East coasters visiting St. Louis- need restaurant recommendations

[mwalter]

So my parents are from Philadelphia and they are going to be visiting me in St. Louis. I definitely need recommendations for restaurants. I want to take them to places where there is no comparision on the the east coast. IE NO Hoagies but BBQ is a must (thinking pappy's for this). I want them to leave thinking St. Louis is awesome. I would like to find a good lunch spot on the hill but being we are east coast italian americans, I want to avoid provel cheese at all cost. I also need another lunch spot perferable downtown or near soulard.

So far I have:
Breakfast: companion bakery clayton
LUNCH: Pappy's
Dinner: Pi for deep dish pizza, Schlafly bottleworks, Annie Gunn's

Are there any recommendations to take out of towners? Places that are uniquely St. Louisian without being not accessible taste-wise to people unfamilar with the midwest.

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Annie Gunn's
16806 Chesterfield Airport Rd, Chesterfield, MO 63005

[Pylon]

Pi is just OK. Some people rave about their pizza, I'm underwhelmed.

I'd much prefer Dewey's down the street in Kirkwood. Much better pizza, not quite as expensive.

[mtoo]

We took some out of town guest to BCD before a brewery tour and they loved it.

Adriana'sl (Shaw at Hereford) might be a good spot if you wanted to take them to the Hill. We love it.
http://www.adrianasonthehill.com/

[ddfry3]

Bluse City is good, but I think Adriana's is even better. They are different places though, BCD will have a wider variety of sandwich style, Adriana's is Italian/Sicilian influenced, but...what sandwiches!!

[hill food]

that's a tall order. I haven't been to Philly in a few years, but IIRC coming up with something in STL that isn't found there is going to be tough. how's the VN scene there? based on the Pho thread, you already have a good feel for those places.

what time of year will it be?

[mwalter]

My parents are not adventurous eaters. They mostly eat American and Italian-American food. I am personally the polar opposite and eat everything non-American which is why I need recommendations. The response on blues city deli wasnt the first recommendation for there. I do want to take them on a Bud brewery tour which is closeby. Is the roll solid? Can you subsitute provolone for the provel?

They are visiting the first week of March. I hope it isnt as cold outside then!!

[CDollarsign]

Blues City Deli is the best sandwich shop in STL hands down. You can substitute provel for provalone on any sandwhcih. Vinny is always very accommodating. It is also a very fun environment. There will be a bad most likey, aswell as a line so get there early. They have great daily specials.

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Blues City Deli
2438 McNair, Saint Louis, MO

[Uncle Luigi]

Many St. Louis pizzerias offer mozzarella as an option, instead of provel. (in addition to your sandwich shop question above.)

I'm sure that you have had some heated debates about Cheez Whiz or Provelone on a Cheesesteak, that debate is provel or mozz in St. Louis. Like in Philly, both are great! Give it a few times and don't get provel for delivery or it won't be its best... but that is really for most pizza.

Don't assume that your parents won't love classic St. Louis pizza with provel. Here are a few places that do mozz or both cheeses, so you can let them try both: Fortel's Pizza Den is mozzarella only, many Imo's offer mozz, Frank and Helen's offer both (but isn't super thin), Cicero's offers a mix on thin and mozz on thick.

I like to hit Lou Boccardi's on the hill across from Cunetto's for a large pepperoni and a beer while I am waiting on a table at Cunetto's. Then get the best Toasted Ravioli in the city, a house salad and some great red-sauce Italian at Cunetto's.

Have a great trip.

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Lou Boccardi's Restaurant
5424 Magnolia Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63139

[StLouieSuzie]

A very good and affordable lunch choice is Blues City Deli in Benton Park.

You should also take your parents to Park Avenue Coffee in Lafayette Square. Their gooey butter cake just won "Food Feuds" on Food Network! The setting is quaint and the staff is very friendly. Bonus: drive your parents around the park to look at the beautiful, old homes.

For dinner, Niche is considered one of the best in the area. It's pretty spendy, so skip that if you're on a budget.

Copia is a nice place downtown -- I haven't eaten lunch there, but dinner there a couple months ago was lovely. Mango and Mosaic (also downtown) are really good, too.

In Lafayette Square, there's 1111 Mississippi, but not sure they're open for lunch.

If I think of any more, I'll post later.

I hope your parents enjoy their visit!

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Copia
1122 Washington Ave, St Louis, MO 63101

Blues City Deli
2438 McNair Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63104

Park Avenue Coffee
1919 Park Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63104

[wekick]

There could be a couple ways to look at that. One way would be to pick out food that is unique to St. Louis or the midwest and then find restaurants that have a good version of that. There are all kinds opinions about the best.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/722086

Another would be to pick a place because of a unique setting/location.
Crown Candy -

Brunch at the Piper Palm House
http://stlouis.missouri.org/parks/tower-grove/Welcome/cafe_madeleine.htm

Take a drive up the River Road to Grafton or the take the Golden Eagle Ferry and drive up through Calhoun County to Wittmond's Hotel in Brussels, not my favorite food, but a unique place. There is also a new bake shop that opened in Brussels but I haven't tried it. You can also continue to Hardin and eat at Mel's Illinois River Dock. They have great fried chicken on Fridays and the breakfast is great. They have home made bread for the toast. They call it sourdough but I wouldn't. A bonus until February, you will see some Bald Eagles, depending on the weather.
http://www.greatriverroad.com/Cities/Hardin/foodCalhoun.htm
If you take the ferry, in the winter they sometimes switch locations depending on the ice.
http://www.calhounferrycompany.com/

Just curious as to what you would consider "not accessible taste-wise to people unfamilar with the midwest".

[mwalter]

Thanks for the recommendations! I mean provel cheese and some of the pizza (IMO's). On the other hand, toasted ravioli and gooey butter cakes are a must try!