Dozens of St. Louis restaurants temporarily shutter in wake of COVID-19 crisis
As people and businesses scramble to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic, some local restaurants and bars have altered their business practices to ensure they can continue operating. Many places, however, have opted to temporarily close, while a few others have shuttered permanently due to the crisis. Here, we’ve compiled a list of all current…
10 St. Louis restaurants offering family-style takeout meals
The fam is hungry and you don’t feel like cooking. Your frozen pizza and canned chili situation is not strong at the moment. Maybe you need to go to the store, but aren’t feeling it today. You can go tomorrow. But what will you do for dinner? Fortunately, you’ve got a number of options at…
Checking in with… Susan Zhu of Tree House
In our new column, Checking in with…, we’re catching up with local food industry employees to find out how they’ve been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. South Grand vegetarian/vegan hotspot Tree House has one of the busiest brunches in town. It also has one of the friendliest, which is due in no small part to Susan…
Why we crave Peacemaker’s Buffalo crawfish po’boy
We are constantly craving the hearty Midwest-meets-South-meets-East Coast vibe of Peacemaker Lobster & Crab’s Buffalo crawfish po’boy. The durable, toasted Companion hoagie stuffed with breaded, fried crawfish tossed in a Buffalo butter sauce, creamy ranch, celery slaw and tangy blue cheese crumbles satisfies us in a deep way. It’s a delightful and surprisingly light bite…
12 St. Louis swag ideas to support local businesses
With the coronavirus outbreak causing restaurants to have to adapt to new hours and dining options – or in some cases, close altogether – many have turned to merchandise sales for supplemental revenue. In the case of spots like Elmwood, unique items have been made available for purchase due to the pandemic. “So many people…
7 ways St. Louis businesses are giving back during the coronavirus pandemic
Many St. Louis businesses have committed to serving their community during the COVID-19 outbreak. From donating extra food to creating fundraising events, locals have been going above and beyond to help their neighbors during an unprecedented and difficult time. Here is a round-up of some of the great ways people in St. Louis are giving…
Checking in with… Wil Brawley of Billie-Jean
In our new column, Checking in with…, we’re catching up with local food industry employees to find out how they’ve been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. If you’ve eaten at Billie-Jean, chances are you were greeted at some point by Wil Brawley. Smiling but serious, usually wearing a dark blazer with sleeves hiked up to the…
COVID-19’s decimating impact on the St. Louis hospitality industry
It is hard to overstate the impact the coronavirus has had on all aspects of daily life worldwide, and the hospitality industry is one hit the hardest. St. Louis restaurant dining rooms are currently shut down in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus. For now, food can still be sold through delivery,…
Savage sister restaurant, The Lucky Accomplice, is slated to open this summer
As the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the temporary or permanent closures of many small businesses, including Savage chef-owner Logan Ely’s restaurant, he and his team have been hard at work preparing to open The Lucky Accomplice, a sister restaurant of Savage, at 2501 S. Jefferson Ave. in St. Louis this summer. “Obviously, we were…
#ForkOffCorona campaign kicks off in STL with Big O Ginger Liqueur
Topograph, a San Antonio-based marketing company, is starting a #ForkOffCorona campaign designed to give back to restaurant industries in over 10 U.S. cities, including St. Louis. Starting today, March 25, until April 12, Topograph will host live events on Facebook with key figures in the food and drink business in their respective cities. To raise…
New cocktail bar Lazy Tiger will open next to Yellowbelly in the Central West End
Once the coronavirus pandemic slows down and restaurants begin reopening, Yellowbelly and Retreat Gastropub co-owners Tim Wiggins and Travis Howard will add a brand new concept to the Central West End’s already strong repertoire of spots. Lazy Tiger, their new cocktail bar, will inhabit The Hideout at 210 N. Euclid Ave., Yellowbelly’s event space that…
10 St. Louis takeout menus to help get you through the coronavirus pandemic
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article included Morning Glory. They have since temporarily suspended all service. Updated Monday, March 26 at 3 p.m. When carryout’s good, it’s really good. I love eating at restaurants as much as the next person, but there’s something amazing about being able to sit on your couch in…
Letter from Sauce publisher, Allyson Mace, on COVID-19
I want to speak to you today straight from my heart. Every morning, I wake up to another wave of sadness and panic as I witness what’s happening to our invigorated, bright, enterprising community, and I know I’m not alone. We’ve all been rendered powerless as we watch the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic tear…
St. Louis restaurants need your help during the coronavirus pandemic
There are 88,000 people in the St. Louis hospitality industry, according to Mayor Lyda Krewson. She shared the statistic at a press conference informing the public that all St. Louis city and county restaurants were required to close their dining rooms by March 19 in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Restaurants…
St. Louis breweries and distilleries produce hand sanitizer to combat COVID-19
