
St. Louis Magazine’s June issue is out now, and it’s all about burgers. Discover the top spots for the classic summer sandwich, from under-the-radar dives to classic restaurants. Then go online to vote for your favorites in our Burger Battle Bracket. Also inside: a look at the startup scene, the unexpected celebrity of Baetje Farms, and Ray Hartmann on why tourists should pay admission to the zoo. Pick up your copy today!
FEATURES

The Best Burgers in St. Louis
Spots that serve memorable renditions of the classic sandwich

Start Me Up
An A-to-Z primer on the evolving startup scene

The Unlikely Celebrity of Baetje Farms
A couple in rural Missouri made some good cheese, and it took them to the moon and back.

Uncommon Ground
Photographer Michael Eastman documents St. Louis Place, the historic neighborhood in the footprint of the proposed new NGA facility.
FROM THE EDITOR

From the Editor
A look inside St. Louis Magazine's June issue
GATEWAY

Gateway Motorsports Park Gets Back on Track
The St. Louis racetrack is busier than ever with events nearly every night of the week.

Heat Index: Mayor Slay, Taxes, Rex Sinquefield
Here's what's trending up and down in St. Louis.

St. Louis Hosts Olympic Trials for Gymnastics
Here's what to watch for when the nation's best gymnasts come to town.

Inside Info: Acrobat Melvin Diggs
Internationally accomplished acrobat returns home to perform at Circus Flora

Garrison Keillor Hits the Stage in St. Louis—Maybe for the Last Time
See the longtime host of "Prairie Home Companion" at the Fox Theatre on June 18.

Local Company Greater Than Games Wins Kickstarter
They've raised millions through crowdfunding to make their popular board games.
VIEWS

Q&A: A Conversation With Linda Woolf
A Webster University professor keeps psychologists out of the torture business.

Think Again: Why the Zoo Should Stop Being Free to Tourists
Reverence for tradition is one of our town’s most endearing qualities and greatest problems going forward.

Jamaica Ray Brings the Sounds of the Caribbean to Crown Candy
The outgoing musician is nearly as memorable as the institution where he plays.

A Look Back at St. Louis in 1940: A Turtle Race at a Class Picnic
"Slow and steady" was the motto back then.
ELEMENTS

The Essentials for the Sharp-Dressed Man
Warm-weather items for the fashionable gentleman

Sunrise in Havana: Bill Donius on Cuba
The author shares insights from a recent trip.

How a Local Handbag Line Grew From Rodeo Roots
Haley Black, the founder of Mandolin Handbags, transforms utilitarian materials into modern accessories.
FLAVOR

The Dish: Filet Carmine at Carmine’s Steak House
The classic steak house elevates a classic dish.

The Former Restaurant at the Cheshire Gets a Major Makeover
Boundary serves up excellent American fare in a charming setting.

Neighborhood Restaurant Recs: North St. Louis City & County
A look at restaurants spanning the north side of the metro region

Cellar House Doesn't Need a Hip Neighborhood to be Cool
The new Oakville restaurant achieves sophistication—despite its location in a strip mall.

Where to Find Fresh Pickles in St. Louis
Any picnic is better with this summertime classic.

A Conversation With Kathleen and Richard Waidmann of Fred and Ricky's
The husband-and-wife team roll out a new grab-and-go healthy food concept.

A Fond Look Back at Happy Taco
The unassuming Mexican restaurant was one of the first to offer street tacos in the city.

Pale Ale and Aluminum: A Perfect Summer Combo
Cans perfectly preserve the flavor of hoppy beers—here are five of our favorites.

April's Ins, Outs, and Almosts
Restaurant openings, closings, and "coming soons"

The Anatomy of a Strange Donut
The math behind those memorable "dones"

5 Hottest Dining Spots
What's new and notable this month
RHYTHM

The Intimate Tracks of Singer-Songwriter Paige Alyssa
The jazz-meets-pop musician mixes low-key but powerful live performances with big ambitions in the studio.

Talking to Rajiv Joseph, Librettist for "Shalimar the Clown"
An acclaimed playwright turns a Salman Rushdie novel into an opera

Read These Now: Books for June 2016
On our list this month: poetry collections from Treasure Shields Redmond and Martha Collins.

The Top 10 Things to Do in St. Louis This June
Circus Flora, David Bowie at the Symphony, and more