St. Louis, Missouri, often called the Gateway to the West, boasts a rich history and a vibrant culture, and that includes a distinct culinary identity. Beyond the iconic Gateway Arch, the city offers a delectable array of foods that are uniquely St. Louisan, reflecting a blend of Midwestern traditions, German heritage, and a dash of Italian influence. If you’re planning a trip to the Mound City, or simply curious about its edible emblems, prepare your taste buds for a flavorful adventure.
The Beloved St. Louis-Style Pizza
Perhaps the most recognizable dish associated with St. Louis is its distinctive pizza. It’s not your typical New York slice or deep-dish Chicago pie. St. Louis-style pizza has characteristics all its own, starting with the crust.
A Thin, Crispy, and Unsweetened Crust
Forget the chewy, foldable crusts of other regional pizzas. St. Louis-style pizza features an incredibly thin, almost cracker-like crust. This isn’t achieved through specialized dough or techniques, but rather a meticulous process of rolling and baking. The crust is made without yeast, contributing to its signature crispness and lack of sweetness.
Provel Cheese: A St. Louis Original
The cheese is arguably the most defining aspect of St. Louis-style pizza. It’s not mozzarella, it’s Provel. Provel is a processed cheese blend of provolone, Swiss, and white cheddar cheeses. It has a low melting point, giving the pizza a smooth, creamy, and slightly tangy flavor. While some may find Provel controversial, it’s an integral part of the St. Louis pizza experience, lending a unique flavor profile that you won’t find anywhere else. Provel is what truly sets this pizza apart.
The St. Louis Cut: Party Cut or Tavern Cut
Instead of traditional triangular slices, St. Louis-style pizza is typically cut into squares or rectangles, sometimes referred to as a “party cut” or “tavern cut.” This makes it easy to share (or not!) and encourages snacking on small, manageable pieces.
Toasted Ravioli: A Deep-Fried Delight
Another St. Louis culinary icon is toasted ravioli, often called “t-ravs” by locals. These aren’t your traditional boiled ravioli; they’re deep-fried to golden-brown perfection and served with a generous dusting of Parmesan cheese and a side of marinara sauce.
An Accidental Invention?
The exact origins of toasted ravioli are debated, with several restaurants claiming to be the inventors in the Hill neighborhood, St. Louis’s historic Italian district. The most common story involves a chef accidentally dropping ravioli into a fryer. Whether accidental or intentional, the result was a delicious and innovative dish.
From Humble Beginnings to Local Staple
Regardless of its precise beginnings, toasted ravioli quickly gained popularity in St. Louis and became a staple appetizer in Italian restaurants throughout the city. It’s now a must-try dish for any visitor. The crispy exterior and savory filling make it a satisfying and addictive snack.
Variations and Modern Takes
While traditionally filled with meat, you can now find toasted ravioli with various fillings, including cheese, vegetables, and even seafood. Some restaurants also offer different dipping sauces beyond marinara, like creamy pesto or spicy arrabbiata.
Gooey Butter Cake: A Sweet and Sticky Sensation
For those with a sweet tooth, St. Louis offers gooey butter cake, a rich and decadent dessert that’s both comforting and indulgent. It’s a flat, dense cake with a gooey, buttery topping.
Origins in German Baking Traditions
Gooey butter cake is believed to have originated in the 1930s, supposedly another accidental creation. A baker, perhaps improvising with available ingredients, mixed up the proportions of butter and flour, resulting in the now-signature gooey topping. The cake has roots in German baking traditions common in the St. Louis area.
Two Main Types: Original and Cream Cheese
There are generally two main types of gooey butter cake: the original and the cream cheese version. The original version is typically made with a yeast dough base and a buttery, sugary topping. The cream cheese version incorporates cream cheese into the topping, adding a tangy and slightly richer flavor. Both are equally delicious and satisfying. Gooey butter cake represents St. Louis’s ability to transform a mistake into a cherished treat.
A Perfect Pairing with Coffee
Gooey butter cake is often enjoyed warm, making it a perfect accompaniment to a cup of coffee. The sweetness and richness of the cake are balanced by the bitterness of the coffee, creating a harmonious pairing.
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard: A St. Louis Tradition
No culinary tour of St. Louis would be complete without a visit to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. This family-owned institution has been serving up creamy, delicious frozen custard since 1930.
