Chili Macs Diner

Chili Macs Diner

Address: 510 Pine St, St Louis MO 63101

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chili-Macs-Diner/

This is the Part 2 of my St Louis trip. I have to admit, as it was a work trip and I spent most of the time with my colleagues in US, I wasn't as comfortable as I'd usually be to take out my camera and take snaps of my food and the restaurant. As a result, there is a few more restaurants that probably deserves a mention but ultimately would miss out.

Chili Macs was suggested to me by both my colleagues and the concierge at the hotel as an alternate solution to my morning feed other than sourcing it from the hotel or Starbucks. And I have never been to a true American diner before, I was extremely curious to find out if it is anything like what I see on TV with the black and white checked floor and the red dining seats.

Given that I did not know downturn St Louis well, finding the diner took somewhat longer than I expected (despite maps and directions from the concierge). But once I did, I was feeling somewhat foolish as I managed to walk past the place to work every day and did not notice the big red and white exterior.

And the interior!

It's exactly like what I have seen on TV, with its red dining seats and checked floor (although not black and white I noticed).

All of the foods are reasonably priced. The bacon & egg plate I had was around US$5 and you are filled with toasts, fries, bacon and eggs. I mean where else in a first world country (other than McDonalds) can you get a decent breakfast at this price! At least not in Australia...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

In terms of flavour, as I haven't tried that many American diners, I really can't compare. However, the eggs were cooked perfectly (runny yolk in the centre and all) and even the bacon (yes, I have been warned about American bacon - that it can be a bit plastic-like and people tend to deep fry them) was quite tasty too.

The fries was probably my least favourite part of the meal and that's probably because I took too long to get to it and it was a little bit soggy by then.

All in all, I had a great experience at Chili Mac's and can't wait to go back again next time I hit St Louis!

Recommended: whatever tickles your fancy, I really liked the bacon & egg plate

Bogart's Smokehouse

Bogart's Smokehouse
Address: 1627 S 9th St, St Louis, MO 63104, United States
http://bogartssmokehouse.com/

This is a overseas special piece that I have been mulling on. I had the opportunity to visit St Louis in USA last year for work. It is probably not the most exciting place in the world to travel to for many, but it did provide me a good opportunity to try out the famous southern styled cuisine.

Other than the ribs, the wings and the fried ravioli, which is apparently the food to eat in St Louis, the place to visit for lunch is Bogart's Smokehouse - recommended by many colleagues.

The only problem is that it is not close to downtown St Louis and you will need a car to get there (but given that you are in America, most people drove to work and all you have to do is beg a lift).

Bogart's Smokehouse is situated in the quieter 'outer' ring of St Louis. The neighbourhood reminds me a little of Bulimba infact, lot of trees, a nice park, a nice church and lots of quaint little houses (although it's more brownstone than the Queenslander you'd normally see in Bulimba). Bogart itself is on the corner street in one of those brownstone in fact.

The entrance is relatively small and understated, with exception of the massive queue that would form around lunch time, which would run down the block.

The inside of the restaurant is not that spacious either, crammed with seats and tables and memorabilias.

There is in fact no better way to describe Bogart's except as 'blokey' - it is possibly reinforced by the fact that most of the patrons are working male.

The menu itself is not overly complicated - just imagine a lot of meat.

A lot of well cooked, saliva inducing, tender, juicy meat!

After much deliberation, I had the burnt ends with pit baked beans and chips.

Now the photo below probably doesn't do the food any justice. However, I did take the photo under the influence of well... surprise.

In Australia, when we say chips, we usually imagine (and get), for a lack of a better description, fat french fries. In the US, especially the Southern States, chips will get you... well... a packet of crisp chips (see picture below).

Did I feel duped? Yes!

Did I mind? Nope!

Cos that turned out to be one of the best meals I had in St Louis.

Bogart's left me leaving and wanting to go back again. I will definitely try to visit if I turn up at St Louis again!

Recommended: The ribs are fantastic. So it the pulled pork and the burnt ends!