In Bizarre Foods St. Louis, part of the Delicious Destinations series featuring Andrew Zimmern, the host and his crew visited numerous restaurants in the city, showcasing a variety of unique and delicious dishes. Here is a convenient list of all the addresses and dishes highlighted in this exciting exploration of St. Louis’s food scene.
ANDREW ZIMMERN ST. LOUIS DISH – St. Louis Pizza
WHAT IS IT?
Cicero’s takes a unique approach to achieve the thin and crispy crust of St. Louis pizza. Rather than preventing the dough from rising, they press it like a tortilla, resulting in what they call “shells.” To ensure an even crispiness, a spiked roller is used to prevent air bubbles during baking. The perfect consistency of these shells is crucial to prevent sogginess or breaking under the weight of the toppings. St. Louis pizza features a slightly sweet sauce with a herbal kick of oregano. Cicero’s piles on generous amounts of ham, bacon, and homemade sausage, catering to the city’s love for meat toppings. The distinguishing factor of a St. Louis pizza is the locally beloved cheese called provel, which melts quickly, creating a buttery and gooey texture that is unique to the region.
WHERE IS IT?
Cicero’s
6691 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
St. Louis, United States
NOTES – DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS ST. LOUIS
St. Louisians take great pride in their culinary creation known as St. Louis pizza. It features a thin and crispy crust that resembles a cracker, complemented by a sweet tomato sauce and a distinctive blend of native cheese called provel, known for its tangy flavor.
Unfortunately, this restaurant has closed its doors.
ANDREW ZIMMERN ST. LOUIS DISH – Pork Steak
WHAT IS IT?
Pork steak, typically sourced from the pork butt or shoulder, is expertly prepared at Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse. The skilled pit masters at Ms. Piggies’ offer the option of a dry rub for the pork steak, while the smoking process involves careful consideration of heat and time. Customers can request their pork steak to be served dry, but it appears that the majority prefer it with a wet sauce.
READ MORE: ANDREW ZIMMERN HONOLULU: ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED ON DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS
WHERE IS IT?
Ms Piggies’ Smokehouse
10612 Page Ave, St. Louis, MO 63132, United States
St. Louis, United States
NOTES – DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS ST. LOUIS
Pork steak is a flavorful cut of meat derived from the pig’s shoulder, which is then subjected to hot smoking before being served. It can be enjoyed either with or without the addition of barbecue sauce. In the 1950s, local supermarkets in St. Louis began offering pork steaks cut from the butt, providing an affordable and delicious option for grilling. Surprisingly, this regional specialty has yet to gain popularity beyond St. Louis.
READ MORE: ANTHONY BOURDAIN NEW ORLEANS : ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED ON NO RESERVATIONS
ANDREW ZIMMERN ST. LOUIS DISH – St. Louis Style Ribs
WHAT IS IT?
St. Louis-style ribs are generously coated with C&K Barbecue’s special sauce, which combines vinegar and tomato-based ingredients. The sauce is prepared by combining all the ingredients, including tomato paste, in a container. St. Louis-style sauce is typically thinner and more tangy compared to other regional BBQ sauces. The key distinction lies in the choice of spices and the cooking process. A mixture of pepper and salt is added and blended into the sauce mixture.
WHERE IS IT?
C&K Barbecue Restaurant
4390 Jennings Station Rd, St. Louis, MO 63121, United States
St. Louis, United States
NOTES – DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS ST. LOUIS
St. Louis-style ribs are distinguished by their specific cut, where the tips, sternum, and cartilage are removed from the spare ribs. This trimming process creates a rectangular rack with uniform meat that, when cooked correctly, offers consistently tangy flavors. The delicious outcome is highly sought after by customers at C&K’s carry-out, who can’t resist indulging in the mouthwatering ribs right away.
ANDREW ZIMMERN BIZARRE FOODS DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS ST. LOUIS DISH – Slinger
WHAT IS IT?
The Slinger is a unique creation originating from St. Louis. It combines several familiar ingredients on a single plate: fried potatoes, a cheeseburger, a fried egg, chili, and a garnish of cheese and onions.
WHERE IS IT?
Chili Mac’s Diner
510 Pine St, St. Louis, MO 63101, United States
St. Louis, United States
NOTES – BIZARRE FOODS DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS ST. LOUIS
Chili Mac holds a special place due to its historical significance as it features the same chili recipe served to St. Louis residents during the 1904 World’s Fair, captivating locals ever since. The origins of the Slinger are shrouded in mystery, with various accounts involving a diligent customer, some even mentioning an inebriated driver who requested a dollop of chili alongside eggs and hash browns. From there, its popularity steadily grew, leading to its expansion.
BIZARRE FOODS DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS ST. LOUIS DISH – Toasted Ravioli
WHAT IS IT?
Toasted ravioli may sound misleading, but these pasta pillows are actually fried to perfection. The chef remains faithful to the original recipe handed down when acquiring the restaurant. The filling features succulent beef, slow-roasted with carrots and herbs, then mixed with a touch of oil and cooked for three hours. Once the roasted meat is cooled, a special ingredient, spinach, is added. The meat filling is then ground and placed between the pasta sheets before taking a dip in bread crumbs. The final step involves deep frying until the ravioli float to the surface with a golden brown hue, ready to be garnished with Parmesan cheese.
WHERE IS IT?
Charlie Gitto’s On the Hill
5226 Shaw Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
St. Louis, United States
NOTES – BIZARRE FOODS DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS ST. LOUIS
Toasted ravioli is believed to have originated in the 1940s when a cook unintentionally dropped ravioli into hot oil instead of water. However, a debate arises as Angelo, the owner of two establishments in the neighborhood, both claim ownership of the recipe.
READ MORE: ANTHONY BOURDAIN PARIS: ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED ON THE LAYOVER
BIZARRE FOODS DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS ST. LOUIS DISH – Gooey Butter Cake
WHAT IS IT?
Gooey butter cake, a St. Louis original, is a unique dessert that combines elements of custard, cake, danish, and pie. At the heart of each cake lies the cherished gooey filling, a recipe passed down from Dale and Marilyn’s childhood and their mom. Every day at the baking facility of the Gooey Butter People, thousands of cakes are meticulously crafted from scratch. The process begins with a mixture of vanilla and butter, blended with cream cheese to achieve a creamy and gooey consistency, followed by an additional addition of butter. Each individual cake boasts a pound of butter, ensuring a rich flavor. Eggs and powdered sugar are added to give the filling a custard-like texture, which is then layered onto the cake batter. After baking in the oven for approximately 25 minutes, the cake emerges and is topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, adding an extra touch of sweetness.
WHERE IS IT?
Park Avenue Coffee – The Hill
5105 Columbia Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139, United States
St. Louis, United States
NOTES – BIZARRE FOODS DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS ST. LOUIS
Gooey butter cake is a delectable dessert featuring a dense yellow cake base that serves as a foundation for the rich, creamy, and sweet filling. Baked to a golden brown perfection, you can indulge in warm, freshly sliced pieces at Park Avenue Coffee. Legend has it that this delightful treat came to be through a fortuitous mishap nearly 80 years ago, although the true originators remain unknown.
