Riverfront Times, October 13, 2021 by Riverfront Times

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MARCH 6-12, 2019

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JUST JOHN NIGHTCLUB

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THE LEDE

“When I was a kid, my uncles they used to always watch Westerns. I thought I was a cowboy. I want to be a cowboy. Honest truth, I just started looking into [it] when I got older, just on the internet, and I found her volunteer work. And I went there about three or four years now.”

PHOTO BY THEO WELLING

JONATHAN THOMAS, VOLUNTEER HORSE HANDLER WITH MEADOW CREST FARMS, PHOTOGRAPHED AT THE HISPANIC FESTIVAL AT KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS IN FLORISSANT ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3 riverfronttimes.com

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P L E A S E D R I N K R E S P O N S I B LY WHISKEY SPECIALT Y, 35% ALC. BY VOL., (70 PROOF.) JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY, LYNCHBURG, TENNESSEE. JACK DANIEL’S AND TENNESSEE HONEY ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS. ©2021 JACK DANIEL’S. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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WELCOME TO Best of St. Louis

TABLE OF CONTENTS Publisher Chris Keating Editor in Chief Doyle Murphy

E D I T O R I A L Digital Content Editors Jenna Jones, Jaime Lees Interim Managing Editor Daniel Hill Food Editor Cheryl Baehr Staff Writer Danny Wicentowski Contributors Eric Berger, Jeannette Cooperman, Mike Fitzgerald, Eileen G’Sell, Reuben Hemmer, Ryan Krull, Andy Paulissen, Justin Poole, Jack Probst, Richard Weiss, Theo Welling, Ymani Wince Columnists Thomas Chimchards, Ray Hartmann Editorial Interns Phuong Bui, Zoë Butler, Madyson Dixon A R T

& P R O D U C T I O N Art Director Evan Sult Production Manager Haimanti Germain M U L T I M E D I A A D V E R T I S I N G Associate Publisher Colin Bell Account Managers Emily Fear, Jennifer Samuel Director of Business Development Brittany Forrest, Rachel Hoppman Director of Marketing and Events Olia Friedrichs Regional Director of Marketing and Events Kristina Linden

COVER NEAR & FAR Best of St. Louis is back with everything you need to dig in or get away.

C I R C U L A T I O N Circulation Manager Kevin G. Powers

Cover design & Illustrations by

ALAURA MYERS Issue design by

N A T I O N A L A D V E R T I S I N G VMG Advertising 1-888-278-9866, vmgadvertising.com

MERCENARY CREATIVE GROUP

S U B S C R I P T I O N S Send address changes to Riverfront Times, 5257 Shaw Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110. Domestic subscriptions may be purchased for $78/6 months (MO add $4.74 sales tax) and $156/year (MO add $9.48 sales tax) for first class. Allow 6-10 days for standard delivery. www.riverfronttimes.com

INSIDE The Lede Best of St. Louis 2021 Readers' Choice People & Places Sports & Recreation Arts & Entertainment Goods & Services Food & Drink Savage Love

E U C L I D M E D I A G R O U P Chief Executive Officer Andrew Zelman Chief Operating Officers Chris Keating, Michael Wagner VP of Digital Services Stacy Volhein www.euclidmediagroup.com

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The Riverfront Times is published weekly by Euclid Media Group | Verified Audit Member Riverfront Times PO Box 179456, St. Louis, MO, 63117 www.riverfronttimes.com General information: 314-754-5966 Founded by Ray Hartmann in 1977

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CLOVR CANNABIS

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St. Louis’ Best Breakfast

Since 1961

8 The City’s Favorite for 60 Years!

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America’s #1 comedy club Delivering Laughs for Over 35 Years

WESTPORT PLAZA

CRAIG CONANT October 14-17

BOB ZANY November 3

RAFE WILLIAMS November 4-7

SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT!

GREG WARREN November 11-14 SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT!

GRAND OPENING OCTOBER 20TH! STREETS OF ST. CHARLES

JOHN MORGAN October 20-25

JOE MARLOTTI October 27-31

WESTPORT

614 W Port Plaza Dr, St. Louis, MO 63146 Ticket office : (314) 469-6692

MICHAEL IAN BLACK November 4-7

BRENT TERHUNE November 10-14

STREETS OF ST. CHARLES 1520 S 5th St., Suite 108 St. Charles, MO 63303 Ticket office : (314) 469-6692

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE AT STLOUISFUNNYBONE.COM

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You’re here. We’re here. Maybe that shouldn’t feel like the accomplishment that it does, but there’s nothing like a hard twelve months (OK, nineteen months) to remind us of everything we had taken for granted. The tacos are more delicious, the parks more refreshing, the music more piercing. This has been a year to appreciate all that St. Louis has to offer, and our writers, editors and photographers have been hard at work on a guide to the best of, basically, everything. Looking for the best Italian food you can eat in the metro region? RFT food editor Cheryl Baehr knows just the place. Curious about which politician is doing it right? Check out our pick. Thinking of moving to a new neighborhood? Read on.

The theme this year is Near and Far, a framework we used to give you ways to re-emerge a bit as well as plenty of options to get away, whether that is a day trip in search of pizza, a hiking trip or just a little space inside the city. Everyone is taking life at their own speed these days, and we’ve got something for all of you.

More than just a guide of where to go and what to do, our annual Best of St. Louis is our way of taking stock of our hometown. It’s a snapshot of the current moment, a remembrance of the past and a peek into the future. We’re glad you’re here and look forward to seeing you around town soon.

— Doyle Murphy

Illustrations by ALAURA MYERS

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We asked and you responded. Here’s the Best of St. Louis, according to Riverfront Times’ readers.

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BEST OF ST. LOUIS

READERS’ CHOICE

9 Mile Garden | COURTESY 9 MILE GARDEN

Best Place for Day Drinking Broadway Oyster Bar

Runner Up Syberg’s

736 South Broadway / 314-621-8811

Runner Up Duke’s

Best Burger (Non-Beef Division) Frida’s

2001 Menard St. / 314-833-6686 ____________________

622 North and South Rd. 314-727-6500

Best Sushi Restaurant Cafe Mochi

Best Ramen Nudo House

Runner Up Navin’s BBQ

3221 South Grand Blvd. #1013 314-773-5000

Runner Up Mac’s Local Eats

Runner Up Sushi Ai

1821 Cherokee St. / 314-393-7713 ____________________

Best Fast-Casual Restaurant J’s Pitaria

Multiple locations including 6105-A Delmar Blvd. / 314-370-6970

3559 Arsenal St. / 314-449-1185 ____________________

910 Olive St. / 314-558-7888 ____________________

Runner Up Midtown Sushi & Ramen

Best Bakery Nathaniel Reid Bakery

3674 Forest Park Ave. 314-328-2452 ____________________

11243 Manchester Rd. / 314-858-1019

Best Seafood Broadway Oyster Bar 736 South Broadway / 314-621-8811

Runner Up Federhofer’s Bakery

Runner Up Peacemaker Lobster & Crab

Best Restaurant to Close in the Past 12 Months Southtown Pub 3707 South Kingshighway Blvd.

Runner Up Gamlin Whisky House 236 North Euclid Ave. ____________________

Best Chicken Wings Syberg’s Multiple locations including 7802 Gravois Rd. / 314-832-3560

9005 Gravois Rd. / 314-832-5116 ____________________

1831 Sidney St. / 314-772-8858 ____________________

Best Greek Restaurant Olympia Kebob House and Taverna

Best Burger Mac’s Local Eats

1543 McCausland Ave. / 314-781-1299

Runner Up Michael’s Bar & Grill 7101 Manchester Ave. / 314-644-2240

Multiple locations including 7802 Gravois Rd. / 314-832-3560 ____________________

Runner Up Syberg’s Multiple locations including 7802 Gravois Rd. / 314-832-3560 ____________________

Best Tacos Mission Taco Joint

1821 Cherokee St. / 314-393-7713

908 Lafayette Ave. / 314-858-8226

Runner Up O’Connell’s Pub

Runner Up Taco Circus

4652 Shaw Ave. / 314-773-6600 ____________________

Best St. Louis Style Pizza Dogtown Pizza

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91 Concord Plaza Shopping Center 314-270-8005

4940 Southwest Ave. 314-899-0061

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BEST OF ST. LOUIS

Best Desserts Russell’s on Macklind 5400 Murdoch Ave. / 314-533-9994

Runner Up Cyrano’s Cafe 603 East Lockwood Ave. 314-963-3232 ____________________

Best Frozen Pizza (Local) Dogtown Pizza Runner Up Syberg’s Multiple locations including 7802 Gravois Rd. / 314-832-3560 ____________________

Best Thai Restaurant King and I 3155-3157 South Grand Blvd. 314-771-1777

Runner Up Pearl Cafe 8416 North Lindbergh Blvd. 314-831-3701 ____________________

Best Margarita Chava’s Mexican Restaurant 925 Geyer Ave. #3921 / 314-241-5503

Runner Up Mission Taco 908 Lafayette Ave. / 314-858-8226 ____________________

Best Steaks Tucker’s Place

READERS’ CHOICE

Runner Up Twisted Tree Steakhouse 10701 Watson Rd. / 314-394-3366 ____________________

Best Mexican Restaurant La Catrina 5220 Hampton Ave. / 314-883-3357

Runner Up Mi Ranchito 887 Kingsland Ave. / 314-863-1880 ____________________

Best Cocktails Planter’s House 1000 Mississippi Ave. / 314-696-2603

Runner Up Frazer’s Restaurant & Lounge 1811 Pestalozzi St. / 314-733-8646 ____________________

Best Brunch Carnivore STL 5257 Shaw Ave. / 314-449-6328

Runner Up Russell’s on Macklind 5400 Murdoch Ave. / 314-553-9994 ____________________

Best Bartenders Duke’s Soulard 2001 Menard St. / 314-833-6686

Runner Up Kari McGinness (Cleveland-Heath) 106 N Main St., Edwardsville, Illinois 618-307-4830

Best Doughnuts Donut Drive-In

Best 3 a.m. Bar The Gramophone

6525 Chippewa St. / 314-623-7714

4243 Manchester Ave. / 314-531-5700

Runner Up Old Town Donuts

Runner Up Patrick McKeane’s Pub

510 North New Florissant Rd. 314-831-0907 ____________________

3152 Osceola St. / 314-351-0620 ____________________

Best Patio Molly’s in Soulard

Best Neighborhood Restaurant Pit Stop - STL

816 Geyer Ave. / 314-241-6200

Runner Up Broadway Oyster Bar

2130 Macklind Ave. / 314-696-2999

Runner Up The Original Crusoe’s Restaurant

736 South Broadway / 314-621-8811 ____________________

Best Barbeque Hogtown Smokehouse

3152 Osceola St. / 314-351-0620 ____________________

Best Italian Restaurant Anthonino’s Taverna 2225 Macklind Ave. / 314-773-4455

Runner Up Trattoria Marcella 3600 Watson Rd. / 314-352-7706 ____________________

Best Chef Percy Parker (Duke’s Soulard) 2001 Menard St. / 314-833-6686

Runner Up Tyler Layton (Twisted Tree Steakhouse) 10701 Watson Rd. / 314-394-3366

6301 Clayton Ave. / 314-899-0550

Runner Up BEAST Craft BBQ Co. 20 South Belt West, Belleville; 618-257-9000 ____________________

Best Indian Restaurant House of India 8501 Delmar Blvd. / 314-567-6850

Runner Up India Rasoi 25 North Euclid Ave. / 314-361-6911 ____________________

Best New Bar Twisted Tavern STL 3606 West Outer Rd. 314-900-1331

2117 South 12th St. / 314-772-5977

Cafe don Alfonso | MABEL SUEN riverfronttimes.com

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BEST OF ST. LOUIS

Runner Up Golden Hoosier

READERS’ CHOICE

Runner Up Sister Cities Cajun Restaurant

3707 South Kingshighway 314-354-8044 ____________________

3550 South Broadway / 314-405-0447 ____________________

Best Chain Restaurant Syberg’s

Best Chinese Restaurant Wonton King

Multiple locations including 7802 Gravois Rd. / 314-832-3560

8116 Olive Blvd. / 314-567-9997

Runner Up Lion’s Choice 6630 Chippewa St. / 314-352-5466 ____________________

Best Restaurant for Vegetarians Tree House Restaurant 3177 South Grand Blvd. 314-696-2110

Runner Up LuLu’s Local Eatery 3201 South Grand Blvd. 314-300-8215 ____________________

Best Fried Chicken Original Crusoe’s 3152 Osceola St. / 314-351-0620

Runner Up Hodak’s

Runner Up Frida’s

2100 Gravois Ave. / 314-776-7292 ____________________

622 North and South Rd. 314-727-6500 ____________________

Best Martini Cleveland Heath

Best Restaurant When Someone Else Pays Tree House Restaurant 3177 South Grand Blvd. 314-696-2110

Runner Up Tony’s 105 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton; 314-221-7007 ____________________

Best Takeout/ Curbside J’s Pitaria 91 Concord Plaza Shopping Center 314-270-8005

Runner Up Syberg’s Multiple locations including 7802 Gravois Rd. / 314-832-3560 ____________________

Best Food Truck Tuk Tuk Thai Runner Up Seoul Taco

____________________

Best Cajun/Creole Broadway Oyster Bar 736 South Broadway / 314-621-8811

106 N Main St., Edwardsville, Illinois 618-307-4830

Gin Room owner Natasha Bahrami | COURTESY GIN ROOM

Runner Up The Gin Room 3200 South Grand Blvd. 314-771-3411 ____________________

Best Bar Duke’s Soulard 2001 Menard St. / 314-833-6686

Runner Up Helen Fitzgerald’s Irish Grill & Pub 3650 S. Lindbergh Blvd. 314-984-0026 ____________________

Best Deli/Sandwich Blues City Deli

Runner Up Rehab Bar and Grill 4054 Chouteau Ave. / 314-371-1333 ____________________

2438 McNair Ave. / 314-773-8225

Runner Up Gioia’s Deli

Best Comfort Food Grace Meat+Three

1934 Macklind Ave. / 314-766-9410 ____________________

4270 Manchester Ave. / 314-553-2700

Best New Restaurant Navin’s BBQ

Runner Up Piccadilly on Manhattan

3559 Arsenal St. / 314-449-1185

7201 Piccadilly Ave. / 314-646-0016

Runner Up Twisted Tavern STL

Best Outdoor Dining Pit Stop - STL 2130 Macklind Ave. / 314-696-2999

3735 Wyoming St. / 314-776-0534

3606 West Outer Rd., Arnold 314-900-1331 ____________________

Runner Up Katie’s Pizza & Pasta

Best Sports Bar Duke’s Soulard

Best Pizza That Isn’t St. Louis Style Blackthorn Pub & Pizza

Runner Up John D. McGurk’s Irish Pub and Garden

2001 Menard St. / 314-833-6686

1200 Russell Blvd. / 314-776-8309 ____________________

Runner Up Syberg’s

Best Flavored Whiskey Jack Daniel’s Honey

6330 Clatyton Ave. / 314-875-9174

Multiple locations including 7802 Gravois Rd. / 314-832-3560 ____________________

Runner Up Jack Daniel’s Apple

Runner Up Rise Coffee

Best Gay Bar Just John

9568 Manchester Rd. / 314-942-6555 ____________________

Best Coffeehouse Sweet Em’s Coffee & Ice Cream

4176 Manchester Ave. / 314-405-8171

4112 Manchester Ave. / 314-371-1333

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South City Scooters @ the corner of Connecticut & Morgan Ford

314.664.2737

DO YOUR PART TO STOP GLOBAL WARMING! Up to 100 MPG

Hours: Tue-Wed-Thurs 10-7; Fri 10-5; Sat 10-4; Closed Mon 36

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BEST OF ST. LOUIS

READERS’ CHOICE

Runner Up Vincent’s Jewelers

Runner Up Straub’s

11733 Olive Blvd. / 314-989-9030 ____________________

8282 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton 314-725-2121 ____________________

Best Salon Formation Salon and Spa

Best Hotel Moonrise

8369 Olive Blvd. / 314-733-5363

6177 Delmar Blvd. / 314-721-1111

Runner Up Salon Melange

Runner Up Angad Arts Hotel

1218 Tamm Ave. / 314-651-5088 ____________________

Best Gift Shop STL Style House 3159 Cherokee St. / 314-898-0001

Runner Up Urban Matter 3179 South Grand Blvd. 314-769-9349 ____________________

Best Thrift Shop Goodwill Multiple locations including 1727 Locust St. / 314-241-3464

Runner Up Savers 9618 Watson Rd. / 314-849-1179 ____________________

Best Hardware Store True Value Multiple locations, including 7320 Manchester Rd., Maplewood 314-647-1411

Runner Up Edele & Mertz Hardware 1822 South Broadway / 314-421-2131 ____________________

