Before I came to SLU, I had barely ever gone to St. Louis or a city in general. My only expectation for St. Louis was tons of diversity, and I think I found the perfect way to explore that. A promise I made to myself was to try a new restaurant at least once a month, because the best way to explore different cultures is to try their food. After being here for nine months, I have come up with some favorites that I have been to. So, if you are like me and have barely dipped your toe into St. Louis, here are some food recommendations that you definitely should try.Â
Locoz Tacoz TaquerĂa
On Manchester Rd. in Maplewood, Locoz Tacoz Taqueria is a casual Mexican restaurant with a variety of options from street tacos to tortas. When I went, I got three Quesabirrias, and it was the first time I ever had birria tacos. It was a great first experience with that specific dish; it was filled with wonderfully seasoned beef, the perfect amount of cheese for each bite and cilantro and onion that pulled it all together. Even though the tacos were already seasoned and cooked with all the flavor, dipping them into the side of consommé made it ten times better! This is definitely a location you should look out for if you want to experience the same great first bite I had.
Vito’s Sicilian Pizzeria & Ristorante
Less than a ten-minute walk from SLU, Vito’s Sicilian Pizzeria & Ristorante serves exactly what it says in its name, pizza and Sicilian food. The first thing I got was an appetizer, the toasted ravioli, which is basically impossible to go wrong with. As I expected, their toasted ravioli was amazing. They were super hot when I first got them, but the flavor and taste made up for the burn on my tongue. For my entrée, I got the Fettuccini Alfredo with grilled chicken. I know it is basic, but I am a basic girl, and there is nothing wrong with getting something you know you will like. The pasta came out perfectly, and in less than ten minutes. I was honestly surprised because it was super busy in their restaurant, but the food came out quickly! My partner got the filet modiga, and what he gets, I get to try too. It included beef tenderloin medallions, seasoned broccoli and rosemary potatoes, but I have to say that the seasoned broccoli was the best broccoli I have ever had. It is difficult to describe the flavor, but that is when you know it is good. So, if you want some good seasoned vegetables, overall good food and fast service, I would recommend that quick stroll to Vito’s.
This location is definitely farther away from SLU, but Twisted Tree Steakhouse is a… steakhouse! The service here is absolutely amazing, and the server that I had the last time I went was the kindest server I have had. The Caesar salad from here is probably the best Caesar salad I have ever had, and I know I already said that about the broccoli earlier, but being in St. Louis has made me find all the best-tasting things I have ever tried. It is so good that I just wanted to eat the whole bowl they gave me, but I had to save room for my entree and dessert. For my entree I got the chicken spiedini, and the plating was the cutest thing ever. The chicken is cut into fours placed evenly around the bowl onto the pasta, and right in the middle of the chicken is a flower! The first time I got it, it was a yellow dandelion, and the second time, it was a beautiful purple and white flower that I wish I knew the name of. The bowl is deep with the pasta and sauce and there is just so much, perfect to eat at the restaurant and enough to bring home too. Finally, for dessert, I got a vanilla caramel sundae. The ice cream was sweet and the caramel was salty, which felt like the perfect balance between the two. These amazing dishes definitely fill you up, and will also drain you as well. Twisted Tree is a pricier restaurant, so if you are on a budget like me, you might want to save up for this one. The wait and price are definitely worth it, as you will experience tastes that will make you want to come back for more.
Other Restaurants
I have been to so many other different restaurants other than the three I listed above, and I have yet to have a bad experience. There is a large variety of different restaurants and cultures you can try food from, and if you are in St. Louis, you have to explore as many restaurants as you can.