St. Louis food and drink events

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Taste Of Maplewood 2017

The list of participants offering food and/or drink at Saturday’s Taste of Maplewood Street Festival is stunning!

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Here’s a sampling:

Maya Cafe

Bolyard’s Meats and Provisions

Strange Donuts

Vom Fass

Foundation Grounds

The Blue Duck

The Muddled Pig

Reed’s American Table

Boogaloo

Mauhaus

Mauhaus Cat Cafe

Kakao

Tapped

Gus’s Fried Chicken

The Post Sports Bar

Boardwalk Waffles and Ice Cream

Saratoga Lanes

Prioritized Pastries

Larder and Cupboard

Among others. The event begins at noon on Saturday, May 20 and runs til 9:00 p.m. There is musical entertainment throughout the day.

Everything happens on Sutton, south of Manchester in Maplewood.

How about some candied bacon on a stick?

Bacon stick

Empanada?

empanada

Click HERE for more info including where to park.

I am honored to be a judge for the competition among vendors for best sweet tooth item, best savory dish, best cocktail and best overall item. Also judging are Mike Arnold who posts on Instagram and Twitter as @GusGusFunBus and Pat McGonigle, personable newsguy for Newschannel 5 (KSDK).

This is a fun event and it’s not just for people in the Maplewood/Mid-County area. Everybody is welcome.

Maplewood street #2

 

 

 

 

 

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Freeze-Que At The Roadhouse

Most barbecue competitions occur in spring, summer and fall. How about one in the middle of winter?

Bill Kunz and company are hosting the 7th annual Freeze-Que this weekend at Highway 61 Roadhouse in Webster Groves. Hours are noon-5:00 p.m. on Saturday (1/28) and noon-4:00 p.m. on Sunday (1/29).

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The Freeze-Que offers a good opportunity for you to spend some time outdoors in the winter cold, enjoying delicious ribs from nearly 50 competitive teams! Full bar service will be available. And there will be live music both afternoons on the Roadhouse lot.

If you get too cold, you can always take refuge inside the Roadhouse. Weekend highs will struggle to hit 40 degrees, according to forecasts. Not frigid, but cool enough to appreciate winter. (The photo below is from a springtime event at the Roadhouse.)

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Proceeds from the Freeze-Que benefit the Carney’s Kids Foundation which provides funds to several worthy children’s organizations.

Highway 61 Roadhouse is located at 34 South Old Orchard Avenue in Webster Groves (63119).

 

 

 

 

 

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Wing Ding Thursday Night (8/11)

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This Thursday night, August 11, come to Queeny Park and eat chicken wings! In vast quantities! (And enjoy a beer or two as well.)

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Tickets are $25 in advance. (Order by Tuesday, August 9 to get the advance ticket deal.) Cost is $30 at the door. Click HERE to order advance tickets and get info on VIP, Youth and Kid tickets.

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The annual UCP Wing Ding starts at 6:00 p.m. and you should come hungry. Wings will be offered by several of the St. Louis area’s best wings purveyors.

This year’s list includes Southern, Sugarfire Smokehouse, St. Louis Wing Company, Hotshots, Highway 61 Roadhouse, Barrister’s, Three Kings Public House, Big Chief Restaurant, EdgeWild Bistro, Frailey’s, The Slider House, Walnut Grill, Wheelhouse and Balentine’s among others.

Wings!

I have served as a judge for the past four Wing Ding’s and can personally attest that this is a fun night for friends and family. Bring a bunch of people with you! You will enjoy traditional wing preparations as well as some rather creative ones. (Unfortunately, I will be unable to judge at this year’s event due to family commitments.)

If you have questions about the event, call 636) 779-2253 or click HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wing Ding is sponsored by Schlafly, CARF International, 105.7 The Point, Coca-Cola, Ices Plain and Fancy and Nothing Bundt Cakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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New Ballpark Food at Busch

Hot dogs, nachos, peanuts and Cracker Jack are the ballpark classics, of course. With a Bud or a Bud Light.

Ballpark

But when we go to Busch Stadium nowadays, sometimes we want something different. Something above and beyond. Like these new items the Cardinals have added for the 2016 season.

Meatball Cone

The Meatball Cone is, well, a cone filled with meatballs. The cone itself is not exactly like an ice cream cone—it’s a bit more substantial—but it allows you to carry it around like an ice cream cone. The meatballs are topped with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella.

The Meatball Cone goes for $15 and is available at stand near section 152 (behind home plate on the main concourse). It goes a long way toward filling you up.