Best Garden Center Frisella Nursery

Runner Up Emporium

Best CBD Shop CBD Kratom

6254 Delmar Blvd. / 314-721-6277 ____________________

Multiple locations including 3161 Morgan Ford Rd. / 314-202-8330

Best Mall West County Center

Best Car Repair Webster Groves Complete Auto Repair

Runner Up Root 66

80 West County Center Dr. 314-228-2020

#2 S Old Orchard Ave., Webster Groves / 314-961-2728

Runner Up Coates Brothers Auto Repair 6405 Manchester Ave. / 314-647-2334 ____________________

Best Medical Marijuana Dispensary North Dispensary 1709 Hwy Z, Pevely / 636-224-2885

Runner Up 3Fifteen Primo Cannabis Multiple locations including 5501 Chippewa St. / 314-330-2118 ____________________

Best Clothing Boutique STL Style House 3159 Cherokee St. / 314-898-0001

Runner Up Paperdolls Boutique

9410 Manchester Rd. / 314-962-7300

Runner Up Walter Knoll

Runner Up Gringo Jones

2765 Lasalle St. / 314-352-7575 ____________________

4740 Shaw Blvd. / 314-664-1666 ____________________

Best Sex Shop Hustler Hollywood

Best Place To Get a Mani/Pedi Beautiful Nails

9802 Natural Bridge Rd. 314-428-5069

Multiple locations including 8721 Manchester Rd. / 314-968-9973

Runner Up Patricia’s 3552 Gravois Ave. / 314-664-4040 ____________________

Runner Up Central West End Nails & Spa

Best Comics Store Apotheosis Comics & Lounge

4904 Laclede Ave. / 314-776-9090 ____________________

Runner Up Flowers & Weeds

Best Pet Groomer Dogtowne Grooming

Runner Up StL Comics Toys & More

3201 Cherokee St. / 314-776-2887 ____________________

1138 Tamm Ave., 314-645-7008

4117 Old Highway 94 South 314-537-9971 ____________________

1211 Park Ave., 314-773-7297 ____________________

Best Grocery Schnucks

Best Jewelry Store Paramount Jewelers

Multiple locations including 3430 South Grand Blvd. 314-772-5500

7348 Manchester Ave. / 314-645-1122

Best Antique Store Emporium St. Louis

3201 Cherokee St. / 314-776-2887

3206 South Grand Blvd. 314-802-7090

2131 Barrett Station Rd. 314-996-2473

1155 Saint Louis Galleria 314-571-7000 ____________________

Best Florist Flowers and Weeds

12095 Manchester Rd. / 314-858-9355 ____________________

Runner Up Four Muddy Paws

Runner Up Saint Louis Galleria

Multiple locations including 3737 South Grand Blvd. 314-257-0816 ____________________

550 Highway F, Defiance 636-798-2555

Best Smoke Shop (General) Coughing Cardinal

3550 Samuel Shepard Dr. 314-561-0033 ____________________

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Most LGBTQ-Friendly Brand Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire Runner Up Arch Apparel 2335 South Hanley Rd., Brentwood 314-601-3122

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BEST OF ST. LOUIS

READERS’ CHOICE

The Factory | DANIEL HILL

Runner Up Gaslight Studio & Lounge

Best Hip-Hop Club Pepper Lounge

4916 Shaw Ave. 314-499-7488 ____________________

2005 Locust St. / 314-241-2005

Runner Up: Al’s Lounge 2731 US-67 / 314-839-9850 ____________________

Best Live Music Venue The Factory

Best Band Name

17105 North Outer 40 Rd. 314-423-8500

Saint Boogie Brass Band Runner Up Aaron Kamm and the One Drops ____________________

Best Radio Show The Rizzuto Show Runner Up: The Roots Happy Hour Charlie Hubbard ____________________

Best All-Ages Venue The Factory 17105 North Outer 40 Rd. 314-423-8500

Runner Up: The Pageant 6161 Delmar Blvd. / 314-726-6161 ____________________

Best Blues Club BB’s Jass, Blues & Soups 700 South Broadway 314-436-5222

Runner Up: Broadway Oyster Bar 736 South Broadway 314-621-8811

Best Concert of the Past Year

Best Local Album Turtle Circus — Emperor of Fools

The Roots at the Factory

Runner Up Andrew & the Dolls — Gasoline

Runner Up Foo Fighters at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

____________________

Best Live Music Venue to Close in the Last 12 Months Bootleg at the Atomic Cowboy

Best Radio Station

4144 Manchester Ave.

Runner Up The Ready Room 4194 Manchester Ave. ____________________

Best Movie Theater Hi-Pointe Theatre

The Roots FM Runner Up KDHX

____________________

Best Jazz Club

Jazz at the Bistro 3536 Washington Ave. 314-571-6000

Runner Up The Dark Room at the Grandel

1005 McCausland Ave. 314-995-6273

3610 Grandel Square 314-710-5643 ____________________

Runner Up: The Chase Park Plaza

Best Recording Studio Shock City Studio

212 Kingshighway Blvd. 314-367-0101

2200 Gravois Ave. #100 314-771-3099

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Runner Up Broadway Oyster Bar 736 South Broadway 314-621-8811 ____________________

Best Local Artist Saint Boogie Brass Band Runner Up Aaron Kamm and the One Drops ____________________

Best Film Series St. Louis International Film Festival Runner Up America’s Last Little Italy: The Hill ____________________

Best Dance Company Big Muddy Dance Runner Up Saint Louis Ballet ____________________

Best Rock Club Old Rock House 1200 South 7th St. / 314-588-0505

Runner Up The Factory 17105 North Outer 40 Rd. 314-423-8500

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BEST OF ST. LOUIS

READERS’ CHOICE

Best Running Trail Forest Park

Runner Up Elephant Rocks

____________________

Runner Up Creve Coeur Lake

Best Public Park Forest Park

____________________

Best Yoga Studio Brick City Yoga

Runner Up Tower Grove

Best Gym Big Fitness Personal Training

Best Bike Path Grant’s Trail

1904 Washington Ave. / 314-384-8273

Runner Up Forest Park

Runner Up

House of Pain Gym

____________________

12632 Dorsett Rd. / 314-451-1010 ____________________

Best Hiking Trail Castlewood State Park

Best Camping within an Hour of St. Louis Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Runner Up Tom Sauk Mountain State Park (drive fast)

Runner Up Forest Park

____________________

Best Day Trip Destination Ste. Genevieve

____________________

2759 Wyoming St. / 314-802-8770

Best Public Pool Maplewood Family Aquatic Center

Urban Breath Yoga

7550 Lohmeyer Ave. / 314-636-3665

4237 Manchester Ave. / 314-421-9642 ____________________

Runner Up Shaw Park Aquatic Center

Best Bowling Alley Saratoga Lanes

111 South Brentwood Blvd. 314-290-8590 ____________________

Runner Up The Hill

Best Cardinals Player Yadier Molina Runner Up Adam Wainwright

Best Politician Cori Bush

Runner Up Kevin Johnson

____________________

Best Place for a Last Date Forest Park 5595 Grand Dr.

7960 Clayton Rd., Richmond Heights 314-781-0282

Runner Up Mike’s Bikes STL 324 North Euclid Ave. / 314-875-0080

Runner Up Ted Drewes

Runner Up Forest Park

6726 Chippewa St. / 314-481-2652

5595 Grand Dr.

____________________

Best Journalist Bill McClellan

Runner Up Tropicana Lanes

1155 South Big Bend Blvd. 314-862-1188

Runner Up Rex Sinquefield

Runner Up Josh Hawley

2725 Sutton Blvd. A, Maplewood / 314-645-5308

Best Bike Shop Big Shark Bicycle Company

Best Villian Stan Kroenke

Best Neighborhood to Live Dogtown

Runner Up

Best Blues Player Ryan O’Reilly

Best Place to Live Dogtown Runner Up Tower Grove

____________________

Best Cheap Thrill City Museum

Runner Up: Jordan Binnington

750 North 16th St. / 314-231-2489

Best Attorney Jennifer Mocabee

201 South 18th St. / 314-923-3960 ____________________

Runner Up: Jeff Singer

Best Activist Cori Bush

____________________

Best Place for a First Date Missouri Botanical Garden

Runner Up The St. Louis Wheel

Runner Up Kayla Reed

4344 Shaw Blvd. / 314-577-5100

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t. Louis can sometimes feel like one big tug of war. Filled with huge personalities, opposing ideas and neighborhoods with identities so distinct that they can seem more like a collection of countries than simple municipal divisions, this town rattles and rumbles, constantly straining against itself. But that friction is energy, and it produces some of the most interesting characters,

banging around and through some of the most compelling contexts, that you will find in the entire nation. Here’s to them, and this city. — Doyle Murphy

Best Politician Cori Bush Is there anything that Cori Bush can’t do? Here in Missouri, we’re not used to having politicians that actually represent us and our desires, so we’re still adjusting to having our very own Cori Bush to speak for us on the national stage. It seems like each day there’s some news about how the congresswoman is getting things done and shaking things up in Washington. In recent months, this hero to many has brought the eviction moratorium to the forefront, given testimony about her own abortion story and partnered with St. Louis libraries to provide Neighborhood Service Centers at which St. Louisans can get help with immigration casework or receive guidance on how to navigate federal agencies. In a state that’s also represented by Mike Parson, Roy Blunt, Josh Hawley, Ann Wagner, Eric Schmitt, Jay Ashcroft and others, Cori Bush is a constant breath of fresh air.

—Jaime Lees ____________________

Best Villain Mark McCloskey/ Eric Greitens/Eric Schmitt (tie) A principled representative of the policies and politics with which we disagree would be one thing. It’s, of course, fine for well-intentioned peo-

ple to disagree on how best to run a society. But when it comes to the race to replace Senator Roy Blunt, who will not seek reelection next year, this is absolutely not the situation we’re dealing with. The worst offenders, predictably, have been Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, disgraced former Governor Eric Greitens and unstable blowhard with a gun Mark McCloskey. All three, rather than concerning themselves with policy or what they might do to improve the lives of ordinary Missourians, have thrust themselves fully into the most fever-riddled aspects of the culture war in the hopes of finding themselves in the good graces of the former president and his legions of frothing fans. Schmitt has taken to suing everyone from the state’s school system to its largest cities to the People’s Republic of China for some fucking reason; Greitens has branded himself a “political outsider” in the hopes of sufficiently emulating Daddy Trump despite the fact that he was literally the governor of the goddamn state; and McCloskey has mostly been posing with firearms whenever possible so that voters know he’ll be glad to shoot some libs if that’s what the job calls for. The fact that all three of them have a reasonable shot of winning is not just depressing, it’s an outright tragedy. But, to be fair, we already got Josh Hawley holding the other Senate seat, so it’s not like tragedy isn’t something we’re used to by now.

Best Place (Not Your House) to Avoid People Saint Louis Art Museum The problem with people is that they’re always moving. One minute you’re walking down the sidewalk or occupying an elevator, and then, bam, there they are, breathing and sweating and all that jazz. But in the Saint Louis Art Museum (1 Fine Arts Drive; 314-721-0072), your introversion is the perfect engine for exploration: Imagine you’re perusing some Greek antiquities on the museum’s main level when some boomers in khaki shorts arrive while having FaceTime conversations on speakerphone, like monsters. Instead of freezing up, beat a tactical retreat — since that just means you’re going to run into more incredible art, history and culture. Let the crush of other people move you toward underappreciated galleries: Leave the European art in the main halls and descend to the lower level, where you encounter the stunning storytelling in the ritual garb of the indigenous cultures of Africa. Marvel at the intricate and practical craftsmanship of Native American and Oceanic cultures, their vast economies operating completely outside colonialist civilizations. In the museum, let the crowds be your signposts – and let your misanthropy be your tour guide.

—Danny Wicentowski

—Daniel Hill

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BEST OF ST. LOUIS

PEOPLE & PLACES

Forest Park | ERIN MCAFEE

Best Place for a First Date Upper Limits Indoor Rock Climbing Gym It can sure feel like the end of the world lately, so we all need to be wise about whom we take on as a partner. Your new boo might be someone you’ll need to lock down with for months or expect to guard the children while you go out to Costco and hunt for toilet paper. In situations like these, the best match for you is generally someone completely unlike you. So if you’re dumb, find someone smart. If you panic under pressure, find someone who can keep a cool head. And if you’re physically weak, find someone who can open your jar of pandemic pickles. When you find someone smart, you’ll usually know right away. But if you’re not sure if your new potential partner is strong, take them to Upper Limits Indoor Rock Climbing Gym (multiple locations, including 326 South 21st Street; 314-241-7625), strap them in and see what they can do. If they can’t support their body weight with their fingertips, cut them loose from your life. This is the Thunderdome. You’re looking for an asset to your team, not a liability. Boy, bye.

—Jaime Lees

Best Place for a Last Date Busch Stadium Taking a date to Busch Stadium (700 Clark Avenue; 314-345-9600) is always a good move. You just really can’t go wrong with the Cardinals. If the date is great, you have a fun event that you’ve shared together. But if the date sucks, Busch Stadium is the by-far best place in St. Louis to disappear. You could just slip right into the crowd and ghost them. That’s kind of rude, but sometimes it has to be done. But if you just want to avoid them for the night without having to confront them about it or spend any actual time with them, you can do that while on your date at Busch. Tell them to stay seated and that you’ll go get the pretzels and beers. Then wander around for an inning or two, meet up with some friends and eventually return and say, “Man, that line was crazy! And then by the time I got up to the counter they were sold out. Sorry.” You know what else might take a while? A bathroom line. Before you know it, you’ve successfully avoided your date for at least half the evening. They’ll be annoyed and you’ll be thrilled, and you’ll get to go home and watch the highlights on the couch alone, just like you wanted all along.

Best Activist Janna Añonuevo Langholz

Best Journalist Marissanne Lewis-Thompson

Activism in St. Louis often takes the form of groups marching through the streets, their collective presence shaking the halls of power. But other times, there’s only a still, small voice, keeping the flame of truth alive. Such is the case of Janna Añonuevo Langholz, a Filipino American artist in St. Louis who has single-handedly created a memorial to the lost residents of the 1904 “Philippine Village,” which housed some 1,200 people imported from the Philippine Islands to populate an unapologetically racist exhibit for that year’s World’s Fair in St. Louis. Segregated in 47 acres and put on display for the cost of 25 cents, the exhibit was a testament to the white supremacy and “race science” flourishing across the imperialist world. More than a century later, Langholz has become a one-person memorial as she leads tours of the former site of the human zoo. Her work and research are just the start of a larger reckoning. After all, before there can be a protest march, there must be at least one person willing to speak out.

We typically judge journalists on their impact and courage standing up to outside forces, and St. Louis Public Radio afternoon newscaster and reporter Marissane Lewis-Thompson is certainly a pro by that measure. But she also proved fearless in standing up to her own bosses, potentially putting her own job on the line, to call out racism and unfair treatment at the station. Multiple journalists at the station pushed back against management in the summer of 2020 after growing tired of years of unanswered complaints and watching their colleagues leave. Lewis-Thompson laid out a troubled history, naming names in a blistering Medium post under her own byline. In doing so, she put herself on the line to improve conditions not only for herself but colleagues. “We deserve better than what you have given us,” she wrote. Ultimately, fair and supportive working conditions for journalists will help the station and improve the work it produces. It is hard to imagine a bigger impact on journalism in St. Louis than that.

—Danny Wicentowski

—Doyle Murphy

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Best Cheap Thrill Defiance Roadhouse Rural Missouri offers quite a few pleasures alongside its many terrors. There are rolling hills, lush green grasses, the beautiful colors of changing leaves and biker bars. Yep. The wineries aren’t the only way to get a buzz on while out in the country. Save an otherwise dull trip to the vineyards with a stop into the Defiance Roadhouse (2999 South Missouri 94, Defiance; 636-987-2075). With the bar and grill set along a severe curve in Route 94 right next to an otherwise supremely peaceful stretch of the Katy Trail, you’ll often hear it before you see it because of the frequently large amount of big, loud bikes revving up in the parking lot. But don’t be scared off by the big men in leather. The folks there will know you’re not a regular, but that isn’t an issue if you’re not a dumbass. Order a whiskey and order some food (it’s pretty good), and then, if the spirit moves you, head out to the open barn alongside the bar and get to dancin’.

—Jaime Lees ____________________

Best Attorney Javad Khazaeli For Dow Boyer and her family in rural St. Francois County, St. Louis attorney Javad Khazaeli was the difference between devastation and reunion. Born in Thailand and brought to the United States as a child, Boyer was never told that she wasn’t a naturalized citizen, only learning the truth through an arrest in 2013: She had been skimming cash from her employer to support her family after her husband’s legs had been crushed in a work accident. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement moved to deport her, ripping her away from her husband and young daughter, but Boyer’s rural community, including the employers she had stolen from, rallied around her to oppose the cruel separation. Yet it was Khazaeli, a former prosecutor with ICE and Homeland Security, whose calls

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to federal officials halted Boyer’s exile just hours before her plane was scheduled to take off. Instead of being abandoned to a country she could barely remember, she was returned to her family. Six years later, with her husband recovered and the arrest behind her, Boyer became a full citizen — a happy ending that couldn’t have happened without an attorney who cared enough to fight.

