Ask Eric Heckman to describe himself and he’ll say, “ I’m just a guy living in Fenton who works in Clayton.” True, but what Fenton may not realize is that it has a culinary star to claim as its own. Heckman is an award-winning restaurateur and owner of Tani Sushi Bristro - chosen as the best sushi restaurant in Missouri by the Travel Channel. Heckman along with his wife, Jenny, who serves as Tani’s chef and sushi master, earned the Travel Channel's prestigious honor as a result of Tani’s menu that uses both traditional recipes and fusion applications to create sushi that's flavorful and fun. …

Serious steak-and-potato fans have made Sam’s Steakhouse a destination for 20 years. Thick cuts of tenderloin, NY strip, prime rib and Porterhouse star along side gigantic paper-wrapped baked potatoes dressed with butter and sour cream and chives. Sam’s traditional steakhouse fare is served in a dining room that’s classically set with crisp white tableclothes, votives and chargers (oversized plates that designate each place setting). Waiters are welcoming and work to pace dinners to prevent courses from overlapping one other. Steak is the star. The smallest weighs in at eight ounces for …

Terrazza Grill is built on tradition, a resturant tradition established in 1934 by the Lombardo family. Terrazza Grill is the fifth operation for the Lombardo family and its first venture into Arnold. Located about a block west of Jeffco Boulevard on  Hwy 141,Terrazza Grill is easy to spot. Its exterior is reminiscent of a neo-Tuscan style villa built with an eye-catching stone façade. Inside the décor is contemporary with vintage St Louis photographs serving as wall art. Its open dining room is sectioned by partial partitions that provides an intimate feel and a limited room view, except of …

Hungry for breakfast but you overslept, and it’s noon? No worries. Late risers looking for bacon and eggs served for lunch need only find their way to First Watch in Dierbergs Telegraph Plaza. “I like to say we’re the best keep secret here,” said Oakville’s First Watch Manager Les Whitehall, remarking how his store is often overlooked in the busy plaza anchored by Dierbergs. “You can stop in anytime during our hours and have breakfast for lunch or lunch for breakfast,” he said. Doors open at 7 a.m. and close at 2:30 p.m. The open dining room is appointed with tables and booths that can …

Grabbing a burger doesn’t always mean eating at a drive-through burger chain. You have options, especially in Fenton at the Dierberg’s Center at Hwy. 141 and Old Smizer Mill Road where the hungry can enjoy a burger or a three-course meal at d. Dooley’s 026 Burgers are among Dooley's specialties with the 8-ounce Fentonite burger built on Texas toast and dressed with American cheese, bacon, onion rings ranking as a customer top pick. Carnivores can opt for one of the 12-ounce dinner burgers as the Patty Melt. Looking to cut the fat, substitute bison for beef for just $1. Beyond burgers there …

Looking for a dining destination that's a fast drive from northern Jefferson or south St Louis County? Consider The Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery. Located just a few miles south of Arnold in Kimmswick, the Blue Owl is renowned for mountainous pies and generous servings with a menu that offers hearty fare that can satisfy guys as well as ladies who lunch. The Blue Owl’s décor is country without the frou-frou. Wood paneling and comfortable chairs encourage one to relax, eat and enjoy.  Chalkboards in the multiple dining areas promote the day’s house specialties as Chicken ‘n Dumplings, …

"Eat Rite or Don’t Eat At All" has been the mantra of the Eat-Rite Diner in Concord Village for more than 30 years. Short orders of burgers, slingers and plate lunch specials are the menu’s mainstay. Like the menu itself, Eat-Rite isn’t fancy. It's housed in an unassuming storefront tucked in the middle of an old building facing South Lindbergh at the Concord Village Avenue wedge.  Inside decoration is bare bones, chrome tables and chairs and the iconic counter fitted with bar stools that face the grill. The only added element not original to its 1970s decor is the ATM placed near the …

Uncomplicated, affordable St Louis-style Italian cuisine is the house specialty at Rizzo’s of South County where its daily lunch and early bird dinner specials continues to provide a dining stimulus for the budget minded.  Daily specials average $9.95 for lunch with early bird dinner rates topping off at $10.95, which includes an entrée, salad and side. Always counted among Rizzos’ specials are the Chicken and Beef Speidini, signature items that have been featured since its opening in 1987.  Speidini prep for both chicken or beef marinates the meat before its rolled in seasoned breadcrumbs, …

Beginning July 13 Maggie’s Lunchbox is celebrating three squares a day when it opens for dinner with its After Dark menu. "We wanted to give people working and living in the area another option for dinner," said Maggie's co-owner Ben Aschinger. “To celebrate the addition we’re having a grand opening on July 13 complete with music.” Maggie’s Lunchbox originally built its reputation on breakfast and lunch along with its daily selection of house baked breads, pies and pastries. Breakfast options range from a Danish with coffee to a nice mix of eggs, pancakes, breakfast meats and biscuits. …

Home-style cooking has made Miss Sheri’s Cafeteria a culinary landmark where South Countians have gathered for decades to consume comfort food dished up in single serving bowls. Filling those bowls are the foods your grandmother use to make -  Swiss steak, pork chops and dressing, Jello salads, creamed spinach, stewed tomatoes and ambrosia. They are foods seldom prepared by home cooks that Miss Sheri’s cooks up weekly and serves on the line. Check the menu board to find the day’s entrées and specials. Among the list served every day is roast beef and fried cod, with cod elevated to one of  …

