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A Taste of My Town
While our home office is in Kansas City, Missouri, we’re actually spread across a number of different states and cities. On the east side of the state, is St. Louis, my hometown. Every city has its own unique ‘flavors,’ and this one in which I was born, raised and still live, has some very unique flavors of its own.
Take toasted ravioli, for example. This appetizer can be found on nearly every restaurant menu in St. Louis, especially those in The Hill neighborhood, where Italian restaurants reign. Toasted ravioli is usually made with cheese, beef or veal, breaded and deep-fried, then served with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top and a side of red sauce. What’s not to love?
Though found in other parts of the Midwest, the pork steak is also a popular item in St. Louis. A pork steak is cut from a pork shoulder and is great on the grill. Nothing beats a BBQ’d pork steak, and trust me, St. Louisans know how to BBQ (we do have the best BBQ in the Midwest, although my colleagues in Kansas City will beg to differ!).
Ever heard of provel cheese? It’s popular on St. Louis-style pizza, a thin crust pizza cut into squares. Provel is a combination of provolone cheese and Velveeta, and if you’re not from St. Louis, you may not like it. Provel cheese can be a very divisive topic.
If you’re hungry at 2 a.m., St. Louis has several all-night diners ready and willing to serve you. You’ll find slingers on their menus, which generally consist of two eggs, hash browns, and a hamburger patty covered with chili. It will cure what ails you!
If you have a sweet tooth, St. Louis has you covered there too. We have the concrete, which is Ted Drewes Frozen Custard mixed with candy, fruit or nuts (think Dairy Queen Blizzard, only thicker and, well, better). It’s so thick, you can hold it upside down without it falling out!
And then there’s my personal favorite – the gooey butter cake. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds. I highly recommend this cake, usually eaten as a coffee cake instead of a formal dessert. Here’s the recipe. It is worth every calorie!
Of course, there are other foods unique to St. Louis, but these are some of the most popular. They’re part of what makes St. Louis a great place to live. What foods is your city known for?
Posted by Jenny.