—Danny Wicentowski ____________________

Best Neighborhood to Live In The Hill It’s quiet at night, the restaurants are amazing, the neighbors are nice, and the streets smell of freshly baked bread each morning. That’s right, there’s nothing quite like living on the Hill. The home of Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola Sr. is well known as the top place in St. Louis to stop in for a hearty Italian dinner, but living there brings a whole other world of pleasures. In addition to fabulous meals, the Hill offers gorgeous little family houses, tiny (yet packed) neighborhood grocery stores, small shops, walkable sidewalks, huge church culture, a tight sense of community and countless nonnas outside sweeping their front porches. Living on the Hill is like traveling back in time, but with the ability to bring home highquality olive oil as a souvenir.

—Jaime Lees ____________________

Best Dog Snowball The St. Louis area, and indeed the world at large, lost a giant in the canine community this past January. Snowball, truly one of the finest dogs to ever play the game, warmed the hearts of all she met, frequently staring deep into the souls of those she loved and hypnotizing them into giving her treats. A well-traveled pooch, she was most at home in the mountains, though she found the ocean

Snowball | DANIEL HILL

to be quite peaceful as well, enjoying the occasional island getaway. Whether she was nestled in her favorite spot behind the chair, slumbering belly-up on the couch, or snuggled peacefully at the foot of the bed that she allowed her people to share, she was always a calming presence and a source of deep wisdom, forever willing to lend an ear or to offer a helpful “ra-ra-roooo!” Today, Snowball is a being of infinite light, traveling throughout untold dimensions to planes of existence of which we mere mortals could never conceive, and trying as ever to persuade the creatures therein to scratch behind her ears and perhaps give her the last bite of their food. She is survived by her young friend and roommate Waffles, who tries her best, God love her.

—Daniel Hill

Best Place to Hide Behind Your Mask Planned Parenthood While some think of masks as torture devices, others think of masks as invisibility cloaks. And there’s no other spot that many people would rather be invisible than when they’re entering the Central West End location of Planned Parenthood (4251 Forest Park Avenue; 314-531-7526). As the last abortion clinic in Missouri, this Planned Parenthood location catches a lot of action from protesters who often get up in the faces of patients just trying to access exams and annual pap smears. If you want your face covered anywhere, it’s around them. In addition to keeping you safe from the cooties outside, the mask will keep you safe from COVID-19 inside as you navigate your way through whatever issue you’re facing or preventative measures you’re taking to keep yourself healthy.

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Best Place to Wash Your Hands Plaza Frontenac

Best Place for Day Drinking Illinois

As anyone who has experienced a filthy public bathroom knows, some restrooms are better than others. And in St. Louis, one of the finest public bathrooms is at Plaza Frontenac (1701 South Lindbergh Boulevard; 314-432-6760). The restrooms there are not even that fancy; they’re just perfect. It’s like they’ve never been used. Always. Each time you walk in it’s like you’re the first person who has ever been in there. Nothing is dirty, supplies are full and the experience is always chill. Unlike other public rest areas, this one always seems to be low-key and cool. It’s a place that you wouldn’t mind lingering in, really, which is the highest compliment anyone can give to a room with multiple toilets.

St. Louis is known as a drinking town. We’re beer lovers who are also known to enjoy a cocktail from time to time, too. And though we have multiple entertainment districts that provide ample alcohol experiences in the evening, during the day the best place to go to get tipsy is just across the river in Illinois. It’s the variety of different drinking destinations offered here that impresses — from drinking along the Mississippi River at the Loading Dock, to hiding from the sunshine in Pop’s NightClub & Concert Venue, to sipping suds at Fast Eddie’s Bon Air, to slamming brews between betting on horses in Collinsville. Best of all, these locations are just a quick Uber away, so you can easily hire a car and still get home without issue if your designated driver slips up and gets you into a pickle.

—Jaime Lees

Pop’s Nightclub & Concert Venue | CHRIS ANDOE

—Jaime Lees

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CLOVR CANNABIS

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t. Louis, rightly, makes all the lists of best sports towns, largely because of Cardinals and Blues fandom. Add in some good college basketball and that brief, glorious, maybe-not-completely-finished reign of the Battlehawks, and it’s a sports lover’s dream. But we don’t get enough credit for the opportunities for self-powered diversions here. A world-class public parks system, abundant

local bike shops, kayaking outfitters, a growing network of running paths, all manner of outdoor fitness classes and some of the finest dive-bar bowling alleys known to man make this town an underappreciated hot spot for action and adventure. And while we might be a little salty about the slight, it means it’s even easier to go and do what you want. — Doyle Murphy

Best Public Park Forest Park You could spend your entire life visiting Forest Park (5595 Grand Drive) and never get bored. There’s natural beauty there, sure, but the amount of activities contained in the 1,326 acres there seems infinite. You can visit the Saint Louis Art Museum or the Saint Louis Zoo or the Saint Louis Science Center. You can golf. You can ride a bike. You can learn some local history. You can skate. You can walk. You can fish. You can have a picnic. You can sunbathe. You can play softball. You can fly a kite. You can sit down for dinner. You can do yoga. You can kayak. You can ride a paddle boat. You can see native wildflowers. You can visit the natural playscape for kids. And sometimes, if you’re lucky, you can even see performances of Shakespeare’s plays or hot air balloons. Forest Park is magical.

—Jaime Lees

____________________

Best Hiking Castlewood State Park An interesting history and even better views await you at Castlewood State Park (1401 Kiefer Creek Road; 636-227-4433). The large park used to be a popular partying venue but has since been cleared away to accommodate hikers and bikers alike. Castlewood straddles the Meramec River,

spanning over 18,000 acres. In all of its glory, the park in St. Louis County tangles itself in eight different hiking trails. Trails vary in difficulty and sights to be seen. Trek through the Al Foster trail on what used to be an abandoned railroad track or maybe take an easy loop with the Cedar Bluff Loop. The River Scene Trail, featuring sweeping river views and wooden staircases, is among Castlewood’s most popular. Whatever trail you take, you’ll get in nature views and plenty of exercise. Lush green trees, the long river — it’s a perfect place to get away for the afternoon while still staying close to home.

—Jenna Jones ____________________

Best Campsite within an Hour of St. Louis Klondike Park You can get the best of both worlds at Klondike Park (4600 South Missouri 94, Augusta; 636-949-7535). Put some distance between you and the city for an evening or weekend by exploring the park’s 250 acres. Settled in Defiance, if you seek an outdoorsy experience in easy proximity to St. Louis, Klondike has 43 available spots where you can pitch a tent. Enjoy Klondike’s quarry, which is perfect for fishing. And the white sand on its beach can almost make you forget you’re not on vacation somewhere warmer. Hikers and bikers can also enjoy the Katy Trail once settled in. Those who

just don’t want to sleep in a tent but still want to camp can rent one of the site’s six cabins, as well.

—Jenna Jones ____________________

Best Running Trails Gateway Arch National Park Pretend you’re a tourist and knock out your run in Gateway Arch National Park (11 North Fourth Street; 3 1 4 655-1600), while enjoying one of the city’s greatest sights. Get there early, and you’ll not only avoid the majority of said tourists but see the sunrise reflect off the Arch. It’s a scene that will still awe you, no matter how many times you’ve seen it. The new expansion offers wide, paved paths that meander through the grounds. A quick, 1.5-mile loop is infinitely customizable, depending on how hard you want to go. Feeling like Rocky? Hit the stairs that rise away from the Mississippi River. Add onto the route with a jog across the Eads Bridge to the north, or cruise west through Downtown, hopscotching from one park to the next until you reach Union Station. Make u-turn and head all the way back, entering the Arch grounds along the north side of Kiener Plaza. In warm weather, you can finish up with an outdoor yoga class that convenes on Tuesday mornings into early October. Don’t let the tourists have all the fun.

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—Doyle Murphy

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SPORTS & RECREATION

The Forest Park paths are perfect for everyone. | ERIN MCAFEE

Best Gym Carondelet Park Rec Complex There are fancier places and even cheaper places, but the Carondelet Park Rec Complex (930 Holly Hills Avenue; 314-768-9622) is a big, solidly equipped gym that you might actually enjoy. Instead of gymbros and aggressive sales pitches for tanning packages, you might see Vietnamese grandmothers rolling along on the ellipticals next to young guys getting in their warm-up. Kids come in for afterschool programs, and dads strap on knee braces for pickup basketball. It’s a mix of people that feels like the neighborhood, with preening at a minimum. Entering at street level, there is a walking/ running track that circles above a large, lower-level weight room, arranged with your customary free weights, benches and racks at the front and treadmills and bikes at the back. The walkway passes through a dividing wall

and takes you over two full-size basketball courts. Along the way, you pass classrooms and carve outs where you’ll often find people doing bodyweight exercises. The crown jewel of the place is the pool, which features indoor and outdoor places to swim and hang out as well as a waterslide so big you can see it from Interstate 55. Top it all off with a walk through Carondelet Park. You won’t even miss your commercial gym.

—Doyle Murphy ____________________

Best Cardinals Player Harrison Bader Harrison Bader has been a catalyst on and off the field this year. At Busch Stadium (or any other stadium), his speed has allowed him to conquer base paths and run down fly balls for breathtaking catches. His energy helped

propel the Cardinals to a seventeen-game, record-breaking winning streak. Even when he’s not actively playing, he celebrates with kids behind the dugout and pumps up his teammates. There’s no question Bader has quickly become a fan favorite here in St. Louis, and there’s no question that it would’ve happened regardless of how many home runs he’s hit this season. Fellow Cardinals player Adam Wainwright told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Bader just has an “aura” about him, and we can’t help but agree. Bader’s won both Cardinals’ fans and our hearts.

—Jenna Jones ____________________

Best Bike Path Forest Park Wheels Path We all know that Forest Park is the crown jewel of St. Louis, with its 1,326 acres of natural beauty and

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plethora of cultural institutions including the Missouri History Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Saint Louis Zoo and more. But those of us who are hopelessly out-of-shape, largely sedentary, exercise-eschewing monster-men never quite fully understood how magnificent the park’s bike trail really is — at least, not until various battery-powered forms of transportation became prevalent in American society. In addition to the 5.7-mile loop the path makes around the park, there are plenty of forks in the road that lead to underexplored areas, including the more secluded Kennedy Forest and its natural wonders (keep a close eye out for manmade primitive shelters made of sticks off the path). The fit folks on their analog bicycles may furrow their brows, but for those of us requiring an e-assist to wheel ourselves about, the newfound access to the path is just another reason this crown shines so bright.

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—Daniel Hill

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MAKE IT IN STORES Schnucks Multiple Locations

Dierbergs Markets Multiple Locations Total Wine & More Multiple Locations Dogwood Wine & Spirits 15678 Manchester Rd, Ellisville, MO 63011 Randall’s Wine & Spirits Multiple Locations Arena Liquor 1217 Hampton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139 A1 Liquor 3336 Pershall Rd, St. Louis, MO 63135 On the Rocks Premium Liquor & Wine 1976 S Old Hwy 94, St Charles, MO 63303 Friar Tuck Multiple Locations Royals Liquor Multiple Locations Dirt Cheap Multiple Locations Discount Wine & Spirits 3821 Elm St, St Charles, MO 63301

PLEASE DRINK R

WHISKEY SPECIALTY, 35% ALC. BY VOL., (70 PROOF.) JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY, LYNCHBURG, TENNESSEE. JACK DANIEL’S, TENN

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T COUNT RESTAURANTS & BARS Sports & Social 651 Clark Ave, St. Louis, MO 63102

DB’s Sports Bar 1615 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63104 The Marquee 1911 Locust St, St. Louis, MO 63103 Ember 4121 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 Helen Fitzgerald 3650 S Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63127 PBR 601 Clark Ave #202, St. Louis, MO 63102 JP Fields 15 N Central Ave, Clayton, MO 63105 Mattinglys 8108 N Lindbergh Blvd, Florissant, MO 63031 Nara Cafe 1326 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103 Firebirds 1501 Beale St, St Charles, MO 63303 Hotshots - Multiple locations Traffic Jam 6 Westbury Dr C, St Charles, MO 63301

N K R E S P O N S I B LY

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Best Yoga Studio The Collective STL The pandemic made isolation the status quo, keeping people inside and away from group fitness classes — and leaving those hoping to get more active in yoga with the option of, at best, interacting with their computers and following along with far-flung instructors. But if you passed the Arch grounds this past year, you may have spotted the bending and flexing participants at the Just Breathe STL events hosted by the Collective (1400 North Market Street; 314-200-5796) yoga studio. Founded by a group of Black yoga instructors, the Collective’s classes operate through a donation model, with participants paying what they can — and whether you’re at the Arch or the studio’s physical location in Old North St. Louis, it’s all about putting aside the chaos of the day, feeling the energy of your body and learning to just breathe.

—Danny Wicentowski ____________________

Best Day-Trip Destination Columbia, Missouri If you want to get out of St. Louis and want to take a little day trip without breaking the bank, Columbia, Missouri, is where it’s at for good cheap times. Not only can you get there and get back in a day, eliminating the need to spend money on a hotel, there are plenty of cheap or free things to do there, too. After you’ve taken a swing by the big burr oak tree (Google

SPORTS & RECREATION

it) and eaten some pizza from the always-delicious Pizza Tree, the best place to see some cool stuff is Larry’s Boots (6401 US-40 Suite A, Columbia; 573-446-2668). Larry’s is a lot like any other rural boot store in many ways. However, in addition to work boots used on the farm, the place also has a wide selection of stylish boots that are made for dancing. Women can find the rhinestone boots that blond young ladies always seem to be wearing to country concerts, and Larry’s even carries some of those amazing Mexican cowboy boots with the extra-pointy swoop toes.

—Jaime Lees ____________________

Best Bike Shop Big Shark Bicycle Company In a sea of very good local bike shops, Big Shark Bicycle Company (multiple locations including 1155 South Big Bend Blvd; 314-8621188) is, well, a big fish. They’ve got a solid selection and are happy to order anything they don’t have. But the key is they’re approachable, whether you’re just getting started or ride 100 miles a week. The cliché of the snobby bike shop employee is overblown (most are cool with anyone interested in bikes), but it can be intimidating for newcomers to ask what might seem like dumb questions. Big Shark’s staffers have all been friendly and unpretentious in our experience. It’s also nice to have access to multiple locations throughout the metro region. Those two wheels tend to take you all over the place.

—Doyle Murphy

The Collective STL | TYLER SMALL, COURTESY THE COLLECTIVE STL

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n a year that demanded creativity to do just about everything, St. Louis’ creative class was up to the challenge. Local artists, musicians, theaters and performers continue to do amazing work somehow — and luckily for us, figure out new ways for us to experience it. Maybe you were among the fortunate many who caught a performance or two of the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s production of King Lear. And even if you weren’t, you can still enjoy the smarts of Foxing to take advantage of Tony Award-winning actor André De Shields’ time in town to incorporate him, in full Lear costume and on the set, into the band’s amazing new album. That delightful surprise will live as a bizarre, wonderful time capsule of this time. But there have also been reimagined concert series and streaming performances you would actually want to watch — and locals getting some well-deserved national and international attention. They’ve all provided a sky full of silver linings. — Doyle Murphy

Best Live Theater of the Past Year King Lear Sometimes, great theater takes a madman’s touch. When that madman is Shakespeare’s King Lear, it takes a special kind of madness, the sort that can encompass the role of a monarch at the height of his power, and then, over the course of two and a half hours, demonstrate a degree of cataclysmic self-destruction that can captivate audiences for centuries. This summer in St. Louis, that madman was Tony Awardwinning actor André De Shields, who led a cast of actors of color in the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s production of King Lear. With the legendary dialogue unchanged, director Carl Cofield used the setting, costumes and music to reach new heights in presenting the downfall of an old, hurt king. It was theater at its most powerful. Staged just as COVID-19 vaccines opened a window of hope for escaping the insanity of our current time, the production reminded us how deep the scars of distrust can run — and what happens when we let our demons take control.

—Danny Wicentowski

Best Movie Theater Hi-Pointe Putting forth big Wes Anderson vibes, St. Louis’ tiny Hi-Pointe Theatre (1005 McCausland Avenue, 314-955-6273) is the best place to go for an intimate theater experience. Visiting this little corner spot on McCausland is like a trip back in time. There are vintage seats, a small selection of treats (including popcorn) at the front counter and a wide selection of movies, including classics and newer independent films. The retro experience makes this movie house one of the best places in town for a first date that you’re hoping turns into a real relationship. The style will give you something to talk about immediately, and if all goes well, you might get a kiss outside beneath the oldfashioned vintage marquee.

