St. Louis-style pizza
It’s flat, crispy and covered in an unforgettable cheese called Provel. St. Louis-style pizza—which is served cut into squares instead of wedges—debuted in the 1960s and has remained the undisputed champion of pies among the locals. Try the original at any Imo’s location in the metropolitan area.
Pork steaks
Ask for a pork steak in any other part of the country and you’re likely to get a blank stare in return. But here in St. Louis, you’ll be rewarded with a thick and juicy cut of grilled goodness most likely covered in a sweet and smoky sauce.
Slinger
This St. Louis chili-parlor staple consists of two hamburger patties (sausage is an acceptable alternative) nestled under hash brown potatoes, covered with chili and topped with cheese, onions and fried eggs. Considered to be a St. Louis late-night culinary original.
Toasted ravioli
Head for The Hill, St. Louis’ Italian neighborhood, to see the ancestral home of the city’s most famous appetizer. A careless cook knocked a traditional ravioli into hot oil and a deep-fried legend was born back in the 1940s. “T-ravs” are finger food, stuffed with a meaty mixture and served with a rich marinara sauce for dipping.
Gooey butter cake
The name says it all. It’s “gooey” and it’s “buttery” and it almost comes in the consistency of a “cake.” Put it together and you have a famous St. Louis treat served any time of the day, from breakfast to a late-night snack. The original began as an undercooked mistake in one of the area’s old German bakeries. Now hip confectioners prepare them in dozens of flavors, ranging from chocolate raspberry to key lime. Try the original sweet buttery flavor first and branch out from there.
