RFT Readers Picked These Restaurants & Bars as the County's Best

Decor - The Slider House

Just a few months after debuting in the St. Louis market, the Rock Hill outpost of the Slider House is already making a splash with its miniature sandwiches. But while the gourmet sliders and thoughtful appetizer selection served by this Nashville-based chain were bound to wow local diners, few could have anticipated how dazzling the place’s looks would be. Done in a charcoal and white color scheme, the Slider House has a modern-meets-rugged vibe — a Texas saloon designed by Restoration Hardware. The leather booths and cattle motif (including a steer head that hangs over the bar) are a little bit country; the grey brick, exposed ductwork and massive, industrial-style ceiling fans are a little bit rock and roll. When weather permits, the glassed-in garage doors open up to create an inviting indoor-outdoor aesthetic. For a place that specializes in small food, the Slider House went big when it came to design. Photo by Emily Higginbotham.

Fast Casual - Doughocracy

If you wander into Doughocracy and eye the spread of toppings, hand-tossed crust and freshly made sauces, one burning question will likely run through your mind: Why on earth did it take so long for fast-casual pizza? We’ve been building our own burritos for years now, but for some reason quick-service pizza has yet to catch on in a big way. Doughocracy shows what we’ve been missing in the form of delicious Neapolitan-style pies piled high with just about any topping you can imagine. Want a classic Margherita-style pizza? They’re about as real-deal as it gets without the trip to Naples. Prefer to load one up with salsiccia, eggplant, hot peppers and pesto? Hey, you do you. Nothing is off limits at this Delmar Loop gem — well, except leaving without stuffing yourself with the “Nutella Bomb” dessert pizza. A few bites of this decadent dish will leave you calling Chipotle the Doughocracy of burritos. Photo by Mabel Suen.

Pastries/Doughnuts: Strange Donuts

St. Louis is blessed with an abundance of traditional mom-and-pop doughnut shops, and so when Strange Donuts came on the scene, many questioned what this trendy young whipper-snapper could possibly add to the mix. Turns out, the answer is a lot. Since 2013, Strange has been king of the done-zone, with its eclectic offerings and collaborations with local tastemakers like the “Mai Lee Pho King Done.” These creative concoctions are more than just hype. Behind every Strange is a seriously good doughnut. Warm, soft and cake-like, these crave-inducing pastries would be tasty enough without all the bells and whistles. But that wouldn’t be any fun, would it? For this emerging doughnut empire, the substance is much better with style. Photo by Jon Gitchoff.

Burritos - Seoul Taco

St. Louis’ David Choi didn’t invent Korean-Mexican fusion, but he sure has perfected it. Since opening his Seoul Taco food truck in 2011, the restaurateur has grown his brand, first as a small brick-and-mortar location and now as a burgeoning regional chain with locations from Columbia to Chicago. If you wonder how he’s become so successful in such a short time, head to his Delmar Loop storefront and order one of his gigantic burritos stuffed with bulgogi steak. The juicy beef, marinated in a mouthwatering cocktail of soy, sesame oil, sugar, garlic and ginger, is paired with kimchi fried rice and accouterments then wrapped in a tortilla. The marinade and kimchi jus combine with sour cream to create a glorious burst of flavor that can no more be contained in a wrap than Choi’s business can be contained in a tiny truck. Photo courtesy of Instagram / foodandtraveljunkie via pikore.com.

Tacos - Mission Taco Joint

If you ask around about the best tacos in town, chances are you’ll be directed to Cherokee Street. That’s a safe bet, but if your taco tour guides leave out Mission Taco Joint, you should fire them. For three years, Adam and Jason Tilford have been serving up some of the town’s most authentic Mexican style street food, such as tortas, burritos and street corn. Don’t let their gringo-sounding last name fool you: The Tilford brothers honed their south-of-the-border chops first at Tortillaria in the Central West End and then at Webster Grove’s upscale Milagro Modern Mexican. Mission is a low-key good time, but the impeccably cooked fillings and fresh garnishes here make these simple tacos stand above the rest. Succulent beef brisket birria, spicy housemade chorizo or fish tacos as fresh as a Baja breeze are stuffed into handmade corn tortillas and finished with traditional accouterments. It’s as real-deal as you’ll find at a Cherokee Street storefront — maybe even more so. Photo by Jennifer Silverberg.

