ST. LOUIS — Turns out, St. Louis has some really good sandwiches.
Six area spots made Food Network’s list of ‘best sandwiches in America.’
The list was released at the beginning of 2020 and includes 98 restaurants across the country.
Gioia’s famous hot salami made the list. ‘It’s been hailed as St. Louis’ favorite sandwich since 1918,’ Food Network wrote.
Gioia’s Deli has several locations: 1934 Macklind Avenue, 903 Pine Street and 623 N. New Ballas in Creve Coeur
The smoked trout salad sandwich at Union Loafers Café is another sandwich that made the list. ‘At Union Loafers Cafe in St. Louis, the sandwich-obsessed chefs smoke the fish over apple wood and mix the meat up with housemade mayo, lemon, capers and fennel,’ Food Network wrote.
You can find Union Loafers Café at 1629 Tower Grove Avenue
The Cevapi at Balkan Treat Box also made the list. ‘This sausage-like specialty can be found plain without any accoutrements, but more often than not it’s served in pillowy flatbread with flavorful condiments,’ Food Network wrote.
Balkan Treat Box is located at 8103 Big Bend Boulevard in Webster Groves
The croissant breakfast sandwich at Nathaniel Reid Bakery is another sandwich on the list. ‘Reid layers farm-fresh soft-scrambled eggs (which have an airy, quiche-like consistency) with ham, smoked bacon and Havarti inside one of the bakery’s renowned croissants that take four whole days to make. Melted cheese and chives add another creamy and vibrant touch,’ Food Network wrote.
Nathaniel Reid Bakery is located at 11245 Manchester Road in Kirkwood
People drive from hours away for the fried brain sandwich at Schottzie Bar and Grill, Food Network wrote. The patty is crispy on the outside and soft in the middle.
‘Brain, generally hailing from hogs, is dipped in an egg wash, then a flour mix sprinkled with spices, formed into patties and stuck in the freezer. Each one of the 20 to 25 orders sold at Schottzie’s per week is thrown back in the deep fryer when ordered and sandwiched between rye bread with mustard and pickles served on the side,’ Food Network wrote.
You can find the bar at 11428 Concord Village Avenue
The St. Paul sandwich at Mai Lee is also a classic. Food Network said the St. Louis-area special was said to have been created by a Chinese-American chef hailing from Minnesota. It’s a mix of an egg foo young patty, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles between two slices of white bread.
Mai Lee is located at 8396 Musick Memorial Drive in Brentwood