- Last meal served: January 14
- Why we’ll miss it: Co-owner Rick Lewis’ signature item—Nashville hot chicken, offered at six different spice levels—landed on many “best of” lists over the restaurant’s eight-and-a-half-year run. “It was viable at the start and for a long time,” co-owner John Matthews told SLM, “and we hate to see the brick-and-mortar go, because that was some damn good chicken.”
- Where to go instead: Lewis’ original recipe chicken is on the regular and catering menu at his follow-up restaurant, Grace Meat + Three. Southern’s chicken tenders and dark meat fried chicken are available through the catering division at Pappy’s Smokehouse, as well.
Find the best food in St. Louis
Subscribe to the St. Louis Dining In and Dining Out newsletters to stay up-to-date on the local restaurant and culinary scene.
We will never send spam or annoying emails. Unsubscribe anytime.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Courtesy of Sunday Best
Courtesy of Sunday Best
- Last meal served: February 26
- Why we’ll miss it: Ever since he dunked a bird in the fryer at his elevated southern restaurant, Juniper, John Perkins’ name has been synonymous with world-class fried chicken. It’s why he decided to go all-in and change Juniper to Sunday Best, a fried-chicken centric restaurant which opened in July of 2023. However, Sunday Best (and its predecessor Juniper) was also much more than a fried chicken restaurant. The talented Perkins could not help but infuse the comfort-focused menu with his elegant touch, and things like oysters, catfish, shrimp and grits and creative sides are missed just as much as the chicken.
- Where to go instead: Thankfully, Sunday Best is not gone completely. The brand will be back at Energizer Park (formerly CITYPARK) this coming season.
Courtesy of Kitchen 95
Courtesy of Kitchen 95
- Last meal served: March 2
- Why we’ll miss it: After growing up in their parents’ north county restaurant, Chinese Gourmet, siblings Mary Nguyen and Kristin Liu decided to pay homage to their family’s legacy while forging their own path with a menu of excellent Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai fare. Their love for their family and passion for their cooking resulted in soulful dishes that will be greatly missed.
- Where to go instead: Because the Kitchen touched on three different cuisines, it’s hard to find everything under one roof. For Thai, Florissant’s beloved Pearl Cafe offers wonderful food and excellent hospitality. Also in Florissant, Spot House Restaurant and Bar looks like a bar and grill (and it is) but also boasts a menu of delicious Vietnamese food. And for Chinese, Kitchen 95, located in a former Taco Bell in downtown Overland, may be some of the best Chinese fare in town.
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
- Last meal served: May 5
- Why we’ll miss it: When the Wood Shack first opened in its original location, a sign hung above the door that summed it all up: “It doesn’t get any better than this.” Indeed, chef Chris Delgado’s outstanding sandwich shop was one of the best in town thanks to his excellent smoked meats and chef-driven combinations, which provided layers of flavor. His Soulard Primer, a monstrous smoked prime rib beast, deserves its own obituary.
- Where to go instead: The Gramophone in the Grove has a fantastic sandwich selection, ranging from more deli-style options to the hot and gooey ones that are more in line with what Delgado served at the Wood Shack. The Beef, while not an exact replica, will certainly satisfy a roast beef sandwich craving.
Courtesy of Jack Nolen's
Courtesy of Jack Nolen's
- Last meal served: June 21
- Why we’ll miss it: When the pandemic forced longtime hospitality veteran Chris Kelling to pivot to a casual format, he transformed the elegant Elmwood into a carryout pizza operation, Pizza Champ. After Pizza Champ became so popular and got a storefront of its own, Kelling decided to parlay its success into the burger genre and opened the fast casual burger and shakes spot, Burger Champ in the former Elmwood space. With outstanding smashburgers, delicious salads and creative ice cream concoctions, Burger Champ was a delightful spot that might have worked in a smaller, more fast-casual oriented space.
- Where to go instead: Go to Jack Nolen’s, where smashburgers can be ordered as singles, doubles, or triples, and can be topped with a house “Style” sauce similar to the one offered at Burger Champ.
Courtesy of Hunt, Fish, Gather
Courtesy of Hunt, Fish, Gather
- Last meal served: June 23
- Why we’ll miss it: Rob Connoley’s Ozark-focused Bulrush was not just a restaurant; it was a movement, shining a light both on a longtime marginalized cuisine, the people who created it and the injustice and inequities present in our region’s food history. That he closed its doors to shine a light on the Missouri government’s policies toward trans people was a poignant and fitting end to this project.
- Where to go instead: Bulrush was an inimitable force in the St. Louis dining scene with an educational component and mission that is only matched in an academic setting. Check out Washington University’s Kathryn M Buder Center for American Indian Studies for indigenous food events, including a two-day “Hunt Fish Gather” dinner series which brings together Native American chefs for a dinner and demonstration.