—Jaime Lees ____________________

Best Local Album Foxing, Draw Down the Moon With all due respect, fuck Pitchfork. The members of Foxing may be too polite to express such a sentiment,

but we here at the RFT pride ourselves on calling out injustice when it’s plainly warranted, regardless of the level of vulgarity required. And so, as the online publication awarded one of St. Louis’ finest local acts a tepid 6.0 (what, no decimal points on this one, you absolute dorks?) out of 10.0 for its latest release, August’s breathtakingly ambitious, hauntingly beautiful Draw Down the Moon, with the writer even going so far as to accuse the record of peddling the “frustratingly anonymous sounds of 2010s festival rock,” we at this publication could be added to the chorus of fans who responded immediately with a full-throated “What the fuck?” The band, of course, took the matter in stride, with frontman Conor Murphy hopping onto Twitter to attempt to calm the angry masses. “At the end of the day, Pitchfork didn’t love this album and that’s OK,” Murphy wrote. “The heart of this is that there’s no need to attack anyone or be bitter.” We beg to differ, Foxing: You guys released the best album of the year, Pitchfork is staffed by hacks who got it wrong, and we got your back. Please continue to create some of the most thoughtful and genre-melding rock this city has to offer — and, as always, fuck the haters.

—Daniel Hill

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Best Local Artist Alicia LaChance Alicia LaChance, cofounder of Hoffman LaChance Contemporary (2713 Sutton Boulevard, Maplewood; 314-960-5322), has been a known talent in St. Louis for years, but other parts of the world caught on in a big way during the past twelve months. One of the owners of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Manchester United commissioned LaChance for new work, and soccer star David Beckham and his design team partnered with her for a separate project in Singapore. We’ll point out that we had one of LaChance’s stunning paintings on the cover of the RFT’s Fall Arts Guide this year and have been lucky to have such a star among us in St. Louis. The fact that others have recognized her genius as well is an injection of hometown pride.

—Doyle Murphy ____________________

Best Music Festival Music at the Intersection Not since the untimely demise of LouFest has a local festival attempted such an ambitious undertaking as the inaugural edition of Music at the Intersection. Spanning three days and six venues, and bringing more than 60 acts to its stages — including such luminaries as Roy Ayers, Keyon Harrold, Lee Fields and the Expressions, Tonina, Marquise Knox, Lalah Hathaway and dozens more — the festival was decidedly a hit for those who attended. It really only suffered from its unfortunate timing. When the show was first announced, vaccines were rolling out steadily to the masses and things were beginning to look brighter and brighter after more than a year of pandemic-inspired darkness. But by the time the date of the show rolled around, St. Louis and the country at large were again in the grips of a COVID-19 surge, spurred on by the delta variant that blotted out the sun once more. At the risk of being naive, that hopefully won’t be an issue next year — God, please

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— and music fans will feel comfortable enough to flock in droves to Grand Center for the best music festival that St. Louis has to offer.

—Daniel Hill ____________________

Best Record Store Planet Score St. Louis is loaded with extraordinary record stores. Picking the best can boil down to what exactly you’re looking for — be it based on your favorite genre or the format you love to devour your favorite albums on. While it isn’t as immense as the record stores of legend, Planet Score (7421 Manchester Road; 314-2820777) has established itself as worthy of joining the ranks of St. Louis music retail history over the last six years. The shop’s used and new LP selection is well rounded no matter what genre you’re flipping through. During non-COVID times, it’s an excellent destination for Record Store Day. The owners are always ready to help suggest what may become your next obsession, and for any Guided by Voices fans, Planet Score has you more than covered!

—Jack Probst ____________________

Best Band Name Starwolf Presumably named after the team of bounty hunters led by an anthropomorphic in Nintendo’s popular Star Fox series of games, Starwolf first popped up on our radar when they ended up on a LouFest stage in 2017 after having only played two live shows previously. They might have had some special connections to pull that off then, but they’ve proven themselves to be a band worth following since they played that 4 p.m. slot. In 2020, they released their newest EP, Astro Lobo, a funky collection of synth-heavy, lo-fi, chillwave tracks that pair well with playing that Nintendo 64 classic.

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— Jack Probst

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André De Shields (Lear) and Rayme Cornell (Goneril) in the 2021 St. Louis Shakespeare Festival production of King Lear PHILLIP HAMER PHOTOGRAPHY

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Best New Venue to Open in the Past 12 Months The Factory You can forgive those who initially were skeptical about the prospect of a major new venue opening in Chesterfield. For years, the St. Louis County suburb has been best known as the spot where two outlet malls fought to the death for control of a flood plain, with city-dwelling types loath to visit. And while some of those folks will surely still grumble, the opening of the freshly built 3,000-capacity venue the Factory (17105 North Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield; 314423-8500) in July rapidly silenced many of its critics. With a thoughtful layout, a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, and an exclusive booking deal with veteran production company Contemporary Productions, the Factory quickly filled its upcoming shows roster with a slew of heavy-hitting acts — Deadmau5, the Roots, New Found Glory, Marc Rebillet, Nikki Glaser, just to name a few — and definitively made the case for why St. Louis music fans should consider venturing west of I-270.

—Daniel Hill ____________________

Best Live-Music Venue to Close in the Past Year The Ready Room The design of the Ready Room was basically a couple of rectangles with a bar in the smaller of the two. It felt like you could have just as easily run a scrap metal business out there, and not because someone had tried to costume it in some kind of industrial chic (this is not a subtweet!) aesthetic. No, it was simply functional: Here is a big room that can hold a band and about 800 people. Enjoy. And people did enjoy. It debuted in 2014 with Of Montreal and, over the years, drew in national acts, such as Ghostface Killah and Raekwon, the Psychedelic Furs, Built to Spill and Run the Jewels. There were no seats, so people just sort of flowed in and around the room, bumping into friends along the way. The Ready Room closed in March 2020 in what was billed as a temporary concession to the pandemic, but

it became clear after a couple of months (the real estate listing that May was a pretty good clue) that it wasn’t coming back, at least not there. The space was eventually claimed by former Alderman Antonio French, who owns Taha’a Twisted Tiki next door, and he reopened it as Hot Java Bar with plans to expand beyond concerts to a wider variety of events. There are some interesting plans for the future, but we can’t help being a little sad about the past.

—Doyle Murphy ____________________

Best All-Ages Venue The Pageant The Pageant (6161 Delmar Boulevard; 314-726-6161) makes a strong case for itself as one of the best all-ages venues in the city year after year — and even frequently lands in the conversation about the best venues in the entire country, period — but this time around it’s the beloved establishment’s forward-thinking COVID-19 policies that landed it on this list. Between its Glimmer of Normalcy series — which in the fall of 2020 brought live music back to its stage with a dramatically reduced capacity as well as a mask mandate and social distancing, despite being a money-losing prospect — and its status as one of the first venues in town to announce a vaccine or negative-test requirement to attend its shows, the Pageant has been on the forefront of scientific consensus regarding the virus throughout the pandemic. And for artists, who are just trying to ply their trade without putting themselves or their crew members in harm’s way, these efforts have not gone unnoticed, with the likes of 100 Gecs, Jack Harlow, Thundercat, Bad Religion and Snail Mail all slated to visit in the coming months. While live music isn’t quite all the way back to the levels it was before this whole nightmare, it’s good to see that venues like the Pageant are taking their responsibility to their community seriously in the meantime. It’s those efforts that will finally put all this in the rearview mirror.

Best Radio Station KSHE 95

Best Radio Show Rocket 88

A staple of the Lou, KSHE 95 (94.7 FM) has been blessing St. Louis airwaves for more than 50 years. With some of the best on-air personalities, the music has become a perk of listening to the station. KSHE even has its own section in the Missouri History Museum’s St. Louis Sound exhibit, which drives home how much of an impact this station has had on St. Louis’ music scene. Classic after classic plays, allowing you to throw back to simpler times. Whether your dad used to turn the station on for every car ride or you jam to the station on your own time, KSHE has embedded itself into St. Louis’ culture and allows you a few minutes of nostalgic bliss. When in doubt, which seems frequent these days, tune your radio to 95.5 and rock.

Think of Rocket 88 (Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 88.1 KDHX; rocket88@kdhx.org) as a music blog in the mid-aughts; the best indie-pop songs are free to hear, the writers are a bit snarky (but in the most entertaining ways), and you don’t have to deal with all the annoying pop-ups. DJ Darren Snow is the James Murphy of the St. Louis music scene, yet one who is rarely in the spotlight. Maybe you saw him spin at Cabin Inn in City Museum, or he helped you find your new favorite band at Euclid Records or Vintage Vinyl back in the day. He was there and always on top of what’s new. Rocket 88 is the coffee you need driving to work on Tuesday mornings. Pop music never tasted so good!

—Jenna Jones

—Daniel Hill

—Jack Probst

The Factory | DANIEL HILL

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ALEX RUWE 5PM SOULARD BLUES BAND 9PM

ALEX RUWE 5PM JESSE FARRAR (OF OLD SALT UNION) & FRIENDS 9PM FRIDAY, 10/15

J COOP & MATT DAWG 10PM SATURDAY, 10/16

ALL ROOSTERED UP 12PM MOM'S KITCHEN 10PM 72

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SUNDAY, 10/17

BUTCH MOORE 4:30PM SEAN CANAN'S VOODOO PLAYERS PRESENTS VOODOO PHISH 9PM

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BEST OF ST. LOUIS

Best Comedy Club Helium Comedy Club You get to see your favorite comedians up close and personal at Helium (1151 St. Louis Galleria Street; 314-727-1260). Some clubs have a big stage set far away from the crowd, but if you’re up front at Helium, you feel like you’re practically sharing the low stage with your comedy heroes. It’s a place where comedians feel free to put on a grand show but also feel comfortable enough to try out new material, knowing that they’ll be able to read your face to see if their new jokes land. That also means that some comedians will pick you out and use you for jokes. If you’re not into that, you’ll need to sit all the way at the back, because they can see you anywhere in this club. There’s no bad seat in the house, which means there’s nowhere to hide, either.

—Jaime Lees ____________________

Best Jazz Club Open Air Series In any normal year, the Grandel and the adjoining Dark Room would easily be in the conversation about the best place in town to take in some jazz. But with COVID-19 upending, well, everything, the Kranzberg Arts Foundation-affiliated spaces were forced to get creative. Luckily, creativity is part and parcel to the overall mission of the organization, and soon a solution was found. The Grandel’s Open Air series has been making sure the music keeps playing all throughout our long international nightmare, setting up shop in a tent behind the Grandel and hosting several performances per week by some of the region’s hottest acts. And there’s been no cutting corners on the COVID safety measures, either. In addition to the outdoor aspect, masking and distancing has been prioritized, technological solutions have been employed to improve airflow, and ordering systems have been streamlined to ensure as little contact between employees and patrons as possible. All that attention to detail has given the Open Air series the distinguished honor of being the

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

longest-running pandemic-era event series in all of St. Louis — and, importantly, it’s given us all a little more musical reprieve in a time we need it most.

—Daniel Hill ____________________

Best Blues Club BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups Since the early days of the COVID-19 crisis, BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups (700 South Broadway; 314436-5222) has been showing other venues in town how it’s done. One of the very first spaces to resume hosting live music in an indoor setting since the pandemic began, BB’s radically changed its layout and way of doing business in July 2020 in order to operate safely as the virus ran rampant outside its doors. For starters, the South Broadway blues haven reduced its capacity from 250 to just 65 in those early days, arranging only seven tables in socially distanced fashion on the main level and four upstairs. Additionally, the club eliminated its bar seating and began requiring reservations for groups of people to attend while implementing a mask policy for anyone not in their seats. And notably, the club made the responsible decision to temporarily close in late November when a staff member tested positive for COVID, rather than attempt to hide the illness and continue to operate as if nothing were amiss. That’s admirable, and it’s that kind of care for its employees and patrons that has ensured the music can play on, even under less-than-ideal circumstances.

—Daniel Hill

tic mix of some of the city’s finest acts together, thanks to owner Matt Stuttler’s many years spent booking local music, and featured everything from the garage rock of Shitstorm to the daddy-daughter duo Electric Toothbrush Sisters to the genre-bending hip-hop of 18andCounting to the blistering metal of the Lion’s Daughter. And, setting the whole thing really over the top, the four-show set of performances was shot on a sound and light stage operated by the pros at Arch City Audio Visual Services, who usually lend their talents to far larger productions, including popular Pink Floyd tribute act El Monstero. It was an exceptionally odd confluence of pandemic-related events that made it all possible — ones that, frankly, we’d prefer never again to repeat — but the end result was the nearest approximation to attending an actual live show that many of us saw in all of 2020. And for that, we’re forever grateful.

—Daniel Hill ____________________

Best Concert of the Past Year Seoul Taco’s Tenth Anniversary Block Party It seems unlikely that any part of 2021 will feel as hopeful and freeing as the month of June did. After fifteen months of COVID-19 misery, vaccinations were going steadily into people’s arms, case rates were plummeting and, crucially, the delta variant had yet to rear its ugly head. For the first time in a long time, it seemed like things were going to be alright, that a sense of normalcy was just around the corner. It

was against this backdrop that St. Louis’ beloved Seoul Taco decided to throw the concert of the year, celebrating its decade of existence with a jam-packed block party in the Grove. Local luminaries DJ Vthom, Loop Rat, Mvstermind and Mai Lee filled the roster for the summer evening, with a Secret Walls live graffiti battle rounding out the pre-headliner festivities. And oh man, that headliner. Initially, it was announced that we’d be treated to a performance by Ghostface Killah, but two days before the event the Wu-Tang legend was swapped out for fellow New York rap god Busta Rhymes, marking the first time he’d been to St. Louis in more than a decade. During his set — only his second performance in front of a crowd since the pandemic began — the storm that had been threatening the festivities all day loomed in the distance behind the stage, accenting the show with flashes of lightning and cracks of thunder throughout. At one point, the timing was such that Busta instructed the assembled crowd to “make some noise,” then said “I can’t hear you,” and then, “I said make some motherfucking noise!” as lightning suddenly clapped across the sky. Suffice it to say, the whole damn crowd lost their minds at that point in fear of incurring the wrath of the superhuman deity on the stage. It was a purely magical event, and a time of great hope — though in retrospect, perhaps we should have paid a bit more attention to the decidedly ominous nature of what was coming at us on the horizon.

—Daniel Hill

____________________

Best Music Streaming Series I Watched Music on the Internet In a year jam-packed with livestreamed events, with every musician starved for an audience and every music fan jonesing for their live performance fix, one St. Louis streaming series stood head and shoulders above the rest. The Sinkhole’s “I Watched Music on the Internet” series brought an eclec-

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ere it is, the “getting shit done” section of this year’s Best of St. Louis. If you need your groceries restocked, dog groomed or hair cut, you have come to the right place. This is the section for locals, a little help in wiping out that to-do list before it takes over. We’ve got the best place to buy cheap clothes without skimping on style, advice for finding your way in the ever-growing field of dispensaries and your best bet for knocking out all that holiday shopping that is — surprise! — just about to take over. Enough of this intro, you’ve got work to do. — Doyle Murphy

Best Thrift Store Found by the Pound The old phrase “two are better than one” really applies here, with Found by the Pound offering a couple of concepts, each with its own name, to fit different ways of buying: Destination Found (3232 South Grand; 314-524-5493) operates more as a boutique and sells items piece by piece. The Factory Store (6740 Romiss Court; 314-8333252) operates in keeping with the overarching business’s name: Find clothes and pay by the pound. The rate, $3, is beyond reasonable. Clothes, according to Found by the Pound’s website, are rescued in “‘packs’ across the United States in quantities of hundreds of pounds” and then sorted through for each location. Whichever location you choose, you’ll find unique pieces for your new wardrobe at great prices — something we all dream of.

—Jenna Jones ____________________

Best Pet Groomers Blue Ribbon Grooming It’s not often that pets return from a visit to the groomer more relaxed than when they arrived. Getting groomed is often stressful for animals, because visits usually involve being locked in unfamiliar cages,

being touched all over by unfamiliar people and being inundated with unfamiliar sights and smells. But with Blue Ribbon Grooming (330 Selma Avenue; 314-968-5566), your pet leaves the groomer feeling as pretty and happy as you do when you’re leaving the salon. The woman who runs the small family business, Ginny Blakemore, is a legit pet whisperer. She knows how to approach an animal just right, ensuring your pet will be at ease even while experiencing potentially scary things like having its nails cut or trimming around its eyes. Blakemore has been in the grooming game for decades, and with that experience comes a great deal of wisdom and care.

—Jaime Lees ____________________

Best Clothing Boutique May’s Place May’s Place (4180 Manchester Avenue; 314-659-8745) is a “slow-fashion headquarters.” The boutique is curated with vintage pieces, making your outfit of the day both ethical and fashionable. May’s Place also partners with other sustainable brands for pop-ups in its shop. And in addition to promoting sustainability, the store regularly gives back to the community and hosts a variety of donation events. Shop

online or in the two-story market in the Grove — whichever suits your fancy. May’s Place offers finds for all kinds of people and even has a few items for your home if you’re in the market for a new piece. Whatever the case may be, shopping at May’s Place lets you have the boutique experience while getting something unique for your closet. And to us, that’s a win.

