Saint Louis Restaurant Tips by ymike2000

Culpeppers: Local Chain

Culpeppers is a small, local chain of restaurants. It's basic bar-type food, not unlike what you would find at Fridays, Houlihans, Bennigans, Ruby Tuesdays, Applebees, etc. If that is what you're in the mood for, it's great.

We went to the Central West End location, sat at a table outside and enjoyed the funky neighborhood with our meals.

Favorite Dish: Can't go wrong with the sandwiches or burgers. The menu is on the website.

Address: 300 W Euclid

Comparison: about average

Directions: Central West End - at Euclid and Maryland.

Phone: 314-361-2828

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.culpeppers.com/

Coffee Cartel: For the morning kick...or the evening desert

Every city's got this type of place, and I'm so glad! It's an offbeat coffee shop with some pastries and desserts.

The Coffee Cartel has ice cream too. So there's action first thing in the morning for the coffee, then again late at night for the ice cream as the area restaurants are closing.

And the rest of the day a handful of people sit around on couches, nursing their cups of coffee or tea, reading (there's lots of used newspapers around) and listening to the indie-rock on the stereo. Such a blissful existance. I love it!

There's a seperate room for smokers, as well as over 20 tables outside.

Open 24 hours.

Favorite Dish: To drink there's coffee, tea, smoothies, lattes, cappucinos, etc.

To eat there's bagels, pastries, biscotti, etc. They serve Edy's ice cream.

Address: 2 Maryland Plaza

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: Central West End - corner of Euclid and Maryland.

Phone: 314-454-0000

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Coffeehouse

Duff's: Made in the shade

After spending the morning walking around in the hot summer sun, I stopped for lunch on the shady outdoor patio at Duff's. Both the food and service were great.

Favorite Dish: I had a "Black and Blue" burger, which seems to be a popular St. Louis dish. It's a burger rolled in peppercorns and covered in melted blue cheese. A gooey mess, but I loved it.

I also had iced tea flavored with hibiscus. Wow, it was delicious. My server responded to my appreciation by making sure my glass was never empty. Of course she got a nice tip :-)

Address: 392 N Euclid

Comparison: about average

Directions: In the Central West End, at the corner of Euclid and McPherson.

Phone: 314-361-0522

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.dineatduffs.com/

Blueberry Hill: Good food on the Loop Blueberry Hill Review

At Blueberry Hill I had a delicious meal and a cold beer in a funky environment.

The atmosphere here would almost be enough to make it worth the trip. The walls are a time capsule of American pop culture with posters, t-shirts, records and games hanging from the walls. There are display cases with toys and more stuff. There's a little something there for everyone.

The music was as eclectic as the decor. I heard everything from classic blues to disco to soft rock...all songs I knew but none I had heard in a long time. Very refreshing. Apparently the Riverfront Times readers poll regularly votes Blueberry Hill as having the "best jukebox".

The service was a little pokey... I get that problem often when I dine by myself.

Favorite Dish: I had some delicious red beans & rice, and some french onion soup.

There was an ample list of beers on tap, which was nice.

Address: 6504 Delmar Blvd

Comparison: about average

Directions: On "the Loop", between Melville and Westgate.

Phone: 314-727-0880

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.blueberryhill.com/