OT: OT: Lets Go Cardinals! (All Baseball Talk Here) Part 2

[HFsNumber1Heel]

There is a ton of good food in and around the city, what kind of stuff are you into or where are you staying, I can give you some recs that you might like or close to your hotel/airbnb whatever. Also are you bringing kids with you? If so definitely take them to City Museum, it is a must visit for those with kids, they will go crazy and love it.

Haven't booked a place yet. That's on the agenda for before next week aka the real return to work (tomorrow and Friday are still remote and soft launch days).

Food I'd say anything unique Ma and Pa that is great to St. Louis. Like one or two unique places that are down to earth but really define the city. Imo's is a guarantee because I've heard so much about it (I did Buddy's and Greek Town in Detroit for example, Cheesesteaks in Philly, Clementine's and The Forks in Winnipeg, etc.).

 

[Xerloris]

Haven't booked a place yet. That's on the agenda for before next week aka the real return to work (tomorrow and Friday are still remote and soft launch days).

Food I'd say anything unique Ma and Pa that is great to St. Louis. Like one or two unique places that are down to earth but really define the city. Imo's is a guarantee because I've heard so much about it (I did Buddy's and Greek Town in Detroit for example, Cheesesteaks in Philly, Clementine's and The Forks in Winnipeg, etc.).

What ever you do, make sure you get some real toasted Ravioli but I am at a loss for a good place for you to get it. Travs is really the best St.Louis has to offer IMO

 

[tfriede2]

Haven't booked a place yet. That's on the agenda for before next week aka the real return to work (tomorrow and Friday are still remote and soft launch days).

Food I'd say anything unique Ma and Pa that is great to St. Louis. Like one or two unique places that are down to earth but really define the city. Imo's is a guarantee because I've heard so much about it (I did Buddy's and Greek Town in Detroit for example, Cheesesteaks in Philly, Clementine's and The Forks in Winnipeg, etc.).

I’ll be interested to see what you think of Imo’s - it’s either love or hate, so be prepared. Pappy’s for BBQ is a must. Blues City Deli in Soulard/Benton Park is another for a tremendous sandwich

 

[ChicagoBlues]

I think you might actually be right and as you describe it it does sound exactly like what I remember. I'll have to show this to my dad and ask if we ever went to this area when visiting family.

We loved going there as kids.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Haven't booked a place yet. That's on the agenda for before next week aka the real return to work (tomorrow and Friday are still remote and soft launch days).

Food I'd say anything unique Ma and Pa that is great to St. Louis. Like one or two unique places that are down to earth but really define the city. Imo's is a guarantee because I've heard so much about it (I did Buddy's and Greek Town in Detroit for example, Cheesesteaks in Philly, Clementine's and The Forks in Winnipeg, etc.).

Imo’s is love or hate. I love Imo’s and always have. Toasted ravioli is the OG STL food thang, so be sure they are toasted and not fried.

 

[SirPaste]

Haven't booked a place yet. That's on the agenda for before next week aka the real return to work (tomorrow and Friday are still remote and soft launch days).

Food I'd say anything unique Ma and Pa that is great to St. Louis. Like one or two unique places that are down to earth but really define the city. Imo's is a guarantee because I've heard so much about it (I did Buddy's and Greek Town in Detroit for example, Cheesesteaks in Philly, Clementine's and The Forks in Winnipeg, etc.).

Right on, as others mentioned Toasted Ravioli's are pretty St Louis, you can find them pretty much anywhere in town but the best are on the Hill, there a bunch of really good places there and can't really go wrong, my favorite it probably Trattoria Marcella, a little bit south of the Hill but close and the food is incredible. If you are looking for a good spot for day drinking check out Milo's, not the best food on the Hill but still good and really good TRavs but they have a fun patio with bocci ball courts. Gioa's is also on the Hill and has the best sandwiches in town IMO, get the hot salami if you go there, someone else mentioned Blue's City Deli which is also amazing. For some STL BBQ there are a few really good spots, Pappy's is the most famous but I prefer Bogart's in Soulard, its great, Salt + Smoke is another really good spot and has a couple locations in the city. I also highly recommend checking out Modern Brewery, the beer is good but the food is incredible, you can get pizza by the slice and they also have great sandwiches and a creole inspired menu that I love, its just a short drive down the highway from Busch Stadium, depending on traffic about 10 minutes.

 

[WeWantTacos]

Imo's is to St. Louis style pizza as McDonald's is to hamburgers; it's alright if there's nothing better around, but it's probably the last place I'd want someone to try if they'd never had it before. I think a lot of the hate for St. Louis style pizza comes from people trying Imo's without having anything else to compare it to.

