2022 Sauce Readers' Choice Winners

Every year, we invite our readers to vote on their favorite local places to eat, drink and shop. Here are the winners of this year’s Sauce Readers’ Choice poll.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT
Hi-Pointe Drive-In
Multiple locations, hipointedrivein.com
2nd: Olive + Oak
3rd: Grace Meat + Three (tie) Balkan Treat Box
Honorable Mentions: Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria, Indo

CHEF OF THE YEAR
Evy Swoboda, Brasserie by Niche
St. Louis, 314.454.0600, brasseriebyniche.com
2nd: Tyler Layton, Twisted Tree Steakhouse
3rd: Rick Lewis, Grace Meat + Three 
Honorable Mentions: Jesse Mendica, Olive + Oak; Nick Bognar, Indo

FAVORITE PATIO
McGurk’s Irish Pub & Garden
1200 Russell Blvd, St. Louis, 314.776.8309, mcgurks.com
2nd: Rockwell Beer Co.
3rd: Billy G’s Kirkwood
Honorable Mentions: Vin De Set, Cinder House

FAVORITE CHICKEN WINGS
Syberg’s
Multiple locations, sybergs.com
2nd: Salt + Smoke
3rd: Grace Meat + Three
Honorable Mentions: Sugarfire Smoke House, Three Kings Public House

FAVORITE ROMANTIC SPOT
Brasserie by Niche
4580 Laclede Ave, St. Louis, 314.454.0600, brasseriebyniche.com
2nd: Sidney Street Cafe
3rd: Vin De Set
Honorable Mentions: Louie, Olive + Oak

FAVORITE NEW RESTAURANT
Bowood by Niche
4605 Olive St., St. Louis, 314.454.6868, bowoodbyniche.com
2nd: Twisted Tree Steakhouse
3rd: Songbird
Honorable Mentions: Terror Tacos, Root Food + Wine

FAVORITE AFGHAN
Sameem
4341 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.534.9500, sameems.com
2nd: Taste of Persia
3rd: Majeed
Honorable Mention: Kabul Express

FAVORITE AFRICAN
Meskerem
3210 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.772.4442, meskeremstl.com
2nd: Chez Ali
3rd: The Benevolent King
Honorable Mentions: House of Jollof, African Palace

FAVORITE BOSNIAN
Balkan Treat Box
8103 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314.733.5700, balkantreatbox.com
2nd: Grbic Restaurant
3rd: J’s Pitaria
Honorable Mentions: Lemmons by Grbic, Berix Coffee Restaurant

FAVORITE DINER
Southwest Diner
6803 Southwest Ave., St. Louis, 314.260.7244, southwestdinerstl.com
2nd: Uncle Bill’s Pancake and Dining
3rd: Courtesy Diner
Honorable Mentions: Benton Park Café, Kingside Diner

FAVORITE FOOD TRUCK
Seoul Taco
Multiple locations, seoultaco.com
2nd: Balkan Treat Box 
3rd: Mission Taco Truck
Honorable Mentions: Cajun Seduction, Farmtruk

FAVORITE CAKES/PASTRIES
Nathaniel Reid Bakery
11243 Manchester Road, Kirkwood, 314.858.1019, nrbakery.com
2nd: Jilly’s Cupcake Bar
3rd: La Patisserie Chouquette
Honorable Mentions: SweetArt, Russell’s on Macklind

FAVORITE DELI/SANDWICH SHOP
Gioia’s Deli
Multiple locations, gioiasdeli.com
2nd: The Gramophone
3rd: Blues City Deli 
Honorable Mentions: Union Loafers Café and Bread Bakery, Mom’s Deli

FAVORITE DOUGHNUT SHOP
Old Town Donut Shop
508 New Florissant Road, Florissant, 314.831.0907, oldtowndonuts.com
2nd: Donut Drive-In
3rd: Vincent Van Doughnut
Honorable Mentions: Strange Donuts, World’s Fair Donuts

FAVORITE FINE DINING
Brasserie by Niche
St. Louis, 314.454.0600, brasseriebyniche.com
2nd: Olive + Oak 
3rd: Annie Gunn’s (tie) Louie
Honorable Mentions: Sidney Street Cafe, Tony’s

