St. Louis Trip Report

I was in St. Louis for a few days recently. I'm pretty sure I have a bulging / ruptured disc, so I wasn't able to do as much as I wanted. Nevertheless, here's what went down, which if you know me, is food-centric. 

Hotel was literally right next the the Gateway Arch. 

My back and general timing prevented me from actually going up. 

My favorite pizza in the world is from a Central California-based chain called Me-N-Ed's. The thing about it though, is that I've never known what style of pizza it is. It's trademarks are a thinner, crackery, cornmeal-dusted crust and a five cheese blend. I guess this is called "California-style"? Shakey's and Straw Hat are in the ballpark style-wise, but not as well executed. ANYWAYS I have always been curious about "St. Louis style" pizza, for which a calling card is a "thin, crackery crust".  Have I been obsessed with St. Louis pizza this whole time and not even known it? First thing I did was head to Imo's Pizza to find out. The answer was a resounding NO. 

Crackery-crust, yeah, but everything else was wrong, wrong, wrong. Not cornmeal dusted (I don't know why this is such a big deal for me, but it is), and the cheese....um...what? They use this processed cheese called Provel, and it is not good. I'm sure locals are used to it, and good for them, but this is not a food item that should be bragged about to any non-locals. 

The other food item that seems to be a St. Louis thing is toasted ravioli. Imo's had that as well, so I ordered a side. Better than the pizza for sure, not life changing. 

St. Louis is way more spread out than I thought. The downtown area is kind of dead, and public transportation is really bad. Uber-ing around was not going to be cheap, so I was pretty limited. But I did want to see at least one different neighborhood. So I went to Central West End and hobbled around the best I could. Very nice area. Even an agnostic heathen like me can architecturally appreciate something like the Cathedral Basilica. 

But the awe quickly turns to disappointment when you literally turn around and see the law offices of  Mark McCloskey, and you are quickly reminded that despite it's vast cultural contributions, it's a state teeming with Phyllis Schlafly's and Josh Hawley's. 

The World Chess Hall of Fame is in the area. It was closed. It's like to maybe visit with the kiddo someday, as she's become a chess fan of late (thanks, Super Mario Chess!)

I don't know what this portends, but Optimist's International is for sale. 

Back to food. 

I have never ever been to a White Castle. I have had the frozen ones from the supermarket, but those are just a sad representation of the real thing, which must be, HAS to be 20 times better, right? I mean the Beastie Boys mention the fries! 

Disgusting. Can't believe this is an actual chain that survives to this day. The supermarket version is actually vastly superior. 

Final food stop. I am sorry, but when you come across something like this, you are obligated to patronize. 

The Midwest loves it's chili! Every menu everywhere has some sort of chili option, especially the Slinger. To round out my trip, I had to get one, hopefully not to the detriment of fellow traveler's on the plane I was to board in a few hours. Prepare yourself for the next pic - it ain't pretty. 

Does not look good, but it was, in fact, good. Only downside was that Tabasco was the only hot sauce to be found. No Tapatio :( 

The food was good, but the real reason you need to go to Chili Mac's Diner if you are in St. Louis is the people. This place is old school, and the staff works as hard as I've seen a restaurant staff work. Shouting orders to each other across the restaurant, employing Midwest charm like a weapon, it was just fantastic. 

Plane ride went fine, thank God. 

As this was a work trip, I only saw a very limited part of the city, and honestly my mood wasn't that great due to my back pain. So apologies for being so harsh, St. Louis pizza and White Castle. I'd like to come back with the fam, see a Cards game, go to Six Flags, find out what that crazy building with a Ferris wheel on top was, actually go in the Arch, and visit Forest Park.