, taking over 20 minutes to get us our sandwiches, being third in line. Unfortunately, parking cost $.50 on the meter, and I didn't see a way to avoid it. From the vibes to the sandwich, just a surprisingly delicious experience from start to finish.

    Update: Went back with friends today. Time-to-sandwich was considerably improved to under 5 minutes. Also found free parking a block away, but you have to be careful not end up in a lot that will get you towed.

    Parker's Table
  22. #22 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Tai Ke

    Tai Ke Takeaway. Delicious Taiwanese food at an affordable price. Everything up and down their menu is fantastic. 8.5 / 10 Asian food for me. I love the eggplant, bok choy, chili stir-fry chicken, beef noodles, pork belly bao, and braised pork rice. An entree still goes for under $15, which is a steal. My kids love the Taiwanese popcorn chicken. In fact, two 9 year olds who swore they didn't eat Asian food cleared their plates.

    One of the best Asian restaurants in St. Louis. It was my "last meal" before the Pandemic - I went at lunch the day my office closed because I knew it would be the last time I would get to eat out for over a year.

    I order online all the time, and it's always ready in under twenty minutes. The food tastes better hot in the restaurant, but it travels well. There isn't a ton of seating, so it can get packed at busy times of the week. Plenty of parking in Olivette's biggest strip mall.

    Tai Ke
  23. #23 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Fire Chicken

    Fire Chicken Takeaway. Affordable, Spicy, Delicious Chicken On Page. I've been a "long-time" customer as we started "coming" here during the pandemic when they first opened. My favorite Fire Chicken is Spice Level 3, which pushes me to my enjoyable limit. $14.00 for a serving, it's a solid 8.4 / 10 experience. My sons like the teriyaki, and I've also enjoyed their bulgogi.

    We ordered the ramen during the pandemic but haven't had it in four years. It was delicious, but they never got our order right back then. No such problems anymore.

    Not a sit-down restaurant. You can order online from any of five different sites. Plenty of parking if you go to pick it up, or they can deliver it.

    Fire Chicken
  24. #24 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Bagel Union

    Bagel Union Takeaway. The best bagels west of New Jersey I've ever had. Perfect texture and flavor. $2 per bagel or $10 for six makes them expensive for bagels. Very small bagels relative to NJ and NY. $1 "yesterday-gels" are great for freezing. No traditional deli meats, instead lox and turkey sandwiches - both start over $10, again expensive. I drive 15 minutes both ways every Sat or Sun with my son because these bagels are that good. A line out the door means a 20-30-minute wait.

    Bagel Union
  25. #25 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    The Lab

    The Lab Takeaway. Best humus in St. Louis. Known for their family-style spreads. Try the meat logs, smooshed potatoes, and upside-down rice. Atmosphere can be hectic, but it is good for families. Only costs a six-pack. Parking is easy in front or side streets. Tip: Put everything you can on a pita - hummus, tzatziki, or baba ganoush. Invite Only.

    The Lab
  26. #26 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Sides Of Seoul

    Sides Of Seoul Takeaway. Sides of Seoul makes my soul happy with quality Korean food. 8.2 / 10 on my Asian food scale makes it one of my favorite Asian places in St. Louis. I normally go with the delicious bibim-bop, but I audibled today into the spicy pork bowl-bop. Both hit the spot for $12.99 and $10.99, respectively, making both a heck of a deal. Also a big fan of their kimchi, seaweed salad, and bulgogi. Just all-around great Korean food for the money.

    You can only takeout at S.o.S. At maybe 20' by 20' inside, they don't have an option for eating in the restaurant. I always call in my order, and they always give me a 10-minute quote. In the 10+ times I've been here over the last three years, they've never been late. The same, super friendly woman mans the front desk each time. Parking is easy in a dedicated lot with dedicated spots.

    Sides Of Seoul
  27. #27 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    The Foundry Bakery

    The Foundry Bakery Takeaway. Taro Bun, Pasteis De Nata, and Berry Trio Walnut Loaf Oh My! The trifecta. Taro Bun is a 9.1/10. Get the taro Bun stuffed full of filling. The Pasteis De Nata custard flows. The sourdough breads are top-notch. All were sweet in the right places, with complimenting flavors spread throughout.

    Delicious. One of the best bakeries in St. Louis.

    I met one of the owners, Ray. He has a real passion for the product. You serve yourself individually wrapped pastries. I was lucky enough to get the Pasteis De Nata (Egg custard tart) fresh out of the oven. I'm not a drink guy, so I didn't try the milks and teas.

    It's a total hole in the wall. Even with Google Maps directing me, I missed it. They don't open til 11 am, so it is not quite a breakfast place, more desserts and coffees. Parking lot out front.

    The Foundry Bakery
  28. #28 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Southwest Diner

    Southwest Diner Takeaway. Breakfast burritos and potatoes for a blissful breakfast. An 8.1 / 10 Standard Breakfast of eggs, toast, and potatoes. The potatoes carry the day. $7 for the combo. Small but flavorful breakfast burrito. So-so coffee. Has a Tex-Mex flair to the vibes and flavors.

