And just like that, summer is gone. The pace of life ramps up as we get closer to autumn. School has started; kids need to be shuttled around. Co-workers have returned from any summer vacations; big projects begin. Traffic is heavier; the commute starts to feel longer.
With all of this in mind, this month, we're dining with convenience and on a budget—but not compromising on quality or flavor. These picks include restaurants with family-style carry-out meals to drive-through taco joints and pizza places that won’t make you leave your car for pickup. And with that, life is a little easier.
1. The Chili Verde Puffer Taco at Fort Taco
Photography by Holly Fann
When you pull into the drive-through at Fort Taco, you’ll see quirky little signs posted along the route to the window. They say things like “your taco is being born” and “we have no microwave or freezer.” They seem silly but reading them you realize that you’re not just picking up cheap drive-through tacos, you’re actually buying fresh, restaurant-quality food. The puffy tacos that Fort Taco introduced to St. Louis are chewy and crispy, at the same time, and packed with your choice of well-seasoned, slow-cooked meat. Splurge the extra 40 cents for sour cream and one of the house-made salsas. It’ll make eating your meal messy but a little extra delicious. Any one of the puffer tacos will cost you $3.95 each.
2. The Family Special at Filomena’s Italian Kitchen
Photography by Holly Fann
Filomena’s on Manchester makes their own sauces for the many pasta dishes they serve and source items like fresh and toasted ravioli from Fazio’s on The Hill. Their sandwiches are stacked high on crusty Italian bread and the arancini are delicious. Everything on the menu is served in portion sizes that could easily be cut down by 30 percent, but that is part of the charm of Filomena’s. The prices at Filomena’s would seem appropriate about ten years ago with one of the best values on the menu being a take out special which will feed four hungry people for under ten dollars each. It includes your choice of one of a few different types of pastas, toasted ravioli, and house salad. The pasta con broccoli in a pink sauce with plump mushrooms and tender florets is an especially satisfying choice and cost $36.95.
3. STL Summer and Postrio Pizzas at ‘Zza Pizza and Salad
Photography by Holly Fann
The people at ‘Zza really couldn’t make it any more convenient to pick up a quick and delicious meal. You can order online or via their app and they will give you an exact time when your order will be ready. Tell them your car make, model and color and they will even deliver curbside. They have one of the best build your own pizza deals allowing you to choose up to any five toppings for $9 with no up-charge for the fancier or specialty toppings like fresh mozzarella or vegan beef. They also offer gluten-free pizza crusts. If you don’t feel like making decisions, the STL Summer Pizza topped with mozzarella, Provel, spicy sausage, and jalapeños is a satisfying choice with very minimal heat. The Postrio is slightly sweet, smokey and aromatic with chicken barbecued in Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce, smoked Gouda, red onion, and cilantro. Both pizzas are about 17 inches by 7 inches and will cost you $9 each.
4. The Double Smash Burger and Fries at Mike’s Hotdogs, Soups and Sandwiches
Photography by Holly Fann
Mike’s Hotdogs, Soups and Sandwiches is a pretty long name for a fast-casual restaurant, so I understand why he didn’t include “burgers,” too. The Chicago dog at Mike’s is simple perfection and the fried cod sandwich is an undiscovered treasure, however, you should not pass up one of these expertly-prepared Angus smash burgers. Available as a single, double, or triple patty burger, they are topped with caramelized onions and some crisp lettuce and pickles on a soft, golden bun. Truly a delicious and satisfying burger, it can only be made better by adding a side of fries. The double patty burger will cost you seven dollars and a side of fries cost $1.75.
5. The Beef Chow Fun at China Bistro inside Pan Asia Supermarket
Photography by Holly Fann
I had no idea that the small restaurant inside the Pan Asia Supermarket located in West County had its own name until I read dining critic Dave Lowry’s enthusiastic review of some of the traditional dishes they serve. I only knew that I could not only get some shopping done for fresh meat, great seafood, and produce, but I could also enjoy a bowl of the best Dan Dan noodles I have had in St. Louis and the smokiest chow fun I’ve had since leaving New York. Chow fun is serious comfort food. The thick, wide noodles can get sticky and taste bland unless they are cooked in a blistering hot, well-seasoned wok. The brilliant chef tucked inside China Bistro is a master at his craft and will occasionally pop out of the kitchen to ask customers how they liked what they ordered. The very wide smiles on the diners' faces say it all. A generously sized bowl of chow fun will cost you $9.99.
