Bagel Union in Webster Groves replicates the success of Union Loafers Cafe and Bread Bakery

Sauce 75: the essential St. Louis restaurants right now

Co-owners Ted Wilson and Sean Netzer have replicated the success of Union Loafers Cafe and Bread Bakery with this on-point Webster Groves bagel shop. A bite of the generously seasoned everything bagel with lox schmear (made using Sierra Nevada Cheese Co. cream cheese) confirms the kitchen knows its way around the classics, and signature sandwiches like the spicy Iggy – smoked salmon, scallion cream cheese, red onion, cilantro salad and Passenger Foods chile crisp on tzitzelnickel bagel – have distinguished Bagel Union from the outset. But every visit here is exciting because there’s always something new to try, from cacio e pepe cream cheese to specials like the sambal bagel with chile crab and scallion cream cheese.

Bagel Union, 8705 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314.320.7556, bagel-union.com

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The Sauce 75 is a photomosaic of the best in St. Louis dining in 2024. This list is a celebration of the diverse skills, techniques and culinary traditions that meet across our region. In sum, it tells a story about where St. Louis has been, where it is now and where it’s going next. Many great and good St. Louis restaurants have not made the cut. (Seventy-five is a lot fewer than you think!) Restaurants are constantly growing and evolving and go through ups and downs. Newly opened restaurants can take time to find their feet: There are a few exciting new places we’re cheering for, but which we feel haven’t yet fully hit their stride. Read the entire list here.