St. Louis–based restaurants have waited two years for the chance to appear on one of St. Louis’ biggest culinary stages: Restaurant Row at the Taste of St. Louis. From September 24–26, more than 20 of St. Louis’ “most well-known and up-and-coming foodie establishments” will offer signature dishes at Ballpark Village. (See the list of participating restaurants below.) In the wake of the pandemic, the businesses need help “now more than ever,” according to the event’s website.
“The idea is that we want to use it for connecting the community,” says Chuck Justus, co-executive director of the Taste of St. Louis. “We want to lift other people up and help other people further their businesses, giving everyone an opportunity to be noticed.”
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Restaurant Row is emphasizing safety, health, and accessibility for participants. Justus says, “This is a time for everyone to come together, share a meal, have a great experience at a festival, and enjoy some really good food.”
The event includes a Foodie Entrepreneur participant, to help shine a light on an up-and-coming St. Louis entrepreneur. During the inaugural year, in 2019, it highlighted Jill Loftin’s Mom’s Chicken Sausage, who expected to sell 400 sandwiches but ended up selling more than 2,000 over the weekend. This year’s featured Foodie Entrepreneur is T’s Kitchen and owner/founder Tinisha Chenell Conrod. “It’s really cool to see these entrepreneurs,” Justus says. “They want everybody to try their stuff and to make the festival proud, but it’s also a personal goal for them to be a part of the festival. I’m excited to see how Tinisha does this year.”
Other restaurants appearing on Restaurant Row include:
- Anis Hyderabad
- Bayou Season & Catering
- Boardwalk Waffles & Ice Cream
- Cafe de Lasha
- Chicken Out/Hi-Pointe Drive-in
- Hot Wok Boba Tea
- Ices Plain & Fancy
- J Smug’s GastroPit
- Juan Taco
- Kimchi Guys
- Mission Taco Joint
- Mustache Mike’s
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Pappy’s Smokehouse
- Poke Doke
- SimplyCookingWithDonna
- Sugarfire Smoke House
- The Popcorn Bar
- The Rice House
- Tivanov Catering
Restaurant Row will be open from 4–10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sat, and 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun. Visit the event’s website for more details.
