Okay, so today I decided to tackle “The Lou,” St. Louis style. I’ve heard so much about the food scene here, and I figured it was time to dive in headfirst. My mission? Experience some classic St. Louis eats.
First Stop: Gooey Butter Cake
I started my day by hitting up a local bakery. Gotta try the gooey butter cake, right? It’s like the thing here. I grabbed a slice – or maybe two, don’t judge – and oh man. It was…interesting.
- Texture: Super dense, almost like a really, really thick custard on a shortbread crust.
- Taste: Sweet. Really, really sweet. Like, I needed a gallon of coffee to wash it down.
Honestly, I’m not sure I’d crave it, but it was definitely an experience. I felt like I needed a nap afterwards.
Next Up: Toasted Ravioli
Lunchtime rolled around, and I headed to a place famous for toasted ravioli. Another St. Louis must-try. These aren’t your grandma’s boiled ravioli, folks. They’re breaded and deep-fried. Yep, deep-fried pasta.
I ordered a plate, and they came out piping hot, with a side of marinara for dipping. I took a bite, and…crunchy. Surprisingly good! The filling was a mix of meat and cheese, and the crispy outside gave it a great texture.
- I definitely enjoyed these more than the gooey butter cake.
- It’s a fun appetizer, something different.
The Search for Imo’s Pizza
Okay, everyone keeps telling me about Imo’s Pizza. Apparently, it’s a St. Louis institution, known for its thin crust and Provel cheese. Provel? Never heard of it. So, I set out to find an Imo’s.
I finally found one, and I ordered a small pizza with pepperoni. It arrived, and visually, it looked…different. Very thin, square-cut, and the cheese looked almost like a sauce.
I took a bite. The crust was cracker-thin, which I actually liked. The Provel cheese…well, it’s unique. It’s kind of creamy, kind of tangy, and it melts in a way I’ve never seen before. It almost seemed to disappear into the pizza.
- I’m still processing the Provel. It’s not bad, just…different.
- The thin crust was a winner, though.
Final Thoughts
My day of exploring “The Lou” through its food was definitely an adventure. I tried some new things, some I liked, some I’m still unsure about. I think to really “get” St. Louis food, you have to live here. It’s got its own vibe, its own flavors. Would I do it again? Maybe. But I’d probably need a week to recover from all the sugar and fried food!
It’s all about, I guess.