FAVORITE BURGER
Mac’s Local Eats
5656 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, 314.393.7713, macslocaleats.com (tie)
Hi-Pointe Drive-In
Multiple locations, hipointedrivein.com
2nd: Brasswell
3rd: O’Connell’s Pub 
Honorable Mentions: Stacked STL Burger Bar, Carl’s Drive-In

FAVORITE FROZEN DESSERT
Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery
Multiple locations, clementinescreamery.com 
2nd: Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
3rd: Boardwalk Waffles (tie) The Fountain on Locust
Honorable Mentions: Ices Plain & Fancy, Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream

FAVORITE CAJUN/CREOLE
Broadway Oyster Bar
736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314.621.8811, broadwayoysterbar.com
2nd: Gulf Shores Restaurant
3rd: Sister Cities Cajun (tie) Cajun Seduction
Honorable Mentions: Boogaloo, Graffiti Grub

FAVORITE INDIAN
Himalayan Yeti
3515 S Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis, 314.354.8338, himalayanyetimo.com
2nd: Everest Cafe and Bar 
3rd: House of India (tie) Rasoi 
Honorable Mentions: Turmeric, India Palace

FAVORITE KOREAN
Seoul Taco
Multiple locations, seoultaco.com
2nd: Tiny Chef
3rd: Kimchi Guys 
Honorable Mentions: K-Bop, Kalbi Taco Shack

FAVORITE TACOS
Mission Taco Joint
Multiple locations, missiontacojoint.com
2nd: Taco Buddha
3rd: Tacos La Jefa
Honorable Mentions: Terror Tacos, Seoul Taco

FAVORITE MEXICAN
Mission Taco Joint
Multiple locations, missiontacojoint.com
2nd: Rosalita’s Cantina
3rd: Hacienda (tie) Mi Ranchito
Honorable Mentions: Taqueria El Bronco, Tacos La Jefa

FAVORITE GREEK
Olympia Kebob House
1543 McCausland Ave., St. Louis, 314.781.1299, olympiakebobandtavern.com
2nd: Spiro’s Restaurant
3rd: Anthonino’s Taverna
Honorable Mentions: Michael’s Bar & Grill, The Greek Kitchen

FAVORITE MEDITERRANEAN
Balkan Treat Box
8013 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314.733.5700, balkantreatbox.com
2nd: Anthonino’s Taverna
3rd: Aya Sofia
Honorable Mentions: The Vine Cafe, Layla

FAVORITE MIDDLE EASTERN
Layla
4317 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.553.9252; 20 Allen Ave., Suite 130, Webster Groves, 314.395.6649, laylastl.com
2nd: Aya Sofia
3rd: Ranoush
Honorable Mentions: Sultan Mediterranean Cuisine, J’s Pitaria

FAVORITE SOUTHERN
Grace Meat + Three
4270 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.533.2700, stlgrace.com
2nd: Juniper
3rd: Southern 
Honorable Mentions: Sweetie Pie’s Upper Crust

FAVORITE SOUL FOOD
Sweetie Pie’s Upper Crust
3643 Delmar Blvd #3617, St. Louis, 314.932.5364
2nd: Cathy’s Kitchen
3rd: CC’s Vegan Spot Soul Veganlicious
Honorable Mentions: Creole With a Splash of Soul, Mom’s Soul Food

FAVORITE THAI
King and I
3155 S. Grand Ave., St. Louis, 314.771.1777, kingandistl.com
2nd: Fork & Stix
3rd: Chao Baan
Honorable Mentions: Pad Thai St. Louis, Pearl Cafe

FAVORITE VIETNAMESE
Mai Lee
8396 Musick Memorial Drive, Brentwood, 314.645.2835, maileestl.com
2nd: Pho Grand (Note: Following the poll’s close, Pho Grand announced plans to close June 13.)
3rd: DD Mau
Honorable Mentions: Banh Mi So 1, Lemongrass

FAVORITE RAMEN
Nudo House
6105 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314.370.6970; 11423 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, 314.274.8046, nudohousestl.com
2nd: Ramen Tei
3rd: Robata Maplewood (tie) Nami Ramen
Honorable Mentions: Yummi Tummi, Blue Ocean

