St. Louis Restaurants That Have Been Featured on Reality TV

Yeah, yeah, so these days our food scene is getting raves from the national press. But we've long gotten raves from a megaphone that, if anything, is even bigger: The shows on the Food Network.

Everyone from Guy Fieri to Andrew Zimmern loves what we're cooking, and we've got the highlight reel to prove it. Use this list to follow in their footsteps as you eat your way around town — or just find a new restaurant or two. Some of these spots have closed their doors, so use the list to remember those spots fondly. We've added some clips of the shows to the list, so read and watch St. Louis shine.
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Highway 61 Roadhouse
34 S Old Orchard Avenue; 314-968-0061
Featured on: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
Guy Fieri called Hwy 61 Roadhouse "a really cool place; it's the kind of place he'd hang out in if he lived here in town. It just went really well," owner Bill Kunz says. "I think he ended up showing me the love in our episode, because traditionally they do three restaurants on an episode...Our episode was only two restaurants, and I got about twenty minutes of airtime, which is priceless."-Liz Miller
Read more here.
Photo: Highway 61 Roadhouse Facebook Page

Highway 61 Roadhouse

34 S Old Orchard Avenue; 314-968-0061

Featured on: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
Guy Fieri called Hwy 61 Roadhouse "a really cool place; it's the kind of place he'd hang out in if he lived here in town. It just went really well," owner Bill Kunz says. "I think he ended up showing me the love in our episode, because traditionally they do three restaurants on an episode...Our episode was only two restaurants, and I got about twenty minutes of airtime, which is priceless."
-Liz Miller


Read more here.

Photo: Highway 61 Roadhouse Facebook Page
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Smoki O's Bar-B-Que & Catering
1545 N Broadway; 314-621-8180
Featured on: Bizarre Foods America
On the north side, at the corner of Mullanphy Street and Broadway, trails of smoke can be seen billowing out behind Smoki O's known as one of the best barbecue joints in the city. A family operation, Smoki O's has been pulling pork and slicing brisket since 1997, receiving many accolades along the way (including from the Travel Channel's Andrew Zimmern) and devoted fans along the way.-Zach Garrison
Read more here.
Photo: Blake Eastwood

Smoki O's Bar-B-Que & Catering

1545 N Broadway; 314-621-8180

Featured on: Bizarre Foods America
On the north side, at the corner of Mullanphy Street and Broadway, trails of smoke can be seen billowing out behind Smoki O's known as one of the best barbecue joints in the city. A family operation, Smoki O's has been pulling pork and slicing brisket since 1997, receiving many accolades along the way (including from the Travel Channel's Andrew Zimmern) and devoted fans along the way.
-Zach Garrison


Read more here.

Photo: Blake Eastwood
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Crafted.
3200 Shenandoah Avenue, 314-865-3345
Featured on: Bar Rescue
"Pressed” drinks are the centerpiece of the menu. They come in coffee presses, alongside a chilled glass. The idea is to “press” the ingredients at the bottom with the liquor several times to infuse the flavor into your drink and then pour it into your glass. We've drank at bars across St. Louis, yet it's safe to say these are some of the best cocktails we've had. -Matt and Angie Stockel
Read more here.
Photo: Crafted Staff

Crafted.

3200 Shenandoah Avenue, 314-865-3345

Featured on: Bar Rescue
"Pressed” drinks are the centerpiece of the menu. They come in coffee presses, alongside a chilled glass. The idea is to “press” the ingredients at the bottom with the liquor several times to infuse the flavor into your drink and then pour it into your glass. We've drank at bars across St. Louis, yet it's safe to say these are some of the best cocktails we've had.
-Matt and Angie Stockel


Read more here.

Photo: Crafted Staff
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Crown Candy Kitchen
1401 Saint Louis Avenue; 314-621-9650
Featured on: Best Sandwich in America and Man vs. Food
Crown Candy Kitchen is an institution in Old North. Its "Heart Stopping BLT" contains, by a conservative estimate, an entire pig's worth of bacon. Possibly two pigs. There are a few tomato slices and some lettuce, but, really, this is a bacon lover's dream, crisp slice after crisp slice tucked between plain white toast.-Ian Froeb
Read more here.
Photo: Ian Froeb

Crown Candy Kitchen

1401 Saint Louis Avenue; 314-621-9650

Featured on: Best Sandwich in America and Man vs. Food
Crown Candy Kitchen is an institution in Old North. Its "Heart Stopping BLT" contains, by a conservative estimate, an entire pig's worth of bacon. Possibly two pigs. There are a few tomato slices and some lettuce, but, really, this is a bacon lover's dream, crisp slice after crisp slice tucked between plain white toast.
-Ian Froeb


Read more here.