    One of the best breakfasts in St. Louis. Order anything with potatoes.

    Standard, friendly service. Affordable prices relative to other St. Louis breakfast spots. Street parking. Patio is available for warmer days.

    Southwest Diner
  29. #29 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Knead Bakehouse + Provisions

    Knead Bakehouse + Provisions Takeaway. Knead's beautifully baked bread and brilliant pastries cost a pretty penny. Overall, I'd give it an 8.4 / 10 as a bakery with the highlight being the bread. It could have been an 8.9 / 10, but the prices seem very high for StL. $8 for a kouign amann was over the top, but $9 for a sourdough loaf is also more expensive than $8 at other bread shops. The quality is undeniable, but the cost keeps it from being an everyday occurrence.

    The atmosphere is airy, open, and modern, featuring an impressive open kitchen and a sourdough display. They have seating both indoors and out, operating on a get a number after you order system. Our food was ready in under 10 minutes on a Saturday morning. Parking in a dedicated lot.

    Knead Bakehouse + Provisions
  30. #30 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Nomad STL

    Nomad Takeaway. A unique smoked pastrami experience. In-house smoked pastrami is amazing. 8.3/10 sandwich could easily push past 8.5 if you like the smokiness. $14 for a sandwich is $17.57 after tax and tip. Amazing atmosphere. It's an adventure from the minute you walk in to when you take your seat. You follow Alice down the rabbit hole from room to room until you hit the patio Wonderland. I loved it. Plenty of street parking. Dogtown seems like the place to be. One of the best sandwiches in St. Louis. Their listed weight didn't match my scale...

    Nomad STL
  31. #31 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Songbird

    Songbird Takeaway. Your taste buds will sing a song to Sonbird, but your wallet will fall out of the nest. An 8.2 / 10 taste bacon breakfast sandwich costs $13 base, nets out to over $15 with tax and tip. The secret ingredient that'll immediately hit your taste buds is the honey. Trying it at home, they only need to add a little to make a big impact on the taste. All the ingredients, from the bread to the cheese, are top-notch, but a price point of around $8 would make much more sense to me.

    The atmosphere is bright and hip. Light colors cover the walls, and giant windows allow ample light. Everything about Songbird sings, from the paintings on the outside to the pep in the servers. I ordered online, and the food was ready when I got there on a Monday morning. I imagine you would expect to wait for a busy brunch day. Finding parking might also be a challenge. I couldn't really find a spot even with no crowd because street parking requires a permit. Note: you have to go around the east side of the building to

    Songbird
  32. #32 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Nudo

    Nudo House Takeaway. Ramen when you want it. 8.1 / 10 ramen that totally hits the spot. The egg melts in your mouth as the spicy saltiness of the broth coats your lips. The pork adds a deeper, meaty flavor as you take in the relish and sprouts. Just a rocking good ramen.

    But, it's more expensive than making it at home, at $17 all-in for lunch. I have higher standards for ramen because you can make particularly good ramen at home for $3, assuming you've collected the necessary ingredients. Nudo is better than my homemade concoction.

    Service isn't speedy. I was the first one in the restaurant on a Tuesday at 11 am, but it took them 15 minutes to bring me the steaming hot bowl of ramen. The restaurant has trendy vibes without being hip. You order at the front, and they bring you your food. Parking is ample at this location and the one on Delmar in the Loop.

    Nudo
  33. #33 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Milano Kabob

    Milano Kabob Takeaway. Falafel donuts are hole-y delicious. My favorite falafel in St. Louis. A new spot in the Loop where Al-Tarboush used to be located. 8.2 / 10 overall, led by 8.6 / 10 falafel and 9.0 / 10 garlic sauce. The falafel has a unique donut shape and I could quite literally drink the garlic sauce. The fatoush, sides, fries, and chicken tenders rate out at average restaurant quality of 7/10. I didn't get a kebob…

    Milano's service was friendly. My sons and I were the only ones there on a Friday night, so we chatted with the owner. Although they have been in the restaurant business for a while, this is their first time in this location. They did a great job of renovating the frontage and space to bring it up to modern times. There's only a handful of seating in the restaurant, so expect more grab-and-go. Parking is available in the usual places on Delmar.

    Milano Kabob
  34. #34 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Vivola Express

    Vivola Express Takeaway. Fantastic local sandwich shop with top-quality meats, cheeses, and breads. The classic Italian sandwich was a 8.1/10 for $14. Expect a line of 20-30 minutes by 11:30 AM. I have no idea how Subway stays in business next door.

    Vivola Express
  35. #35 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Pie Guy Pizza

    Pie Guy Pizza Takeaway. Pie Guy are my guys for pizza. 8.2 / 10 pizza is great for a Friday night with friends. Standard plain pizza with above-average sauce, cheese, crust, and crunch. $20 for an 18" pie that weighs 34.4 oz is very reasonably priced for St. Louis. Give them thirty minutes to an hour on Friday or Saturday night. Friendly service and great vibes with pizza murals. Parking can be hard on Manchester, so you might need to drive around. Not a great place to hop out to pick up the pizza.

