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The Best Restaurants In Wentzville, Missouri

| © Jack Malipan Travel Photography / Alamy Stock Photo

While nearby St. Louis has its famous barbecue, Wentzville, Missouri is proof you don’t have to go to the big city for first-rate eats. We take in some of the best local restaurants in and around Wentzville, from gourmet burgers to authentic Italian fare.

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The Tattooed Dog

Hamburger with fries

The former owner of popular St. Louis food truck Burger Ink, Chef Josh Lemmon, took the brick-and-mortar route when he opened The Tattooed DogWentzville’s hottest burger joint – in 2014. Dubbing its food ‘upscale dive grub,’ the venue offers a gourmet twist on the classic burger and fries combo with inventive options like the Maui (topped with grilled pineapple, white American cheese, teriyaki wasabi glaze, roasted garlic aioli and spring greens) or the Perzola (with cheese, poached pears and gorgonzola crème). These options are then served with loaded, house-made fries topped with the likes of chili cheese or roasted chicken. Appetizers, sandwiches and hot dogs are served too alongside a couple of irresistible desserts – if you still have room, that is.

Cedar Lake Cellars

Over in nearby Wright City, there’s a glorious haven for local lovers of wine going by the name of Cedar Lake Cellars. While budding oenophiles could happily wile away an hour tasting the winery’s wares, foodies will get a kick out of its on-site restaurant and tasting bar’s elegant, seasonal cuisine. Lunch features upscale-casual eats like gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and cast iron cooked pizzas. Meanwhile, Cedar Lake Cellars’ dinner menu boasts mouthwatering entrées including salt-roasted prime rib and creamy lobster mac and cheese. An all-you-can-eat brunch is served on Sundays alongside Bloody Marys, mimosas and Cedar Lake Cellars’ very own sangria.

West Allen Grill

A local dining haunt since first opening in 1996, West Allen Grill has been serving its fresh and casual American eats for more than two decades. A cozy, welcoming space decked out in locally inspired memorabilia entices guests to try appetizers like loaded potato skins, coconut shrimp with sweet-and-sour marmalade and toasted ravioli (practically a local St. Louis dining tradition), followed by an array of mains. These include a range of burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, pasta and dishes like meatloaf. They are served with mashed potatoes and green beans or BBQ baby back ribs basted in West Allen Grill’s homemade sauce.

Asabi Bistro Sushi Bar and Grill

In neighboring Lake St. Louis, Asabi Bistro Sushi Bar and Grill is the place to head to for eclectic and authentic Asian cuisine. Chef and owner Dara Thach brings years of experience working in restaurants across the US to his varied menu. Choose from Thai-inspired dishes like red or yellow curry, classic Chinese cuisine like orange chicken and chef specials like the Korean dish beef chap chae (potato noodles stir-fried with cabbage, carrots and Korean brown sauce). You can also check out Asabi Bistro’s extensive sushi menu for options like the Lake St. Louis roll (soybean wrap with yellowtail, jalapeño, cucumber, cilantro, pineapple and black tobiko).

BC’s Kitchen

Creative, seasonal New American dishes are the focus at BC’s Kitchen – a contemporary restaurant opened by acclaimed chef and St. Louis native Bill Cardwell eight years ago in Lake St. Louis. Menus at BC’s Kitchen change with the seasons, but guests can expect plenty of inventive plates crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Such recipes include smoked St. Louis-style pork baby back ribs with house-made BBQ sauce, baked mac and cheese and a crisp vegetable slaw and gumbo with andouille sausage, chicken, shrimp, steamed rice, green onion and a side of corn bread. These are all perfectly complemented by a range of beers, wines and clever cocktails.

Los Portales

Enchiladas

Authentic, familiar Mexican fare is the order of the day at Los Portales – a restaurant popular with local Wentzville diners since opening its doors back in 2002. Team appetizers like queso fundido or spicy crab cakes with poblano peppers with Los Portales’ range of classic burritos, fajitas, enchiladas and the like. Or, opt for dishes like chipotle salsa-rubbed ribeye or shrimp ceviche tostadas. Finish with authentic desserts like Mexican flan or sopapillas, and wash it down with a selection from Los Portales’ extensive tequila and margarita list.

About the author

Helen Armitage lives near Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England where she recently graduated with a Masters in Magazine Journalism. She enjoys writing about culture, pop culture, feminism and film and her favourite destinations are New York City and Dublin. She is about to embark on a three-month placement in Seville, Spain and in the future would love to visit Reykjavik, Vancouver and New York (again).

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