—Jenna Jones ____________________

Best Dispensary Swade in the Grove The inside of Swade Cannabis’ Grove location (4108 Manchester Avenue; 314-924-6503) reads less like a retail shop in which to exchange currency for goods than it does a statement piece of art and design. Brought to life by MIN+ Architecture, with thoughtful flourishes including a colorful custom mural on the front of the building by Jayvn Solomon, an illuminated ceiling print by Dave Bour at SuperDog Content and Douglas fir benches by Mwanzi Co.’s Jermain Todd, Swade’s flagship location just feels cool, and befitting the hip, luxury experience promised by the brand. Of course, none of that would amount to much if the dispensary didn’t put forth some killer cannabis offerings, and we’re happy to report that Swade

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GOODS & SERVICES

Swade Cannabis | COURTESY SWADE CANNABIS

handily delivers the goods in that regard. Stocking products from top cultivators including Proper, Illicit, Head Change and Swade’s house brand Sinse, the shop carries well-regarded strains of flower such as Gelato 33, Runtz and Purple Chem, as well as plenty of vapes, edibles and concentrates. Best of all, you don’t have to pay a premium for the premium experience — at just $52 for an eighth of flower, Swade’s prices are among the cheapest in town.

—Thomas K. Chimchards ____________________

Best Cannabis Strain (Indica) Bubba Fett For those in search of a mellow high, one that isn’t too overwhelming and which leaves the smoker with plenty of energy to get things done, we will say this: Bubba Fett

is not the strain for you. This is weed for dedicated stoners, those who are looking for an utterly stupefying cannabis experience. An indica dominant made by crossing Stardawg and Pre-98 Bubba Kush, Bubba Fett was rolled out by a few different local cultivators in recent months, including Flora Farms and C4 Pharm, to the great delight of high-tolerance smokers across the state. A C4-branded pouch purchased by this reviewer in May at Jane Dispensary clocked in at 20.54 percent THC, and the smaller, mostly darker-green nuggets boasted a dark, rich, slightly skunky smell. On inhale, the strain had a flavorful, sweet taste that smoothed out into an enjoyable smoke after a few initial coughs. As for effects, Bubba Fett is not for the faint of heart. Expect to be locked to your couch, with your brain scrambled like eggs and your stomach rumbling, and any chronic pain you might normally experience melted away. When amateur smokers speak of

their nightmare experiences with far-too-powerful weed, it’s easy to imagine the likes of Bubba Fett might be the strain they got their hands on. For us old pros, though, it’s nothing but a good time.

—Thomas K. Chimchards ____________________

Best Cannabis Strain (Sativa) Sour Tangie Oftentimes, your budtender at any given dispensary is likely one of the more dedicated potheads you’ll ever meet. In keeping, when he follows up a recommendation on a strain with “I actually bought a whole ounce of that for myself,” it is most likely worth taking notice. And so, when this reviewer stepped into Nature Med Dispensary back in June and asked for some tips on good strains, the budtender who mentioned his

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considerable personal supply of Flora Farms’ Sour Tangie flower promptly made a sale. Rated at 17.7 percent THC and created by crossing East Coast Sour Diesel and Tangie, Sour Tangie delivers an excellent upper high that serves well to boost productivity and creativity without any of the anxiety that a strong sativa can sometimes bring. With a fruity tangerine smell hitting you like a punch in the face, its beautiful, bright, lime-green buds are covered in a fine dusting of trichomes and an abundance of orange hairs, and on inhale, it has a delicious, sweet taste, with the citrus flavor presenting itself prominently and lingering there. Fear no couchlock with this strain: Sour Tangie will have you up and moving, your mind floating from one good idea to the next, with not a care in the world.

—Thomas K. Chimchards

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mar Loop, that purveyor of pipes most precious down U. City way. Since 1997, back when you had to duck down a side street and wait to be buzzed into the shop in order to secure your wares, Emporium Smoke Shop has dutifully supplied stoners throughout the St. Louis area with the supplies they need to enjoy their favorite hobby. Whether you’re in the market for a fancy new weed-smoking conversation piece or you simply left your trusty pipe at home when you headed out for a show at the Pageant, leaving you unable to pregame in your car (disaster!), Emporium has you covered. And so, we raise a pipe to Emporium! Let us give thanks to the ones that came before, for were it not for their efforts, we would never have gotten where we are today.

—Daniel Hill ____________________

Best New News Source Missouri Independent

Saint Louis Galleria | RFT FILE PHOTO

Best Cannabis Edibles Honeybee Edibles The blessing and curse of a great cannabis edible is that it seems positively unfair, even as the warm buzz envelops you, that you can’t just eat a few more. Such is the delicious predicament offered by a Honeybee Edibles’ line of gumdrops, whose fruit flavors are temptingly rich and locally made — and whose effects deliver, whether you’re looking for pain relief or euphoria. Designed by Proper Cannabis’ Dave Owens, a former Bissinger’s Handcrafted chocolatier, the gumdrops flavors come in various THC and CBD ratios, but even the THC-only flavors — such as Black Cherry Cola, Blood Orange Strawberry and the unconventional-but-shockinglygood combo of Mango Chili — are blessedly without the dank, weed-like flavor retained in other gummy or chocolate edibles. Even beyond the world of cannabis edibles, the gumdrops are simply

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some of the best candy you’ll ever taste — but start with a half piece, or just one, or you might find yourself too sleepy to enjoy the full fruits of your purchase.

—Danny Wicentowski ____________________

Best Smoke Shop Emporium Smoke Shop In this time of great abundance in terms of local medical marijuana dispensaries, overflowing with a plethora of products from the consumable to the accessories of the consumable, let us not forget the trailblazing pioneers that paved the way to our brave new world. We’re talking, of course, about the head shops. More specifically in this case, we’re talking about the Emporium Smoke Shop (6254 Delmar Boulevard; 314-721-6277), that longtime bastion of bespoke bongs in the Del-

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Before the Missouri Independent published a single story, an anonymous attack website was already accusing its founders of spreading misinformation funded by George Soros. It was a sign that someone friendly with Missouri’s conservative-dominated government was feeling the heat, and while the alleged link to Soros was a fabrication, they were right to worry: After its launch in October 2020, the Independent’s coverage of state politics has brought a level of energetic watchdog journalism that had sadly faded in recent years as the state’s newspapers scaled back staffing and reduced their politics coverage. The Independent’s stories are hard news: deeply reported, straightforwardly written and filled with numbers, interviews, quotes and counter-quotes. Uniting star reporters from the state’s best newspapers, the Independent has infused life into Missouri’s news beats — but even better, they’ve allowed other organizations, including the Riverfront Times, to publish their work free of charge. It goes to show just how powerful good journalism can be — and why the worst of Jefferson City’s swamp are right to fear it.

—Danny Wicentowski

Best Sex Shop Hustler Hollywood When Larry Flynt passed away in February, he left behind a complicated legacy. Best known as a pornographer, thanks to his status as a publisher of several dirty magazines including Hustler, Flynt also cemented his status as a champion of the First Amendment by steadfastly battling the many obscenity charges he faced throughout his life and career — even as some detractors outside the legal system accused him of misogyny and portraying women in a degrading light. With a stated goal to “offend every single person in this world at some point,” Flynt famously opined that, “If the First Amendment will protect a scumbag like me, then it will protect all of you, because I’m the worst.” True as that may have been, there’s one thing that can be said for him: He knew how to run a sex store. Hustler Hollywood (9802 Natural Bridge Road, Berkeley; 314-428-5069) is your one-stop shop for things to put inside yourself, things to put yourself inside of, outfits that might make one more excited to play some putting-stuff-inside-otherstuff games, lubrication that assists in the act of putting stuff inside other stuff, and even helpful instructional videos wherein professionals demonstrate new and exciting methods of putting stuff inside other stuff. Best of all, it’s a judgment-free zone, with helpful employees willing to assist you with any questions you might have about what goes where. His stores might not be what Flynt will be most remembered for, but deep in his heart, he clearly had plenty of pride for the work that went into making them run so smoothly. Lord only knows how that pride got stuffed inside there, though.

—Daniel Hill ____________________

Best Garden Center Garden Heights Nursery Lots of folks got seriously domestic over our homebound eighteen months, and houseplants and gardens got a new level of attention. For newcomers and old hands

GOODS & SERVICES

alike, the selection and service at Garden Heights Nursery (1605 Big Bend Boulevard, Richmond Heights; 314-645-7333) can’t be beat. If it’s Instagram-friendly indoor lookers (like a fiddle leaf fig, calathea or monstera), shrubs and trees for the yard, or herbs, veggies and other food crops you seek, they’ve got lots of healthy specimens and advice on how to keep them looking perky. Trees and shrubs even have a partial money-back guarantee — if you follow their instructions, Garden Heights is that sure they’ll thrive. They offer delivery, design and potting, and darling pottery, garden tools, local gifts and seeds round out the offerings. After a quarter-century in business, Garden Heights Nursery is well rooted and in bloom.

—Melissa Meinzer ____________________

Best Grocery Freddie’s Market It may be Freddie’s Market’s (9052 Big Bend Boulevard, Webster Groves; 314-968-1914) daily specials, local produce, fantastic staff or reasonable prices, but every time you walk inside, it feels like home. The cheese selection holds its own and includes offerings from local dairy farms, such as Rolling Lawns. There’s a weekly menu of hot specials that won’t steer you wrong. Each plate comes with an entree, side, vegetable and dessert. And every week, there’s something different, with the exception of a homemade meatloaf on “Meatloaf Mondays.” You can always pick the meals up in store, while supplies last. If you want to ensure you get a hot special, just call ahead to reserve a plate, and Freddie’s will have to be ready to go.

Best Mall Saint Louis Galleria Malls used to be where people would go to shop, browse and socialize, but now we have the internet to meet all of those needs. Countless American malls have withered and died over the past couple of decades. Yet somehow the Saint Louis Galleria (1155 St. Louis Galleria Street; 314-5717000) is still poppin’. Other malls are limping along with many empty storefronts and dwindling crowds, but the Galleria still packs ’em in and can even get downright crowded on weekend evenings. In addition to the many retail options offered, this mall also has three very special attractions. They have a classic mall food court so you can grab a bite between swipes of your credit card. They also have a movie theater, so you can be entertained and then pick up a new sweater. But the best part of the Galleria is that they have a fully functioning comedy club. Helium Comedy Club, located at the far north side of the mall, is one of the best places in town to catch a touring comedian or a soon-to-be local legend. The Galleria is the mall with the most.

—Jaime Lees ____________________

Best Florist Flowers and Weeds We buy flowers for all kinds of reasons. We buy flowers to celebrate a birth, to mark a death or to simply bring some joy into our homes. A beautiful bouquet can say so much, and at Flowers and Weeds (3201 Cherokee Street; 314776-2887), your only problem will

A vendor in the Hill Antique Market | SARAH FENSKE

be trying to narrow down which of the shop’s many beautiful arrangements you’d like to take home. This community-oriented space on the corner of Cherokee Street and South Compton Avenue gives people reason to stop in all year long. Instead of just selling plants and bouquets, they also sell gardening supplies, pots, seeds, wedding flowers and seasonal items, such as pumpkins and Christmas trees. And in addition to giving out precious free advice to new gardeners who need help with problems like aphids and mites, they enrich the community by hosting parties, craft shows and block-party-type events year-round.

—Jaime Lees

—Madyson Dixon

Best Antique Shop The Hill Antique Market This is an entirely subjective pick (all others in this list are the product of the scientific method), because people approach antique shops in different ways. Who are we to say your junk-shop thrill of sifting through used batteries and legs of Barbie dolls in search of a Homer Simpson collector’s coin is wrong? We’re just saying The Hill Antique Market (4923 Daggett Avenue; 314-961-7879) is a little better curated than most. Sometimes, one man’s trash really is garbage, and sometimes that man is trying to sell it to you. This spot in a converted warehouse on the west end of the neighborhood does a better job than most of angling toward the side of treasure. It’s still random. You’ll still find unexpected gems; they will just take a little less sifting. You’re probably going to pay a little more, but you’ll be rewarded in items you won’t find anywhere else and in an experience that is perfectly pleasant. And when you’re tired of shopping — or just want to give a dealer a little more time to stew about your “final” offer on that dresser — slip into Oliva, an in-house cafe that is a hidden gem in its own right.

—Doyle Murphy

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Best Comic and Gaming Shop Wizard's Wagon St. Louis has always been an excellent place for nerds to buy their favorite pop-culture bullshit. When Star Clipper left the Loop, Wizard's Wagon (6178 Delmar Boulevard; 314-862-4263) expanded on their selection to include comics in an attempt to fill the void. While former Star Clipper comics guru Jonathan Norfleet keeps an excellent selection of single-issue and trades in stock, Wiz Wag’s specialty is always what they’ve continued to do the best. The shop is a great spot to gather your friends for a night of Magic: The Gathering, and if you’re on the hunt for Pokémon starter sets, look no further. The shop’s social media is also a good place for connecting with others in the local gaming community.

—Jack Probst ____________________

Best Comic Shop to Grab a Beer with Batman Apotheosis Comics The pandemic has left many businesses struggling, but Apotheosis Comics (3205 South Grand Boulevard; 314-802-7090) has opened a new location in the former site of Foam on South Jefferson Avenue and Cherokee Street. If you’re new to the comic world, the knowledgeable and friendly staff will help show you where to start. For the seasoned comic devotees, they can easily pull your favorite titles for you every week. Head to the bar to grab some joe from Blueprint Coffee or a canned cocktail, and take a spin on the Blast City arcade cabinet loaded with that XMen game from your childhood. The O.G. South Grand location is still going strong with events for those that want to catch a local comedy show or any newcomers to D&D that need to learn the basics. Head to Apotheosis Volume 2 now to see The Bat himself hanging on the bricks outside, painted by artist PL@STIC.

—Jack Probst

GOODS & SERVICES

Best Salon Naturally Pure Some people think that they must go to Clayton and spend $800 for high-end hair coloring and styling, but Naturally Pure (564 South Gray Avenue; 314-963-7101) offers an easier (and much cheaper) option. Tucked away on a quiet corner in Webster Groves, the salon appears calm on the outside, but on the inside, the large space is a flurry of activity. Not only do they take every precaution to keep their clients safe from COVID-19, they also remodeled during the lockdown, expanding their square footage and adding more space between each stylist’s area. Upon entering you’ll notice good vibes all around, and once they’ve fixed up your hair, you’ll understand why every client there is so happy. Naturally Pure uses quality Aveda products and produces top-notch work that costs a fraction of what you’d expect based on the result. Friends will tell you that your new hair looks very expensive (even if it wasn’t), and isn’t that always the best compliment?

—Jaime Lees ____________________

Best Gift Shop Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis

ter situation than dealing with a mall. Once you try it once, you’ll do it every year. Promise.

—Jaime Lees We’re going to let you in on a little secret: Museum gift shops are the best place in town to get all of your holiday shopping out of the way all at once. They offer unique gifts that you can’t find in any other shops, and (best of all) if you buy from museum gift shops, the money goes to supporting art and artists instead of supporting Jeff Bezos going to space again. The tiny little gift shop inside the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (3750 Washington Boulevard; 314-535-4660) packs a big punch, offering not just gorgeous art books of all varieties, but also unique apparel, bags, jewelry, luxury scarves, Baggu products, planters, notebooks, cards, banners, instruments and kids’ educational toys. You can find a thoughtful, special gift for anyone from your grandkids to your great-auntie here, wrap them all up and be done with holiday shopping before Halloween. And if you need to get some shopping done but don’t have time to experience the art, the gift shop is right in front. You can pop in, shop and then hustle on out. It’s a way bet-

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Best Art Supply Store St. Louis Art Supply Artists deserve the finest tools available for creating masterpieces, don’t they? Grabbing a cheap sketchbook and generic pencils from a local craft store might be sufficient for an amateur, but where can a serious artist get the best supplies in town for whatever medium they dabble in? St. Louis Art Supply (4532 Olive Street, 314884-8345) is the only place around with all the right tools for your pencil bag. The store carries hundreds of imported tools for those who love to draw, write, sketch or paint — all selected by the talented staff. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the brick-and-mortar store and cafe are closed for inperson browsing until masks and social distancing are no longer a thing. Still, they offer curbside pickup and fast shipping to anywhere in the country.

—Jack Probst

Best Hotel Angad Arts Hotel The Angad Arts Hotel (3550 Samuel Shepard Drive; 314-561-0033) gives you something to look at around every corner. As you walk up, a sculpture of suitcases in a perpetual state of collapse greets you while silhouettes of a golden man crawl up the side of the building. It sets the right tone for a place covered in such stunning art. Are you feeling blue? Stay in a room decorated blue headto-toe, including a claw foot tub not far from the bed, should you need to recharge, relax and treat yourself. (There’s also red, yellow, and green depending on what you need to paint your pallet during your stay.) Our favorite area is the instrument wall, which is a great spot to pick up a banjo or guitar and start a musical conversation with other guests.