    Pie Guy Pizza
  36. #36 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Pizzeria Da Gloria

    Pizzeria Da Gloria Takeaway. A Shining Example Of Wood-Fired Pizza On The Hill. I'm not a wood-fired pizza guy, but this is my favorite in St. Louis so far. Comes in at a very respectable 8.1 / 10 pizza score. The top-notch sauce carries the pizza. A little too many cheeses for me. Very good crunchy crust. The undercarriage isn't crispy enough because it's wood-fired. The pizza is the most expensive I've measured in St. Louis thus far, coming in at $1.09 per oz.

    One of my top five best pizzas in St. Louis.

    Service was standard the one time we ate inside about two years ago. I ordered online this weekend, and it was ready on schedule. Street parking in The Hill can be tricky at prime time, but I found a spot on the side street for pickup at 5:30 pm.

    Pizzeria Da Gloria
  37. #37 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Top Sushi

    Top Sushi Takeaway. Great for Saturday night sushi at home. 7.1/10 sushi is among the best I've had in St. Louis. Our go-to takeout sushi. Well priced, but not cheap, like all sushi. Great yaki udon chicken rivals coastal restaurants. Gyoza and miso soup hold their own. The restaurant is small, clean, and good for kids. We also went here for a quick date night. TV in the corner and a sushi bar when you walk in. Parking is super simple in the strip mall. Tip: Order extra pickled ginger if you get three or four rolls. Directly across the parking lot from Vivola Express.

    Top Sushi
  38. #38 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    World's Fair Donuts

    World's Fair Donuts Takeaway. Not the best donuts in the world, but they are close. Delicious cake and sugar donuts. My favorite donuts so far in St. Louis are 8.1/10 on the cake-based donuts. I have not had a glazed or apple crawler because they were out when we went. The pudding donut counts as three, and my sons split it. $2.25 for a donut is on the expensive side, as many around here go for $1.15.

    A great place to stop if you're going to the Missouri Botanical Gardens. You should stop before the gardens in the morning and not after. They will be partially sold out if you go around 10-11 am like we did. They don't accept credit, but they have Venmo and CashAPP. Service was friendly when we went. We parked in the small dedicated lot in front. It's on a triangle of roads, so getting out can be a little dicey.

    World's Fair Donuts
  39. #39 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Grassi's Ristorante & Deli

    Grassi's Ristorante and Deli. Grab Grassi's when you want to gorge on great chicken parma. A 7.9 / 10 sandwich for $10.69, this local institution delivers classic St. Louis hospitality in a family-friendly setting. Sandwiches come with a side salad drenched in dressing. Try the toasted ravioli. Get ready for parmesan cheese on top of parmesan cheese.

    You'll find Grassi's in a hole-in-the-wall building off of Lindbergh in Frontenac. Took them ten minutes from ordering to the table. I didn't expect the lunch line format with signature trays. You order from the sandwich man before moving down the line to pay. They said you can expect a longer wait during the lunch rush, but I had no one in front of me. Parking right outside in a dedicated lot.

    Grassi's Ristorante & Deli
  40. #40 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Taco Buddha

    Taco Buddha Takeaway. I'd Rub This Taco Buddha's Belly Any Day. Fun, fresh, family atmosphere with mostly outdoor seating. 7.9 / 10 Mexican food overall. My favorite chips in the area with a score of 8.6 / 10. Unfortunately, the chips cost extra 🙁 at $4.25 and $11.25(!!) with guac. My kids and friends love the tacos, but I'm not a taco guy, so I go with the Baja salad with chicken for $13.50. All in all, $71 for lunch isn't cheap and lowers my overall rating for the Buddha.

    The atmosphere at Taco Buddha is hip and trendy. The kind of place where the chairs don't have backs, the tables have QR codes instead of waitresses, and it feels like you're eating family-style. They have a pretty extensive drink menu, but I mostly come with family or friends at lunchtime. Parking is easy on Pershing, and it's never more than a 3-minute walk. They have dedicated parking spots for curbside pickup.

    Taco Buddha
  41. #41 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Dewey's Pizza

    Dewey's Pizza Takeaway. Delightful Pizza and Salad. Dewey's is my sleeper hit. For $18, you get a solid 17" cheese pizza that comes in at 7.9 / 10 on my pizza scale. Top-notch sauce combines with a solid undercarriage and cheese. The middle-of-the-road crust holds it back from higher scores.

    We always pair a pizza with a salad. We go with the house as our standard salad, but today, they had a seasonal harvest salad. They did a fantastic job of matching flavors. A+.

    Dewey's is super family-friendly. They bring the food to the car curbside, which makes it go great. If you eat in, it's spacious and loud, which means no one can hear your kids. Parking is in a dedicated lot.