Chicarrons

A new variation on nachos is the Chicharron. It features fried pork skins (we called ’em “cracklings” down south), topped with pulled pork or taco beef, nacho cheese and assorted toppings.

Score your chicharrons for $15 at mobile stands near sections 131 and 152. Also on the upper level near section 450.

Ribs at Busch

St. Louis has gone gaga for barbecue during the last decade and now the Cardinals are smoking ribs. A platter of ribs with coleslaw and potato salad goes for $20, at the stand near section 109 (right field bleachers).

Turkey Burger

Among the other new savory items at Busch this year are the Turkey Burger (shown above, $12) and a Vegan burger ($12) at stands near sections 135 and 458 and Italian hoagies (beef brisket or Italian sausage) for $14 at the stand near section 152.

Dinger's Donuts

A personal favorite for the sweet tooth are the Dinger’s Donuts. They’re fried up fresh and served up at a stand on the main concourse near section 145. You can top ’em with chocolate, vanilla or maple glaze. They go 14 for $6. Or a helmet full for $14.

Have a hot dog or a brat it you must—hey, it’s tradition—but I suggest you also treat yourself to a new and different ballpark indulgence! Or two. Or three.

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STL Cigar Box Guitar Festival

On Saturday, June 4, Highway 61 Roadhouse in Webster Groves hosts the 4th annual St. Louis Cigar Box Guitar Festival, starting at noon. It’s a FREE event!

Why would someone make a guitar out of a cigar box? In the 1800’s, people discovered that cigar boxes, which were widely available, provided needed resonance. In 2016, it’s a growing retro craft.

Heidi Glaus visited with Russ Wellington and Gary Herget recently on Show Me St. Louis on KSDK to learn about cigar box guitars.

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Click HERE to view the Show Me St. Louis video.

Roots/blues guitarist Justin Johnson is the featured performer at the CBG Fest. He displayed his talent on KTRS radio with McGraw Milhaven and Kelly Jackson.

Justin also chatted about cigar box guitars with Ron Steven and Joy Grdnic.

Justin will be hosting an interactive guitar workshop at the Roadhouse on the day of the festival starting at 10:00 a.m. There is a $10 donation requested for the workshop with all proceeds going to Six String Heroes, a group that provides guitars and guitar lessons for injured veterans. To learn more about Justin, you can visit his website by clicking HERE.

The 4th annual St. Louis Cigar Box Festival is sponsored by Lagunitas Brewing Company of Petaluma, California (just north of San Francisco).

 

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Click HERE to take a look at the Lagunitas beer lineup, many of which are available at the Roadhouse. Here’s a cool Lagunitas video:

Highway 61 Roadhouse is located at 34 South Old Orchard Avenue in Webster Groves, Missouri. 314-968-0061. Click HERE to visit the Roadhouse website.

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St. Louis Brewers Heritage Beer Festival

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The St. Louis Brewers Guild Heritage Beer Festival is being held this year along the Mississippi riverfront. Breweries will be pouring along Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard, just below the Arch grounds.

The event is set for Saturday, June 4 with two sessions: noon to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

I chatted with Troika Brodsky, executive director of the guild about this year’s festival. Our conversation runs 7:37. Click to listen. I began by asking him to describe this year’s festival setting.

 

As Troika mentioned, there is a strong chance that tickets will sell out for the beer festival. To purchase advance tickets, click HERE.

It is a good idea to ride Metrolink to the festival. The Arch-Laclede’s Landing station is not far from the beer festival entry point.

 

 

 

 

 

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Newsy Notes

Dogwood

Happy Springtime!

 

  • If anybody can make the Bevo Mill a successful food/drink venue, Paul and Wendy Hamilton can. Here’s hoping their bid for redevelopment and operation of the Gravois landmark is the one chosen by the LCRA. Click HERE for the stltoday.com story.
  • My wife wanted pancakes so we went to Cracker Barrel. Was surprised when we visited to see a poster for R & B singer Anthony Hamilton’s latest album. The chain usually does such promotions only with country artists. Click HERE for the media release re the Hamilton deal. (BTW, she liked her pancakes.)
  • On my first night in St. Louis for my new job in 1988 I went to Hacienda on Manchester in Rock Hill for a brew and a bite. Since then, Hacienda has thrived as a major party venue (especially after they expanded their patio). They’ll be hosting a huge Cinco de Mayo event next Thursday. Lunch begins at 11:00 a.m. A DJ begins spinning at 1:00 p.m, then live performers Perry Woods (2:30 p.m.) and Dirty Mugs (5:00 p.m.) take over. NO COVER CHARGE! Click HERE for full info, including details about remote parking/shuttle bus service.
  • Among the many spots offering Mother’s Day buffets (Sunday, May 8) are the Four Seasons Hotel, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (79/person); the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (89/person); the A-B Biergarten, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (25/person); Moulin, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (32.99/person); Riverbend, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (order from menu.) For this busy dining day, it’s best to make advance reservations.
  • Editorial comment: If your barbecue (pulled pork, especially) is superior, it’s not necessary to drench it with sauce. If it’s not quite up to par, then slather away and drown the meat.
  • The first Sauce Magazine Food Truck Friday of 2016 happens on Friday, May 13 at Tower Grove Park. Details HERE.
  • The 4th Annual St. Louis Cigar Box Guitar Festival (an event I am helping promote) is set for Saturday, June 4, noon to 6:00 p.m. at Highway 61 Roadhouse in Webster Groves. Click HERE for the CBG Fest’s Facebook page.
  • Below is a photo of the scallops appetizer my wife enjoyed at Pearl’s Oyster Bar at Ameristar Casino in St. Charles. One of many tasty items on their menu.ScallopsAmeristar

