St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 1764, is one of the most historic cities in the country. Its city planning, architecture and public places reveal the confluence of its French roots with its Irish, Italian and German heritages. St. Louis is also home to many historic restaurants that have withstood the tests of time and provide service and food that have kept diners coming back for decades.
In 1914, August A. Busch Sr. wanted to prove that ale could be served in a family-friendly restaurant rather than dank, sawdust-floor watering holes, so he opened Busch's Inn, which eventually was renamed Al Smith's Feasting Fox. The restaurant's German-inspired stucco-and-timber construction, pitched roof and signature turret have made it a southside landmark.
Must-try dishes include German favorites such as Black Forest sweet-and-sour pork with apples and sun-dried cherries, veal wiener schnitzel topped with a hard-fried egg, and sauerbraten served with cabbage and applesauce.
Al Smith's Feasting Fox
4200 S. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63111
(314) 352-3500
feastingfox.com
By 1864, Lemp was the largest brewery in St. Louis, and this 33-room Victorian showcase is a testament to the wealth and power of beer tycoon William J. Lemp and his family. Many experts in the field of paranormal activity claim the building is one of the most haunted places in the U.S., and the mansion gives "haunted tours" every Monday evening. The restaurant inside the extravagant home serves American and Italian favorites such as beef Wellington and chicken marsala.
Every Friday and Saturday night, the mansion hosts a murder mystery dinner theater. For a special price, guests can enjoy a who-dunnit show along with a four-course meal served with wine and coffee. Sunday nights offer a homestyle buffet with pan-fried chicken, roast beef, buttermilk biscuits and more.
Lemp Mansion Restaurant and Inn
3322 Demenil Place
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 664-8024
lempmansion.com
A North St. Louis tradition since 1948, Goody Goody started out as a drive-in restaurant. With the increasing popularity of fast food drive-thrus, however, the diner discontinued its carhop service in 1972. Today, the restaurant serves American comfort food in a classic diner atmosphere at reasonable prices.
Goody Goody is best known for its extensive breakfast menu, which features dishes such as the "Hobo Breakfast Bowl" (sausage scrambled with eggs, tomato and onion then covered with hash browns, white gravy and shredded cheese), along with waffle-and-chicken platters, egg sandwiches and hotcakes. Lunch entrees include grilled franks, salmon croquette on a kaiser bun and tamales drenched in chili and cheddar cheese. Goody Goody isn't open for dinner, but its hearty breakfasts and lunches should keep you going until the following morning.
Connelly's Goody Goody Diner
5900 Natural Bridge Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63120
(314) 383-3333
goodygoodydiner.com
Established in 1925 and located just north of the Gateway Arch and Laclede's Landing, Al's Restaurant serves high-end, Italian-influenced American cuisine. While the prices may be steep for the casual diner, this award-winning eatery provides an elegant, intimate setting for anniversary or special-occasion dinners.
Tableside presentation and high-end service accompany carefully prepared entrees such as steak Diane, breast of duck Grand Marnier, lobster Thermidor and Chilean sea bass. Three-course prix fixe meals are also available. Dessert options include classic cheesecake, hand-dipped chocolate strawberries and bananas Foster.
Al's Restaurant
1200 N. First St.
St. Louis MO 63102
(314) 421-6399
alsrestaurant.net