    Dewey's Pizza
  42. #42 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    The BAO

    The BAO Takeaway. The BAO is a great lunch spot, and I have to go back for dinner. The BAO bun combo is delicious and at a solid price point. Parking is easy. Shoestring fries are an 8.5/10. Atmosphere was fun and hip, and the waiter was super helpful.

    The BAO
  43. #43 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Dr. Office Pizza

    Dr. Office Pizza Takeaway. Slinging Pizzas After Surgery. 7.0 / 10 cheese pizza hits the Flood Line. A 12" pizza weighs about 10 oz. Specialty honey garlic scallion pushes 8.0 / 10. Great value as they trade Dr. Brown's soda for pizza.

    Appointment only. Very homey feel. The head chef has an excellent kitchen-side manner and talks to you the whole time. Between him throwing pizzas in the air and chatting you up, it's basically Hibachi pizza. Games are available in the sitting area after dinner. Parking is available in a dedicated lot or on the street.

    Dr. Office Pizza
  44. #44 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Pizza-A-Go-Go

    Pizza-A-Go-Go Takeaway. Wake me up before you go go grab a pizza at Pizza-A-Go-Go. A down-to-earth pizza joint in the Lindenwood Park Neighborhood. Surprisingly, solid pizza earns it a top-five ranking in St. Louis with an 8.0 / 10 pizza score. Deliciously crunchy crust with the appropriate ratio of cheese to sauce. You could taste a hint of oregano in each bite. However, there was a bit too much grease, and the crust lacked the fluffy chew you'd find in some of the better pizzas. At $13.50 for a 15", it's one of the more affordable items in St. Louis.

    A throwback to an older time, Pizza-A-Go-Go sticks to its roots and offers a cash-only menu from a true pizza place. From an unassuming brick building, the half-dozen tables look directly into the pizza kitchen, where the team seemed appropriately busy for a Friday night. You have to call in an order because there's no online ordering form. You'll find parking in the dedicated lot or on any side street nearby.

    Pizza-A-Go-Go
  45. #45 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Gioia's Deli

    Gioia's Deli Takeaway. A meaty marvel. 7.8/10 sandwich. Eating this sandwich is a joyous experience. 24oz total with 8oz of meat is one of the biggest sandwiches in St. Louis. $14.36 with tax and tip. Order ahead online to avoid a wait. Expect 1 minute per person in line and then another six for the sandwich to be made. Seating inside and outside. Fun Italian deli experience and decorations. Can be incredibly busy. Parking is simple in a dedicated lot or on the street, depending on the location. There's no L in the name despite what my brain says.

    Gioia's Deli
  46. #46 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Vito's Sicilian Pizzeria & Ristorante

    Vito's Sicilian Pizzeria & Ristorante Takeaway. All your pizza needs near SLU and the Fox. Margarita pizza came in at a 7.6 / 10 pizza score. Absolutely perfectly cooked with a crunchy undercarriage throughout. Fresh basil and tomatoes carried the pizza, while cheese and sauce were menzamenz. Overall, it was an extremely solid pizza for anyone on SLU's campus or going to the Fox Theatre.

    I ordered my pizza ahead of time via the website. It was ready ten minutes early and piping hot. Based on initial times in the app, I got the impression that you should order at least 30 minutes ahead of time.

    Fantastic hours. Vito's is only the second pizza place I've found open at lunchtime during the week in St. Louis. Open 7 days a week.

    Parking in a small dedicated lot on the west side of the building. Also plenty of street parking.

    Vito's Sicilian Pizzeria & Ristorante
  47. #47 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Pastaria Deli & Wine

    Pastaria Deli & Wine Takeawawy. Pastaria Deli & Wine offers premium ingredient sandwiches. I've been here twice now and enjoyed the prosciutto sandwich (7.9/10) more than the Che Figita (7.2/10) I got this time. Overall, let's split the difference at 7.4 / 10, mostly due to the price.

    Built on the foundation of Union Loafer's bread, it

    The price point is definitely on the higher side, expect to pay around $21 for a sandwich, including tip and parking. It's a good option if you work nearby in Clayton and don't mind the premium cost for a refined lunch.

    Pastaria Deli & Wine
  48. #48 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Olivette Diner

    Olivette Diner Takeaway. My favorite blue-collar diner in St. Louis. 7 / 10 Standard Breakfast of eggs, potatoes, and toast. 7 / 10 pancakes. 5 / 10 coffee with free refills and free-to-go cups. Bacon is above average. My kids love the kids' combo. Breakfast sausage is among the best I've ever had. And even the pies rock.

    Growing up in New Jersey, diners hold a special place in my heart. The Olivette Diner has a personal touch and booths that bring me back to being a kid. Friendly, fast service from everyone. It's the best, cheapest diner food you'll find in St. Louis.

    The first restaurant I went to after I moved into my house. Told them at 7 am that day, I'd be a regular. Now, I'm on a first-name basis with Melinda, the owner.

