Honestly, we'd written off Mama Carlie's as a well-intentioned idea that remained just that.
Relish learned--way back in November of 2010--that a BBQ joint by that name would open in early 2011 at 742 S. Fourth. Now, a year and a half later, all of the sudden the place materializes, suddenly, like a pop-up thunderstorm. Mama Carlie's St. Louis Style BBQ opened for business last Thursday, July 5.
Readers may remember the space as a small Imo's Pizza store that in mid 2010 relocated several blocks to the south (to 904 S. Fourth).
The reason for the long delay? Mama's owner Clarence Moore (and, yes, Carlie is his mama) got busy with other projects and "until just a few months ago, simply didn't have the time" to build out the space.
The menu is a lot of what you might expect--ribs, tips, pulled pork, brisket, whole and half chicken, hot links, pork steaks--and some that you might not, like pulled beef, a chopped sirloin hamburger, and a seasonal vegetable. A normal array of side dishes, combo plates, and homemade desserts rounds out the tidy menu, which is available for carry-out, delivery (within the downtown area), and catering.
The reader should pay heed to the name: "St Louis Style" BBQ infers grilling (rather than smoking), and the option of sauce or no sauce. Oh, and regarding that sauce...as is the case in most 'cue houses, the sauce recipe is a secret. Here it's only described as "a sweet sauce...doctored by Mama." Yeah, moms always were the best doctors...
Mama Carlie's St. Louis Style BBQ 742 S. Fourth Downtown 314-621-4BBQ(227) mamacarliesBBQ.com Mon-Thu: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri-Sat: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun: Closed (except for Cardinal baseball Sundays)