FAVORITE VEGETARIAN/VEGAN
Lona’s Lil Eats
2199 California Ave., St. Louis, 314.925.1888, lonaslileats.com
2nd: Lulu’s Local Eatery
3rd: Terror Tacos
Honorable Mentions: Tree House Restaurant, Frida's

FAVORITE SEAFOOD
Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co.
1831 Sidney St., St. Louis, 314.772.8858, peacemakerlobstercrab.com
2nd: Broadway Oyster Bar
3rd: Indo
Honorable Mentions: Gulf Shores Restaurant, Yellowbelly

FAVORITE ASIAN
Indo
1641D Tower Grove Ave, St. Louis, 314.899.9333, indo-stl.com
2nd: Corner 17
3rd: Seoul Taco
Honorable Mention: Cate Zone

FAVORITE FRIED CHICKEN
Grace Meat + Three
4270 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.533.2700, stlgrace.com 
2nd: Hodak's Restaurant
3rd: Juniper
Honorable Mentions: Southern, Porter’s Fried Chicken

FAVORITE BARBECUE
Salt + Smoke
Multiple locations, saltandsmokebbq.com
2nd: Sugarfire Smokehouse 
3rd: Pappy’s Smokehouse
Honorable Mentions: Beast Craft BBQ Co., Adam's Smokehouse

FAVORITE SUSHI
Sushi Ai
Multiple locations, sushiaistlouis.com
2nd: Indo
3rd: Nippon Tei
Honorable Mentions: Café Mochi, Drunken Fish

FAVORITE STEAKHOUSE
Tucker’s Place
Multiple locations, tuckersplacestl.com
2nd: Annie Gunn’s (tie) Twisted Tree Steakhouse
3rd: Citizen Kane’s Steakhouse
Honorable Mentions:  Kreis’ Restaurant, Hamilton’s Urban Steakhouse & Bourbon Bar

FAVORITE PIZZA PLACE
Imo’s
Multiple locations, imospizza.com
2nd: Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria
3rd: Blackthorn Pizza and Pub
Honorable Mentions: Union Loafers Café and Bread Bakery, Sauce on the Side

FAVORITE BRUNCH
The Shack
Multiple locations, eatatshack.com
2nd: Rooster
3rd: Southwest Diner
Honorable Mentions: Brasserie By Niche, Egg

FAVORITE ITALIAN
Pastaria
7734 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton, 314.862.6603, eatpastaria.com
2nd: Trattoria Marcella (tie) Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria
3rd: Zia's
Honorable Mention: Cunetto House of Pasta 

FAVORITE CHINESE
Corner 17
6623 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, 314.727.2402, corner17usa.com
2nd: Mai Lee
3rd: Lona’s Lil Eats
Honorable Mentions: Lu Lu Seafood Restaurant, China King

FAVORITE LATIN AMERICAN
Mayo Ketchup by Plantain Girl
2001 Park Ave, St. Louis, 314.696.2699, plantaingirl.com
2nd: Yemanja Brasil
3rd: Fritanga
Honorable Mention: Asador Del Sur

BARTENDER OF THE YEAR
Madelyn Adams, Blood & Sand (Note: Following the poll’s close, Adams is no longer at Blood & Sand.)
1500 Saint Charles St., St. Louis, 314.241.7263, bloodandsandstl.com
2nd: Sam Linehan, Yellowbelly
3rd: Ted Kilgore, Planter’s House
Honorable Mention: Randy Boyce, The Blue Duck

FAVORITE COCKTAILS
Planter's House
1000 Mississippi Ave, St. Louis, 314.696.2603, plantershousestl.com
2nd: Olive + Oak
3rd: Blood & Sand
Honorable Mentions: Frazer’s, Platypus

FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP
Kaldi’s Coffee
Multiple locations, kaldiscoffee.com
2nd: Blueprint Coffee
3rd: The Mud House 
Honorable Mentions: Picasso’s Coffee House, Park Avenue Coffee

FAVORITE HAPPY HOUR
Mission Taco Joint
Multiple locations, missiontacojoint.com
2nd: Billy G’s Kirkwood
3rd: The Crow’s Nest
Honorable Mentions: Basso, Yellowbelly

