St. Louis cuisine facts for kids
St. Louis cuisine is all about the yummy food and cooking styles from the St. Louis area. This includes the main city of St. Louis and nearby parts of Missouri and Illinois. It's a place known for some unique and delicious dishes!
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History of St. Louis
St. Louis started as a French settlement in 1764. It was built along the Mississippi River, which is the border between Missouri and Illinois. French fur traders Pierre Laclède and Auguste Chouteau founded the city. They named it after a French king, Louis IX.
Later, Spain took control of the area. But France got it back in 1800. Then, just three years later, France sold it to the United States. This big sale was called the Louisiana Purchase.
St. Louis grew very fast in the 1800s. By 1904, it was one of America's biggest cities. It even hosted a huge event called the Louisiana Purchase Exposition and the Summer Olympics that year!
Famous St. Louis Foods
Many foods are special to St. Louis. Some were even invented there!
St. Louis-Style Pizza
St. Louis-style pizza is a unique kind of pizza. It has a very thin crust, almost like a cracker. This pizza often uses a special cheese called Provel. It's also usually cut into squares, not triangles!
Gooey Butter Cake
Gooey butter cake is a super sweet and sticky cake. It was invented right in St. Louis! People often eat it for breakfast, like a pastry. But it's also a popular dessert.
Toasted Ravioli
Toasted ravioli is a very popular appetizer in St. Louis. It's usually pasta filled with meat or cheese, then breaded and deep-fried until crispy. It's often served with marinara sauce for dipping.
Many people say toasted ravioli was first made by accident in St. Louis. One story says it happened at a restaurant called Oldani's. A chef supposedly dropped a ravioli into a fryer instead of boiling water. Someone tasted it and loved it! Soon after, this yummy dish started appearing on menus all over "The Hill." "The Hill" is a famous Italian neighborhood in St. Louis.
Another story says it happened at a restaurant called Angelo's in 1947. A chef accidentally dropped pasta into hot oil instead of water. No matter how it started, toasted ravioli is now a St. Louis favorite!
St. Louis-Style Barbecue
St. Louis is also known for its own style of barbecue. This includes special ways of cooking ribs and pork steaks. To learn more, check out St. Louis-style barbecue and Pork steak.
