7 Foods You Can Only Try in St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis is home to the Arch, as well as many culinary delights
St. Louis is home to the Arch, as well as many culinary delights | © Dave Herholz / Flickr
Jamie Miller

St. Louisans are proud of their originals—be that hometown celebrities, sports teams, or local recipes. Here are a few of the favorite culinary treats without which no trip to St. Louis would be complete.

St. Louis Slinger

Whether you woke up ravenous or you drank a little too much the night before, this breakfast dish is the cure for what ails you. The main components include eggs, potatoes, chili, cheese, and a protein, usually a hamburger patty. It’s all stacked, and those in the know often try to get a taste of everything in each bite. It’s rarely, if ever, a pretty presentation, but the flavor combination when the craving hits is close to unparalleled. For the classics, give City Diner or Courtesy Diner a try.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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St. Louis-style pizza

Former St. Louisans pine for St. Louis-style pizza to the point that some local restaurants even ship it within the United States. However, among non-natives, it can be controversial. The cracker-thin crust is topped with a thin layer of sauce, Provel cheese (which—if you’ve even heard of it—is not quite the monstrosity many believe it to be), and loaded with end-to-end toppings. St. Louis native Jon Hamm famously (well, famously in St. Louis) defended the hometown favorite and its most popular purveyor, Imo’s Pizza, on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2013, stating that, “It tastes like 11 World Series victories.” He got a lot of points for that one.

Imo’s Pizza in St. Louis, Mo., is truly “The square beyond compare”

St. Paul Sandwich

Start with two pieces of white bread. Between them, place a crispy egg foo yong patty. Then slather with mayonnaise, and top with lettuce, tomato, and dill pickles. Or pick up this delicacy at a local South Side Chinese restaurant for less than $5. Yes, really. No one is quite sure why it’s called the St. Paul, though one theory suggests that the inventor was originally from St. Paul, Minnesota.

Toasted Ravioli

When done right, never has there been a more satisfying doughy, chewy, and crunchy bite. Starting with ravioli as most people know it, the pasta is then toasted—and by “toasted,” they mean deep-fried—which almost completely changes the dish. Most often meat-filled, though sometimes there’s a cheese option, it’s usually served as an appetizer with marinara dipping sauce. It’s a mainstay on menus throughout the city and is featured with various cuisines, from bar food to the original Italian menu. Arguably the best, however, is at Charlie Gitto’s on The Hill, St. Louis’ Italian neighborhood.

Toasted ravioli are a doughy, chewy, and crunchy taste experience

St. Louis-style barbecue

St. Louis-style barbecue is all in the technique—the meat is first cooked and then coated with sweet barbecue sauce, versus dry-rubbed and slow-smoked. Try baby back ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and so much more at Sugarfire, where they’ve put their own twist on the classics.

Ted Drewes concrete

Many a St. Louis-food skeptic has been turned after their first bite of a Ted Drewes frozen custard concrete. Although the concept of ice cream blended with candy and other toppings isn’t unique to St. Louis, Ted Drewes’ frozen custard is an experience you can only get here. The lines are long, but it will take you as much time to decide what flavor combinations you want to blend for the ultimate frozen-treat experience. As you head back to the parking lot to eat your creation while leaning against your car, turn it upside down. No, really. That’s how rich and creamy your flavor experience is about to get.

Ted Drewes frozen custard is an ice cream experience unlike any other

Gooey Butter Cake

Gooey butter cake is sold in most grocery stores and bakeries in St. Louis, such as Park Avenue Coffee. Many families have even passed recipes down through generations. The exact facts of the origins are mostly unknown, but many believe that a Depression-era German baker was attempting a simple yellow cake and mistakenly added too much butter, too much sugar, or possibly too much of everything. Without the resources to start over, he attempted to sell the resulting confection, which had a dense cake bottom, gooey middle, and powdered-sugar crust on top. The sweet, buttery mess was a hit and is still a classic that locals eagerly offer visitors.

No trip to St. Louis is complete without at least one piece of Gooey Butter Cake
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