Fitz’s
6605 Delmar, 726-9555

With its huge neon sign, homemade root beer and cream soda and
fantastic burgers, Fitz’s restaurant in the Loop screams American.
For those who want more than just burgers, Fitz’s also has a wide
variety of chicken sandwiches, pastas and other St. Louis
favorites. This is the quintessential place to take parents and
other visitors to the town to get a real taste of the city without
getting too deep or obscure.

–Drew Ewing

Joanie’s Pizzeria
2102 Menard, 865-1994

Ask any pizza aficionado who makes the best pie in town, and
they’ll tell you it’s Joanie, not Papa J.

Joanie’s Pizzeria is nestled in the cozy neighborhood streets of
Soulard and features a dining experience unique to the Gateway
City. Joanie’s menu has a vast array of sandwiches and salads, but
the pizza is what has made. Since it can be difficult to choose
between the fantastic hand-tossed crust, baked double crust and
thin crust, and a variety of fresh toppings from the Soulard
Farmers Market, a second visit may be in order.

–Sharon Turlek

McGurk’s
1200 Russell, 776-8309

The Irish pub atmosphere of John D. McGurk’s, 1200 Russell,
776-8309, is fairly accurate, though actual Irish pubs do not play
old-fashioned Celtic music. Other than the music, the main
attraction, the food, is dead-on. The food is not only high in
quality, but also in portion. Prices range from the $9-$18 range,
and take-home bags are required in most cases. McGurk’s serves a
wide array of Irish-American fare, including their famous corned
beef and hash, which, in my opinion, is one of the best dishes in
the entire metro St. Louis area.

Their back outdoor patio, a staple in all Soulard restaurants,
stands out among the best. With a central fountain, piped-in music,
rich landscaping and an outdoor bar, it is the perfect place to eat
and drink a beautiful early evening away.

–Sid Fey

Rigazzi’s
4945 Daggett, 772-4900

What I would not give to find a place where the pasta comes with
a smile and the beer comes in a fishbowl.

Nevermind, I’ve found it. It’s Rigazzi’s. Located at 4945
Daggett Ave., about a stone’s throw south of I-44 off of
Kingshighway, Rigazzi’s opened its doors back when Marilyn Monroe
and James Dean ruled the silver screen. The first Italian
restaurant in St. Louis’ famous Italian district, The Hill,
Rigazzi’s has been serving loyal patrons for almost 50 years. It
comes complete with a lifesize statue of Al Capone and, usually, a
line of people with a penchant for garlic and mozzarella streaming
out the door and into the street. The menu features everything from
the best mostaccioli this side of Sicily, to the best pizza south
of Chicago, and everything in between. You think you know toasted
ravioli? You ain’t seen nothing yet. –Jack Smedile

Arcelia’s
2001 Park Ave., 231-9200

Home cooked meals don’t always consist of fried chicken and
mashed potatoes. Arcelia’s, a family-owned Mexican restaurant in
Lafayette Square, allows customers an opportunity to travel across
the border by the smells and decorations, and the authentic Mexican
cuisine is unparallel to any Chi Chi’s chain restaurant.

Walking in the door, a customer might find themselves amidst a
table conversation–Arcelia’s immediately opens into the dining
room. However, once seated, the servers immediately greet you
speaking Spanish while simultaneously delivering fresh
out-of-the-oven corn chips and hot salsa.

For those above the legal drinking age, margaritas are served by
the glass as well as the pitcher. For first time visitors
overwhelmed with menu items, Arcelia’s provides different sized
(small, medium, large and grandee) combos served with rice and
beans for all sized appetites. Items available for the combos
include tacos, burritos, enchiladas and tostados.

Whether it be a first date or a family gathering, Arcelia’s is
the perfect atmosphere for dynamic conversation and delicious
cuisine.

–Elle Hogan

Zia’s
5256 Wilson Ave., 776-0020

This wonderful Italian restaurant is located in "The
Hill." Zia’s lunch and dinner menu both deliver exceptional
foods, ranging from the St. Louis favorite of Toasted Ravioli, to
their excellent steak filets. Zia’s also hosts an open bar and a
moderate wine selection. Zia’s even pairs its wines with its foods,
to make your experience there tastier. The pricing is appropriate,
as it ranges from lunch to dinner; where the average dish would be
about $10.00 (however, their steak dinners start at $18.75). So,
for great food to remember and great drinks to forget, go to
Zia’s.