    My biggest complaint? They aren't open for dinner. Pro tip: It's cash only. Bring cash, or you'll need to hit up the ATM in the back.

    Olivette Diner
  49. #49 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    U-City Grill

    U-City Grill Takeaway. Affordable, no frills, no thrills, delicious Korean food. The go-to lunch spot for my buddies and me in U-City. 7.5 / 10 bibimbob and bokumbob. The "most expensive" item on the menu is $8.95. My favorites are only $6.95. Great flavors in in the meats and sauces. I can't ask for more for the price point.

    One of my favorite Asian restaurants in St. Louis.

    No real external signage. It's a hole in the wall on the westernmost side of the Delmar Loop. It's cash only, so bring a ten. Limited to maybe 10 counter seats in the entire restaurant. The owner cooks right in front of you while you eat. The seats get really uncomfortable after an hour. Free, infinite parking right outside the entrance.

    U-City Grill
  50. #50 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Sugarfire Smoke House

    Sugarfire Smoke House Takeaway. Sugarfire's supposed supremacy in St. Louis barbecue proved somewhat speculative during my recent visit. Many people love Sugarfie, but know I'm more of a Salt + Smoke guy. I give the overall food grade a 7.9 / 10.

    With that caveat, I got the pulled pork, a personal benchmark for BBQ, and it didn't measure up to the cross-town revival in my book. It lacked the smokiness and butteriness I've come to expect. The bright spots for me were the outstandingly creamy mac & cheese and my son's cheeseburger that overshadowed the main barbecue event.

    Service was swift with a fun presentation of parchment on a tray, but she double-charged us for a couple of items and wouldn't credit it back. Parking in a dedicated lot.

    Sugarfire Smoke House
  51. #51 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Donut Drive Up

    Donut Drive Up Takeaway. Donut Drive Up offers solidly above-average donuts. I'd say the star of their small show is the apple fritter and light, fluffy glazed donut. I give them a 7.2 / 10, as I have still not been blown away by donuts better than Schnucks in a while.

    The operation can be a bit "janky" as they got my four-donut order wrong, didn't have one in stock at 10:30 am (fine), and are basically a donut stand in a parking lot (which is also fine). That said, your kids will like them if you make a stop after a visit to Brentwood Park, like we did. As you might expect, Donut Drive Up is the brother of Donut Drive In.

    Donut Drive Up
  52. #52 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Wonton King

    Wonton King Takeaway. You'll never want for more at Wonton King. It was the first Chinese restaurant we visited in St. Louis five years ago. A solid 7.2 / 10 for what I would call "American" style Chinese food. With good chicken in garlic sauce, fried rice, hot and sour soup, and moo-shoo pork ($17.95), it would be the go-to in any medium-sized town in the country. Prices have continued to rise like all the other restaurants on Olive, but the portion sizes still provide enough for two meals.

    Picture a Chinese food restaurant in your head. Ok, got it? That's Wonton King. Fish tank in the front, Chinese decorations all over, and a TV going in the corner. It's the quintessential Chinese restaurant atmosphere. The service is fast and friendly. Our food is always ready when we go to pick it up. And the owner is always ready with a joke or story. She's a talker, so be ready. Parking is really easy right outside in a big, dedicated parking lot.

    Wonton King
  53. #53 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Kingside Diner

    Kingside Diner Takeaway. A high-stakes breakfast that's more straight than flush. The Standard Breakfast earns a respectable 7.8 / 10 on taste but is quite pricey. $13 for eggs, toast, and hashbrowns because it's in the Central West End. The hashbrown anchored the plate. I got a side of bacon, which was top-notch. The pancakes disappointed, earning a 4.5 / 10 pancake score.

    One of the better breakfasts in St. Louis.

    Service was speedy at 11 am on a Wednesday. It's much busier at peak times on weekends, so expect a bit of a wait for a table then. The entire diner has a playing card theme, from the logo at the front to the king and queen on the bathroom door labels. Metered street parking. I could have avoided paying for parking if I wanted to park five blocks away.

    Kingside Diner
  54. #54 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Gokul Indian Restaurant

    Gokul Indian Restaurant Takeaway. Above-average, vegetarian Indian food. Samosas steal the show. Paneer Tikka Masala replaces meat with paneer and has top-notch flavor. Pickup and delivery only. They won't let you inside the restaurant. You call to pick up from the front. Parking is easy on the side street or in the dedicated lot. Located on the far east side of the Delmar Loop. Horrid customer service. Tip: Check your order before you go home!! They will leave out an entree and not reimburse you! Edti: After sending them this review, I got the $16.83 back and an apology.

    Gokul Indian Restaurant
  55. #55 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    DD Mau Vietnamese Eatery

    DD Mau Vietnamese Eatery Takeaway. Hole in The Wall For Pho, Bahn Mi, and Vietnamese tacos. Solidly priced for $13-16 depending on your protein and format for food. From rice bowls to tacos to soup, you can get your Vietnamese in whatever form you prefer. I'd give the Pho a solid 7 / 10 on my general Asian food scale. The pho is yummy and generous but not breathtakingly delicious. You could put something together at home with shopping, effort, and the right ingredients.