Most of them are independently owned, so the quality varies from store to store. I remember driving out of my way to a Maplewood location when I lived in Webster Groves.

 

[SirPaste]

Imo's is to St. Louis style pizza as McDonald's is to hamburgers; it's alright if there's nothing better around, but it's probably the last place I'd want someone to try if they'd never had it before. I think a lot of the hate for St. Louis style pizza comes from people trying Imo's without having anything else to compare it to.

Most of them are independently owned, so the quality varies from store to store. I remember driving out of my way to a Maplewood location when I lived in Webster Groves.

This is very true, it varies so much from store to store. I love Imo's but there are many pizza places that I like way more.

 

[Majorityof1]

This is very true, it varies so much from store to store. I love Imo's but there are many pizza places that I like way more.

The universal rule of pizza is that a mom and pop joint is going to be better than a chain. Pizza hut is fine in a pinch for convenience, but a local shop with one or two locations is probably a much better pie.

Given the StL style is inherently the worst style of pizza (imo of course) and provel cheese is a crime against humanity, then you throw chain pizza quality on it, Imo's is a hard pass for me. Imo's really, really calls into question the other universal pizza rule that there is no bad pizza.

 

[Xerloris]

The universal rule of pizza is that a mom and pop joint is going to be better than a chain. Pizza hut is fine in a pinch for convenience, but a local shop with one or two locations is probably a much better pie.

Smugala's for example

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Imo's is to St. Louis style pizza as McDonald's is to hamburgers; it's alright if there's nothing better around, but it's probably the last place I'd want someone to try if they'd never had it before. I think a lot of the hate for St. Louis style pizza comes from people trying Imo's without having anything else to compare it to.

Most of them are independently owned, so the quality varies from store to store. I remember driving out of my way to a Maplewood location when I lived in Webster Groves.

This is fair. Overall, Imo’s quality has stagnated to lowered over time. I was fond of the weird consistency of the provel stuff they created. Their process has drastically changed for the worse.

It’s something we get when in town just to have the taste, but only from the one on Big Bend near Manchester.

It’s not something I would recommend to a visitor and I wouldn’t know what to recommend anyway as I haven’t lived in St. Louis for a very long time.

 

[SirPaste]

This is fair. Overall, Imo’s quality has stagnated to lowered over time. I was fond of the weird consistency of the provel stuff they created. Their process has drastically changed for the worse.

It’s something we get when in town just to have the taste, but only from the one on Big Bend near Manchester.

It’s not something I would recommend to a visitor and I wouldn’t know what to recommend anyway as I haven’t lived in St. Louis for a very long time.

That one is actually pretty solid, or at least used to be when I lived right over there a few years back.

 

[Memento]

Imo's is something my besties (one in particular) enjoy. I don't really enjoy it anymore (it's gone way downhill, and I've never been much of a fan of St. Louis style pizza; I would much rather have Brooklyn style or a pizza with cheese stuffed crust. I'd kill for a place that does both, but I'm not going to assume I can find a place in the Lou.), but considering that they were born in St. Louis and no longer live there, and therefore, no longer get St. Louis style pizza, I can understand their point of view.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Imo's is something my besties (one in particular) enjoy. I don't really enjoy it anymore (it's gone way downhill, and I've never been much of a fan of St. Louis style pizza; I would much rather have Brooklyn style or a pizza with cheese stuffed crust. I'd kill for a place that does both, but I'm not going to assume I can find a place in the Lou.), but considering that they were born in St. Louis and no longer live there, and therefore, no longer get St. Louis style pizza, I can understand their point of view.

I agree. I force myself to have it when I visit STL just because, but it's become a disappointing chore, even at my favorite locations. I also love NY style. That's one of my favorite styles. I like the St. Louis/Chicago cracker crust, but the Detroit style pan pizza is capable of going to other levels.

--

Anyway, I'm glad the Cardinals have a succession plan in place and are executing the plan in regards to management. Now, this new management has an opportunity to build a modern, competitive roster. One without the hype. A roster with realism.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

This is very true, it varies so much from store to store. I love Imo's but there are many pizza places that I like way more.

Pirone’s and Faraci’s are the top of my list for St. Louis style pizza without question.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Imo's is to St. Louis style pizza as McDonald's is to hamburgers; it's alright if there's nothing better around, but it's probably the last place I'd want someone to try if they'd never had it before. I think a lot of the hate for St. Louis style pizza comes from people trying Imo's without having anything else to compare it to.

Most of them are independently owned, so the quality varies from store to store. I remember driving out of my way to a Maplewood location when I lived in Webster Groves.

What's the best Imo's location downtown or what's the best Imo's style pizza?