Photo: Ian Froeb
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The Famous Bar  
5213 Chippewa Street; 314-832-2211
Featured on: Drinking Made Easy
There's no denying that the minute you grab a pool cue, a certain feeling of utter coolness comes over you. You are slick and smooth, your moves are calculated and your face serious, with a snarled lip and one keen, squinting eye to intimidate your opponents. Why not play on a table that matches? The Famous Bar offers just that — the dark, wooden arches and elegant bar give the room a Rat Pack feel, making you want to order a high ball and adopt an old-timey accent.-RFT
Read more here.
Photo: Eric Frazier

The Famous Bar

5213 Chippewa Street; 314-832-2211

Featured on: Drinking Made Easy
There's no denying that the minute you grab a pool cue, a certain feeling of utter coolness comes over you. You are slick and smooth, your moves are calculated and your face serious, with a snarled lip and one keen, squinting eye to intimidate your opponents. Why not play on a table that matches? The Famous Bar offers just that — the dark, wooden arches and elegant bar give the room a Rat Pack feel, making you want to order a high ball and adopt an old-timey accent.
-RFT


Read more here.

Photo: Eric Frazier
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Anthonino's Taverna
2225 Macklind Avenue; 314-773-4455
Featured on: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
"On the Hill we couldn't be just Italian," says Anthony Scarato of Anthonino's Taverna, where he and brother Rosario combine their parents' Greek and Italian family traditions to do something different. In creating the menu for Anthonino's, which opened in 2003, the Scaratos drew from the heritages of both their mother, who was born in Greece, and their father, whose parents immigrated from Italy. Many of the recipes are for dishes they grew up eating. -Katie Moulton
Read more here.
Photo: Katie Moulton

Anthonino's Taverna

2225 Macklind Avenue; 314-773-4455

Featured on: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
"On the Hill we couldn't be just Italian," says Anthony Scarato of Anthonino's Taverna, where he and brother Rosario combine their parents' Greek and Italian family traditions to do something different. In creating the menu for Anthonino's, which opened in 2003, the Scaratos drew from the heritages of both their mother, who was born in Greece, and their father, whose parents immigrated from Italy. Many of the recipes are for dishes they grew up eating.
-Katie Moulton


Read more here.

Photo: Katie Moulton
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Iron Barley
3367 High Ridge Blvd; High Ridge, MO; 636-671-9911
Featured on: Man vs. Food and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
While the original south city location is the one featured on TV, it's still worth a visit at its new home in High Ridge. The dishes here are jumbo, and everything is absolutely packed with the kind of flavor that only comes from slow cooking, low simmering and just the right amount of seasoning. From the tender roasted meats to the hearty schnitzel and spaetzle to the nightly specials and seasonal drinks — Iron Barley and its unpretentious dining room are the perfect solution for those Friday nights when you wish you could have worked in the kitchen all day rather than the office but, alas, you don't get paid to do so.-RFT
Read more here.
Photo: Nick Lucchesi

Iron Barley

3367 High Ridge Blvd; High Ridge, MO; 636-671-9911

Featured on: Man vs. Food and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
While the original south city location is the one featured on TV, it's still worth a visit at its new home in High Ridge. The dishes here are jumbo, and everything is absolutely packed with the kind of flavor that only comes from slow cooking, low simmering and just the right amount of seasoning. From the tender roasted meats to the hearty schnitzel and spaetzle to the nightly specials and seasonal drinks — Iron Barley and its unpretentious dining room are the perfect solution for those Friday nights when you wish you could have worked in the kitchen all day rather than the office but, alas, you don't get paid to do so.
-RFT


Read more here.

