Restaurants come and go, but not these classics. These family-owned restaurants were built to last and they survive still because of the love and dedication of their proprietors — who either continue to own them, or have their descendants own them, no matter how many years have passed. Many of them showcase the food of […]
Restaurants come and go, but not these classics. These family-owned restaurants were built to last and they survive still because of the love and dedication of their proprietors — who either continue to own them, or have their descendants own them, no matter how many years have passed. Many of them showcase the food of the family’s home country and some of them were built just so they could be passed down for generations. If you want something with history or something of quality, your search ends here. These are the special places that are carrying on grandma’s recipe.Restaurants come and go, but not these classics. These family-owned restaurants were built to last and they survive still because of the love and dedication of their proprietors — who either continue to own them, or have their descendants own them, no matter how many years have passed. Many of them showcase the food of the family’s home country and some of them were built just so they could be passed down for generations. If you want something with history or something of quality, your search ends here. These are the special places that are carrying on grandma’s recipe.
1401 St. Louis Ave.
The beloved candy shop and soda fountain was founded in 1913 and has stayed in the same family and in the same building ever since. This St. Louis institution is famous for its candies, its malts and its “Heart Stoping BLT”s.
Photo courtesy of Keith Yahl
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6726 Chippewa St.
Tennis champion Ted Drewes Sr. launched this St. Louis institution in 1930, adding additional stands in 1931 and 1941. Four generations later, the frozen custard stand has two thriving locations, selling ice cream and Christmas trees with equal aplomb to huge south-city crowds.
Photo courtesy of Philip Leara / Flickr
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6400 Oakland Ave.
Joe Jovanovich’s maternal grandfather founded the iconic Dogtown establishment 75 years ago, his mom and dad eventually took over the business, and he grew up in the place. At age 11, Jovanovich’s world came crashing down at the age of eleven when his dad passed away suddenly from an aneurysm. Six years later his mom sold the bar. But a few years ago, Jovanovich and his mom bought back the Pat Connolly Tavern and restored it to its original glory. – Cheryl Baehr
Photo courtesy of Kelly Gueck
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7752 Forsyth Blvd.
This family-owned place was founded by Tony and Kathy Pietoso in 1989. Located in Clayton, it’s a great place for a business lunch or after-work cocktails. Tony Pietoso is an omnipresent force in this coolly modern dining room. The restaurant offers a relatively short list of pastas complemented by Italian standards, along with exquisite signature dishes.
Photo courtesy of Stephen Fairbanks
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5101 Shaw Ave.
Adriana’s on the Hill has been a sandwich institution for the past nineteen years, owned and run by Adriana Fazio and her daughters, Suzanne, Dianna and Tia. Their sandwiches are an explosion of tastes, and best-suited for those who are prepared to get a little messy with their lunch. – Tara Mahadevan
Photo courtesy of Tara Mahadevan
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3332 Watson Rd.
The menu offers something for everybody — pizza, sandwiches (including one of the best veal parms around) and pasta. Biggie’s isn’t merely a great neighborhood restaurant but its own neighborhood, a place where anyone can feel a part of the community.
Photo courtesy of Kate Bockhold
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951 Jungermann Rd.
Don’t let this restaurant’s unfortunate location between a Dollar Tree and a Subway scare you off. Joan and Pete Pulizzi serve up word-class Sicilian food so good that you’ll think you’re dreaming.
Photo courtesy of Google Maps
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1200 N. 1st St.
Al’s is special. Opened in 1925, it’s the city’s oldest, single-family, locally owned and operated restaurant still in its original location. This is the mother of all family restaurants.
Photo by John Schoemehl
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3155 S. Grand Ave.
Located at the corner of South Grand Avenue and Juniata Street, the space provides prime people-watching or simply a comfortable spot to hunker down for a hot meal. Open since 1980, Suchin Prapaisilp’s restaurant specializes in Thai cuisine with influences from Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese eats. – Mabel Suen
Photo courtesy of Mabel Suen
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4071 S. Grand Blvd.
Thomas and Lynn Truong serve the area’s best spring rolls. And egg rolls. And charred pork banh mi. And, well, basically everything. – Cheryl Baehr
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Baehr
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8396 Musick Memorial Dr. Brentwood, MO
Owner Lee Tran keeps her family close. Her children Linda, Qui and Sara are all involved with her restaurant. Check out her spring rolls, roast duck or pho. Mai Lee is a Vietnamese restaurant but when it opened it was a Chinese restaurant, so a selection of Chinese dishes still remain available.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Silverberg
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3221 S. Grand Blvd.
Café Mochi is a hip little place located in the heart of South Grand. Living in a land-locked state, we run the risk of stale-tasting fish every time we go out for seafood, but this family-run joint always keeps it fresh. – Caillin Murray.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Silverberg
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3200 S. Grand Blvd.
Behshid Bahrami, who founded Cafe Natasha, passed away at the end of 2016, but his family continues on in his name. The restaurant was named after his daughter, Natasha, who took over operations four years ago. Stop in for Persian specialties like lamb and try his signature kabob marinade.
Photo courtesy of Natasha Bahrami
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184 Washington St. Florissant, MO
This quintessential corner tavern has been in the same family since 1955, and not much seems to have changed since then. The neighborhood joint makes some of the best thin-crust pizza in town, served with (gasp) mozzarella cheese.
Photo courtesy of Google Maps
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