The Concrete: An Upside-Down Delight
Ted Drewes is particularly famous for its “concretes,” which are incredibly thick milkshakes made with frozen custard and various mix-ins. They’re so thick that the employees famously turn them upside down to demonstrate their density, assuring customers that their treat won’t spill.
A Seasonal Staple: Christmas Tree Sales
Beyond the frozen custard, Ted Drewes is also known for selling Christmas trees during the holiday season. This tradition dates back to the 1940s and has become an integral part of the St. Louis Christmas experience. Ted Drewes is more than just a dessert shop; it’s a cultural landmark.
From Simple Flavors to Elaborate Creations
While Ted Drewes offers a variety of flavors and mix-ins, the classic vanilla frozen custard is a must-try. The quality of the ingredients and the meticulous preparation result in a creamy and flavorful treat that’s simply irresistible.
Pork Steaks: A Barbecue Staple
While Kansas City might be more widely known for barbecue, St. Louis has its own unique contribution to the world of grilled meats: pork steaks. These thick cuts of pork shoulder are slow-cooked and slathered in barbecue sauce, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish.
Affordable and Flavorful
Pork steaks were popularized in St. Louis as an affordable and flavorful alternative to more expensive cuts of meat. They’re typically cut from the Boston butt, a relatively inexpensive cut of pork shoulder that’s well-marbled and flavorful. Pork steaks show St. Louisan’s ingenuity in making the most of what they have.
Barbecue Sauce: Sweet and Tangy
St. Louis-style barbecue sauce is typically sweet and tangy, often with a hint of spice. It’s the perfect complement to the rich flavor of the pork steaks.
A Backyard Barbecue Essential
Pork steaks are a staple at backyard barbecues throughout St. Louis. They’re easy to cook, relatively inexpensive, and always a crowd-pleaser.
The Gerber Sandwich: A Simple Yet Satisfying Lunch
The Gerber sandwich is a simple yet satisfying lunch option that’s unique to St. Louis. It consists of ham and Provel cheese on garlic bread, toasted until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
A Local Deli Creation
The Gerber sandwich was created at Ruma’s Deli, a St. Louis institution that has been serving up delicious sandwiches since 1946. The sandwich is named after one of the deli’s regular customers.
The Importance of Provel and Garlic Bread
The key to a good Gerber sandwich is the quality of the ingredients. The Provel cheese should be melted and gooey, and the garlic bread should be flavorful and toasted to perfection. The Gerber sandwich exemplifies the St. Louis approach of taking simple ingredients and elevating them.
A Quick and Easy Lunch Option
The Gerber sandwich is a popular choice for a quick and easy lunch. It’s readily available at delis and restaurants throughout St. Louis.
Beyond the Main Dishes: Other St. Louis Culinary Delights
While the dishes listed above are arguably the most famous, St. Louis offers a wide range of other culinary delights.
The Hill: Italian Heritage
The Hill, St. Louis’s historic Italian neighborhood, is home to numerous restaurants serving up authentic Italian cuisine. From pasta dishes to pizzas to cannoli, the Hill offers a taste of Italy in the heart of St. Louis. The Hill is a vibrant testament to St. Louis’s diverse cultural influences.
Schlafly Beer: A Local Brew
St. Louis is also home to Schlafly Beer, a local craft brewery that produces a variety of beers, from traditional lagers to innovative ales. Schlafly’s beers are a perfect complement to the city’s culinary offerings.
Crown Candy Kitchen: A Sweet Escape
Crown Candy Kitchen is a historic candy store and soda fountain that has been serving up sweet treats since 1913. From homemade chocolates to classic milkshakes, Crown Candy Kitchen offers a nostalgic and delicious experience.
Donut Drive-In: Late Night Cravings
The Donut Drive-In is open late night and the early morning. This long-running establishment is the perfect place to find a late-night snack. St. Louis’s culinary scene is not only unique, but also very welcoming.
In conclusion, St. Louis’s culinary landscape is a delicious blend of traditions, innovations, and cultural influences. From the iconic St. Louis-style pizza to the sweet and sticky gooey butter cake, the city offers a wide range of flavors and experiences that are sure to satisfy any palate. So, the next time you find yourself in the Gateway to the West, be sure to embark on a culinary adventure and discover the unique and delicious foods that make St. Louis a true foodie destination.
What exactly is St. Louis-style pizza, and what makes it unique?
St. Louis-style pizza is characterized by its cracker-thin crust made without yeast. This results in a crispy, almost brittle base that can easily be sliced into squares or rectangles. It’s often topped edge-to-edge with a sweet tomato sauce and Provel cheese, a processed cheese product popular in the region.