 

 

 

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Crestwood Plaza Goodbye Event

On Saturday, April 16, beginning at 11:00 a.m., 26 food trucks will assemble outside Crestwood Court on Watson Road. Later in the day there will be live music.

Click HERE for event details.

At some time soon, all the connected buildings will be demolished and a new development will arise on the site. Unfortunately, a number of things caused the demise of Crestwood Plaza. Among its shortcomings (which it managed to overcome for decades) was its lack of close proximity to an interstate highway.

I was thinking last night about all the time and money my family spent at Crestwood Plaza.

Lots of meals at Chevy’s (fish tacos and a couple of Negra Modelos was my usual order) and Pasta House Company (pasta con broccoli). A few muffins and such at the Breadco up at the Famous-Barr end of the mall. And the occasional snacks from the food court.

Birthday parties at Exhilarama. MDA telethons. Radio station events in the Dillard’s court. Lemony Snicket books at B. Dalton. Toys galore from KayBee. Goofy items from Everything’s A Dollar. My first reading glasses from Sears Optical.

Many clothing and shoe purchases throughout the mall. Our first flip phones from the Sprint kiosk. And while the AMC theater was not my favorite I saw several films there. My Big Fat Greek Wedding was the last one I recall seeing at Crestwood.

To all the folks who shopped or worked at Crestwood Plaza, Saturday offers one more time to reminisce.

 

 

 

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Hungry Girl in STL on April 20

Lisa Lillien AKA Hungry Girl returns to St. Louis on Wednesday, April 20, 7:00 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. It’s a FREE appearance, but you need to obtain an advance ticket.

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Lisa will be in town for a Jewish Book Festival event and will be promoting her newest book Clean & Hungry. Important note: “Snacks will be served.”

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Here is my interview with Lisa recorded in fall of 2012 for the Food Talk STL radio show, just ahead of an appearance at a Dierberg’s store.

 

In the interview, Lisa mentions throwing out a first pitch at a Cardinals game. (Hmmm. There’s a day game against the Cubs at Busch Stadium on her appearance date. Maybe she could enjoy a repeat performance?)

For (free) tickets to see Lisa on 4/20 at the J, you can call 314-442-3299 OR you can send an email to mjkambal@jccstl.org OR you can stop by the box office at the JCC Arts and Education building. Location is 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis 63146.

For more info about Lisa at her Hungry Girl website, click HERE.

 

 

 

 

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3/10 Fundraiser for Soccer Park

The A-B Biergarten is hosting a fundraiser Thursday, March 10, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., to support restoration efforts for World Wide Technology Soccer Park, following recent flood damage.

Tickets for the event are 50 dollars. Guests will enjoy a variety of food and beverages plus live music. Attendees can bid on a number of attractive items in the silent auction. To purchase tickets, click HERE.

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During the event, checks will be presented by officials from Anheuser-Busch and Grey Eagle Distributors to help support the cause.

The popular soccer venue’s convenient location, off I-44 just west of I-270, is close to the Meramec River whose high waters caused extensive damage to much of the facility. The photo below from stltoday.com shows the extent of recent flooding.

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Thursday’s event offers a perfect opportunity for the STL soccer community to provide needed help. The soccer park, which opened in 1982, has hosted soccer matches at all levels of play, as well as numerous other events. Almost everyone involved in the St. Louis soccer scene has played or attended games there.

For more information about World Wide Technology Soccer Park, click HERE.

The Anheuser-Busch Biergarten is located at 1200 Lynch Street, adjacent to the brewery.