If you're from the St. Louis area, like me, there are a few things you'll especially miss after moving away for any extended period of time. After spending a year and a half in Lexington, Kentucky, there are so many things that I've grown to appreciate, especially when I come home to visit. If you don't get these, you probably didn't grow up in the 3-1-4.
1. Toasted ravs.
If you aren't from St. Louis, you've probably never heard of toasted ravioli, which is a delicious breaded, deep-fried ravioli created and popularized in a predominately Italian neighborhood in the STL called The Hill. Dip 'em, dunk 'em, eat 'em on-the-go; toasted ravs are a classic St. Louis appetizer. I hope Kroger starts carrying these soon.
2. Gooey Butter Cake
This delicious confection was created in St. Louis in the 1930’s. It’s generally served as a coffee cake but has a similar texture to fudge brownies. Dusted with powdered sugar, find this treat at almost any St. Louis bakery or visit Gooey Louie’s in St. Louis City if you’ve got your sight set on one thing.
3. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
If you’ve ever even just passed through St. Louis, there's no way you got by without trying St. Louis’ coveted Ted Drewes frozen custard. Started in 1930, Ted Drewes is known for their variety of flavors and their “concrete”, which is so thick that if the cup is flipped over, it won’t fall out. You can even pick it up at St. Louis-area grocery stores! My personal favorite flavor is a Tedad’s Concrete made with Dad’s cookies.
4. Everyone having a connection to everyone.
St. Louis is special because everyone knows everyone from one thing or another. Whether they went to the same elementary as your cousin Charles or their lake house is at the same mile markers as your family's, St. Louisans' are all pretty familiar with one another.
5. Judging someone based off of where they went to high school
The joke of the century in St. Louis is that everyone will always ask new people where they went to high school. Because, somehow, that little anecdote tells us a lot about how that person grew up.
"Oh, you went to Parkway? You probably knew a few teacher scandals."
"Oh, you went to MICDS? Must be nice."
No matter where you went, someone definitely had something to say about it, and I think there's comfort in familiarity.
6. Being a fan of the most hated team in baseball.
Yes, we are the most hated team in baseball. But we are also the best fans in baseball and for that we wouldn't change a thing. When you move to a place that doesn't have a baseball team and start seeing people in Cardinals shirts even 500 miles away, you know that this team is something to be proud of. Growing up going to Busch Stadium isn't just America's favorite pastime. It's a way of living in St. Louis.
7. The guys in yellow at Cards games.
Because as annoying as it seemed at the time, a Cards game isn't complete without the constant yelling of, "Bud Light, Bud Light, who wants an ice cold Bud Light!", or, "cotton candy, get your cotton candy!" Now, I would take the drunk man behind me in the bleachers spilling his beer down my back for some peanuts and Cracker Jacks in downtown STL any day.
8. People not understanding your hatred for all Chicago sports teams
Chicago people are everywhere in this freakin' country, and let me tell ya', many of them are students at my university. Those who aren't from the two cities will never understand the rivalry that goes on during baseball and hockey season, why we would spend over $100 on a single ticket for nosebleed seats at a Cubs vs Cards game, or that seeing the Blackhawks win the Cup was probably the worst thing to ever happen to St. Louis sports fans. Go Cards. Cubs suck.
9. Calling people hoosiers.
No, we aren't referring to the Indiana Hoosiers, and we don't understand why we constantly have to explain ourselves. A hoosier is a word for white trash and always comes with a negative connotation. Coming back to St. Louis is great because I don't have to explain my lingo all the darn time.
10. Being 20 minutes away from so many diverse neighborhoods.
The Hill, Central West End, Clayton, Historic Kirkwood, Lafayette, Maplewood, Soulard, The Loop, The Grove, Webster Groves, these are all places with something amazing to offer. I don't think we realize how lucky we are to be able to experience all of these different places until we move away to a place and realize that the next closest city is 45 minutes away.
11. Calling Panera Bread, "Bread Co."
I will take this one to my grave. For the love of all the sourdough bread bowls in the land, it is St. Louis Bread Company and this Panera that you speak of still does not exist to me.
Once you move away, you'll understand how special a place the good ol' 3-1-4 is, and you might even wonder why you ever left in the first place.
