Toasted Ravioli (5/5):

These crunchy appetizers are award-winning for a reason. The flaky outside crust is light and perfectly fried, making the mess of the crumb residue worth it. Enjoying a fresh toasted ravioli has the same effects of hot cocoa on a winter day–both experiences should be universal. The raviolis were delectable on their own, but the subtly sweet meat sauce was the perfect counterpart to the savory ravioli beef filling. There is no better shareable snack than these toasted pillows, and they’re a perfect start to a meal. In short, toasted raviolis are truly the jewels of St. Louis. 

Gooey Butter Cake (4/5):

Dating back to the 1930s when a St. Louis baker used the wrong measurements for butter and flour, gooey butter cake might be the best accidental creation of all time. The flaky top was brittle and provided a slight crunch to the melty soft texture of the cake. The powdered sugar was generously sprinkled across the tasty confection and brought out the perfect amount of sweetness. Despite the edges of the cake being very sticky, this treat was one of the better desserts either of us had ever indulged in. There should be no reason why this cake isn’t replacing our basic, boring birthday cakes. 

Thin-Crust Pizza (3.5/5):

Topped with Provel cheese — a blend of cheddar, Swiss and provolone — this St. Louis special is a topic of hot debate. We ordered the 10-inch “Cheese Only Pizza” and at first glance, the pizza looked unsuspecting. But after taking a bite of the sacred square slice, we were pleasantly surprised. Provel cheese has a low melting point, resulting in a delightfully creamy texture and a buttery taste. The light dusting of romano and oregano balanced out the sweet flavor of the sauce. The pizza did start to get bland after a few slices, but overall, St. Louis-style pizza doesn’t deserve the hate it gets.

Ted Drewes (3/5):

With a gift shop next to the Ted Drewes stand, the extensive menu had some winners, but nothing worth buying merch over. Still, this popular St. Louis site can hit the spot if you know what to order. The Lemon Crumb Concrete was tangy with a hint of bitterness that was just right. The graham crackers added to the perfect texture trifecta — creamy, smooth and crunchy. On the contrary, the Cardinal Sin, a sundae covered with hot fudge and tart cherries, solidly brings down the rating. The sundae became infested with the taste of extremely sour cherries — the lack of hot fudge with the overbearing cherry flavor flooded our taste buds with dissatisfaction. 

Sugarfire Smokehouse (2.5/5):

Sugarfire has been coined as having the best St. Louis barbecue by the Travel Channel, St. Louis Magazine and many loyal customers, but we failed to see the appeal. The four ounce brisket was the most tolerable with its smooth texture and smoky taste. However, the extreme amount of grease and fat made it a struggle to finish the small portion. The half-rack ribs, although less fatty, were significantly drier and lacked flavor. The potato salad was a confusing and unbearable experience to consume–a better potato side would be the crispy french fries. But, if we were solely ranking fries, this salt-lacking item would come dead last. Ultimately, this meal was enjoyable at first but became sickening after a few bites.

Fitz’s Root Beer (1.5/5):

The first sip of this popular St. Louis beverage was like a root beer on steroids. The overly-creamy taste of vanilla was the first thing we noticed, which is what we imagine a bottle of pure vanilla extract would taste like. But the real punch was when the aftertaste of herbs hit through, which made the drink unpleasant in a matter of seconds. The soda was overwhelmingly sweet and rooty at the same time, resulting in a medicine-like combination. Instead of being crisp and carbonated, we found the root beer to be quite flat. At least the packaging was nice.