La Pachanga welcomes each guest with a hearty Bienvenido (that’s welcome in Spanish) and the traditional basket of chips and salsa.  “We always say welcome because we’re really glad to have you here,” said the La Pachanga server with a smile. “We even print bienvenido on our menu.” La Pachanga is tucked into the Jefferson County Plaza off Vogel Road. Its menu is extensive, containing the expected combination plates and the unexpected house expecialdades emphasizing the flavors of Jalisco, Mexico. One example is the Carnitas, a popular Jalisco recipe that slow simmers pork tips in a spicy …

Italian food specialties are easily found on the hill, “The Hill” Italian neighborhood in St. Louis, but the little hill in Oakville at Telegraph at Erb roads where you’ll find Garavaglia’s Market, whose deli sandwiches are a specialty. Garavaglia’s features Boar's Head meats and cheeses in addition to products from local sausages makers as Oldani, Piekutowski’s and G&W. Customers can custom order sandwiches or pick from 17 different combos such as the Oakville Special, a mega sub with roast beef, ham, salami, Provel, Cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and horseradish sauce.  The Dagwood…

El Maguey Mexican Restaurant has earned a loyal following for good reason. Its been serving good food at affordable prices since it opened in Concord Plaza years ago. Over those years little has changed. The dining room décor still features Mexican folk art and paintings, which decorate the walls to the lacquered tabletops. The menu still offers its combination plates, the traditional favorite with cost conscious customers. There has been a few changes since El Maguey opened. A second dining room and bar was added a while back along and the menu has been expanded. Added to the menu are …

Chinese cuisine is closer to High Ridge than one might expect thanks to China Wok, located at the intersection of Highway 30 west and High Ridge Boulevard. China Wok’s official address is 1009 Crossroads Place, and it is housed in an unassuming strip center facing Highway 30. Cantonese, Hunan and America-Chinese dominate the menu and include the mandatory  must haves - General Tso’s Chicken, Egg Foo Young and Chow Mein. Yet, beyond these Chinese classics are several surpises. There are five styles of Moo Shu with Mandarin pancakes, a Chinese gourmet specialty not often found on menus.   Mei …

Bosnian cuisine is the Berix Restaurant specialty. And while Bosnian food may be unfamiliar, Berix’s menu offers a mix that can satisfy the most discriminating palate. Service begins at 9 a.m. Monday  through Saturday with a limited breakfast. Just two choices, Bosnian-style sausage and egg platter and Pura, a dish similar to polenta that’s topped with cheese and sour cream.  The morning cup of choice, Berix’ own custom roasted Turkish coffee that's served throughout the day. Other coffees brewed are espresso, cappuccino and "American coffee." Behind the front counter a backlit menu provides …

Rise and shine. There’s a new day breaking and a name change at the Arnold eatery, The Sunny Street Café, formerly known as the Rise & Dine Restaurant. Sunny Street Café hasn’t changed much except for the name and the expanding hours. No longer a breakfast and lunch haunt, Sunny Street Café will now stay open for dinner.  As for the menu, it’s remains unchanged. That’s good news for customers who have enjoyed the restaurant’s dependable breakfast line-up and lunch standards that are now available for dinner, which includes the entire breakfast menu. Breakfast in either the AM or PM dishes up …

Opening day business was brisk for Joey B’s Food & Drink, the much-anticipated addition to the South County restaurant mix. “This is the third installment of the Joey B’s brand in just under seven years,” said South County native Joey Barczewski, noting how he began his restaurant career 16 years earlier busing tables for his business partner’s father, Bill Gianino. “We’re excited to be opening here in Concord Plaza. I think the area is a nice fit for what we have to offer.” Joey B’s offers a solid menu with enough diversity to appeal to most anyone. Headlineing the list of customer favorites…

As the saying goes, “what’s old is new again” can best describe River City Casino’s concept for its 1904 Steak House. Housed within the old space occupied by the late Jeff Ruby’s, the 1904 Steak House reflects the elegance of St. Louis’ turn of the century glory of Gilded Age opulence. It was a time when fine dining was defined by its menu, which always featured fine steaks and seafood. Following this age-old tradition, the 1904’s Steak House’s dining room is plush - appointed with rich, wood paneling, crystal chandlers and a wine room nestled in its core where more than 300 bottles are …

Down-home cooking, sensibly priced and simply served is what you can expect from Holland Café & Meats in Fenton. Holland’s is an operation that combines an old-fashioned meat market with restaurant service. With an on-site meat market Holland's can source all its meats, ensuring the best selection of available meats, fish and cold cuts to produce its entrees, sandwiches and signature barbecue specialties. Lunch and dinner are dished from a hot- line filled with vegetables, barbecue and the day’s blue-plate special. Depending on the day of the week you could feast on pork chops, chicken and …

Spaghetti, sandwiches and salad are the foundation to the simple menu that’s made P’sghetti’s Pasta and Sandwiches a South County landmark eatery. “It works (the menu) and people like us because we’re family friendly and you get a lot for you money,” said P’sghetti’s owner Colleen Brannan who, with husband Bill, opened the operation in 1987. Topping P’sghetti’s cost-plus menu is a collection of hot and cold sandwiches, all built to order on its signature homemade sweet bread. Loyal customers recommend the Super Sub, a house specialty that layers beef, ham, salami, American and Provel cheese …