—Jack Probst

Batman and Apotheosis owner Martin Casas | COURTESY APOTHEOSIS COMICS & LOUNGE

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CLOVR

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hen thinking through the state of affairs that is the St. Louis restaurant scene in 2021, how you feel about things, more than ever, depends upon which side of the table you sit. If you’re a diner, post-vaccine rollout 2021 has been a glorious return to some semblance of normalcy. Gone are the days of shuttered doors, curbside-only and sanitizing your takeout containers, replaced with open dining rooms, full-service experiences and actual flatware. Sitting inside the four walls of an eatery, sipping a craft cocktail and listening to the day’s specials feels so familiar, it’s tempting to see the pandemic through the rearview mirror and not as an ongoing event. But it’s very much ongoing for those in the business. If this year has seemed like a return to normal for the dining public, it has been nothing short of a sea change for the industry, with the concept of normal being blown to bits by everything from staffing shortages to soaring food costs to the continuing financial stress that comes from enhanced safety protocols as well as a year and a half of slashed revenues due to shuttered dining rooms and reduced capacities. If the pandemic did anything to the industry, it exposed its flaws and vulnerabilities, with restaurants being forced to reckon with these things in ways that the dining public will soon be unable to ignore. We’re witnessing a seismic shift in the industry that has been a long time coming. Going out to eat is just going to cost more. There is no way around it. Restaurants have to

pay higher wages and provide benefits to their employees, and they have to be protective of workers’ quality of life. However, this money does not come out of thin air. The dining public will have to recognize that, if they want to continue to have the privilege of going out to eat, they will be paying prices that accurately reflect what goes into that. It’s just that simple. These are fraught times for the industry, which is why we take the time to celebrate the following chefs, restaurateurs and industry professionals who refuse to be deterred from sharing their craft. Despite the daily challenges they face, they still get up every morning, turn on the ovens and polish the glassware to welcome us into their homes away from home. That they continue to do this, no matter how tough things get, is the truest form of hospitality.

— Cheryl Baehr

Best Bartender Meredith Barry

Best Martini The Gin Room

Best Coffeehouse Shaw’s Coffee

Meredith Barry first showed up in town just three years ago as the beverage director for the former Grand Tavern by David Burke at the Angad Arts Hotel. But in that short time, she’s become an integral part of the city’s bar scene — not just for her talent, but for her humble, optimistic and vibrant spirit that is absolutely infectious. If you’ve had the pleasure of sitting across the bar from her at Taste or sipping on her outstanding libations for Gerard Craft’s liqueur brand, La Verita, you realize that she gets both the nerdy science and warm hospitality of bartending — something that will be exciting to experience at the forthcoming Platypus (4501 Manchester Avenue), Barry's newest venture with fellow bartender Tony Saputo, that is sure to be one of the most thrilling places to grab a drink in town.

Before she was an internationally renowned Gin Hall of Famer, the Gin Room’s (3200 South Grand Boulevard; 314-771-3411) Natasha Bahrami was a girl in need of a drink who happened to sit down before a barman who knew how to make a proper martini. Blown away, she went down the rabbit hole, which led to her passion for gin. She now shares her love and knowledge with the world as one of the spirit’s most knowledgeable ambassadors. Bahrami’s bar is a thrilling temple to gin in all its various forms, but if you want to taste how it all began, have her make you a martini and see where it takes you. If her story is any indication, the path will surely lead to good things.

For more than twenty years, Shaw’s Coffee (5147 Shaw Avenue #3039; 314-771-6920) has welcomed neighbors on the Hill to its coffeehouse. Walking in, the place is decorated with gorgeous plants and a beautiful wooden bar. It feels cozy but impressive. After ordering whatever coffee you dream up from the excellent baristas — from a simple roast to the elaborate espresso drink — you can have a seat inside an old bank vault to chat with your friends or grab a table on the sidewalk out front and people watch. Once you take your first sip, you fall in love with the rich taste of well-made coffee. With a wide-ranging menu, Shaw’s offers the best experience for any St. Louisan looking for a way to wake up or chill out.

—Cheryl Baehr

—Jenna Jones

—Cheryl Baehr riverfronttimes.com

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FOOD & DRINK

Non-Beef Burger, The Double Trouble Burger | PHUONG BUI

Best Burger, Non-Beef The Double Trouble Burger at CC’s Vegan Spot Trezel Brown, owner of CC’s Vegan Spot (4993 Loughborough Avenue; 314-899-9400), is a master of making vegan food so soulful and comforting you leave as satisfied as you would walking out of your grandma’s kitchen after Sunday supper. Her Double Trouble Burger is the perfect embodiment of her skills. The massive sandwich is made with two different vegan patties. The first, a barbecue brinjal burger, is made with mouthwatering eggplant seasoned with warm spices; the second is her shockingly rich beet burger. Stacked together with spicy sauce, slaw and vegan cheese, and placed on a pillow-soft bun, it’s a masterpiece of vegan cuisine.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best Burger Brasswell Double Cheeseburger When you close your eyes and imagine the quintessential cheeseburger, what image comes to mind? Juicy smashed patties that are tender and glisten with fat, but

crisp up like beefy lace around the edges? Gooey American cheese, a perfect melter that slides into every crevice of the patties? Dijonaise sauce that is simultaneously rich and tangy, and pungent onions and pickles that cut through the decadence? Brasswell’s (1320 South Vandeventer Avenue; 314256-1657) double cheeseburger doesn’t break the mold but instead shows you why it was created in the first place — and why there’s no reason to mess with perfection.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best New Bar Chatawa When Thomas Crone tells you that his new bar, Chatawa (3137 Morgan Ford Road), was inspired by his trips to New Orleans, he wants to make one thing clear: This is not a kitschy, Mardi Gras-themed caricature of the Big Easy with glitzy masks and plastic beads, but the sort of neighborhood bar you find far off the touristy path. However, Crone is not only focused on New Orleans but on the towns that dot the Mississippi River from St. Louis down to the Delta, weaving them together as a common culture linked by music,

art, food and drink. His plan is to source as many things as possible from cities along this route, and he’s even linked up with chef Tony Collida who runs Grand Pied, the restaurant inside Chatawa, to create a menu of offerings that match his vision. It sounds cerebral, but what it amounts to is an inviting bar with that quintessential neighborhood feel that seems as if it’s been there for a lifetime, not merely a couple of weeks.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best Restaurant When Someone Else Pays Casa don Alfonso Casa don Alfonso (100 Carondelet Plaza; 314-719-1496) impresses from the moment you walk in. Located inside the Ritz-Carlton, the restaurant is sure to wow any date. The only downside? The cheapest item on the menu is an $11 soup, and the Maine Lobster runs $64. It’s far from the most expensive place in town, but it’s not exactly a budget pick. An upside? It’s extremely worth it. Specialties of Italian cuisine shine here, and any item you order will just melt in your mouth. On the menu are classics, such as pizza, pasta and lasagna, but there’s also seafood

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if you’re looking for the catch of the day. Truly, the spot is one of St. Louis’ newest gems. Casa don Alfonso is worth the money even if you can’t find someone else to pay. Go ahead, splurge. You won’t regret it.

—Jenna Jones ____________________

Best Brunch City Coffee and Crêperie At City Coffee and Crêperie (36 North Brentwood Boulevard; 314-862-2489), you don’t have to choose between the decadent crepes, delicious coffee or a healthy salad — you can simply have it all. The brunch menu is full of opportunity. Maybe choose a sandwich and soup for your entree and finish them off with a dessert crepe — apple cinnamon and brown sugar or lemon curd. Either will satisfy your sweet tooth. The bakery is adorned with to-die-for scones, muffins, cookies and more. Pair your crepe with a mimosa or glass of wine, or ease a hangover with some well-crafted coffee. A laid-back, easygoing establishment is the perfect spot to enjoy your brunch in or outdoors.

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—Jenna Jones

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FOOD & DRINK

Best Chain Sugarfire

Best Vegetarian Terror Tacos

If you’re in the mood for barbecue and in a pinch to find a place, Sugarfire has you covered. Sugarfire (multiple locations, including 605 Washington Avenue; 314394-1720) has spread like wildfire across Missouri and is now seeping into places like Texas and Florida. The St. Louis-style barbecue features tasty brisket, pulled pork, ribs, sausage, burgers — any variety of barbecued meat you can think of, really. Not to mention, the sides are just as good as the main dishes. Add in some killer shakes, and we’re glad our sister states can enjoy our not-a-secret restaurant. Pick any of the restaurants in the St. Louis area and you’ll still get quality and tantalizing tastes. The spot runs from 11 a.m. until they’re sold out in the downtown area.

Brothers Bradley Roach and Brian Roash have been vegan since the mid-to-late 1990s, tracing their introduction to the lifestyle back to that era’s underground hardcore scene. To them, plant-based eating has always had that sort of revolutionary political tilt. But they’ve found that, over the years, vegan eateries never quite fit the sort of dark, gritty, anti-establishment feel of the scene they came up in, instead emitting a peace, love and hippie vibe that felt foreign to them. This past March, they took matters into their own hands, opening Terror Tacos (3191 South Grand Boulevard; 314260-9996) as a loud, in-your-face, metal-inspired spot with food as unapologetically raucous as the vibe. Inspired by the flavors of the Southwest where the brothers grew up, the restaurant features intensely flavorful tacos, birria and an unforgettable burrito — a gargantuan, overstuffed wonder filled with seitan, peppers, onions, cilantro rice, sour cream, lettuce and chipotle cheese. This outstanding offering may be more than the best vegan burrito around; it may be the best, period.

—Jenna Jones ____________________

Best Indian Khanna’s Desi Vibes The moment you walk into Khanna’s Desi Vibes (13724 Olive Boulevard, Chesterfield; 314-392-9348) you understand that you are in a restaurant that somehow manages to be fiercely traditional while pushing the boundaries of what Indian cuisine can be. Drawing from a northern Indian tradition, Khanna’s Desi Vibes serves the rich curries, masalas, kormas and lamb rogan josh that diners have come to love and expect from the classic Indian tradition; if you leave with only trying these, you will be wholly satisfied and feel as if you have enjoyed one of the city’s best Indian spots. However, what makes this thrilling restaurant so special is its willingness to expand that playbook with fusion dishes that echo the interplays such as Viet-Cajun or KoreanMexican that are now taken for granted. Minted paneer tacos, chicken tikka flatbread and butter chicken pasta are playful and utterly delicious, showing just how beautiful it can be when a restaurant is willing to march to its own beat.

—Cheryl Baehr

for tough choices. The Bevo-based Mexican eatery serves the seafood stew — consisting of crab legs, bay scallops, shrimp, octopus and clams — in a cast-iron mortar that retains so much heat that the chile-infused red broth your sea bugs are swimming in is still boiling when the dish hits your table. The Nayarit seasoning brings delicious (though not overwhelming) chile heat to the whole affair along with a bright citrus tanginess that, together, elevate the dish well beyond the garlic-butter-soaked standard of most seafood joints. Best of all, it’s a large-enough portion that it can easily be shared between two people — although for the full god-of-the-sea experience, you might consider downing the whole thing yourself.

—Daniel Hill ____________________

Best Cocktails Narwhal’s Crafted In a year and a half that’s been about as joyless as it gets, there’s something about the breezy, carefree feel of sipping a Narwhal’s Crafted (multiple locations including 3906 Laclede Avenue; 314-6968388) frozen beverage that makes everything seem a touch brighter.

This adult slushy bar is the fun and whimsy we need, but it balances it with the seriousness of a proper drink — also imperative in these trying times. A whiskey sour enlivened with blood orange puree or a gin and tonic infused with hibiscus served at the consistency of a Slurpee just makes imbibing feel like a special treat. It’s these little glimmers of joy that are going to get us through.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best Chef Nick Bognar Even in one of the most challenging stretches the restaurant industry has seen, Nick Bognar has still managed to hit several careerhigh notes that would be significant even in the best of times. In 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, he earned several high-profile accolades, including being named a Food & Wine Best New Chef, seeing his restaurant, Indo (1641 D Tower Grove Avenue; 314-8999333), be selected by GQ as one of its Best New Restaurants in America and earning two James Beard Foundation nominations for Best New Restaurant and Rising Star Chef. However spectacular these

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Best Bubbling Cauldron of Sea Creatures Mariscos El Gato’s Molcajete Kora One of the hardest things about dining at any seafood restaurant is making the difficult decision as to which specific sea creatures to consume. Do you go with the shrimp, the tried-and-true staple of even the most pedestrian of seafooderies? Or maybe the buttery and tender deliciousness of the scallops? Perhaps you’re up for the challenge of tearing some crab legs apart and liberating the succulent meat within? Well, when you’re at Mariscos El Gato (4561 Gravois Avenue; 314-2820772), you can have it all. Just order the Molcajete Kora, a bubbling cauldron of sea creatures and spices, and there’s no need

Nick Bognar of Indo | MABEL SUEN

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nods may be, what makes Bognar so special has less to do with the buzz and more to do with how you feel when you sit down across the pass from him at one of his glorious omakase dinners. Simultaneously masterful and warm and unassuming, Bognar serves with the same intentionality as a traditional Japanese tea ceremony — with food so magnificent, you understand that the accolades are not just buzz; he is truly one of the most significant culinary artists to ever grace this city.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best Barbecue BEAST Craft BBQ Co. Earlier this year, David and Meggan Sandusky, owners of the barbecue brand BEAST Craft BBQ Co., temporarily suspended barbecue operations at their Grove smokehouse and butchery, BEAST Butcher & Block (4156 Manchester Avenue; 314-9446003), because they just couldn’t make ends meet. The pandemic had ravaged their business, like just about every other restaurant across the city, and the high price of high-quality meat, coupled with their storefront’s massive footprint, prompted them to make the difficult decision of putting what they’d become known for on hold until they could safely welcome guests back in their dining room. In its place, they set up an excellent sandwich pop-up out of their

FOOD & DRINK

butchery, but there was no substitute for BEAST’s outrageously good Wagyu brisket, succulent pulled pork and best-in-class pork steak. What the shutdown did was make us realize just how much we love this masterpiece of a smokehouse and why we can’t imagine a St. Louis dining scene without its presence.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Food Truck Izumi When Kurt Bellon thinks back on his many trips to Japan to visit his mother’s family, one of his fondest memories is the experience of walking into a train station, getting a sando and drink from a convenience store, and sitting down on a bench to unwrap its contents as if it were Christmas Day. The present inside the packaging — Japanese sandwiches that are based on traditional English tea fare — is as beautiful as it is delicious. Characterized by fluffy white milk bread and adornments ranging from savory tonkatsu or egg salad to sweet peach and brown sugar or strawberries and whipped cream, the sandos are the subject of his darling pop-up food truck, Izumi (izumistlouis. com), that has been making appearances around town this past year. Bellon’s vehicle is a tiny red Japanese firetruck that can be found at different venues every week (though preorders are high-

Strawberry Sando and Peach Boi from Izumi | KURT BELLON

ly recommended because he sells out), where he serves a variety of sandos and other dishes like yakatori, as well as other snacks and drinks. But what makes Izumi so special is not simply the excellent food but Bellon’s insistence on highlighting the stories of others as he tells his own. With a special focus on collaborating with immigrant-owned businesses, Izumi is just as committed to elevating others as it elevates the St. Louis food scene.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best Takeout/Curbside Fire Chicken

BEAST Craft BBQ | MABEL SUEN

When Michelle and Min Baik opened their restaurant, Fire Chicken (10200 Page Avenue, Overland; 314-551-2123), in August 2020, they were already wellprepared to handle the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic would bring. That’s because rather than having to adapt their business to a carryout/delivery-only model, that model already was a key part of their plan. The pair took special care to understand the ins and outs of the delivery services and systems they’d be us-

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ing to get their food to customers, and even conceived of an airlockstyle carryout system that ensures customers and staff have as little contact with other humans as possible. But a good restaurant is not built on a seamless ordering process alone. Luckily, the Overland eatery’s Korean-inspired wares are so delicious and well-executed that even city-dwellers have been trekking to the county to get a taste of the delicious flavors on offer. While the more familiar dishes on the menu, served up with thoughtful twists by the Baiks, are excellent — a heaping pile of bulgogi beef is served chock-full of green beans, carrots and onions; pan-fried mandu dumplings can be ordered covered in cheese and spicy mayonnaise — it’s the gangjung, whose chicken variation lends the restaurant its name, that really shines. For that dish, nuggets of breaded chicken are fried to a golden crisp, then covered in a hot sweet-soy sauce accentuated with jalapeños and red chiles. It’s nothing short of a culinary revelation on a bustling strip of Page Avenue, and one that is aptly named — both the dish and the restaurant are nothing short of “fire.”

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—Daniel Hill

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Best Drive-Thru Fort Taco When Fort Taco (8106 Manchester Road; 314-647-2391) first came on the scene, what seems like ten lifetimes ago, it introduced St. Louis to the “puffer,” an overstuffed, deep-fried-to-a-goldenbrown flour tortilla pouf that straddles the line between perfectly flaky-crisp and pillow-soft. It was a revelation, as were Fort Taco's enchiladas, known lovingly as “enchees,” filled with potatoes, cheese and peas and topped with an ancho chile sauce, and its decadent tamales. Staff also managed to translate warm hospitality through a drive-thru window. Now, seven years into its run, the restaurant has not wavered from the quality it delivered when it first began, still serving up excellent Tex-Mex fare from its original (and only remaining) Brentwood spot. That you can roll through this fast-food masterpiece and still be as mesmerized as you were the first time you tried it is a rare joy. It's the mark of a true culinary gem that, no matter how you package it, has made its delicious mark on the way we eat.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best Restaurant Service Little Fox

FOOD & DRINK

able to sit in their dining room, you feel that same experience. No question, the pandemic has taken a toll on the Rivards, forced to watch their dreams go on life support through no fault of their own. However, through it all, they have managed to still find a way to give us exactly what we need. If that’s not the ultimate measure of service, what is?

