Cuisine of St. Louis

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard Oreo Concrete

182365 Gooey Butter Cake

St Louis Missouri pizza in cardboard box

Toasted Ravioli

Cuisine of St. Louis refers to the culinary culture and practices originating from St. Louis, Missouri, a city with a rich history and diverse cultural heritage. St. Louis cuisine is characterized by a variety of unique dishes, flavors, and food traditions that have been shaped by the city's European, African American, and immigrant influences.

History

The roots of St. Louis cuisine can be traced back to the city's founding in 1764 by French fur traders. Over the years, the city's location along the Mississippi River made it a melting pot of cultures, including French, German, Italian, and Irish immigrants, each contributing their culinary traditions. The Great Migration also brought a significant African American population to the city, further diversifying its culinary landscape.

Signature Dishes

Toasted Ravioli

Originally from the Italian neighborhoods, toasted ravioli is a deep-fried ravioli served with marinara sauce. It is said to have been invented accidentally when a ravioli was dropped into hot oil instead of boiling water.

St. Louis-style Pizza

This unique pizza features a thin crust made without yeast, Provel cheese (a blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone cheeses), and is cut into squares rather than wedges. It reflects the city's Italian heritage.

Gooey Butter Cake

A type of coffee cake with a bottom layer of buttery yellow cake and a top layer of a soft, gooey mixture, gooey butter cake is believed to have been created in the 1930s by a St. Louis baker who mixed up the proportions of butter and flour.

St. Louis Barbecue

St. Louis has its own style of preparing barbecue, known for its use of grilling rather than slow-cooking and for the St. Louis-style ribs, which are trimmed to a rectangular shape. The city is also famous for its unique barbecue sauce, which is typically sweet and sticky.

Beverages

Fitz's Root Beer

A local favorite, Fitz's Root Beer began in 1947 and is known for its traditional root beer and cream soda, made with original recipes and available at the Fitz's restaurant in the Delmar Loop, where visitors can see the bottling process.

Culinary Institutions and Events

St. Louis is home to a number of culinary institutions and events that celebrate its food culture, including the Taste of St. Louis, an annual festival showcasing the city's best cuisine, and cooking classes at places like the Kitchen Conservatory, which offer lessons in making local dishes.

Impact and Recognition

The cuisine of St. Louis has gained national recognition, with several local dishes and restaurants featured in national media. The city's culinary scene is a point of pride for locals and a draw for tourists, contributing significantly to St. Louis's cultural identity and economy.