Salads - Crushed Red

If ever there was a St. Louis chain poised to follow in Panera’s footsteps, Crushed Red is it. The local franchise now boasts two Denver locations in addition to the three here in town. Dine at the restaurant’s flagship in Clayton, and you’ll quickly understand why the concept is setting the fast-casual world on fire. Crushed Red offers diners hand-stretched pizzas and a selection of appetizers made from wholesome ingredients. The restaurant’s salads, however, truly define the “healthy food fast” movement. Choose from one of the pre-designed salads or build your own from a list of ingredients as long as the line out the door during lunchtime. But don’t fret about the crowd: The salad crafters mix and chop orders with maximum speed. It’s a wonder something served so fast can be so elegant and wholesome, but Crushed Red nails it. The sky is the limit for this soon-to-be fast-casual juggernaut. Photo by Jennifer Silverberg.

Vegetarian - Frida’s

Is Frida’s “Mushroom Reuben” a jab at its predecessor? One might assume as much. But while this plant-based eatery sits on the site of an old Jewish butcher shop, when you taste this satisfying sandwich, it seems less a way to exorcise the past and more a way to honor it. Buttery crimini mushrooms, melted Swiss, tangy thousand island dressing and funky sauerkraut are piled atop pumpernickel-swirl bread for a dish that is so hearty, you won’t miss the corned beef. It’s just one of the many excellent options at this four-year-old restaurant that caters not only to vegetarians, but also to those with dietary sensitivities or restrictions. The restaurant’s signature dish is the “Frida Burger,” a monstrous patty of Match meat alternative, beans and spices, smothered in tahini-chipotle slaw. It may not be certified Angus, but it’s no less hearty than what you’d find at that butcher shop. Photo by Mabel Suen.

Mac & Cheese - Salt + Smoke

Mac & Cheese - Salt + Smoke Salt + Smoke’s fatty beef brisket is so spectacular, it’s hard to remember that there are other things on its menu too. But it only makes sense that this Delmar Loop smokehouse serves a side dish with its signature entree that’s just as worthy of the spotlight. Salt + Smoke’s mac & cheese is a creamy, bubbling mélange of white cheddar-coated noodles and crumbled butter crackers. The interplay of baked cheese and cracker-crumb coating results in a heap of cheesy goodness that makes every table feel like the cooks just scraped the yummy crisp edges of a delicious casserole. Tangy, rich and textured, this side dish might make you forget that you came for the brisket — almost. Photo by Jennifer Silverberg.

Chili - Llywelyn’s

When you close your eyes and imagine the perfect bowl of chili, what do you see? Ground beef, cumin-heavy tomato sauce, pinto beans and some onions? Just try the white chicken chili Llywelyn’s Pub and see how long that image lasts. The Welsh public house’s variation of the Tex-Mex dish starts with pepperoncini-infused cream, then adds navy and garbanzo beans and large chunks of pulled chicken breast. The result is a rich, deeply satisfying bowl that has the essence of traditional chili but the decadence of a cream-based soup. It’s slightly tangy, mildly spicy and 100 percent guaranteed to make you think twice about what makes a perfect bowl of chili. Photo courtesy of Llywelyn's.

Fresh Guacamole - Mission Taco Joint

Fresh avocados, soft to the touch and somewhere between lime-green and yellow. A dash of sea salt, a sprinkle of bright pico de gallo and a dusting of queso fresco. Guacamole doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it shouldn’t be, which is why Mission Taco Joint’s version of this Mexican dip is such a treat. For this simple recipe, chef Jason Tilford knows that it’s all about the avocado, with other ingredients serving in supporting roles. He uses perfectly ripe avocados, resulting in a creamy concoction as authentic as you’d find on a beach south of the border. Paired with salty chips, still warm from the fryer, the only enhancements you need are a patio, some flip-flops and an ice cold Negra Modelo. This simple pleasure is pure decadence. Photo by Mabel Suen.

