top five best underrated restaurants in St. Louis
St. Louis is known for quite a few things: the Gateway Arch, blues music, the deplorable Dred Scott decision, and food—everything from gooey butter cake and frozen custard to St. Paul sandwiches and toasted ravioli.
If you’re planning a trip to this sleepy Midwestern city, you’ll likely have been recommended the Delmar Loop as a place to go eat and explore. The Loop, as it’s known to locals, does indeed have some of St. Louis’s most popular restaurants.
Some of the big names include Salt & Smoke, which serves up St. Louis-style barbecue, Fitz’s which is famous for its craft root beer and burgers, and Three Kings Public House, which serves upscale pub food.
If you’re only in St. Louis for a few days, I absolutely recommend eating at any of these three (especially Three Kings, which has a delicious Cajun pasta), but if you’re staying for longer or wanting to look at the food scene beyond these classic options, read on for some of my favorite underrated restaurants in St. Louis.
1. Chilispot - my go-to spot for Sichuan cuisine
Chilispot, located on Olive Blvd, is my go-to restaurant for when I’m craving an extra kick of spice in my food. They serve a variety of authentic Sichuan dishes including boiled beef and mala dry pot, two of my favorites.
Fans include many of my classmates and my Chinese language professor who said Chilispot’s food reminds her of home.
Portions sizes are decently large, so I recommend going with friends or a partner so you can try multiple dishes.
2. Thai Country Cafe - the best Thai food in St. Louis
There are three Thai restaurants on the Delmar Loop, each serving variations of Thai dishes at differing price points. Thai Country Cafe is the best combination of flavor and price, with a large menu of delicious dishes for decent prices.
A meal for two people which includes drinks (their Thai iced tea is the perfect amount of sweet and creamy), an appetizer, and two entrees will run you about $50 total. If you forgo the drinks and appetizer, a regular entree is usually between $13 to $17.
As a regular in my rotation, at one point I was attempting to eat my way through the noodle menu at Thai Country and my favorites are the #45 Pad Sri Ra Chen Sen Mee and the #49 Pad Krapow Sen Sod. Both are spicy options though, so if you’re looking for a bit less heat I recommend the #42 Pad Peanut Sauce Sen Chan.
On a side note, the restaurant has some of the wonkiest decor I’ve ever seen with its eclectic collection of trinkets coming together to form what I assume is meant to be a remote country cabin although it’s questionable if that goal has been achieved.
Still, a not-to-miss restaurant if you’re in St. Louis and craving some Thai food.
3. Vegas Wok - great for a budget-friendly meal
This little restaurant, tucked into the corner of a block just off the Delmar Loop, is unassuming but one of the best places on the Loop to grab a cheap but delicious meal.
It’s often filled with students from nearby WashU who can be found enjoying the menu of both classic American Chinese as well as traditional Chinese dishes.
The mapo tofu with rice plate is a filling portion that’ll cost you only a bit more than $10. Another favorite of mine is the beef tripe with pepper over rice.
The restaurant doesn’t have a traditional waiting system. Instead, once you walk in, you order and pay at the counter before seating yourself. The person at the counter will bring your food to you when it’s ready.
The space tends to get crowded during popular lunch and dinner times so if you want guaranteed seats, get there a bit before the rush times.
4. Taste of India - flavor-packed food in a cozy setting
Another little restaurant tucked into the corner of a block off the Loop, Taste of India has great prices on great food all in a cozy, softly-lit space. They have colorful, thickly padded couches for seating that makes the space feel homey.
Their meat samosas are delicious and their garlic naan is the best I’ve ever had—crispy and generous with the garlic. Last time I went, I had their chicken curry and it was flavorful and the perfect amount of spicy. The portion sizes won’t leave you feeling cheated either. Turmeric, arguably the most popular Indian restaurant on the Loop, may get all the hype, but Taste of India deserves the love too.
5. U-City Grill - homestyle Korean food
U-City Grill, a small Korean food restaurant hidden behind off the end of the Loop, is the Loop’s best example of a hole-in-the-wall place that serves up delicious food at great prices. The store is run and managed by an elderly Korean man whose attitude can sometimes be a bit rough around the edges but who will serve you food that reminds you of home.
Everything is freshly made on the spot after you order. The restaurant only has a diner-style counter and several stools, so you can see him make the food directly in front of you. I recommend the kimbap and the bibimbap.
The restaurant is cash-only so make sure to have some bills in your wallet before you head there for some chow.
No matter what reason you have for visiting St. Louis, empty tummies don't make for an enjoyable trip, so while you're in town, pop by any of these restaurants for a comforting meal. Enjoy!~