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best Chinese Restaurant Chef Ma’s Chinese Gourmet Fans of the delicious Chinese fare served up at Chef Ma’s (10440 Page Avenue, Overland; 314-3958797) suffered a serious shock this spring when the restaurant vacated its longtime space on Woodson Road, leaving behind an empty building with a sign reading “New Restaurant Coming Up” on the window. That concern was short-lived, though, and when the north-county eatery reopened in May, diners breathed a collective sigh of relief. But as it turns out, worse problems were on the horizon, and on August 5, the eponymous Chef Ying Jing Ma unexpectedly shuffled off this mortal coil. Diners, who had grown used to seeing the brilliant chef milling about the restaurant, manning the kitchen or chatting up customers

enjoying his transcendent food, were devastated by the news, and fears set in immediately that the culinary delights he was known for would be next. But, thankfully, the employees left behind at the restaurant are committed to soldiering on, using Chef Ma’s transcendent recipes to carry forth his outsized legacy. That means the traditional Chinese dishes the restaurant is best known for, including the house specialty Hainan chicken, will still be available for its diehard fans, as will the elevated Americanized dishes, such as hot braised chicken and Mongolian beef. Chef Ma’s passing will forever leave a gaping hole in the St. Louis area’s dining scene, but thanks to the otherworldly recipes he honed over a lifetime, his memory will live on.

—Daniel Hill ____________________

Best Restaurant Success Story Taqueria Durango Last March, before COVID-19 wreaked havoc on life as we know it, Taqueria Durango (10238 Page Avenue, Overland; 314-429-1113) was suffering its own tragedy. The restaurant, thought by many loyal patrons to be the best Mexican eatery in town, burned to the ground, the result of a kitchen

fire that started during its lunch service. In the year that followed, the pandemic only made the restaurant’s rebuild all the more difficult. But with the help of the community — including an online fundraiser started by chef Brian Hardesty — the restaurant was able to rebuild, finally reopening a little over a year from when the blaze made it seem questionable whether it would ever again do so. That Taqueria Durango is standing today as the bastion of Mexican cuisine it once was, if not even more so, is the hopeful story we need to let us know that we’re all going to be alright.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best Bar Brennan’s A beloved mainstay of the Central West End food and beverage scene, Brennan’s (316 North Euclid Avenue; 314-497-4449) has had quite the couple of years. First came the move from its original home on Maryland Avenue to a storefront just around the corner, a relocation forced by the everexpanding St. Louis Chess Club. Then last December — the day before it was slated to reopen in its new digs — the bar caught fire, causing significant damage that delayed the debut of Brennan’s

Craig and Mowgli Rivard came to town four years ago determined to open a best-in-class neighborhood restaurant that would reimagine fine dining for a more comfortable, casual environment. They succeeded, opening Little Fox (2800 Shenandoah Avenue; 314-553-9456) at the end of 2019, just a handful of months before the world was flipped on its head. If you dined at this excellent Fox Park eatery pre-pandemic, you got to see their vision unfold in exactly the way they had planned — flawless, creative-yet-comforting dishes, a stylish vibe, an outstanding beverage program and attentive, warm service. However, if you’ve dined there since they reopened, whether simply grabbing a prepared meal from their market, eating under their tent across the street known as Little Fox Summer or, now, finally again

Taqueria Durango | MABEL SUEN

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spread it on a roll, is particularly noteworthy — not simply because it’s delicious, but because it’s the most poignant example of Hill’s connection to her mother. Made with the same ingredients using exactly the same technique as her mom, Hill manages to bring to life a delicious dish, yes, but more importantly a profound moment of intimacy that we are privileged to witness.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best Bakery La Pâtisserie Chouquette

The Cubano at Coffeestamp | MABEL SUEN

2.0 until this July. Despite all of the setbacks, there was never any question that this essential part of CWE culture would continue to exist. For nearly twenty years, Brennan’s has been exactly the sort of handsome community gathering place the city’s most handsome neighborhood needs — a multilevel space to imbibe, smoke cigars, nosh and people watch some of the city’s most beautiful people. But despite its tony address and subtly swanky vibes, Brennan’s still manages to be a welcoming spot, making everyone who goes there feel as if they are part of the club. That we had to even consider a future without it, even for just a second, only made it all the more special.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best Thai Chiang Mai When Su Hill was a little girl growing up in northern Thailand, she hated her mother’s lessons in

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traditional Thai cuisine. Trained in the domestic arts in Thailand’s Grand Palace, Hill’s mother would spend hours painstakingly preparing food, from picking herbs from her garden to grinding spices to dicing vegetables and then dicing them again. Hill thought she wanted nothing to do with such drudgery, but after her mother’s death a few years ago, she understood that the best way she could continue to feel her presence around her was if she cooked her food. That sense of longing and sense of duty to share her mother’s story with the world, plus Hill’s years of experience in the restaurant business here in the U.S., have converged to bring to life Chiang Mai (8158 Big Bend Boulevard, Webster Groves; 314-961-8889), an awe-inspiring affair that offers one of the city’s most memorable dining experiences, regardless of the cuisine. Chiang Mai is unlike any other Thai restaurant in town with dishes that showcase the flavors of the country’s northern region. Though nothing fails to impress at this gem of a restaurant, the gaeng hung lay, a braised pork masterpiece so tender you could

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Beyond the jaw-dropping wedding cakes that have people clamoring from miles away to secure for their big date or the jewelcolored macarons that are so gorgeous they could be just as easily at home at Tiffany and Company as they are in a pastry case, La Pâtisserie Chouquette (1626 Tower Grove Avenue; 314-932-7935) is the city’s quintessential patisserie — the kind you conjure up when you close your eyes and dream of croissants and cream puffs and galettes but cannot swing the plane ticket to Paris. That owner Simone Faure has been able to sustain this level of mastery, consistency and joy for her craft for nearly ten years is quite a feat, especially during a pandemic when she’s had to completely rethink how to bring the patisserie experience to curbside, which she did with aplomb. And praise the lord she did. How would we have survived this year without access to her Darkness croissant?

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best Deli Al-Tarboush Before he was the patriarch of the beloved University City Lebanese deli Al-Tarboush (602 Westgate Avenue, University City; 314-7251944), Sleiman “Sam” Bathani was somewhat of a Lebanese pop star, traveling around his home country and regaling his fans with his stunning voice. Stranded in the

United States while on tour due to the war that ravaged Lebanon, Bathani sent for his family and set out to create a new life as a restaurateur, first opening a club and events space in Chicago, and eventually landing in St. Louis and his tiny storefront on Westgate Avenue. It’s been a difficult ride that has led him to this point, but the way he has created something so beautiful out of the challenges he and his family have experienced is nothing short of inspiring. AlTarboush Deli is an icon of the St. Louis dining scene, with the best shawarma, falafel and numerous other Lebanese delicacies you can find in the area. Sometimes, when he’s slathering that mouthwatering garlic sauce on your wrap, you’ll hear him humming a tune — one of many gifts he’s been so generous to share with us over the years.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best Sandwich Cubano at Coffeestamp Brothers Patrick and Spencer Clapp may have set out to offer St. Louis one of the best cups of ethically sourced coffee around, but in the process of setting up their cafe, Coffeestamp (2511 South Jefferson Avenue; 314-797-8113), they have also created one of the city’s most magical bites to eat. The shop’s Honduran-inflected menu is one treat after another, but the standout offering is the Cubano, an exceptional sandwich that is as close to the traditional version you will get in town. Roast pork and warm ham are so succulent that their juices mix together to form a mouthwatering meaty jus that soaks into the perfectly crisped, airy Cuban bread. Tangy Swiss cheese and rich mayo add to the decadence; pickle slices cut through it for balance. That you can pair this masterpiece of sandwich-making with an outstanding cup of coffee (or really, you should wash it down with the delicious housemade horchata) makes Coffeestamp one of the most exciting places to open in town this past year.

—Cheryl Baehr

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BEST OF ST. LOUIS

Best Italian Noto Kendele and Wayne Sieve had a choice: Take over Kendele’s father’s bakery as he had been priming her to do all her life or forge their own path and create the Italian restaurant of their dreams. The latter was a big gamble for the two chefs, but one they knew they could take on. Not only did they have the culinary and hospitality chops, forged over years of working in the industry; they also had Wayne’s passion for traditional Neapolitan pizza that he’d been showing off for a year with a food truck. Now, a year and a half into opening Noto (5105 Westwood Drive, St. Peters; 636-317-1143), the Sieves have shown they made the right call by firmly establishing themselves as an outstanding, traditional southern Italian restaurant that dazzles at every turn. From the handmade pastas to executive chef Josh Poletti’s charcuterie that could bring a tear to the eye of an Italian butcher, from Kendele’s pastries (you’ve never had tiramisu if you haven’t had her version) to Wayne’s undisputed title as the king of Neapolitan pizza in the region, this is the Italian restaurant that dreams are made of. Thankfully, the Sieves were willing to follow theirs to make ours come true.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best Neighborhood Restaurant The Pine Room Tucked into a residential intersection in a neighborhood between Lindenwood University and St. Charles’ historic district, the Pine Room (1102 Perry Street, St. Charles; 636-754-6237) looks more like a corner dive bar than a restaurant — and in some ways, it is. If you belly up to the restaurant’s stick, you’ll be sitting under the lights of a vintage Budweiser chandelier as you wash down your Busch and play a couple of rounds of Keno. However, there is more than meets the eye in this gem. Out of an unassuming kitchen comes some of the best comfort food around, including sizzling

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hot steaks, fried chicken and the restaurant’s famous hamburger steak, a mammoth slab of juicy ground beef smothered in mushrooms, onions and brown gravy. You don’t have to be a resident of the immediate area to appreciate such a thing of beauty, but it sure helps when you have to stagger home with such a full belly.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best Breakfast Songbird It’s not often that a restaurant exists because of a singular dish, but in some ways, the impetus for Songbird (4476 Chouteau Avenue; 314-781-4344) is just that — the perfect breakfast sandwich that owners Chris Meyer and Mike Miller have been serving for the past few years at the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market under their other brand, Kitchen Kulture. Known as the Combo, this flawless specimen of morning perfection is exactly what you want in a breakfast sandwich: buttery and golden griddled sourdough bread, a gooey egg, applewood smoked bacon straddling that perfect space between tender and crisp, a sprinkle of sea salt and a drizzle of honey. The Combo became so popular it made the partners realize they needed a restaurant where they could do daytime-focused dishes that are simple and nostalgic but made extra special by their commitment to locally sourcing the highest-quality ingredients around. Their commitment pays off in the city’s best breakfast fare, showing that their outstanding sandwich was only the beginning.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best-Kept Secret Tacos La Jefa For those who know about this unassuming spot in a small Dutchtown food hall, Tacos La Jefa (3301 Meramec Street) is the place to be on Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. That’s when the family of the late Heriberta Amescua honors her legacy by serving up

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Noto | MABEL SUEN

her famous birria, keeping alive the dream she had of opening a restaurant — a dream that was cut short when she passed away this April. Over her many years in the kitchen — first as a home cook and eventually as a caterer and vendor at local Hispanic festivals — Amescua perfected her recipe for the traditional Mexican slow-cooked beef, toiling over the large pots of the simmering meat that would become her signature dish. Last September, she finally set up a shop of her own inside Urban Eats; after her sudden death, Amescua’s family decided that they would keep it going despite having full-time jobs of their own. Once you taste this succulent meat, either on its own or stuffed into a grilled, cheese-filled quesabirria taco, you will see why they had to continue on. There is no better version of this dish in town, if anywhere — a fitting legacy for a master of her craft.

—Cheryl Baehr ____________________

Best New Restaurant The Lucky Accomplice When Logan Ely announced he was opening the Lucky Accomplice (2501 South Jefferson Avenue; 314-354-6100) last year, he

explained that he wanted a place that would be the neighborhood gathering place his tasting-menufocused restaurant, Shift, could not fully be. His vision was for a spot where people could pop in without reservations to have a casual meal and cocktails in a comeas-you-are setting. He’s achieved that, in spades, and he has done so without sacrificing the brilliance he became known for at Shift. The Lucky Accomplice may not require reservations or a $100 per-plate tab, but it has the luster of its older sister with dishes that equal the genius you would expect from a high-end spot. Mafalda pasta, made with black trumpet mushrooms, is served atop luxurious parmesan foam, completely reimagining how the cheese is served on a pasta dish; Turkish orange eggplant carpaccio makes you rethink why beef has become the standard of the form, and roasted pork collar has you questioning why the cut is not on every barbecue menu around. Ely’s brilliance is in the way he makes you think differently about food while still giving you something soulful — that you can simply drop by and have such an experience without the pomp and circumstance of fine dining is just another of his strokes of genius.

—Cheryl Baehr

FOOD & DRINK

Best St. Louis-Style Pizza Nick & Elena’s Those whose only St. Louis-style pizza experience has come courtesy of a certain purveyor of squares allegedly beyond compare don’t know what they’re missing. Complaints from some that the flat foodstuff tastes like plastic bags melted all over a cracker are understandable when one has only sampled the wares of the big guys in town; with so many stores run by so many different franchisees, quality control and consistency from restaurant to restaurant can be a near impossibility — and don’t get us started on the “zesty pizza loaf” some try to pass off as Provel. It is technically possible to get a good Imo’s pizza, if the right store has the right pizza maker working when you order, but why go through the trouble when Nick & Elena’s (3007 Woodson Road, Overland; 314-427-6566) nails it every time? The Overland Italian eatery has been serving up the gold standard of the form for years now, with a thin crust that retains its crispiness (even those tricky middle pieces!), a sweet tomato sauce whose authentic Italian origins shine through every bite and — perhaps best of all — real, actual provel cheese melted

over every slice. Those other guys may make the pizza that visitors from out of town line up to try, but locals know that the best STL-style ’za in town is served out of an unassuming kitchen in north county.

—Daniel Hill ____________________

Best Pizza That Isn’t St. Louis Style Pizza Tree You have to grow up in St. Louis to really have an appreciation for St. Louis-style pizza. When people first see it, it’s the thinness of the crust that first catches their attention. And then when people first taste it, it’s the insane texture of the cheese that is the deciding factor for if they enjoy it or never want to try it again. Provel is a love or hate relationship. And if you decide you really can’t stand it and have put some distance between yourself and St. Louisstyle pizzas, the pies they serve at Pizza Tree (909 Cherry Street; Columbia, Missouri; 573-874-9925) are considered universally delicious. Located in Columbia, Pizza Tree is well worth the drive from St. Louis if you’re down for a little adventure with your dining. The

ingredients are fresh, the flavors are fantastic and you can even order by the slice if you’d like to try a little of everything. Remember to grab an extra pie for the road so you can have pizza leftovers for breakfast the next day, too. Now that’s livin’.

—Jaime Lees ____________________

Best Comfort Food Zenwich Attention all stoners! Do you need some filling food that won’t break your bank now that you can easily, legally get your green? Or are you having a rough day and need a warm hug that only delicious food can give you? The nourishment you seek is right in the Central West End. Zenwich (8 ½ South Euclid; 314-833-3165) offers modern takes on classic Asian cuisine with sandwiches like the simple yet insanely delicious Chicken Teriyaki Katsu or the vegan Mad Monk. A side of Truffle Fries elevates any sandwich’s flavor, and St. Louis is fortunate to be the only location in the franchise that offers ramen. Do not sleep on the Garlic Pork Bone. Meditate on it.

—Jack Probst ____________________

Best Outdoor Dining 9 Mile Garden

Michael’s Bar & Grill | ANDY PAULISSEN

Launched as St. Louis’ first foodtruck park in the heart of the pandemic, 9 Mile Garden (9375 Gravois Road; 314-390-2806) broke into the region’s food scene with a daily selection of different food trucks, live music and even movies projected on a 26-foot screen. The result at times feels like someone picked up a dozen restaurants, flipped them upside down and shook out the contents over a tidy city park. Every day, patrons equipped with lawn chairs and picnic baskets browse the selection of the city’s best food trucks, and picky eaters have a lot to choose from, from sliders to tacos to ice cream to Korean and Mediterranean cuisine. The space has become an instant hit, and even as some normalcy returns to the

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food scene, the seeds of great food and family entertainment have clearly grown into something special.

—Danny Wicentowski ____________________

Best Chicken Wings Michael’s Bar and Grill Michael’s Bar and Grill (7101 Manchester Avenue; 314-644-2240) has long been the place to get some of the best Greek dishes in the Maplewood area. Killer gyros, tender braised lamb shank, the dolmades and, goddamn, they even know how to cook a burger to perfection. But did you know they absolutely crush it on wings? Your eyes will not bug out of your head like some sort of crazed cartoon wolf, but the hot sauce has just the right amount of heat to it, complementing the crispy skin and juicy white meat. It’s a basic recipe done so incredibly well, and there’s absolutely nowhere else in town to find this sort of wing perfection.

