Both longtime fixtures in the restaurant industry, Wil Pelly of Nudo House and Chris Ladley of Snax Gastrobar have been friends since the early 2000s, when they spent most their time hanging out at local music venues like the late, great Hi-Pointe. “If you saw one of us at a bar or a show, you’d see the other one,” Ladley said. On rare days off they can still be found side by side at these St. Louis favorites known for good food and cheap drinks.
“It’s most definitely a dive bar,” Pelly said. “It’s pure South City.” While hardly haute cuisine, there’s something out most days – from chili dogs to a crockpot of mysterious origins – to help customers soak up the alcohol. Along with the plentiful drinks and lowbrow snacks, the duo likes the fact that they can slip in, chill out and take their chef hats off a while.
2815 Watson Road, St. Louis, 314.645.4033
After a hard night on the line, Ladley and Pelly head to Sandrina’s for some Busch and Beam. “Sandy’s is always our late-night spot because they’re open till 3 a.m.,” Ladley said. “And it’s three blocks from my house. I walk out of the parking lot, point my head downhill and let gravity take me home.”
5098 Arsenal St., St. Louis, 314.601.3456
Pelly discovered Grbic while he was living in the Bevo neighborhood. “The sarma is like heaven on earth,” he said. A ground beef and rice mixture is wrapped in cabbage leaves and braised in a savory broth, then topped with tomato sauce and served with whipped potatoes on side.
4071 Keokuk St., St. Louis, 314.772.3100
“Qui [Tran, of Mai Lee and Nudo House] is the greatest human being to ever walk the face of the earth,” Ladley cited as the main reason why these two so often post up at the restaurant. But also the food. “I’ve never ordered the same entree there twice,” Ladley said. He recommended the vit ca ry (duck curry soup) as a fine starting point for novices.
8396 Musick Memorial Drive, Brentwood, 314.645.2835
The drinks are plentiful and cheap at this watering hole with a huge beer selection of some 40 or so taps in addition to another 40 cans and bottles, though Ladley usually just opts for a can of his beloved Busch and a Tullamore D.E.W. back. Pelly said the kitchen pumps out some serious eats as well. “Their food is nuts,” he said. “The dirty hot wings are great and the pretzels are super crispy.”
2605 Hampton Ave., St. Louis, 314.802.7877
This article appears in August 2017.