Courtesy Crown Candy
If you guessed that 106-year-old Crown Candy Kitchen is the oldest restaurant in the city, guess again.
What are the oldest restaurants in St. Louis? —Bob S., St. Louis
We've addressed the largest restaurants in the city but never the oldest ones. The list runs the gamut: Some have withstood the test of time with splendor and a consistent product, while others have sadly become staid, dated, and in need of a refresh. While some still are applying full throttle, others have shifted into neutral, coasting along on a prior generation's memories, decades-old reviews and accolades, or even just a killer location.
Here's the list, with start dates for each. We even did the math to provide a more useful number: the corresponding years in operation.
Sidebar: This is a good question and a great local trivia question. I thought I knew St. Louis' oldest restaurant and lost a bet. See if you fare any better.
CENTURY CLUB
Piccadilly at Manhattan: 1901 (118)
Charcoal House: 1906 (113)
Crown Candy Kitchen: 1913 (106)
Courtesy Anthony Favazza
This residential building on the Hill was home to Amighetti's Bakery from 1916-1921.
Amighetti's: 1916 (103)
Failoni’s: 1916 (103)
Gioia’s Deli: 1918 (101)
Al’s Restaurant: 1925 (94)
Kemoll’s: 1927 (92)
Lombardo’s: 1934 (85)
Culpeppers: 1935 (84) (The CWE location recently closed.)
Pat Connolly’s Tavern: 1942 (77)
Tony’s: 1946 (73)
Spencer’s Grill: 1947 (72)
Kreis’: 1948 (71)
Goody Goody: 1948 (71)
The Haven: 1950 (69)
Cusanelli's: 1954 (65)
Pio's Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge: 1954 (65)
Farotto’s: 1956 (63)
Frank & Helen's Pizzeria: 1956 (63)
Schneithorst’s: 1956 (63) (slated to close on 12/24)
Chuck-A-Burger: 1957 (62)
Carl’s Drive-In: 1959 (60)
Hodak's: 1962 (57)
Imo’s Pizza: 1963 (56)
The Tenderloin Room: 1963 (56)
Dominic’s: 1964 (55)
Ruiz Mexican Restaurant: 1966 (53)
Hacienda: 1968 (51)
Joe Boccardi’s (Eureka): 1971 (48)
John Mineo’s: 1971 (48)
Blueberry Hill: 1972 (47)
Grassi’s: 1972 (47)
King & I: 1972 (47)
Yen Ching: 1972 (47)
Giovanni’s: 1973 (46) (It's slated to repoen in 2020 after a fire.)
The Pasta House Co.: 1974 (45)
Sportsman’s Park (Jackie’s Place): 1974 (45)
Spiro’s: 1975 (44)
Favazza's: 1978 (41)
McGurk’s: 1978 (41)
Maggie O’s: 1979 (40)
Broadway Oyster Bar: 1979 (40)
Olympia Kabob House: 1980 (39)
Gitto’s on the Hill: 1981 (38)
Tucker’s Place: 1982 (37)
Bar Italia: 1983 (36)
Mangia Italiano: 1983 (36)
Mai Lee: 1985 (34)
Venice Café: 1988 (31)
In the '90s, several of the region's most beloved restaurants appeared, including Annie Gunn’s, Trattoria Marcella, Frazer’s, Big Sky Café, LoRusso’s Cucina, and Paul Manno's Cafe.
Did we miss any of your favorites? List them in the comments below.
For more on this topic, check out this interview with restaurant writers Cheryl Baehr, Ian Froeb, and George Mahe. The segment aired December 12 on "St. Louis on the Air," a weekday show on St. Louis Public Radio (90.7 KWMU) hosted by Sarah Fenske.
Follow George on Twitter and Instagram, or send him an "Ask George" email at gmahe@stlmag.com. For more from St. Louis Magazine, suaired live bscribe or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
