Steve’s Hot Dogs founder Steve Ewing’s 10 favorite St. Louis restaurants

When Steve Ewing, the founder and co-owner of Steve’s Hot Dogs and Steve’s Meltdown, talks about cake, he gets serious. He places his palms on the table and declares, “Listen. I love cake.” But that isn’t all he loves. Ewing’s eclectic palate includes a passion for sushi, Cantonese baked barbecue buns, burnt ends, cheeseburgers and much more. These are the 10 restaurants and bars where you’re most likely to find him.

 

 

Balkan Treat Box
“Balkan and I are direct neighbors at CityPark. I tell [Balkan Treat Box co-owner Loryn Nalic] to make whatever she feels like making. ‘Make me something,’ I say. And it’s a privilege. The last thing she cooked up didn’t even make it to the car.”
8103 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314.733.5700, balkantreatbox.com

Chimichanga’s Mexican Restaurant
“This is family-style, a great place to take my daughter. There’s nothing that special about it, but the food’s fast and hot, and I have great memories there.”
5425 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.352.0202, chimichangasstl.com

The Gramophone
“I’m a big sandwich guy, and these are the best sandwiches in St. Louis. The Mississippi Nights Club has everything but the kitchen sink: turkey, roast beef, bacon, pepper jack.”
4243 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.531.5700, gramophonestl.com

 

 

Grand Spirits Bottle Co.
“They have small plates, but I’m talking about the huge assortment of tequilas: straight and chilled; doubled or tripled.”
3194 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, grandspiritsco.com

Kampai Sushi Bar
“I go in a group. Nigiri, straight up. Salmon, tuna, smoked eel. Hot sake.”
4949 W. Pine Blvd., St. Louis, 314.367.2020, kampaisushibarstl.com 

Mac’s Local Eats
“I get a double, maybe triple cheeseburger. Three patties, I mean …”
5656 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, 314.393.7713, macslocaleats.com 

Planter’s House
“The martini. I have mine with gin, pretty smooth and simple. I can drink them all night. Sometimes, that means five!”
1000 Mississippi Ave., St. Louis, 314.696.2603, plantershousestl.com 

 

 

The Royale Food & Spirits
“I’m a pretty simple guy and the burgers don’t get much better than the ones at The Royale – chargrilled, raw onions, American cheese and ketchup. See what I mean? Simple.”
3132 S. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, 314.772.3600, theroyale.com

The Shaved Duck Smokehouse
“I get the burnt ends, but you’ve gotta get there; they sell out.”
2900 Virginia Ave., St. Louis, 314.776.1407, theshavedduck.com

Wei Hong Bakery
“I go about once a month for their barbecue buns. I love ribs inside buns. They’re like kolaches, only bigger, and glossy on top. They sell out every day. I usually take them to parties.” 
3175 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.773.8318, prod.getmymeal.com/en/weihongbakery