—Jack Probst ____________________

Best Margarita Mission Taco Joint Out of all of Mission Taco Joint’s locations, nothing beats hanging out at the bar of the Central West End one (398 North Euclid Avenue; 314-930-2955). Left Bank Books is across the street; Up-Down arcade bar is on the opposite corner. It’s a solid neighborhood location with friendly, knowledgeable bartenders slinging all the best drinks. The Mission Margarita is made with nothing but tequila, fresh lime juice, agave and orange curacao — a simple yet perfect balance of tart and sweet while still very tequila forward. It goes down even smoother if you decide to hit it with top-shelf reposado tequila. And with winter on the way, we suggest you pop in for a Tough Love. It’s a spicy take on the marg that’s sure to warm up your evening.

OCTOBER 13-19, 2021

—Jack Probst

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$5 t a

o c

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Starts

This , y a d n SuOct 17!

Presented by

sponsored by: Offer valid for dine-in or to-go at participating restaurants. Stay tuned for more info and a full list of restaurants at: STLTacoWeek.com

Every Day is Taco Tuesday During Taco Week stltacoweek.com |

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@stltacoweek | #stltacoweek

Commandments 1 . T H E Y CO U L D R U N O U T We expect that the restaurants will be extremely busy. So, if a place runs out toward the end of a shift, handle it like an adult, go back the next day (earlier), order your taco special and thank them for working hard. Please be nice to our restaurants.

2 . T H E R E ’ L L L I K E LY B E WA I T S The excitement for the first-ever St. Louis Taco Week has been building! Don’t be surprised if restaurants have waits. In fact, be surprised if they don’t.

3. TI P LI KE A PRO $5 brings out the cheap in all of us, but really, you’re likely getting a $10+ taco special, so please tip at least 20%. The people who are serving you are working harder during Taco Week than an average week. A kind word will also be welcome – these people are our friends and neighbors.

4 . YO U S H O U L D B U Y A D R I N K A N D /O R OT H E R FO O D Purchase of sides and extras is not a requirement, but we think it says a lot to those working hard to bring you an extraordinary experience. Grab some queso, an iced tea, soda, or cocktail and say thanks!

5. CH ECK SOCIAL M E DIA Restaurants will be encouraged to post their waits and remaining tacos for the day on their social platforms. Also don’t forget to share and tag your photos with #STLTacoWeek

6. Di n e- I n (Ca r ry- O u t O p t i o n s M ay Va ry) Just a final note that many restaurants may require you dine-in for their taco specials. Take-out may be subjected to a surge charge depending on each restaurant’s policy. Make sure to double-check the Official Taco Week Passport to confirm which locations offer carry-out and which locations are dine-in only.

Thank you!

A huge thanks to our sponsors, Brown and Crouppen and Zing Zang. riverfronttimes.com

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ta c o w

official p

Alpha Brewing Company

Cantina Laredo

Diego’s Cantina

Carne Guisada Tacos

Beef tips stewed in chili and pepper gravy topped with oak barrel aged hot sauce and cotiga cheese. Served on flour tortillas.

2661 Sutton Blvd, Maplewood | blueduckstl.com

Signature Diego’s Carnitas Taco

Slow roasted beef brisket with a sweet slightly tangy barbecue sauce, topped with a granny smith apple, jicama slaw and a sprinkle of queso fresco.

with braised chicken, onion, cilantro, cotija with a side of rice and beans.

Be on

Our grilled cheese taco with roasted chilis, tomato, onion, cilantro, avocado, salsa.

M S

Vegetarian Taco

Pork Carnitas Taco

Costra de Chiles Asados

Diablitos Cantina

3919 West Pine, St. Louis | diablitosstl.com

On corn tortillas with lime crema, cilantro, radishes, cotija, pickled red onions, and salsa verde. Golden Beets Taco

On corn tortillas with lime crema, cilantro, radishes, cotija, pickled red onions, and salsa verde. Boo Coo

1031 Lynch Street St. Louis | boocoostl.com

Pulled Pork Taco

Pulled pork house-made rub and mile house made BBQ topped with our own blend of creamy slaw.

Casa Maria Mexican Restaurant

100 N High Street Belleville | casamariamex.com

Birria Tacos

Beef brisket and slow roast it until the meat is tender and fall-apart juicy. The savory Mexican blend is placed in a corn tortilla and then dipped into the juices of the beef stew, topped with cheese, and grilled. Two tacos served with black beans.

(Ground Beef, Pastor or Chicken Tinga) with rice and beans. El Burro Loco

313 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis | elburroloco.net 1101 Lucas Ave, St. Louis, MO 63101 | elburroloco.net

Steak Taco

Made with corn tortilla, onion, and cilantro served with rice and beans.

Club Taco

Topped with red cabbage fresh sliced jalapenos and dress with house made sweet cajun aioli.

West County Housewife

14234 Manchester Road Manchester | eltolucotaqueria.com

BBQ Baked Beans, smoked pulled pork, fresh pico de gallo, and our house BBQ sauce.

Adobo grilled beef tenderloin, marinated portobello mushrooms, peppered bacon, gorgonzola cheese, and fresh radish; served in a soft corn tortilla.

5257 Shaw Avenue St. Louis | carnivore-stl.com

Chicken Tinga Taco

M C

Taco Week Street Taco Special

Choose 3 street size tacos for 5.00. Options are: carne asada, carnitas, pastor, pollo, or vegetarian.

O se

62 Ce m

A ta

Defiant Dough

17409-A, Chesterfield Airport Rd, Chesterfield | defiantcookiedough.com

Dessert Taco

Frida’s

622 North and South Rd, St. Louis | eatatfridas.com

Red velvet waffle cone shell dipped in chocolate loaded with brownie batter marshmallows and topped with whipped topping and sprinkles.

Carnivore

Taqueria and Grocery

200 N Kirkwood Rd, Kirkwood | clubtacostl.com

1933 Washington Ave Saint Louis | bootlegginbbq.com

BBQ Pork Tostadas Tacos

Smoked Corn Beef Taco

Two Soft Tacos

El Toluco g

Bootleggin’ BBQ

STL BBQ Tacos

Roasted vegetable taco featuring: eggplant, parsnip, sweet potato, with a spicy verde sauce topped with a mix of red cabbage, red onion, roasted jicama, and cilantro.

630 North and South Rd, St. Louis | diegosstl.com

7710 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton | cantinalaredo.com

4310 Fyler Ave St. Louis | alphabrewingcompany.com

Blue Duck

Black Bean Tacos

Two tacos with citrus cabbage, cilantro, tomato & jalapeño crema.

Gu ve

Chicken stewed with chipotle peppers, topped with lettuce, provel and red onion. Chimichurri Steak Taco

Steak taco topped with a house chimichurri and fresh pico.

$5 tac 108

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for m ore info o vis it s tltacow

rice

week

Presented by

passport La Tejana Taqueria

Sunny’s Cantina

Pollo Chori Taco

Taco Week Special

3149 N Lindbergh Blvd, St Ann | latejanastl.com

Best of both tortillas! Two grilled chicken with chorizo served on a corn tortilla and flour tortilla. Mauki’s Bakery & Country Store 1730 S 8th St, St. Louis | maukisbakery.com

The Two Pounder

Beef, lettuce, bell peppers, onions, tomato, cheese. Mezcalaria Las Chupacabras

25 The Blvd, Richmond Heights | mezcalarialaschupacabras.com

Birria Taco

One taco of birria cooked with cheese, cilantro, and onions served with rice accompanied with Birria broth.

Union 30 at Hotel Saint Louis

6655 Manchester Ave, St. Louis | sunnyscantina.com

Taco Special

The Taco & Ice Cream Joint 2738 Cherokee St, St. Louis | facebook.com/tacoandicecreamjoint

6235 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis (All 5 locations participating: Delmar Loop, Central West End, Historic Soulard, Kirkwood, & Streets of St. Charles) | missiontacojoint.com

Taco Week Special

Any Two Tacos for $5, *With the exception of the seasonal taco. Pit Stop

Bacon wrapped hotdog, topped with Coca-Cola caramelized onions, pico de gallo and guacamole salsa. And potato stix with a cheese stuffed jalapeño.

Roasted salmon,salsa fresca, roasted red pepper crema.

Red Rooster Taco

Guajillo marinated chicken,grill pineapple readhis , salsa verde.

Wood Shack Soulard

The Puebla

Taco al Pastor. Chile and pineapple marinated pork grilled with pineapple and red onion, cabbage, cotija cheese, pineapple special sauce, cilantro, corn tortillas. Egg-free without pineapple special sauce. Chile and pineapple marinated mushrooms al pastor grilled with pineapple and red onion, cotija cheese, pineapple special sauce, cabbage, cilantro, corn tortillas.

1862 S 10th St, St. Louis | thewoodshacksoulard.com

Smoked Jackfruit Taco

With pineapple salsa, vegan cheese, Baja slaw, and a flour tortilla.

TACO WEEK KEY g GLUTEN FREE OPTION

Taco Circus

VEGGIE OPTION

4940 Southwest Ave, St. Louis | tacocircus.com Two Taco Combo

One chicken thigh al carbon and one Al pastor both on corn or flour tortilla, cilantro, onion, 2 tacos for 5.00.

3191 S. Grand Blvd Saint Louis

With pineapple salsa, cotija cheese, Baja slaw, and a flour tortilla.

7405 Pershing Ave University City | tacobuddha.com

Terror Tacos

Smoked Pork Pastor Tacos

2130 Macklind Ave St. Louis | pitstop-stl.com

Fish Up Taco

Two street tacos with your choice of chicken or beef. topped with tomato, onion, cheese, and shredded lettuce. Your choice of corn or flour tortillas.

LA’s Back Alley Taco

Vegetarian Puebla

Mission Taco Joint

705 Olive St. St. Louis | hotelsaintlouis.com/union30

Two pollo or two carnitas tacos.

Taco Buddha

TAKE OUT AVAILABLE

D DRINK SPECIAL

The Leviathan

Fried tofu battered in masa, Ancho chilis and nori flakes, covered with cilantro-lime cream and fresh pico de gallo and is topped with pickled jalapeño cabbage with malt vinegar. Your choice of corn (gluten-less option) or flour tortilla.

co plates

fo or fu ll l is t o f r e staura nts, c oweek .c o m | # s tltacowe e k

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SAVAGE LOVE MIND THE GAP BY DAN SAVAGE Hey, Dan: Thirty-year-old trans woman here, Dan, and I have a question about what is surely one of your favorite subjects: the “age gap discourse.” About four years ago, I had a sexual experience that I go back and forth on whether to label as sexual assault. When I was 26 years old, I met a nineteen-year-old on a dating site and drove to a neighboring state to hook up with them. I’ll spare you the details, but when we started doing things we had mutually agreed upon, one of them didn’t feel right in the moment, so I withdrew my consent. They respected my boundary for about fifteen minutes, then tried it again. I said no again, they refrained for another fifteen minutes, then tried it again. The cycle continued until I just got worn down. The night ended with me trying to fall asleep so I at least wouldn’t be conscious for what they were going to do. It didn’t work. I’m friends with a lot of socialjustice-focused millennials, and as such, discourse about age gaps in romantic and sexual relationships occasionally appear on my social media. The consensus, as I understand it, seems to be that there is a vast maturity gap between someone who is nineteen and someone who is 26; therefore, someone in their mid-twenties has an affirmative duty to make sure nothing sexual happens with someone who is nineteen. It is also suggested that someone like me is a creep and a predator for even thinking about hooking up with a nineteenyear-old. It’s hard to not apply my own experience to the discourse, and boy, is it a mind fuck. Hearing people go on about how vulnerable teenagers are or how I occupied a position of power not only dredges up painful memories, but also makes me feel like a creep. Did I do something wrong? I’m leaning towards no. I didn’t have any institutional power over the other person, it wasn’t an ongoing relationship, nor is it a pattern of behavior. (Like hell am I going to trust a nineteen-year-old again.) I also tried to follow your campsite rule. Instead of ghosting them, I sent them

a message explaining why I wasn’t going to play with them again — the boundary violations — in the hope that they would do better in the future. I’m about 80 percent sure I have nothing to feel guilty about, but that other 20 percent just won’t shut up. Was I the bad guy here? Am Getting Exasperated “I feel for this woman and, it should go without saying, she shouldn’t feel guilty about having been sexually assaulted,” said James Greig, a London-based writer whose work has appeared in the Guardian, Vice and other outlets. “And to my mind, this incident shows that things are often more complex than the online ‘age gap discourse’ acknowledges.” Greig has written about the online age gap discourse for The Guardian, AGE, and while he feels the conversation is motivated by legitimate concerns about unequal power dynamics and their potential for abuse and exploitation, he worries the black-andwhite nature of the age gap discourse can lull people into a false sense of security. “People imagine that abuse is less likely to occur in relationships where both parties are the same age,” said Greig, “and in my experience, that’s not always the case.” Additionally, condemnations of relationships and/or hookups with significant age gaps — the kind of puritanical “discourse” that has left you feeling so isolated — often fails to acknowledge, much less grapple with, factors besides age that can make a person vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. “Being a trans woman in itself can make you more vulnerable,” said Greig. “But it could be just about anything: wealth, status, even just disposition or temperament — some people are more domineering or cruel than others.” And some people don’t understand that only yes means yes, that no absolutely means no, and that withdrawal of consent doesn’t mean, “Ask me again in five minutes.” Sometimes a person guilty of the kind of consent/boundary/ physical violation you endured isn’t acting maliciously and is capable of learning from their mistakes — here’s hoping that message you sent that nineteen-year-old had an impact — but some people know what they’re doing when they

pressure a person to engage in (or submit to) unwanted sexual acts and don’t care. Those people can be nineteen and those people can be 99, AGE, and their victims can be younger or older. And if their last name is Trump, those people can be POTUS. “Life is too complicated for onesize-fits-all prescriptions like ‘age gap relationships are bad’ to be of much use,” said Greig, “and that means we have to take these things on a case-by-case basis.” And in your case, AGE, neither of us think you were the bad guy. All that said, AGE, driving to a neighboring state to hook up with a teenager — yeah, the optics aren’t good, and a lot of people aren’t gonna be able to see past them. But just because some very online people (and some very offline people) will look at your respective ages at the time, do the math and label you a predator, AGE, you aren’t obligated to slap that label on yourself. You were consenting adults until you withdrew your consent, at which point you were the victim of a sexual assault. You may have to be selective with who you confide in about this, AGE, but you don’t have to shame yourself. You lived, you learned, you’ve tried to do better. Here’s hoping the other person — now in their twenties themselves — learned something too and has also tried to do better. Follow James Greig on Twitter @JamesDGreig. Hey, Dan: No big stakes, but I want your opinion. Fortysomething straight man here, and I like shaving. My wife, to whom I’ve been married sixteen years, doesn’t. So, I shave myself, and she’s natural. She let me shave her once, she didn’t like the result, and we’ve never done it again. But last week while she was amusing herself down below, we were chatting (she’s talented, I tell you), and she noted that she’s not crazy about my shaved parts. She said it reminded her of prepubescent boys. She doesn’t like being shaved herself; similarly, she worries guys who like it are thinking of little girls. Also, the potential for nicks and cuts makes her queasy. For my part, I like the way the skin feels, and it makes me look bigger. And so much porn is shaved these days that this is probably in the back of my mind. Writing you this letter has been good therapy,

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Dan. Rereading it just now I can see a workable solution: two months on (shaved), two months off (natural). Am I the first letter writer who solved his own problem? Shaving Nuts Is Promising P.S. If you have anything to add, come right out and say it — no need to beat around the bush. You’re not the first person who solved their own problem by the time they finished writing their letter — hell, half the questions I get are from people who already know what they need to do. They need to DTMFA or get into therapy or learn to tie knots — and they write in hoping I’ll give them a little push, SNIP, which I’m always happy to do. I have one thing to add: Sexually active, fully grown adult men and women have been shaving off their pubes for decades now — we’re well into the third decade of the modern pubic-hair-shaving discourse — and I’m losing my patience with people who claim they dislike hairless crotches because they associate them with prepubescent children. Unless you’re currently parenting a prepubescent child or you’re a pediatrician, you are far likelier to see fully grown adult humans with hairless crotches than prepubescent children. Really, people. Think about the last 100 hairless crotches you saw — were those children’s crotches or were they the hairless crotches of adult sex partners and/ or porn stars? When I see an adult man with a hairless crotch in gay porn, I don’t think, “THAT MAN WITH THE ROCK HARD EIGHTINCH DICK LOOKS LIKE A WEE BOY!” I think, “That man looks like other adult men I’ve seen in porn and sometimes in real life.” Look, it’s fine to prefer partners with pubes — neatly trimmed or full bush — but a person should be able to express a preference for pubes without insinuating that people who prefer shaved crotches are pedophiles. An adult man who shaves his face is not trying to look like a child and does not look like a child. A woman who shaves her pits is not trying to look like a child and does not look like a child. Same goes for adult men and women who shave their pubes. Sheesh. questions@savagelove.net @FakeDanSavage on Twitter www.savage.love

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