La Tiendita in Ellisville serves some of the most thrilling Mexican food in the region

Sauce 75: the essential St. Louis restaurants right now

Drive along the stretch of Manchester Road west of I-270 running through Manchester, Ballwin and Ellisville, and you’re on the doorstep of some of the most thrilling Mexican food in the region. We’ve been tracking La Tiendita ever since we fell for their tacos at CityPark in 2023, and while they no longer have a presence at the stadium, they’re still doing great things at their Ellisville restaurant and grocery store with carne asada, pollo pibil and barbacoa. The pibil sauce for the chicken is brightly colored from achiote and has layered heat with a fruity finish. The carne asada served with cilantro and onion is simpler, but a dash of their salsa kicks it up a notch. Choose your meat (non-meat options are scarce), then opt for one of three delivery methods: tacos, flautas or gorditas (pita-style pockets made with masa dough). Order the frijoles charros (“cowboy beans”) for a rich, hearty and slightly spicy bean soup with various meats, garlic, onion and chiles. There’s limited space for dine-in customers, so news that the restaurant is set to expand into the space next door is welcome. It’s also a sign this restaurant is going places.

15821 Manchester Road, Ellisville, 636.220.6422

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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.