Indian - Haveli

You might ask as you pull into the parking lot for Haveli’s. If the affirmative answer doesn’t give you pause, the fact that the restaurant sits smack-dab in the middle of an industrial part of Page Avenue might make you want to keep driving. Don’t. Instead, park the car, walk inside and immediately be whisked into a world of sub-continental delights. Soak up the rich vegetable korma or tangy chicken tikka masala with garlicky naan for India’s version of comfort food, or step out of your comfort zone with the goat achari, a fragrant and mildly spicy concoction served over basmati. With such a dizzying array of curries, biryanis and vindaloos, it can be overwhelming to decide what to get. Thankfully, Haveli does a lunch buffet — a big step up from that Shoney’s salad bar. Photo by Jennifer Silverberg.

German - Schneithorst

If you drive around town, you can find remnants of St. Louis’ German heritage: the old Lemp brewery in Benton Park, the shuttered Bavarian Inn near Gravois and Arsenal, or the still-turning Bevo Mill, now for sale. On the corner or Lindbergh and Clayton Road, Schneithorst’s Restaurant & Bar stands as a proud homage to this history. Like the others, it is steeped in the past, but unlike them, this still-bustling restaurant manages to translate traditional German food to modern-day diners. The massive restaurant and stunning rooftop biergarten has a strikingly traditional motif — the white stone building with black accents and orange-tiled roof might look more at home in Munich than across from Plaza Frontenac. Inside, the menu is just as traditional, with schnitzels, sausages and potato cakes. But you’ll also find contemporary touches like red pepper hummus and grilled salmon alongside that sour red cabbage. It’s this mix of old and new that keeps Schneithorst relevant — well, that and a fantastic German beer list. Photo courtesy of Instagram / natbunny69 via pikore.com.

Thai - Pearl Cafe

Say the name Pearl Café, and the response is usually immediate: “You mean that Thai spot in Florissant that has the crazy hot eating challenge?” By now, most spicy food aficionados know of this little gem off the north part of Lindbergh’s “King of Spice” challenge. What people might not know is that there is much more to this restaurant. Credit goes to chef Scott Troung, a Vietnamese expat of Chinese descent who learned all about cooking in his family’s kitchens. After marrying into a Thai family, he expanded his culinary repertoire to include the cuisine of his wife’s heritage. This blending of cultures is what makes Pearl Café so special: Though most dishes appear to be traditional Thai staples, Troung infuses the menu with touches from his multi-ethnic background. If you do go for the challenge, though, rest assured that the restaurant boasts a 200-plus long beer list to help you wash it down, as well as an impressive list of single malt Scotch to numb the pain. Photo by Mabel Suen.

Vietnamese - Mai Lee

Unless you live under a rock, you know that Mai Lee’s Qui Tran is getting ready to open up a ramen shop this year. If you’ve never been to Mai Lee, you might laugh at the level of Qui mania that’s hit the city. If you’re a regular, though, you know what all of the hype is about. For more than three decades, Tran and his family have been dazzling diners with their traditional Vietnamese fare at Mai Lee. Tran, who grew up in the restaurant’s kitchen, has picked up all the secrets to his mom’s cooking — her anise-scented pho broth, mouth-watering noodle bowls and a repertoire of pork, beef, chicken, seafood and vegetarian dishes so extensive, it requires an encyclopedic knowledge to master. Mai Lee was the first Vietnamese restaurant in town, but it’s never rested on those laurels. Instead, the place serves consistently great food that leaves you wanting for nothing more — except maybe a second restaurant from the Tran family. Photo by Jennifer Silverberg.

Mexican - La Tejana

A combination Mexican restaurant, grocer and liquor store in the middle of a Bridgeton strip mall can go one of two ways: Either it’s a horrible Americanized joint that’s about as authentic as a Doritos Locos taco, or it’s a delightful hidden gem that puts the taquerias on Cherokee Street to shame. As soon as you step into La Tejana, there’s no question it’s the latter. From its handwritten menu to its assortment of traditional taco fillings such as barbacoa, cow head, tongue and goat, this restaurant dazzles with a menu of real-deal delights, all handmade by the Garcia family. There are no baskets of chips and runny salsa at La Tejana. Instead, diners gobble up menudo, goat soup and tortas in the small dining room under televisions blaring the day’s football match. If you ever wondered what it’s like to dine off the beaten path south of the border, La Tejana is a shining example. Photo by Ian Froeb.