    DD Mau offers counter service and takeout. After ordering, they give you a number, and you can pick a seat. They bring the food out ten minutes later. Super friendly as we took the time to read through the menu. They have a soda and condiment bar next to the counter. The line got seriously longer after we got in, so around 6:30 pm on a Saturday. But even then, it was only a 15-20 minute wait for food. Giant dedicated parking lot.

    DD Mau Vietnamese Eatery
  56. #56 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Chilispot

    Chilispot Takeaway. The Opposite Of Chilly. Spicy Szechuan food that's great, but not the best in town. Mapo Tofu stars as a supple spicy surprise. You'll find plenty of social posts featuring the Spicy Popcorn Chicken that hits a 4+ on the spice meter. Huge portions of at least 16 oz for $15-20.

    Food is always better in the restaurant when it's hot, fresh, and plated, but take-out still tastes good.

    Wait times for pickup are in the twenty-minute range, fast for this neck of the woods. Parking is super easy in a giant lot. Part of the "Chinese Dive Bars" on Olive, the inside has a much more up-to-date vibe than the outside.

    Chilispot
  57. #57 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Wei Hong Bakery

    Wei Hong Bakery Takeaway. Fun with sweet, sweet buns. I accidentally just ate 6 or 7 in two days. Delicious taro moon cake. Drove past the entrance the first time. Super hole-in-the-wall location on Olive Blvd. $1.85 per bun, $4-5 for moon cake. Kind of like a Chinese donut. Savory buns also available. Very much adjacent to the seafood shop. Tip: Semi-strange hours, so check before you go. Look for the bigger, yellow seafood shop of the same name.

    Wei Hong Bakery
  58. #58 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Pizza Champ

    Pizza Champ Takeaway. Championship-level crust doesn't have the depth of the sauce and cheese to make it to the playoffs. An overall 7.4 / 10 pizza score carried by one of the best crust and undercarriage combos you'll find in St. Louis. Cheese and Sauce didn't want to join the party on this visit. At $20 for an 18" pizza weighing 32 oz, the $0.63/oz scores right in the middle of the St. Louis Range.

    Housed in a converted fast-food restaurant, Pizza Champ offers fast and friendly service. I didn't utilize the drive-through lane, but if you order online ahead of time, you can. They don't have a phone number or wait staff, so expect to use the QR menu or order online. The team at the window was super helpful and friendly. The outdoor seating is hip and modern with fans in the summer and heaters in the winter. A dedicated parking lot makes parking a breeze.

    Pizza Champ
  59. #59 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Taqueria Durango

    Taqueria Durango Takeaway. Taqueria Durango is the quintessential hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant. Great for families. Free, unlimited chips with 3 salsas. Everyone can eat for under $10--big portions. Easy parking. Usually packed, so service isn't the fastest. Two words: Ahogada Torta. Tip: Wait for water before you taste the salsa.

    Taqueria Durango
  60. #60 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    First Watch

    First Watch Takeaway. The Breakfast Comparison. 6.5 / 10 standard breakfast. 7 / 10 pancakes. Expensive. Fancy IHOP.

    Crunchy corporate feeling, but always quick, clean, and friendly service. Can have massive wait times at busy points in the week. Check before you head over.

    Now open in University City. Parking is normally straightforward at every location with dedicated lots. They are all over St. Louis, from the Central West End to St. Charles and everywhere in between.

    First Watch
  61. #61 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Katie's Pizza and Pasta

    Katie's Pizza And Pasta Takeaway. Family-friendly pizza and pasta. 7.1/10 pizza with good flavor, but could use a crispier crust. $18+ for a personal pizza is expensive. Gave kids pizza dough to play with. Movies on in the background. Fun, festive feel. Parking is easy in a dedicated lot. Service was slow to start but picked up.

    Katie's Pizza and Pasta
  62. #62 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Peel Wood Fired Pizza

    Peel Wood Fired Pizza Takeaway. Pizza that will always have a place for you. 7 / 10 Margherita pizza. Very good, crunchy crust with excellent mozzarella balls. Sauce is a bit liquidity and sweet. Expensive and small, I could eat a whole pizza myself. My friends liked the crazy garlic chicken and mushroom pizza more than I ever would. Those didn't have sauce, and the chicken was dry, but the crust was still strong. $16-19 for a pizza, depending on specialty.

    Everyone but me had a beer, mocktail, or cocktail. The salads are huge. We had four pizzas, two salads, and two apps for eight adults. ~$40/person after tax and tip.

    I called ten places on Thursday, and Peel was the only one with space for a table of eight at 7 pm. It's a huge restaurant. Service was slow, but we were not in a rush. Parking is a pain in the butt.