 

[Memento]

What's the best Imo's location downtown or what's the best Imo's style pizza?

I'll be honest as a St. Louisan: I would not recommend Imo's to an outsider. It's not that good at all, and there's much better pizza places that serve St. Louis style. I'd recommend paying attention to the other people on this thread when it comes to St. Louis style pizza because I don't eat out that often (although Pirone's and Faraci's, like @Vladys Gumption said, sound quite good). Basically, if you want good Italian food, go to The Hill; it's loaded with great Italian places.

I'd also recommend Pappy's as far as BBQ (had it twice, and it's amazing), but you'd have to get there super early and wait (they open at nine, but there's lines at 7:30). If you're looking for something a bit outside of the city, Sugarfire Smokehouse (owned by people who worked at Pappy's) is always a good bet. I'd also recommend some of the BBQ restaurants the others have posted in this thread.

Honestly, I'd recommend the BBQ over the pizza; St. Louis style BBQ is so underrated by the masses.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

I'll be honest as a St. Louisan: I would not recommend Imo's to an outsider. It's not that good at all, and there's much better pizza places that serve St. Louis style. I'd recommend paying attention to the other people on this thread when it comes to St. Louis style pizza because I don't eat out that often (although Pirone's and Faraci's, like @Vladys Gumption said, sound quite good). Basically, if you want good Italian food, go to The Hill; it's loaded with great Italian places.

I'd also recommend Pappy's as far as BBQ (had it twice, and it's amazing), but you'd have to get there super early and wait (they open at nine, but there's lines at 7:30). If you're looking for something a bit outside of the city, Sugarfire Smokehouse (owned by people who worked at Pappy's) is always a good bet. I'd also recommend some of the BBQ restaurants the others have posted in this thread.

Honestly, I'd recommend the BBQ over the pizza; St. Louis style BBQ is so underrated by the masses.

That is fair and I have been paying attention and writing stuff down. Even though I'm from New York I'm not one of those "New York is the greatest and only city in the world that matters and everything is inferior" type people. And that goes for pizza as well. I'm a huge fan of Detroit style (I went to Buddy's 2x when I was in Detroit but there's more to that story than just my love of pizza). So as for Imo's....even if it isn't as good, I want to still try it having heard about it for decades (I try and live part of my life with that sense of exploration like Captain Picard in Star Trek when he wasn't running the Stargazer or Enterprise....he explored and went places). I did Primanti Bros in Pittsburgh because that's the historic spot etc. So I will 100 try at least one if not two local Ma and Pa STL style pizzas in addition to Imos in addition to toasted Ravioli in addition to BBQ.

Most cities in the US and Canada and most ballparks I've enjoyed. It's weird STL has taken so long but then again, my friends from STL got married in the cities they relocated to.....better late than never.

 

[Memento]

That is fair and I have been paying attention and writing stuff down. Even though I'm from New York I'm not one of those "New York is the greatest and only city in the world that matters and everything is inferior" type people. And that goes for pizza as well. I'm a huge fan of Detroit style (I went to Buddy's 2x when I was in Detroit but there's more to that story than just my love of pizza). So as for Imo's....even if it isn't as good, I want to still try it having heard about it for decades (I try and live part of my life with that sense of exploration like Captain Picard in Star Trek when he wasn't running the Stargazer or Enterprise....he explored and went places). I did Primanti Bros in Pittsburgh because that's the historic spot etc. So I will 100 try at least one if not two local Ma and Pa STL style pizzas in addition to Imos in addition to toasted Ravioli in addition to BBQ.

Most cities in the US and Canada and most ballparks I've enjoyed. It's weird STL has taken so long but then again, my friends from STL got married in the cities they relocated to.....better late than never.

Personally, Brooklyn style is my favorite kind of pizza, so New York does that right, at least.

And that's a fair point with Imo's. Just expect it to be a typical chain St. Louis style pizza place; some Imo's are better than others.

As far as the sights to go to, there's a lot of them, and if you're visiting St. Louis, it would be a shame to not see some of them when you visit. The Zoo, I've mentioned, but the City Museum and the Science Center is awesome if you have kids, the Aquarium (at Union Station) is good, there's various museums around if you're interested in that stuff (Art Museum, History Museum, the Arch's lower level and how it was built, etc.). Most of it is free or at the very least very inexpensive.

There's also a lot to do in St. Louis County (yes, St. Louis is basically two separate cities in the county and the city itself), but I don't expect you to visit every area of St. Louis County. I'm just glad that you have that sense of exploration and that you're willing to try new things; a lot of people on the coasts would just consider St. Louis either fly-over or crime-ridden without really exploring what makes the city I've lived all my life in and around such a good place.