Yelp may be as famous for its lists as its millions of reviews. This morning, it published its first (and possibly inaugural) list of the ‘Top 100 Places to Eat in the Midwest 2023.’
Regarding the methodology, Yelp first identified businesses in the restaurants category. It hen ranked those spots using a number of factors, including the total review volume and ratings of reviews between January 1, 2021, and May 1, 2023. The list looked at restaurants in a dozen states: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. When available, all restaurants on the list have a passing health score as of May 1, 2023.
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And earning the No. 1 spot? Blues City Deli. Yelp’s description included two glowing paragraphs, a list of popular dishes, and a comment from an elite Yelper who says Blues City is “well known as the best deli in the St. Louis area.” When notified of its elite status, omnipresent owner Vince Valenza said he was “speechless and extremely honored.” He credits his “old-school approach” and “his team bearing down every single day,” as well as “his deep-rooted pride in St. Louis” as reasons for the deli’s success. He recalls a Yelp representative visiting a few months ago, taking pictures, and saying something like, You know you’re No. 1. “I didn’t know what she was talking about at the time,” he says. “All I know is that you never question anybody who says you’re No. 1.”
Grabbing the third position is Malinche Mexican Culinary Experience, an apt moniker for the gourmet specialties prepared by María Gutiérrez Molina and her team in Ellisville. The article notes that “Wednesdays through Sundays, you’ll take a culinary journey through Mexico with a menu of 10–12 small shareable plates… Since the tapas-style menu is labor-intensive to make, Mondays and Tuesdays are dedicated to gourmet tacos with “layers of flavor.” Elite Yelper Mark N. was quoted as saying, “[Not just the] best Mexican [food] in St. Louis…it’s the best in the country.” Upon hearing about the accolade, Maria’s son and co-owner, Angel Jiménez-Gutiérrez, said, “A lot of dedicated owners work for years, for decades, pursuing their passion. Then there is the good luck factor, when the universe aligns with your efforts, and some of us are fortunate enough to receive a reward like this.”
Grove-based breakfast-and-lunch juggernaut Songbird earned fifth-place honors, while Arzola’s Fajitas + Margaritas placed a deserved eighth. Five other metro area restaurants placed in the top 100:
- Jafra Mediterranean Restaurant in St. Peters (11)
- Balkan Treat Box in Webster Groves (18)
- Have a Cow Urban farm Store and Cafe in the Gate District (32)
- El Jarocho Mexican Store & Taqueria in Valley Park (39)
- J’s Pitaria in Sappington (61)
Congrats, and best dishes to all.