FAVORITE GAMES BAR
Pieces
1535 S. 8th St., St. Louis, 314.230.5184, stlpieces.com
2nd: The Silver Ballroom 
3rd: 4 Hands Brewing Co.
Honorable Mentions: Westport Social, Blueberry Hill

FAVORITE PUB
John D. McGurk’s Irish Pub & Garden
1200 Russell Blvd., St. Louis, 314.766.8309, mcgurks.com
2nd: The Scottish Arms
3rd:  O’Connell’s Pub
Honorable Mentions: Llywelyn’s Pub, Helen Fitzgerald’s

FAVORITE SPORTS BAR
Amsterdam Tavern
3175 Morgan Ford Road, St. Louis, 314.772.8224, amsterdamtavern.com
2nd: Syberg's
3rd: The Post Sports Bar & Grill
Honorable Mentions: Joey B’s, Tamm Avenue Bar

FAVORITE WINE BAR
Sasha’s Wine Bars
706 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, 314.863.7274; 4069 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, 314.771.7274, sashaswinebar.com
2nd: Robust Wine Bar
3rd: EdgeWild Restaurant & Winery
Honorable Mentions: Brennan's, 33 Wine Shop & Bar

FAVORITE LOCAL DISTILLERY
1220 Artisan Spirits
1220spirits.com
2nd: Pinckney Bend Distillery (tie) Square One Brewery & Distillery
3rd: Switchgrass Spirits Distillery
Honorable Mentions: Still 630 Distillery, Stumpy’s Spirits Distillery

FAVORITE LOCAL WINERY
Noboleis Vineyards
100 Hemsath Road, Augusta, 636.482.4500, noboleisvineyards.com
2nd: Chandler Hill Vineyards
3rd: Wild Sun Winery (tie) Cedar Lake Cellars Winery 
Honorable Mentions: Stone Hill Winery, Montelle Winery

FAVORITE BEER BAR
Side Project Brewing
7458 Manchester Road, Maplewood, sideprojectbrewing.com
2nd: Three Kings Public House
3rd: International Tap House
Honorable Mentions: Amsterdam Tavern, Gezellig

FAVORITE BREWERY
4 Hands Brewing Co.
1220 S. Eighth St., St. Louis, 314.436.1559, 4handsbrewery.com
2nd: Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. 
3rd: Schlafly
Honorable Mentions: Rockwell Beer Co., Perennial Artisan Ales

FAVORITE BUTCHER SHOP
Bolyard’s Meat & Provisions
2733 Sutton Blvd., Maplewood, 314.647.2526, bolyardsmeat.com
2nd: Kenrick’s Meats and Catering
3rd: G&W Meats 
Honorable Mentions: Mannino’s Market, Beast Butcher & Block

FAVORITE BREAD
Union Loafers Café and Bread Bakery
1629 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, 314.833.6111, unionloafers.com
2nd: Companion Bakery
3rd: Vitale’s Bakery (tie) Missouri Baking Co.
Honorable Mentions: Knead Bakehouse, Federhofer’s Bakery

FAVORITE FARMERS MARKET
Tower Grove Farmers’ Market
Tower Grove Park, Center Cross Drive, St. Louis, tgfarmersmarket.com
2nd: Soulard Farmers Market
3rd: Kirkwood Farmers’ Market
Honorable Mentions: Ferguson Farmers’ Market, Lake Saint Louis Farmers and Artist Market

FAVORITE LOCAL GROCERY
Dierbergs
Multiple locations, dierbergs.com
2nd: Schnucks
3rd: Jay International Food Co.
Honorable Mentions: Straub’s, DiGregorio’s Italian Market

FAVORITE SPECIALTY SHOP
Crown Candy Kitchen
1401 St. Louis Ave., St. Louis, 314.621.9650, crowncandykitchen.net
2nd: Parker’s Table
3rd: Volpi Foods 
Honorable Mentions: AO&Co, Bob’s Seafood

FAVORITE BOTTLE SHOP
Randall’s Wines & Spirits
1910 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, 314.865.0199, shoprandalls.com
2nd: Intoxicology
3rd: The Wine and Cheese Place
Honorable Mentions: Parker’s Table, Civil Alchemy