Courtesy of Blackthorn
Courtesy of Blackthorn
- Last Meal Served: July 7
- Why we’ll miss it: In a city whose pizza scene is defined by cracker crust and Provel, Chris Sommers dared to be different, bringing to town a unique, cornmeal accented deep-dish pie that became iconic after Barack Obama declared it his favorite pie. With creative toppings, delicious salads and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere, his restaurants were the standard for pizzerias around town.
- Where to go instead: If you’re craving a deep-dish pie and don’t want to drive five hours north to Chicago, south city’s Blackthorn Pub & Pizza is a wonderful spot. Just be prepared; pizzas here are so massive they take around 45 minutes to cook. Settle in for a beer and game of shuffleboard; it’s worth the wait.
Courtesy of Alec Schingel
Courtesy of Alec Schingel
- Last meal served: July 17
- Why we’ll miss it: Ben Poremba opened the Moroccan leaning restaurant as an homage to his mother’s heritage. Post-pandemic, following a series of successful Japanese-themed pop-ups showcasing the talents of chef Eliott Harris, the restaurant pivoted to Japanese fare in February 2024. Customers enjoyed the stunning hand rolls, gorgeous crudos and nigiri, and luscious uni shooters, but the pivot ultimately wasn’t enough to turn the tide, and BK 2.0 closed a few months later.
- Where to go instead: In February, the 36-seat space will be the new home to Robin Restaurant, a four-course, prix fixe concept spearheaded by chef Eric Schingel, an alum of Vicia and Winslow’s Table.
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
- Last meal served: July 28
- Why we’ll miss it: The romantic, two-room pub with candlelit tables and a partly shaded hidden back patio became the go-to spot in St. Louis for Scottish and traditional UK fare, including cock-a-leekie pie, bangers and mash, cranachan, as well as haggis (and the more benign haggis fritters), fare that one local critic said “sings like a chorus of bagpipes.”
- Where to go instead: The restaurant is slated to be sold and should reopen in early 2025, informed sources say.
Courtesy of SweetArt
Courtesy of SweetArt
- Last meal served: August 17
- Why we’ll miss it: Jamie Herman’s Maplewood cafe did two important things: It served as a welcoming, neighborhood gathering place reminiscent of old-school coffee shops where you could cozy up for hours, and it provided excellent vegan fare so comforting you could hardly believe it was plant-based. The biscuits and gravy rivaled any meat-based versions in town.
- Where to go instead: Like Looking Meadow, Reinr Keis’ lovely Sweet Art Bake Shop & Cafe is a bastion of vegan fare. Its baked goods are legendary, and its broad menu of plant-based dishes offers something for everyone, any time of day (Sunday brunches are particularly special). However, what sets SweetArt apart is the community Keis has built. The Shaw cafe is a neighborhood gathering spot thanks to its warm, inviting atmosphere that makes it the perfect spot to tuck in for coffee and conversation.
Courtesy of Trattoria Marcella
Courtesy of Trattoria Marcella
- Last meal served: September 29
- Why we’ll miss it: Beloved Rich LoRusso served up classic Italian specialties for over three decades before battling ALS and passing away in 2022. “Back when Rich was sick, he told me to sell it then, but I couldn’t do it… It was too important to him and to me,” says his wife, Terri, who ultimately relented and closed the restaurant in early last fall.
- Where to go instead: The Italian restaurant with excellent food and a similar family-owned vibe is Trattoria Marcella, located two minutes away.
Courtesy of Tiny Chef
Courtesy of Tiny Chef
- Last meal served: October 4
- Why we’ll miss it: Arguably the best ghost kitchen to open in St. Louis in quite some time was owned by chefs Nicole and Sean Kim, two graduates of the Culinary Institute of America. Re-creations of the dishes they enjoyed in South Korea included bowls, “bops” (seaweed-wrapped rice rolls), Korean fried chicken bites, honey butter tater tots, and a gochujang salted caramel cookie.
- Where to go instead: A different, but similarly creative take on the genre can be found at Tiny Chef, Melanie Meyer’s Korean comfort food emporium located inside The Silver Ballroom, near the Bevo Mill.
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
- Last meal served: October 6
- Why we’ll miss it: When owner Tommy Andrew announced the sudden closure of his wildly popular Nomad, you could hear cries of “No!” throughout St. Louis. His smoked pastrami was not just a sandwich, it was genre-defining, topping many folks’ lists as the best version of the form in town.
- Where to go instead: While we wait to see Andrew’s next move, those craving a classic pastrami sandwich can head to two of the more classic delis in town, Protzel’s Delicatessen or Carl’s Deli, both in Clayton. While not smoked like Nomad’s, their succulent meat and peppery coating are the embodiment of the form.
Uncle Bill’s Pancake & Dinner House
Watercolor by Marilynne Bradley
Watercolor by Marilynne Bradley
- Last meal served: October 8
- Why we’ll miss it: The South Kingshighway restaurant, a curious stucco and black wood edifice resembling an Alpine chalet, has been a local landmark and a continuous dining establishment (albeit under several names) for more than 90 years. Uncle Bill’s was known for its broad menu, a dozen-plus pancake varieties, and its special thick cut of bacon.