–Demir Oral

Hodak’s
2100 Gravios Rd., 776-7292

Walking into Hodak’s dinners are greeted by a warm smile and
friendly face. famous for it’s fried chicken the Southern style
restaurant provides for a traditional family meal. While good home
style cooking especially fried chicken with all the fixings are
sure to satisfy anyone’s hunger Hodak’s also servers fried oysters,
catfish and frog legs. The restaurant is noisy and jammed packed
with folks enjoying their meal. The wait, no matter long is long,
is well worth it as the food is moderately priced with large
portions. A half of chicken with fries and coleslaw will set one
back about $10. The best way to finish off the down home meal is
with an apple pie a la mode.

–Elizabeth Merkel

Morton’s of Chicago
7822 Bonhomme Ave., 725-4008

In the event that you accidentally forget to return the ol’
man’s credit card, or you inherit the equivalent of the gross
domestic product of a third-world country, then you know. Oh yes,
you know.

You know that you must go to Morton’s of Chicago.

Located in Clayton, just off of Brentwood and just down the
street from the Galleria, Morton’s is one of the most expensive and
delicious steakhouses in the country. Its also first-class all the
way. As soon as you walk in the door, the staff treats you and your
date as if you’ve come to sign a world-war-ending treaty. After the
guy in the tux has seated you, and after the servers–also in
tuxedoes–greet you at your table, you will transcend your
uncultivated self and you will believe, and for a time it will be
true, that you’ve Arrived.

Doubt may ensue about whether Morton’s is superior to Ruth’s
Chris Steakhouse. Should this happen, stay calm. Morton’s is
better. The portions are bigger, the food is better and at Ruth’s
Chris they don’t bring to your table live lobsters for the menu
presentation.

Neither does Ruth’s Chris have the Godiva Chocolate dessert,
which has an effect on people not unlike Area 51.

Few restaurants will cost you more than Morton’s (the steaks
average about $35 dollars), but for one night of the year, it’s
worth it.

–Matt Emerson

Lemongrass
3216 South Grand Blvd., 664-6702

There’s no doubt that the best coffee experience is watching a
nice, strong espresso fall drop by drop into a rich helping of
condensed cream while you enjoy some fine appetizers. Well, the
best experience is actually drinking one of these delicious
Vietnamese iced coffees, but you get the picture–and Lemmongrass
is the best place to go in St. Louis for this fine treat.

A perfect pick for everyone in your party from omnivores to
vegans, Lemmongrass offers quality Vietnamese cuisine at a modest
price. It’s atmosphere is also perfect for a leisurely meal with
friends, as time passes slow and the mood is always mellow in this
quaint little South Grand eatery.

Between appetizers and entrees, Lemmongrass’s menu lists nearly
a hundred various dishes, all packed with meats, vegetables, pastas
and unique sauces each carrying its own exotic, Eastern taste.

–Andrew Ivers

South City Diner
3141 South Grand Blvd., 772-6100

A little hole in the wall diner that serves some of the best
American comfort food is the South City Diner, just a mile or so
down Grand Ave. south of campus. The food is traditional American;
you can order a classic cheeseburger with fries or onion rings, a
meatloaf platter or any other main course just like mom used to
make. Their old-fashioned milkshakes are also better than any chain
restaurant shake. They are closer to campus and The prices are low,
under $20, so even the students on the tightest budgets are able to
find something delicious and affordable. The ’50s d?cor, of vinyl
booths with juke boxes at the table, the black and white linoleum
floor and pop icons such as Marilyn Monroe looking down from the
walls, give this restaurant something extra that keeps people
coming back for more. The diner is open Mon-Thurs 7 a.m.- 11 p.m.
and Fri-Sun 24 hours. This makes South City Diner the perfect place
to enjoy mom’s home cooking while away at school.

–Victoria Richards

Hard Rock Caf?
Union Station, 314-621-7625

To some diners, nothing beats the allure of filet mignon,
Cabernet and soft jazz. For those of us who won’t eat what we can’t
pronounce, the Hard Rock Caf? exists. With the holy trinity of
burgers, beer, and Bon Jovi tunes supplying the ambiance, the Union
Station HRC is the preferred choice for those who sport leather
instead of formal wear when about town.

Many fine choices grace the menu, but the "Freebird"
of them all is probably the suggestively named pulled pork
sandwich. In fact, the swiney delight is so delicious that frequent
customers rarely order anything else. Between bites, feel free to
wander about the restaurant and check out the various rock
memorabilia decorating the walls. Save the five-star fare for
another night, and live like a rock star down in Union Station.

–Jon Bulter