    Peel Wood Fired Pizza
  63. #63 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Blueberry Hill

    Blueberry Hill Takeaway. Beers Without Babes After Bedtime. A long-time bar on the Delmar Loop in University City. Cheap beer ($5-6) and bar food that's open late seven days a week. Fries were a disappointing 3.6/10 on the fry scale. The Buffalo Fries came in at 6.2 / 10 for me. My buddies liked the popcorn shrimp. I liked the honey mustard sauce it came with.

    It's a college bar. It's huge, well-lit, not loud, and doesn't smell. Great for a couple of dads to grab some beer after bedtime. Friendly, standard service. Open a tab at the beginning of the night, and they will keep track of everything. Darts and billiards are available upon request.

    Service is standard. Vibes are vintage. All the tables and chairs are wood. I always park across the street behind Delmar in the big free lots. It's a three-minute walk away.

    Blueberry Hill
  64. #64 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Donut Drive In

    Donut Drive In Takeaway. Drive up for donuts at midnight when the feeling is just right. 7.0 / 10 donuts. Better than Dunkin Donuts by a mile. The deep-fried fritter oozes with oil. The dense cinnamon swirl goes light on the cinnamon. Fluffy vanilla with sprinkles hits the spot.

    I liked the vanilla frosted style more than the deeper fried variants.

    They are open super late, except Monday when they are closed. The service is fun and fast. It feels like an old-fashioned mini donut bakery. Parking is in a small lot. Pre-order online the day before to skip the wait.

    Donut Drive In
  65. #65 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Seoul Taco

    Seoul Taco Takeaway. Solid lunch spot on Delmar. Korean / Mexican fusion. Gogi bowls are my go-to. The spicey gochujang pepper sauce is the meal MVP. $11 /w fried rice. Relatively small portions. Parking is a breeze. Tip: Bring your own fork; they only have plastic, which actually subtracts from the meal.

    Seoul Taco
  66. #66 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Eovaldi's Deli

    Eovaldi's Deli Takeaway. Solid ginormous Italian sandwiches in The Hill. Yelp, Google, and Reddit like it more than I did. 7.2/10 Sicilian Bomber. 6.2/10 Italian. $11.95 for a huge 27.8 oz behemoth with an amazing 13.8 oz of meat. Salami was the best part of both sandwiches. Sauce on the Sicilian smoked it. Roast beef fell relatively flat. Great vibes in a small Italian deli. Totally packed but cozy. Friendly, fast service from the owners. Parking is easy all around the shop.

    Eovaldi's Deli
  67. #67 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Lion's Choice

    Lion's Choice Takeaway. Choose Wisely, Choose Lion's Choice. Surprisingly solid 7.0 / 10 sandwich score. Crosses The Flood Line. Best of the faster food ones, this came out in 22 seconds before the receipt finished printing. $7.89 for 7.7 oz and 5.4 oz of meat. Cheapest in the city by a mile.

    Great choice if you're on the go and need to pick a sandwich up that's considerably better and cheaper than Subway.

    Only sandwich place with a drive-thru so far. Parking in dedicated lots. Reddit recommended.

    Lion's Choice
  68. #68 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Arzolas Fajitas + Margaritas

    Arzolas Fajitas + Margaritas Takeaway. Grown up Mexican food. Definitely not a hole in the wall. Everything had a little kick of spice, which I enjoyed but the rest of the group didn't. 7.6/10 chips were salty, but very tasty. No complimentary salsa. $28.75 for fajitas are crazy expensive. Too expensive for me to go again, but my wife would be down. Easy parking in Benton Park. Very, very attentive staff. They default to 20% tip in a group of six or more, but then ask for more… My buddy gave 7% extra and I gave 0%, so he made us look good in aggregate because we net out to 3.5% 😂

    Arzolas Fajitas + Margaritas
  69. #69 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Dairy Queen

    Dairy Queen Takeaway. The Comparison Ice Cream. A blizzard comes in at 7.0 / 10 ice cream score for me. Worth getting over Ben & Jerry's. Get a small size over a mini, the marginal oz on the additional $.50 is huge. My wife and kids love the vanilla ice cream with sprinkles in a cone. This location didn't have chocolate ice cream. I'm not sure if that is franchise-wide now. We've never had anything besides ice cream.

    Because they have multiple registers inside, you get considerably faster service going inside instead of waiting in the drive-thru. The inside feels kind of dumpy but clean because the ceilings are low, it's poorly lit, cramped, and visually much noisier than McDonald's behind the counter. They packed almost too much seating into the limited space, making it feel cramped.

    Pro Tip: Make sure not to park somewhere the drive-thru will box you in. You can end up getting stuck behind someone for a bit.

    Dairy Queen
  70. #70 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    A'mis Pizza

    A'mis Pizza Takeaway. A'mis wasn't a total miss because of the salad dressing. While it's not great that a pizza review begins with salad dressing, the house dressing should be worn in a wedding. A mix of the best parts of Ceaser and Italian, it would dress up any dish. A 9.6 / 10, I mean just world-class salad dressing.