- Where to go instead: For anyone wanting to continue the legacy, the restaurant and real estate are for sale. Meanwhile, the West County location features the same menu.
Courtesy of Liliana's
Courtesy of Liliana's
- Last meal served: October 22
- Why we’ll miss it: There were more than a few raised eyebrows when Michelle Adams and family reopened their popular Italian restaurant, Riccardo’s, in the former Shady Jack’s biker bar on an industrial stretch of North Broadway. Adams didn’t flinch, noting that when she and her family opened the original Ricardo’s (the spelling changed when they reopened) in Lafayette Square, the neighborhood was not much different. They were able to build a casual Italian institution and appeared poised to recreate that in their new digs until a landlord dispute led them to close up shop and figure out a new path forward. While hopefully not the end of Riccardo’s, it would have been fun to see what they would have been able to create in their North Broadway spot given the chance.
- Where to go instead: The delicious Liliana’s Italian Kitchen in south county hits the same sit-down but still casual sweet spot people loved about Riccardo’s. The chicken parmesan and red checkered tablecloth feel make this the perfect family-friendly Italian-American spot.
Royal Chinese BBQ
- Last meal served: November 10
- Why we’ll miss it: One of the old-time, classic Chinese-American eateries, it was once the only place in town where you could get whole roasted duck, char siu pork, and other Cantonese favorites.
- Where to go instead: Wei Hong Seafood Restaurant is the closest in spirit and menu to the splendid joint.
Courtesy of Biggie's
Courtesy of Biggie's
- Last meal served: December 8
- Why we’ll miss it: For 65 years, Frank & Helen’s served as more than a restaurant; it was a beloved University City gathering place, serving as a home away from home for its innumerable regulars, each of whom has a story or family memory associated with the place. Owners Rebecca and Patrick Horvath wanted to keep making those memories with their guests, but a new landlord had other plans that did not involve broasted chicken and creamy garlic salad dressing. In a year when we lost several institutions, this one hurt.
- Where to go instead: While Frank & Helen’s is an irreplaceable slice of St. Louis restaurant history, south city’s Biggie’s Restaurant has a similar warm, neighborhood feel with a menu that blends pizzeria, casual Italian, bar and grill, and steakhouse. Grab come cheese garlic bread and a salad with creamy garlic dressing – with extra dressing for dipping – if you’re feeling especially nostalgic.
Courtesy of Sister Cities
Courtesy of Sister Cities
- Last meal served: December 11
- Why we’ll miss it: The menu combined bar-and-grill fare with some unusual Cajun dishes. Offerings included Cajun poutine, fried spicy duck wings, crawfish tacos, a shrimp burger, and three variations of Cajun po’ boys. Entrée highlights included Cajun crawfish ravioli, catfish fillets with crawfish étouffée, a lobster-stuffed trout, and alligator gumbo
- Where to go instead: While no bar and grill-type places can match chef Sabrina Curry’s creativity, respectable Cajun fare can be found at Broadway Oyster Bar, Taytro’s Bar & Bistro in Festus, and especially at Sister Cities Cajun in Marine Villa.
Courtesy of Sugo's
Courtesy of Sugo's
- Last meal served: December 31
- Why we’ll miss it: What began in 1976 as an eight-table restaurant in St. Louis Hills, this cornerstone of Italian cuisine became a welcome bridge between fine-dining restaurants and everyday eateries, offering high-quality Italian fare at reasonable prices. Along with classic dishes including lasagna, linguine tutto mare, and chicken spiedini, devotees will pine for Spaghetti alla Angela, spaghetti and meatballs baked with provolone.
- Where to go instead: After a 5 month “retirement,” matriarch Mary Rose Del Pietro will be baking cookies and Italian pastries at Cibo, her son Michael’s latest restaurant slated to open in U City in early summer. Italian fare similar to Del Pietro’s can be found at Michael’s other restaurants, Sugo’s, Babbo’s, and the slightly more upscale Il Palato, and some its signature dishes may appear as well, Michael says, “just to keep the nostalgia alive.”
Courtesy of The Lucky Accomplice
Courtesy of The Lucky Accomplice
- Last meal served: December 31
- Why we’ll miss it: Chef and owner Logan Ely has been one of St. Louis’ most talented and innovative culinary voices, beginning with his tasting menu restaurant, Shift, and carried forth to his stylish and modern second effort, the Lucky Accomplice. Here, Ely displayed the same creativity found at Shift in a more approachable, drop-in format and doubled down on the cocktail/lounge vibe. It was an impossibly cool, unique gathering place that, while soon gone, surely does not represent the last we will hear of Ely.
- Where to go instead: Ely opened Press just down the street from Lucky Accomplice as a stuffed pizza concept, though it has evolved to include excellent pastas and creative specials. With Lucky gone, expect Ely to get even more creative at Press as he takes time to figure out his next move.