Photo: Nick Lucchesi
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Sweetie Pie's
multiple locations including 3643 Delmar Boulevard; 314-932-5364
Featured on: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
Fame, history and soul are all on the menu at Sweetie Pie's. Owner Robbie Montgomery once sang as a backup singer with Ike & Tina Turner, and has also sung with Stevie Wonder, Barbara Streisand, Joe Cocker and the Rolling Stones. She also often cooked for her fellow bandmates on the road and, after moving to St. Louis, she opened comfort-food haven Sweetie Pie's -- a favorite of Oprah Winfrey's and the subject of a "docuseries" on Oprah's OWN network. Each day of the week brings different specials, with mainstay menu items available every day.-Sara Graham
Read more here.
Photo: Sarah Rusnak

Sweetie Pie's

multiple locations including 3643 Delmar Boulevard; 314-932-5364

Featured on: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
Fame, history and soul are all on the menu at Sweetie Pie's. Owner Robbie Montgomery once sang as a backup singer with Ike & Tina Turner, and has also sung with Stevie Wonder, Barbara Streisand, Joe Cocker and the Rolling Stones. She also often cooked for her fellow bandmates on the road and, after moving to St. Louis, she opened comfort-food haven Sweetie Pie's -- a favorite of Oprah Winfrey's and the subject of a "docuseries" on Oprah's OWN network. Each day of the week brings different specials, with mainstay menu items available every day.
-Sara Graham


Read more here.

Photo: Sarah Rusnak
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Guerrilla Street Food
multiple locations including 6120 Delmar Boulevard; 314-226-9786
Featured on: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
Guerrilla Street Food is Filipino fusion spot that began as a food truck before taking the city by storm. The food truck has served tasty Filipino-inspired creations around town since 2011. We thought it was the best food truck in St. Louis, so we weren’t surprised when their food gained a huge following and was featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
Read more here.
Photo: Johnny Fugitt

Guerrilla Street Food

multiple locations including 6120 Delmar Boulevard; 314-226-9786

Featured on: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
Guerrilla Street Food is Filipino fusion spot that began as a food truck before taking the city by storm. The food truck has served tasty Filipino-inspired creations around town since 2011. We thought it was the best food truck in St. Louis, so we weren’t surprised when their food gained a huge following and was featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.


Read more here.

Photo: Johnny Fugitt
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Bootleggin’ BBQ
(1933 Washington Blvd., 314-241-5999)
Featured on: Food Paradise
For top-notch barbecue during crazy hours, check out Bootleggin' BBQ on Washington. Not only is it tasty, but stands out in St. Louis’ crowded barbecue pack because it keeps extremely late hours. The full kitchen is open til 10 p.m., with a limited menu all the way until closing time at 1 a.m.
Read more here.
Photo: courtesy of Brenton Brown

Bootleggin’ BBQ

(1933 Washington Blvd., 314-241-5999)

Featured on: Food Paradise
For top-notch barbecue during crazy hours, check out Bootleggin' BBQ on Washington. Not only is it tasty, but stands out in St. Louis’ crowded barbecue pack because it keeps extremely late hours. The full kitchen is open til 10 p.m., with a limited menu all the way until closing time at 1 a.m.


Read more here.

Photo: courtesy of Brenton Brown
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Pappy's Smokehouse
3106 Olive Street; 314-535-4340
Featured on: Top 5 Restaurants, Man vs. Food and Food Feuds
At this iconic St. Louis barbecue joint, the menu is straightforward: pulled pork, pulled chicken, beef brisket, turkey breast, hot links and pork ribs. You choose a meat and then (except for the ribs) either a sandwich or a platter and either regular or large. Sandwich meat is served on a soft roll, platter meat atop thick white bread. Everything, including the ribs, comes with your choice of two sides. The results are, frankly, spectacular.-Ian Froeb
Read more here.
Photo: Monica Mileur

Pappy's Smokehouse

3106 Olive Street; 314-535-4340

Featured on: Top 5 Restaurants, Man vs. Food and Food Feuds
At this iconic St. Louis barbecue joint, the menu is straightforward: pulled pork, pulled chicken, beef brisket, turkey breast, hot links and pork ribs. You choose a meat and then (except for the ribs) either a sandwich or a platter and either regular or large. Sandwich meat is served on a soft roll, platter meat atop thick white bread. Everything, including the ribs, comes with your choice of two sides. The results are, frankly, spectacular.
-Ian Froeb


Read more here.

Photo: Monica Mileur
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