Curbside STL

We never take for granted how many exceptional independent, neighborhood bakeries we have in STL. Do you remember when was where is now?

Their South City neighbors fell in love and they grew to be an STL city-wide fave. So much daily work goes into that kind of success. We think about them and all our independent bakeries and restaurants every day. Feeling grateful for the ways our community has stepped up to support especially as winter and a second wave have hit.

Check out their daily (and holiday!!) offerings and show them and yourself some.

“Hope Wins” reads the sign in the window. Kirsten and AJ Brown, the husband and wife duo behind have created a bakery where hope, love and sourdough win.

The first time we ordered, we had never heard of a sourdough donut let alone a sourdough cinnamon roll. Needless to say, we’re obsessed and hope the Browns don’t keep good records, because it might be embarrassing if the number of donuts we’ve ordered in the last few months leaked out 😂

As I drove up to meet them at their bakery in the early hours the sun had just topped the horizon, shining on the bakery storefront. The moment had a poignant weight, emphasizing the long hours and challenges of independent restaurant owners during these times. Through the anxiety, struggles, sleepless nights and long days, Kirsten and AJ have found ways to keep their bakery going strong even through the hardest months while sharing their love, joy, bread and hope with the STL community.

Take a peek in our stories for a look behind the scenes.

And check out their feed for the amazing holiday and gift offerings they just announced.

Kelley Hall-Barr & John Barr left their desk jobs and embarked on their latest string of entrepreneurial endeavors in search of community, days spent connecting with old friends and opportunities to make new ones.

Following on her highly successful launch of with , Kelley and John opened . Navigating the intense challenges of operating during the pandemic, this spring they moved forward with their dreams to open the corner grocery, deli and café, . Offering a cozy space for gathering, deli sandwiches, fresh-baked bread, pastries, craft coffee drinks and cocktails, The Annex is also a market with locally-grown goods, grocery staples, imported cheeses and gourmet foods.

Adjacent to Frisco and steps from Civil Alchemy, it’s another in a growing list of must-visit independent restaurants and shops in Webster. When you stop by, be sure to say hi to their new neighbors .

Peek our stories for a look inside .

We didn’t even know you could go in here!

Until told us, we always thought this was the “cookie factory”, but didn’t realize it was a shop too 😯

Dating back to 1938, they still use the original bakery scale and wrap your cookies in brown paper bags with a string.

’s long-time fave order is the Tedad’s with Dad’s Scotch Oatmeal cookies. Mine is the cookie sandwich (TD’s frozen custard between two Dad’s Scotch Oatmeal cookies 😋).

We got a mixed box (3lbs is a lot of cookies 🙀)—Original Scotch Oatmeal, Peanut Butter & Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. We ordered online for contactless curbside delivery.

They are not Insta, but do have an fb or you can be retro and call 📞

If you said we’re obsessed with beautifully designed coffee shops, tacos and avocado toast, how could we argue when there’s so much evidence against us 🤷🏻‍♂️

Conor VanBuskirk & Chef Nick Zotos are the creative duo behind the thoughtfully designed and deliciously crafted coffee, food and juices & .

Starting with their original location in Cottleville, Conor & Nick have recently expanded to St. Charles with their remodel of a gorgeous old brake shop garage in historic St. Charles and are getting ready to launch their new Clayton location.

Peep our story for a look behind the scenes at Conor, Nick and their team .

Chorizo Taco
Pineapple chutney, cilantro & pickled shallot.

Avocado Toast
Sourdough, feta cheese, cherry tomato, roasted street corn & fennel.

hot sauce

Lunch ? Family-owned for over 30 years, their deli, market and catering has become a South City tradition and sandwich favorite.

We love their support for locally-made foods and craft beer featuring and more.

Eat more calzones in . We’re having a debate over the order of our top three favorite calzones: the Constanza, Magic Carpet Ride & Figgy Piggy.

What’s your favorite calzone?

We went back through the archives and pulled out these pics from some of our favorite STL food bloggers because we appreciate their friendship, love of STL restaurants and dedication to supporting local 🧡


Travel-Channel famous Cock-A-Doodle Noodle calzone


The Fold & Meat Me In Saint Louie


Duke


Costanza & Meat Me In Saint Louie with an Zwickel
drink.live.stl
Duke

👀👀
Meat Me In Saint Louie


Costanza & Meat Me In Saint Louie

“From our soil to your soul.” Brandy Dixon and Jasmine Yandell’s Herban Eatery serves up deliciously inventive vegan meals made from scratch.

Their passion for wellness and great tasting plant-based food shows up in their meticulous attention to detail, the fresh high-quality ingredients that go into their dishes and the joy, playful energy and intensity of their collaboration.

Check our stories for a peek in the kitchen with Brandy and Jasmine.

And follow them to stay up on their weekly not-to-be-missed pop-ups. Available for catering and special events.

Sweet Heat Chick-un Sammich
Sweet heat Thai chili hot sauce, ketchup, garlic & tamari.

Smashed Burger
Bread, chips, parmesan & roasted garlic aioli, fried jalapeños, lettuce & grilled onion.

Where are you celebrating ? So many great spots, it’s hard to go wrong. We’re celebrating the craft, care, social responsibility and style puts into creating every cup.

Comment, tag or DM us with your faves and we’ll add them up in our stories.

I love you.
I am with you.
You are not alone.

I spotted the message in ’s window in a friend’s story early on during the pandemic and it lifted my spirits. The love and joy in Elisa & ’s approach to food and community shows up in the rich flavors of their foods and the comfortable and inviting atmosphere of their space.

This week’s reminders of the challenges our local restaurants continue to face as summer turns to fall has us reflecting on how much their presence means to us. What would our neighborhoods be without these unique, independent eateries and the people who work in them?

Check our stories for a look at the camaraderie and hard-working team behind Grace.

Rick’s Famous Fried Chicken
Hot Honey Chicken Skins with sour pepper jam, hot honey & thyme
STL Style Ribs

, sous chef and front-of-house maestro take a short break to share a meal together.

The glorious architecture of our STL neighborhoods gets us every time. As do the glorious scones with clotted cream and jam .

is just a few steps away for a tea party picnic.

Celebrate all weekend long with fries and a Swingle.

Check our stories for a peek in the kitchen with chef Eric.