    The pizza, on the other hand, comes in at "restaurant average." A 7.1 / 10 pizza score, serviceable for a quick slice, but don't go out of your way. On the chewy, doughy side, the lack of crispiness negated any of the appropriate ratios of sauce to cheese. A hearty 15" pie for $15.43 is a good deal in St. Louis.

    The local restaurant has been around for decades. The vibes inside consist of wood chairs, wood paneling, and stained glass windows. A throwback to the old times. Service came in a bit slow for lunch, but we were not in a rush. The server was super friendly. Parking is easy in a dedicated lot.

    A'mis Pizza
  71. #71 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Mom's Deli

    Mom's Deli Takeaway. Thousand Island dressing worthy of showing off to your mom. The Mom's Special earned a 7.1/10 sandwich score. $9.50 for my 9" sandwich weighing 16.9oz. Most sandwiches are $9 and under. The sauce carries the sandwich. Good neighborhood deli with mom and pop feel. Got recs on the gravy but forgot to try it myself. Sandwich maker said it's crazy busy in the summer, but nothing happening on a Wednesday at noon in January. No line, time-to-sandwich was under 5 minutes. Three women manning the bar. Limited seating. Sreet parking down the road should be ample for keeping your walk under three minutes.

    Mom's Deli
  72. #72 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Katsuya STL

    Katsuya STL Takeaway. Fast casual fried bento boxes in da Loop. You have to be in the mood for fried food. Fried pork, chicken, cheese, tofu, or a mix. Solid bento components didn't add up to a unique enough experience to push my ranking higher. The pork katsu and pickled vegetables topped my list for $15.50. The vegetable roll tasted kinda soupy. The spicy tuna wasn't bad, but I'd rather go for sushi elsewhere. Takoyaki (minced octopus balls) was an accidental experience.

    You get a pager after you order at the counter. Took maybe fifteen minutes to get the food from the moment we stepped in the door. Relatively happening on a Sunday at 7 pm. Parking on Delmar or across the street in a lot worked for us.

    Overall, it's worth visiting once to see if you enjoy katsu-style food. If you do, I could see you rating it much higher.

    Katsuya STL
  73. #73 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Sushi Ai

    Sushi AI Takeaway. Aiy, Sushi Ai didn't have any noticeable artificial intelligence, just average sushi. I got a Sapporo Roll of spicy tuna on top of a California Roll. Solid 7.0/10 sushi for $10.49 falls in line with other sushi spots on price. I enjoyed the jalapeno roll and rainbow rolls, too. Edamame, salad, and General Tso's Chicken were forgettable. My buddy got the Crab Rangoon, which came heavy on the cream cheese. Our group of eight paid $23 with tax and tip per person, which seemed very good for the money.

    Service was fast and helpful. We ordered a bit haphazardly as an eight-person group, and she missed a gyoza order and maybe a roll, but we got more than enough food. Standard booth seating for a sushi joint. You can watch them make the sushi from the sushi bar. They were half full at 6:30 pm on a Friday night. We got our food in plenty of time to make the escape room cross the street by 8. Parking in a giant dedicated lot. They have several locations around St. Louis, so make sure to coordinate with friends on the right one.

    Sushi Ai
  74. #74 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Cooper's American Pub and Grill

    Cooper's American Pub & Grill Takeaway. Above average pub fair and atmosphere. Great for bigger groups because they have a ton of seating. Pretzel bites and fries were my favorite. The fries were a 7.8 / 10 and should be part of your order. The pulled pork sandwich won't win awards but was solidly above average. Chicken tenders looked better than they tasted. Tater tots were yummy.

    Big pub atmosphere with darts, arcades, and gambling machines. Big TVs everywhere. Plenty of seating for large groups. Great place to bring the family for a night out with friends.

    Service was standard. Maybe a little slow, but it was a Wednesday afternoon. Parking is easy in a dedicated lot.

    Cooper's American Pub and Grill
  75. #75 Best Restaurant In St. Louis

    Nicky Slices Pizza Club

    Nicky Slices Pizza Club Takeaway. St. Louis's Secret Detroit Style Pizza. Big disclaimer: It was the first time I ever had Detroit-style pizza. I'm a NJ pizza purist. 6.9 / 10 pizza score. We got the OG cheese for $20 base, up to $27 after mandatory tax, tip, and fee.

    Light and fluffy crust with a delicious crunch around the edge. It had an uneven cheese and sauce distribution. Good focaccia, ok pizza. Doesn't cross the Flood Line.

    The only way to find out about Nicky Slice, besides this article, is on Instagram. My buddy told me about it. They open up ordering on Monday night at 6 pm. They usually sell out by Tuesday or Wednesday night. Then they deliver on Thursday or Friday.

    It comes pre-baked. You have to bake it yourself in three days.

    Worth doing once, but probably not again for me.

    Nicky Slices Pizza Club
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