New restaurants come and go in St. Louis, but old-school joints remain. This weekend, we’re dining out at some of our favorite classic spots. Visit a decades-old deli, try a sandwich that put a Forest Park Southeast restaurant on the map or meet friends for dinner at some newer restaurants that have become neighborhood icons in just a few years’ time.
Sultan features a variety of Middle Eastern staples and signature dishes.
A family-owned business, Sultan dishes up superb, fresh Middle Eastern and Turkish food in The Grove. The tabbouleh – a salad of chopped parsley, tomato, cracked wheat and mint with a lemon-olive oil dressing – is a wonderfully refreshing bite on a hot day. Don’t miss the lamb shank, a true stunner of a dish. The meat is meltingly tender and served over a mountain of seasoned rice.
4200 Manchester Ave., The Grove, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-390-2020, sultan-stl.com
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If you’re looking for a casual neighborhood spot to grab a drink, meet up with friends or watch a St. Louis CITY SC game, head to The Royale. Its cocktail menu is creative and reasonably priced: The Pomegranate Punch (pomegranate vodka, triple sec, lemon, cranberry and club soda) is a menu mainstay for a reason. It also hosts watch parties for St. Louis CITY games on its expansive covered patio.
3132 S. Kingshighway Blvd., Tower Grove South, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-772-3600, theroyale.com
With so many different brunch options out there, it’s easy to forget about the tried-and-true favorites. But with one taste of Songbird’s OG breakfast sandwich – dubbed “the combo” – you’ll remember why this restaurant deserves a spot in your regular rotation. If you want to try something else on the menu, try the beef patty melt special on rye with Swiss cheese and thousand island dressing.
4476 Chouteau Ave., Forest Park Southeast, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-781-4344, songbirdstl.com
If you’re craving thoughtfully prepared seafood, Jalea in St. Charles should be on your list. Chef-owner Andrew Cisneros offers fresh Peruvian preparations of shrimp, octopus, cod and a catch of the day. Need more incentive to visit? This weekend, it’s serving a dessert special made in collaboration with Sugarwitch: a walnut alfajor ice cream sandwich. Get it before it’s gone.
323 N. Main Street, St. Charles, Missouri, 314-303-0144, jaleaperuvianbistro.com
LeGrand’s Market and Catering
Open since 1987, LeGrand’s is part deli, part neighborhood store and all delicious. Order one of its hearty sandwiches for a picnic, or enjoy it outdoors on its sidewalk patio. The bestselling Legend Club includes Sausalito turkey, pastrami, pepperoni, bacon, hot pepper cheese, Havarti, garlic cream cheese and a roasted red pepper sauce for a spicy, cheesy sandwich that you can’t get anywhere else.
4414 Donovan Ave., Lindenwood Park, St. Louis, Missuori, 314-353-6128, legrandsmarket.com
