A large number of young St. Louis students after high school stay in Missouri for college. Most of their favorite foods are still right around the corner. My parents and friends told me that going away for school would be tough. What people don't tell you, though, is that you will have weird cravings in the middle of the night for your favorite St. Louis foods. Below are the 10 foods I miss most when I am not at home.
1. Gooey Butter Cake
This delicious cake will clog your arteries, but it is worth every bite. I remember the first time I made this cake in North Carolina. All of my friends were blown away that a a pastry made of just a box of cake mix, large amounts of butter, powdered sugar, and a whole box of cream cheese could taste so amazing.
2. Provel Cheese
Provel cheese is truly a gift to this Earth sent from God. It may look weird in its string form, but this mixture of provolone, cheddar, and Swiss tastes oh so good. I often find myself craving a little nibble in the middle of the night, or wanting to load it on all of my pizzas.
3. IMO's Pizza
Speaking of pizza, nothing compares to the cracker pizza that is IMO's. Yes, I love a good Mellow Mushroom or late-night Toppers pizza, but nothing tastes as delicious as IMO's. It is covered in Provel cheese, cut into squares, and just tastes like home. If anyone wants to order me an extra large half-sausge, half-veggie to my apartment in Chapel Hill, that would be great.
4. Toasted Ravioli
St. Louis basically just deep-fried meat ravioli, but who cares. It is too good to worry about if it is healthy or not. It is a staple appetizer at almost any Italian restaurant or bar you go to. They are best enjoyed when dipped into Parmesan-covered marinara sauce. I have yet to find a place near me in North Carolina that serves them, but the day I do will be one of the best days of my life.
5. Mom's Deli
A mom's special with everything on it and a side of sauce please. Pair this sandwich with Krunchers! jalapeño chips and you are set for a full stomach in south city. The deli has several other sandwiches, but I have been eating there for as long as I can remember and I have never wanted to even try anything else.
6. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
While you are in south city enjoying Mom's, head on over to Ted Drewes to get the best ice cream in town. This famous stop on Route 66 will blow your mind, and I wish every day I could be turning my favorite concretes upside down. I often find myself craving a chocolate and cherry concrete, a Cardinal Sin, or a Christy. It also reminds me of family and Christmas time. Nothing is better than getting your Christmas tree from the Ted Drewes lot because it comes along with delicious custard.
7. Fit'z Floats
Fit'z Root Beer is a famous restaurant in the Loop, and it has the best and biggest floats you will ever see and taste. Words can't do them any justice, and I will never be able to find floats like them anywhere else. Just look at how big the bad boys are!
8. St. Louis-style BBQ
A lot of people really don't like it, but when STL is your home, no other BBQ can compare. The meat is grilled and then sauced making very different from other places that smoke their meat. The sauce is different as well because of its sweet taste and tomato base. The ribs fall right off the bone and the pork steaks are just too good to pass up. North Carolina BBQ is good, but it isn't Annie Gunn's or Pappy's Smokehouse, that is for sure.
9. St. Louis Bread Company
Yes, it is also Panera, and you can find it wherever you go, but there is something about eating St. Louis Bread Company that just feels right. I get made fun of all the time by my friends because I always ask who wants to go to Bread Co., and no one knows what I am talking about.
10. Budweiser
Last, and certainly not least, comes the king of beers. Yes, in Chapel Hill I can walk into any fraternity party and find myself a Bud, but like Bread Co., there is something about having a cold one in St. Louis that makes it taste so much better. My meal of choice when I go home is an IMO's pizza with an order of t-ravs and a Bud Light with my family and my best friend, Rachel.
Chapel Hill food is a great place holder, but sometimes it isn't enough to satisfy this St. Louis girl's needs. I hope you all start planning your food trip to St. Louis while I sleep in my bed dreaming of the next time I can have Provel cheese and Ted Drewes.
