While the vibe at this year’s Taste of St. Louis will be lighthearted, the menu is seriously full of flavor, highlighting both up-and-coming eateries and established brands. The three-day free festival runs 4–10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday at Ballpark Village (601 Clark). The list of food and drink vendors is longer than ever before and features some familiar names and newer, smaller companies. Here’s what to know before you go.
THE FOOD
Among the iconic food vendors are Hi-Pointe Drive-In (with its burgers), Salt + Smoke (with barbecue sliders and sides), Gus’s Fried Chicken (with breasts, thighs, legs, and wings), Kimchi Guys (with Korean-style fried and barbecued chicken), and Meskerem Ethiopian Restaurant (with quintessential dishes such as sambusas, tibs wot, and tikel gomen.
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You can order entrée-size portions or smaller bites perfect for grazing your way through the booths. If you choose the second option, be sure to save room for a smorgasbord of local, regional, and international fare from 34 vendors. Here’s a small sample of the diversity of dishes:
- Anis Hyderabad House: Indian chicken tikka masala, paneer butter masala, chicken and samosas
- Café de LáSha: Cajun and Creole soul food
- Chez Ali’s Afro-Caribbean Cuisine: Jerk chicken, curry chicken, Ysssa chicken, and red beans and rice
- FuFu N’ Sauce: Togolese jallof rice, oxtail, fried plantains, and beef stew
- La Colombianita: Colombian empanadas, stuffed potatoes, pork belly, chicken skewers
- Namaste Restaurant and Bar: Nepalese and Indian dumplings and samosas
- Poke Doke: Hawaiian barbecue chicken, pot stickers, and shrimp plus boba tea
- Sabroso Cocina Mexicana: Quesabirria, street tacos, and street corn
- Tee Rak: Thai fried rice, chicken satay, and curry
Desserts include Italian ice from Moon’s Treats, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Under the Sun Snowcone Shack, and Boardwalk Waffles & Ice Cream. For a full list of vendors, visit this page.
If you’re wondering what to order, keep an eye on the Instagram feeds of such influencers as Chichi McDonald, Niki Bridges, Luke London, and Steph T L, who are among collaborating with Taste of STL.
THE ENTERTAINMENT
Ballpark Village’s Credit Union Plaza will play host to the outdoor festival, which is expected to draw crowds of 50,000 throughout the weekend. Highlights include live music, DJs, social media influencers such as Whitney in the City and BradENSTL, and food demos and experiences. Among the highlights:
- Juwan Rice of JR’s Gourmet: Chef JR started his catering company in 2014, when he was just 14 years old. His new downtown restaurant, Rated, is slated to open soon.
- Former pro baseball player Scott Van Slyke: The outfielder and first baseman played for the Dodgers, lives in St. Louis, and has a favorite family recipe up his sleeve.
- Heidi Skye Hamamura of Taberu: Chef Heidi’s sushi creations are influenced by her father, St. Louis sushi legend Naomi Hamamura, and her work at restaurants ranging from Guerilla Street Food to Elaia and Olio.
- Kurt Bellon of Izumi: The food at his pop-up concept is influenced by Japanese convenience store fare, served out of a 1995 Subaru Sambar.
- Adam Pritchett of Hi-Pointe Drive-In: Chef Adam leads the “Good & Hi Cannabis Culinary Experience” with Good Taste edibles at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, as well as 2 p.m. Sunday.