As the St. Louis restaurant industry continues to make adjustments to developing safety restrictions during the coronavirus outbreak, some local businesses have shifted their focus to producing hand sanitizer. Using a combination of alcohol, distilled water, glycerin and hydrogen peroxide, local breweries and distilleries are using materials they already have access to in order to…
St. Louis city, county issue 30-day stay-at-home order
Mayor Lyda Krewson announced in a press conference this afternoon, Saturday, March 21, that both St. Louis County and the city will enact “stay-at-home orders” that will start Monday at 6 p.m and will remain in effect for 30 days. The decision was made by Krewson and St. Louis County Executive Sam Page. “I wish…
How to help St. Louis restaurants during the COVID-19 outbreak
Editor’s note: At 6:30 p.m. March 20, Sauce edited the article to add that Niche Food Group co-owner Gerard Craft co-organized the Gateway Resilience Fund. As we all reel from the effects of the coronavirus outbreak, which has put countless local institutions temporarily out of business, a number of community leaders are stepping forward to…
St. Louis area farmers adapt amid the coronavirus crisis
As bar and restaurant closures and times of uncertainty continue, local farmers and farmers markets are beginning to change their sales practices to ensure the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t force an early end to their season. Local chef and restaurant consultant Rex Hale said the farmers he works with are taking this crisis very seriously and…
St. Louis grocery stores adjust service, hours during coronavirus pandemic
Recent days have seen STL-area grocery stores with long lines, empty shelves, customers and employees trying to practice safe social distancing to prepare for significant time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. “You plan for Thanksgiving, you plan for Christmas, you plan for Easter,” said Fields Foods owner Chris Goodson. “You don’t really plan for…
St. Louis-area restaurants must move to carryout, delivery service only
Editor’s Note: This article was updated at 5:05 p.m. March 17 to include comments from Louie owner Matt McGuire. St. Louis city, St. Louis County and St. Charles County officials announced today, March 17, that all restaurants in the St. Louis area will soon no longer be able to offer dine-in service. They can still…
St. Louis chefs share their favorite pantry staples
Not everything has to be made from scratch. Here’s what chefs always have on hand in the kitchen. Chili Onion CrunchSweetArt chef and co-owner Reine Bayoc swears by this blend of dried garlic and peppers in olive oil from Trader Joe’s. $4. Trader Joe’s, various locations, traderjoes.com Soulard Spice BlendCulture Food Group chef and co-owner…
Illinois restaurants reflect on mandatory coronavirus shutdown
Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker announced yesterday, March 15, that all dine-in bars and restaurants in the state would be closed effective at the end of the day today, March 16, through the end of the month. The decision has prompted many Illinois establishments to face some harsh realities and try to come up with ways…
Some St. Louis-area restaurants temporarily close to stave off COVID-19
Editor’s Note: This article will be updated as more restaurants announce complete temporary shutdowns in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. For more information about how other area food and beverage establishments are adapting their businesses to the challenges of COVID-19, including curbside carryout and delivery services, join our public Facebook Group.…
![[UPDATED] Some Dogtown restaurants, bars will host St. Patrick’s Day despite parade cancellation](https://i0.wp.com/www.saucemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/pat-connolly-dogtown-st-louis.webp?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
[UPDATED] Some Dogtown restaurants, bars will host St. Patrick’s Day despite parade cancellation
Editor’s Note: Since publication, Center for Disease Control recommendations for controlling the spread of the coronavirus have prompted the cancelation of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at The Pat Connolly Tavern and Felix’s Pizza Pub. With the coronavirus shutting down large public gatherings and events for the foreseeable future, St. Patrick’s Day will be fundamentally different this…
St. Louis restaurants prepare for coronavirus’ effect on business
The spread of COVID-19 has resulted in the cancellation of events from Schlafly’s Stout & Oyster Festival to annual Dogtown St. Patrick’s Day festivities and created a run on supplies from toilet paper to face masks. The virus also has St. Louis area restaurateurs taking steps to prevent infection at their establishments while bracing for…
First Look: The Banh Mi Shop in The Loop
The Banh Mi Shop recently opened at 567 Melville Ave., located on a quiet tributary off Delmar Boulevard in the heart of The Loop. Owner Jimmy Trinh said the slow, hushed opening was by design. Now in mid-March, the restaurant is far from quiet: Late ’90s and early ’00s hip-hop from DMX, Dr. Dre and…
Why St. Louis loves the St. Paul sandwich
From Provel to T-ravs, the St. Louis culinary fixation I’ve had the hardest time wrapping my head around is the St. Paul sandwich. Unverified local legend has it that a Chinese-American chef in the city invented the St. Paul in the 1940s to please Midwestern palates. He put an egg foo young patty (egg, bean…
Local food and beverage pros rally to support Taqueria Durango on March 24