The Provel cheese, a blend of provolone, Swiss, and cheddar, is what truly distinguishes St. Louis pizza. It has a low melting point, creating a creamy, almost gooey texture, and a distinct tangy flavor. The combination of the thin, crispy crust, sweet sauce, and Provel cheese gives St. Louis-style pizza its iconic and unforgettable taste.
What are toasted ravioli, and why are they such a beloved St. Louis appetizer?
Toasted ravioli, often shortened to “t-ravs,” are breaded and deep-fried meat-filled ravioli served with marinara sauce for dipping. They are a St. Louis invention, reportedly accidentally created in the Italian neighborhood of The Hill when a ravioli fell into a fryer. The chef, rather than discarding it, served it, and the rest is culinary history.
The appeal of toasted ravioli lies in their satisfying crunch, savory filling, and the perfect accompaniment of warm marinara. They are a staple appetizer at many St. Louis restaurants and a beloved symbol of the city’s Italian heritage. Their popularity extends beyond the city limits, with many companies producing frozen versions for nationwide consumption.
Explain the history and significance of Gooey Butter Cake in St. Louis.
Gooey Butter Cake is a sweet, dense cake with a soft, gooey center, believed to have originated in St. Louis during the 1930s. Legend has it that a baker accidentally reversed the proportions of butter and flour in a coffee cake recipe, resulting in the now-famous gooey texture. Rather than discard the mistake, he baked it anyway, and it became a local sensation.
The cake traditionally consists of a yeast-leavened dough base topped with a layer of butter, sugar, eggs, and sometimes vanilla. The key is the high ratio of butter and sugar, which creates the signature gooey center. Today, Gooey Butter Cake is a staple in St. Louis bakeries and homes, with variations including different flavors and fillings.
What is St. Louis-style barbecue, and how does it differ from other regional barbecue styles?
St. Louis-style barbecue is characterized by its spare ribs, specifically the cut that involves removing the sternum, rib tips, and cartilage, resulting in a rectangular rack. This cut makes the ribs easier to handle and cook evenly. The ribs are typically seasoned with a dry rub and slow-smoked over indirect heat.
While St. Louis barbecue also includes other smoked meats, like pork shoulder and brisket, the signature ribs are often served with a sweet and tangy tomato-based barbecue sauce. Unlike some other regional styles, St. Louis barbecue emphasizes a balance of flavors, with the sweet sauce complementing the smoky meat. The precise cut of the ribs is what sets it apart.
What role does frozen custard play in St. Louis’s culinary scene?
Frozen custard holds a significant place in the St. Louis dessert landscape, often considered a local specialty. Unlike ice cream, frozen custard is made with eggs in addition to cream, sugar, and flavorings. This egg content gives it a richer, smoother, and denser texture.
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a St. Louis institution, is particularly famous for its “concrete” – a thick milkshake made with frozen custard and mix-ins blended so thoroughly that it can be served upside down without spilling. Frozen custard shops are a common sight in the city, offering a refreshing and creamy treat that’s deeply ingrained in local culture.
Beyond the well-known dishes, what other culinary influences are present in St. Louis?
Besides the famous dishes, St. Louis boasts a diverse culinary scene influenced by its rich history and immigrant communities. German heritage is evident in the presence of traditional German restaurants and the popularity of foods like bratwurst and pretzels. The city’s location on the Mississippi River has also contributed to its seafood offerings.
Furthermore, St. Louis has seen a rise in diverse ethnic cuisines, including Vietnamese, Bosnian, and Ethiopian, reflecting the city’s growing diversity. The vibrant restaurant scene offers a wide range of options, from fine dining to casual eateries, making St. Louis a compelling destination for food lovers beyond its iconic dishes.
Where on “The Hill” in St. Louis can I find the best Italian food?
“The Hill,” St. Louis’s historic Italian neighborhood, is home to numerous family-owned restaurants that have been serving authentic Italian cuisine for generations. Some of the most well-regarded establishments include Charlie Gitto’s on the Hill, known for its toasted ravioli, and Mama’s on the Hill, popular for its classic Italian dishes.
Other excellent choices include Gian-Tony’s Ristorante, offering a more upscale dining experience, and Lorenzo’s Trattoria, a cozy spot with delicious pasta dishes. Exploring “The Hill” involves discovering your own favorite spot, as each restaurant boasts its unique charm and family recipes passed down through generations.