Where I Eat Most Often in St. Louis

When someone asks: “Where shall we go to eat?”chances are I’ll suggest one of the following places shown below. A lot depends on our location and the adventuresome nature of my companions. I checked my records to see where I had eaten most often this past year and here’s what came up. Some of the restaurants are close to where I live or shop, which makes them convenient. But many are in the city nearer to where my family lives.

I also included my favorite menu items at each place. Missing on my “Most Frequented” list are several restaurants, that I greatly enjoy, but eat there mostly on special occasions: The Crossing, Elaia, and Tony’s.

The list below is in no special order.

Cafe Osage

Favs: Chicken Pot Pie, Moroccan Chicken Salad and BrieLT Sandwich. Eat outside in the garden area or indoors in view of the gift and flower shop. Location: Bowood Garden & Home, 4605 Olive St.

Sheesh

Favs: Falafel, Hummus, Chicken Biriyani. Turkish and Mideastern decor and dishes. Location: 3226 S. Grand.

Fountain on Locust

Favs: Blackhawk Roast Beef; Chocolate Ice Cream Soda; World’s Tiniest Ice Cream Cone. My take-home delicacy: dark chocolate-covered orange rinds made in house. Former Stutz auto showroom with classic American eats and specialty ice cream concoctions. Location: 3037 Locust Street.

Bahn Mi So #1

Favs: Bun Ga Xao, Double Meatball Bahn Mi Sandwich (shown) served on La Bonne Bouchee baguette with house made dipping sauce; Curry Salmon, Tilapia Spring Rolls. Small, family-owned Vietnamese restaurant. Location: 4071 S. Grand.

5 Star Burger

Favs: Magic Mushroom Burger (shown), Sweet Potato Fries with Maple Cream; the $1 Ice Cream Shooters. 3 Locations: Clayton, Kirkwood, Creve Coeur.

Canyon Cafe

Favs: 3 Street Tacos (bison, veggie, fish shown). Outside, inside and mall seating. Southwest/Tex-Mex. Located: Plaza Frontenac

Hiro Asian Kitchen

Favs: Fresh Kale Salad with Lemongrass-Citrus Dressing (shown), San-Pei Chicken Claypot, Pork Belly Gua Bao, Crispy Potato Tots with spicy Sirracha mayo. Chef Bernie Lee’s innovative Asian-fusion cuisine. Location: 1405 Washington Ave.

House of India

Favs: Vegetable Korma, Chicken Tikka Masala, Mango Lassi. Daily buffet is ample, moderately priced, and always delicious. Location: Just off I-170 on Delmar.

Cardwells at the Plaza

Favs: Parisian Onion Soup, Chinese BBQ Chicken Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing (shown). Location: Plaza Frontenac

Pi Pizzeria

Favs: I eat pizza most often as a carry-out, the heavily-loaded, thin crust varieties being my favorites. 3 Locations: Delmar, N. Euclid, Washington Ave.

Seoul Taco

Korean-Mexican medleys include quesadillas, tacos (shown), burritos, and gogi bowls. Location: 6665 Delmar Ave.

Olio

Favs: Roasted Cauliflower (shown), Chicken Meatballs, Baba Ghanouosh. Rustic, Middle-Eastern/South-European/North African fare served from a 30s-era filling station. Share small dishes. Location: 1634 Tower Grove Ave.