Three St. Louis restaurant industry pros have united to support the family and staff at Taqueria Durango, which was destroyed in a fire March 5. As Sauce reported last week, the Overland Mexican restaurant suffered a kitchen fire that destroyed most of the building. The restaurant is closed indefinitely. Shortly after the fire, Guerrilla Street Food…
Tale to Table opens in former Larder & Cupboard space
Kakao Chocolate owner Brian Pelletier and Kate Hansan have opened Tale to Table in the former home of Larder & Cupboard at 7310 Manchester Road in Maplewood. Doors opened on Feb. 15, as reported by St. Louis Magazine. The shop offers local specialty products, vintage cookbooks and cooking classes taught by employees and local chefs.…
What I Do: William Pauley of Confluence Kombucha
When Confluence Kombucha owner William Pauley began home-brewing fermented tea about 10 years ago in a quest to heal his stomach ulcers, he had no idea how it would culminate. After a few stints at local restaurants, he opened his storefront in The Grove in September 2016 and began selling “booch,” along with a limited…
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Drink off menu at Westport Social
If you think all Westport Social has to offer are games, some yummy eats and a standard beverage selection, think again. Although the rotating cocktail list is quite inventive, bar manager Kyle Mathis is pushing the envelope regarding what a volume bar offers, ensuring you can quaff all your favorite off-menu libations, from an Aviation…
8 easy recipes St. Louis chefs make at home
After a long day hustling in restaurant kitchens, St. Louis chefs still need to eat. We asked eight pros to share recipes for easy yet delicious meals, go-to pantry staples and quick hacks (Pro tip: Always have a pot of steamed rice in the fridge.) to take dinner on the fly to the next level.…
First Look: Sabzi in The Grove
The Grove’s selection of international cuisine is about to expand as Sameem Afghan Restaurant owner Fahime Mohammad looks to open his new restaurant, Sabzi, in the former home of Iron & Rye at 4353 Manchester Ave., in mid- to late March. Mohammad said the name loosely translates to “greenery” or “vegetables,” which is fitting, as Sabzi will focus…
Taqueria Durango destroyed by fire in Overland
Editor’s Note: This article was updated at 1 p.m. March 6 to include a link to a GoFundMe effort to support Taqueria Durango. It was updated again at 2 p.m. March 8 to include comments from Taqueria Durango owner Miguel Lopez’s daughter, Angelica Lopez. A fire caused severe damage to Overland restaurant Taqueria Durango at…
17 St. Louis beer festivals to hit in 2020
1. Schlafly Stout & Oyster Festival (Canceled as of March 12.)March 20 and 21 – Schlafly Tap Room, St. Louis, schlafly.comSchlafly flies in thousands of oysters from the East and West coasts at this free festival. Slurp bivalves and sample more than 15 Schlafly stouts. 2. St. Louis Beer FestMarch 21 – St. Louis Science…
Bill Cawthon is now executive chef at Herbie’s
Clayton staple Herbie’s has recently hired Bill Cawthon as executive chef, as reported by St. Louis Magazine. Cawthon started on Feb. 1, taking the place of executive chef Ramon Cuffie. Cawthon, who co-owned and operated the popular Frankly Sausages food truck and Frankly on Cherokee, has also worked in kitchens at Cardwell’s at the Plaza, Katie’s Pizza &…
How Abbey Spencer went from homebrewer to head brewer at Third Wheel Brewing
The second beer Abbey Spencer ever brewed was terrible. It was a porter she made using one of those homebrewing kits – the kind where you just add water and hops and let it do its thing. She had just moved to St. Louis from Chicago and found herself at the back bar at Cicero’s…
St. Louis breweries go low- and no-ABV
After White Claw Summer 2019, the proliferation of hard seltzers has been hard to escape. While it may horrify some beer nerds that serious craft breweries are involved in such frivolities, this trend didn’t start with water. Low-booze beverages have always been with us, and the old craft obsession with high-gravity IPAs and the like…
Locoz Tacoz food truck will open inside brick-and-mortar in Tower Grove South
Popular food truck Locoz Tacoz will open a stationary location at 3169 Morgan Ford Road this summer. Chef-owner Tyler Garcia said the owners of neighboring Amsterdam Tavern recently purchased the building and approached him to lease the kitchen in the space. “We’re the official food truck of the St. Louis Football Club,” Garcia said. “A…
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Cinder House debuts more casual concept, Cinder Bar
Cinder House at the Four Seasons is celebrating the impending return of spring with the launch of the new Cinder Bar on the patio adjacent to the restaurant. “We’re essentially adding another tier to the Cinder House experience,” said chef de cuisine Josh Adams. “We wanted to offer multiple levels to try from the same…
Review: Il Palato in Clayton
With Il Palato, Michael Del Pietro Jr. has returned to Clayton and to the casual elegance of Portabella, his early ’90s debut as a young restaurateur fresh from culinary school. It offers something different than Del Pietro’s, his recent reincarnation of the St. Louis restaurant royalty’s family restaurant, and the other places his group currently…
Tani Sushi Bistro owner discusses Clayton closure, new project
Tani Sushi Bistro closed doors at 7726 Forsyth Blvd., in Clayton after service on Saturday, Feb. 29. Owner Eric Heckman announced that Tani was “terminating operations in its current location” on the restaurant’s website shortly thereafter. Today, March 3, Heckman said he closed Tani to focus on a new fast-casual concept in Greenville, Illinois: Rocket…