American - The Slider House

If American food has a stereotype, it can be summed up by the phrase “bigger is better.” Big Gulps, eating challenges, endless buffets and economy-sized snack bags so define our dining landscape, after studying our eating habits, a visitor from another planet would think the U.S. was populated by giants. The Slider House turns this notion on its head. Since opening this past March, the Rock Hill location of the Nashville-based chain has been serving a selection of gourmet, miniature sandwiches that redefine what it takes to sate a hearty appetite. The Slider House has just about everything you would want to put between two buns: burgers, Nashville hot chicken, Cuban-inspired pork. It also offers high-end collaborations with local chefs, with recipes that could be served just as easily on a white tablecloth as on a roll. The Slider House may deal in small packages, but it delivers mammoth taste. Photo by Emily Higginbotham.

Chinese - Lulu’s Seafood & Dim Sum

If your idea of Chinese food consists of crab rangoon and a chicken dish named after a military commander, you’ll be better off passing on Lulu’s. If, however, you are looking for food that could actually be found in a restaurant in Beijing — good food, food that will make your tastebuds sing – pull off Olive Boulevard, park the car and head into this bastion of authentic Chinese cuisine. For more than twenty years, the Lu family has been serving a delicious selection of Chinese dishes spanning four regions: Sichuan, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing — and yes, they have four different chefs on staff, one from each region, who are experts in that cuisine’s various specialties. On weekends, Lu Lu transitions from a la carte service to a dim sum extravaganza. It’s just one more way this gem of a restaurant brings the authentic Chinese experience to U. City. Photo courtesy of Yelp / Hoogaelric T.

Japanese - Kobe

You, noble shogun, have just scaled the top of Mt. Fuji and are now face to face with the adversary. Knife drawn, he attempts to distract you with his flame-throwing prowess. The sound of taiko drums is deafening, yet you rise to the challenge — and catch the shrimp appetizer in your mouth. OK, so the top of Westport Plaza’s gold office building isn’t exactly Mt. Fuji. And those drums? They’re actually the small handheld kind that beat every time someone celebrates a birthday at Kobe Steakhouse (which is pretty much constantly). But you’ll be forgiven for getting carried away at this wildly popular hibachi house. How can you not be transported when you are presented with the “Shogun Special,” a glorious feast of filet mignon, lobster, scallops, shrimp, noodles, rice and vegetables, all cooked before your very eyes and served steaming fresh from the grill? It’s a feast fit for a warrior — or a warrior at heart. Photo by Kholood Eid.

Sushi - Tani Sushi

Yes, the “Oh My God” roll at Tani Sushi Bistro is lit afire tableside. It seems like a spectacle, and it is. Shrimp tempura, crab, chilled shrimp and avocado are rolled into rice, toped with a mix of spicy and eel sauces, and set ablaze, lighting the otherwise dim space and coaxing the roll’s name out of unsuspecting patrons. Don’t let the gimmick fool you, though. The real show at this Clayton restaurant is the food, which includes fresh, impeccably prepared nigiri and rolls that need no special effects. The setting for such excellent offerings is a sleek, modern space with a lounge vibe. Feast on melt-in-your-mouth tuna belly, luscious eel or the “Geisha House” roll and you’ll be too distracted to realize that flames are shooting from your neighbor’s plate. RFT photo.

Pizza (Thin) - Twin Oak

The flames from Twin Oak’s custom built 900-degree oven cast a glow over the Brentwood restaurant’s dining space just like at a pizzeria in Naples. Glance at the char-spotted crust, vibrant tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, and you’d also surely think you were in the old country. But unlike trendy Neapolitan-style pizzerias, Twin Oak breaks with tradition by offering a menu of modern twists on classic dishes. You’ll find the usual suspects here — “Sarah’s Special,” which reads like a traditional Margherita, or “When in Rome,” which pairs prosciutto with mozzarella and arugula. However, the bulk of Twin Oak’s menu is devoted to pizza toppings that double as modern American bar and grill fare. Buffalo chicken and blue cheese, barbecued pork and mango salsa, shrimp and Andouille — these gourmet pies take all that is great about an old-school pizza and turn it into contemporary cuisine. Whoever said you can’t improve on a classic has never had a slice of Twin Oak’s mouthwatering pie. Photo courtesy of Instagram / dankfoodie via pikore.com.