On this episode of The Sauce podcast, host Lauren sits down with Amy Guo, co-owner of Sando Shack and Hello Poké, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, Japanese comfort food, food halls, and the unexpected path that brought her family back to St. Louis.
Amy shares the story behind Sando Shack — the Japanese-inspired sandwich concept known for its katsu sandos, fruit sandos, and creative flavors — and how what started as small pop-ups during the pandemic eventually grew into a food truck, a brick-and-mortar restaurant, and a new home in Maplewood.
She also reflects on launching Hello Poké inside City Foundry and how a move from Seattle to St. Louis unexpectedly changed the direction of their lives and careers. From operating inside one of the city’s biggest food destinations to navigating entrepreneurship for the first time, Amy opens up about the realities of restaurant ownership, learning to lead, and adapting to constant change.
The conversation also explores St. Louis’ growing food scene, Maplewood’s supportive small business community, authentic Asian cuisine in the city, and some favorite local spots around town.
Along the way, Amy shares stories about food trucks, festivals, balancing multiple concepts, and why she believes St. Louis continues to evolve in exciting ways.
In this episode:
- The story behind Sando Shack and Japanese-style sandwiches
- Building Hello Poké at City Foundry
- Moving from Seattle back to St. Louis
- Launching restaurants during the pandemic
- Pop-ups, food trucks, and early entrepreneurship
- Expanding into a brick-and-mortar space
- The move from Morganford to Maplewood
- Challenges of restaurant ownership and leadership
- City Foundry’s growth and St. Louis food halls
- Maplewood’s business community and local support
- Favorite St. Louis restaurants and hidden gems
- Exploring authentic Asian food in St. Louis
- Festivals, food trucks, and future plans
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Presented by Swade Dispensary, with 12 locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM.