BEST OF STL Magazine, Student Life at WashU in St. Louis, MARCH 20 2025
A CHARMING, LUXURIOUS AND UNIQUE STAY! A CHARMING, LUXURIOUS UNIQUE STAY!
The Cheshire Hotel takes pride in the allure of their boutique hotel, offering contemporary amenities, complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea, and in close proximity to days of activities.
Only minutes from Forest Park fun where you can visit The St. Louis Zoo, the Muny at Forest Park, St. Louis Art Museum, History Museum and more.
Venture to the city and see it all 200 feet from the top of The St. Louis Wheel
then take a journey to the ocean at The St. Louis Aquarium.
Catch a Hockey, Soccer, or Baseball Game, city nightlife and great food and drinks.
Upon your return, refresh and curl up with a classic novel and enjoy what the Cheshire has to offer and a fine culinary experience at one of our onsite restaurants.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
5) Letter from the editors
6) A humble apology to St.Louis
“If you could describe St. Louis in one word, what word would you pick?”
7) “If you had to replace the arch, what would it be?”
What abroad students miss about St. Louis
8) In defense of University City Public Library
10) Zoomies, best cafe for dog lovers
11) Best restaurant in St. Louis St. Louis hot takes
12) On having a fulfilling STL summer
16) Coffee shops to get work done
STAFF
Avi Holzman
Nina Giraldo Editors-in-Chief editor@studlife.com
Aliana Mediratta
Managing News Editor news@studlife.com
Alice Gottesman
Managing Scene Editor scene@studlife.com
Jordan Spector
Managing Forum Editor forum@studlife.com
Lewis Rand
Managing Sports Editor sports@studlife.com
Sydney Tran Head of Design designers@studlife.com
Cathay Pan Poulsen Managing Chief of Copy
Jaime Hebel Head of Illustration
Sam Powers Managing Photo Editor photo@studlife.com
Welcome to the Best of St. Louis Magazine! Like all of our special issues, this one could not have happened without the amazing support of our designers, illustrators, photographers, writers, and editors. Thank you all for helping put this together.
Over our time at WashU, both of us have had the chance to learn more about the city of St. Louis. We have been to sports games and nightclubs, coffee shops, breweries, and delis — getting to know the city that the WashU community calls home. It can feel easy to stay on campus all day, everyday because there are places to hang, study, get decent food, and have fun. You cannot have a true WashU experience; however, if you are not exploring all that St. Louis has to offer. Get a free U-Pass for the subway and go explore — there is so much learning that happens outside of the
classroom and off the Danforth campus.
If you are looking for inspiration, look no further. This issue is here to give you the best of St. Louis neatly packaged together so that when you take those small first steps off campus you will be heading toward a St. Louis staple or an exciting new part in the city. We hope the listicles, articles, and graphics in this magazine can be the spark that gets you thinking about St. Louis and invested in better understanding the city around us.
WashU is “in St. Louis for St. Louis,” and it would be wrong to not own that title. Coordinate with friends, talk to experts, and read our Best of St. Louis magazine to learn more about the city in which we all spend these four years of college. From the Arch to Busch Stadium, and from Tower Grove to the Science Museum, there is so much for you to explore.
Enjoy reading this issue produced by the Student Life staff, and get excited about where your next St. Louis adventure will take you.
Bea Augustine
Jenise Fussell
Alex Savin
Mason Sutton
Amelia Spencer
Mimi Zhou Designers
Alan Knight
Multimedia Editor
Ava Giere
Hannah La Porte
Naomika Raveendran Junior Copy Editors
Madison Yue
Hadia Khatri
DEI Editors dei@studlife.com
Adrienne Levin Coleman General Manager a.coleman@studlife.com
Best (of), Avi Holzman & Nina Giraldo, Editors-in-Chief
Seniors Avi Holzman and Nina Giraldo are this year’s Editorsin-Chief for Student Life.
BRI NITSBERG | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A humble apology to St. Louis
Eman Zia Contributing Writer
Dearest St. Louis,
This is my formal apology for treating you like a rebound. I am only starting to understand now how awful it must have felt to hear me bring up Annapolis, Maryland, with everyone I talked to for more than 10 minutes during my first month of college.
I was seemingly committed to you, but still bringing up an old flame — where the rolling hills burst with reds and golds, and the Chesapeake stretched wide, waves lapping sailboats against weathered docks that came alive with music and seafood boils. I’m sorry I called you lifeless and reduced you to a mere speck nestled within endless rows of corn. Moving away from home was rough, and I took my agitation out on you.
The truth is, I had a harder time adjusting than expected. The most insignificant details would bring visceral memories flooding back. I couldn’t help but miss home — skipping class to eat pizza on the piers, birthdays
spent laughing along the cobbly streets of downtown, and all of the bookstores, coffee shops, and recesses that my friends and I affectionately called “third places” — the spaces in between school and home that were tinged with warmth and familiarity.
Home, as an idea, is soft and undefined — only when it’s challenged do you realize how the oddest of things mean so much.
During spring of last year, I was weighing out my college choices. I always considered the geographic location of the school to be little more than an afterthought — no more than the background of my home for the next four years.
When I arrived here, my mindset changed. St. Louis was not the problem; the problem was what St. Louis wasn’t: home. Familiar. Known. Annapolis.
So yeah, I was in the throes of a messy breakup. I went from my lively, East Coast libshart-central city to the sleepy Midwest — and as much as I loved WashU, I felt nothing towards St. Louis.
It wasn’t until my friend from home visited in October that my perspective shifted. As I headed over to the airport to pick her up, I thought about the itinerary
If you could describe St. Louis in one word, what word would you pick?
Jigsaw. I think all of the neighborhoods are so different and have such distinct energies but all together it makes a fun, cohesive city
Julia Borchers, senior
Underrated. There is so much history and culture, but no one outside of the city seems to get it.
William VanDyke, senior
ERICA SHI | STAFF ILLUSTRATOR
for her visit, hell-bent on making sure she had fun.
As I was planning, I realized how little of St. Louis I knew to show her — and how I was just as much a stranger to the city as she, who had never stepped foot into Missouri.
But that weekend, St. Louis, I think I finally met you where you were — and as we ran around town, from catching “The Substance” at Chase Park Plaza, to having a picnic on Art Hill, to harassing (not really, I promise) the hippos at the zoo, I realized how much you had to offer. More so than that, I realized how defensive I felt towards you. I wanted my friend to love you just as much as I was starting to.
And so, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for
looking for something old in the new. You have so, so much to offer, and I’ve tried almost every weekend since that one to explore your every nook and cranny. I’ve found so many “third places,” and am confident that I’ll continue to find more in the next few years. You’re not Annapolis, but you’re not supposed to be — and for what it’s worth, I think I’m coming around to loving you all the same.
Thank you for giving me the time and patience that you did, and I’m so excited to get to know you more. I hope that one day, leaving you will be just as hard as it was leaving Annapolis.
With all my love, Eman
February, because I think St. Louis is to cities what February is to months.
Ryan O’Connor, sophomore
Underwhelming. Sorry to STL natives, but I have yet to find true love for the city.
Bea Augustine, first-year
Passionate, because people have a lot of disagreements about the future of the city or what part is best or its history, but they all care about it and want things to get better. The St. Louis nonprofit scene is one of the most thriving in the country.
Elena Wierich, junior Peculiar — it’s oddly famous despite the amount of outlandish things that go on.
Aleeya Seeley, first-year
Acquired (taste.)
Ella Hyman, senior
Charming. There’s much more to do here than some people realize, and in my experience, there are a lot of hidden gems (restaurants, coffee shops, etc.) that have a lot of character. You’ll never run out of new places to go to, and at the same time, the city feels like a manageable size — not too overwhelming.
Claire Skatrud, sophomore
Divided. St. Louis has been carved up for centuries with red-lining, the city-county divide, and segregation.
Theodor Martin, first-year
If
you had to replace the arch with a different building, what would it be?
2 arches so STL could be the McDonald’s capital of the world.
Joel Brown, senior
Empire State Building. Take the New Yorkers down a notch.
Drew Mahlmeister, senior
I would replace the arch with a giant iron gate. “Gateway to the West” would finally make some sense.
David Ciorba, sophomore
Would not replace the arch. Maybe some of the vacant commercial buildings downtown would be replaced with apartments or other stuff but not the arch.
William VanDyke, senior
A giant building shaped like a toasted ravioli. Personally I’d be more excited to tour that than an arch.
Bea Augustine, first-year
The walkable downtown they bulldozed to put up the arch.
Alex Nickel, Senior
A gigantic sculpture like the bean in Chicago.
Aleeya Seeley, first-year
Walmart of an equivalent height. No reason why.
Audrey Tebow, first-year
A massive statue of Chancellor Martin.
Eliza Stulman, sophomore
I think it would be really nice to cultivate the downtown into a marketplace or somewhere people would actually want to frequent. It would also be nice to acknowledge the Black neighborhoods that were completely razed when the arch was built. Something historical would be interesting.
Sophia Palitti, senior
Affordable housing, that [is] what we need more of. There was some there before the arch was built.
JP Torack, junior
Parking lot. Nothing says “gateway to the west” better than cars far as the eye can see right there on the Mississippi.
Robert Burch, senior
A comically oversized Imo’s for the culture
Sean Henry, first-year
Space Needle, to confuse people even more about where WashU is.
Matthew Gimbel, junior
The Rio Jesus statue, imagine that being in St. Louis.
Eli Perlin, senior
I would replace the arch with a pizza place that makes New York style pizza...
Diana Hoffman, senior
What do abroad staff miss about St. Louis?
I miss the cat cafes! They’re not common in Ireland, where I’m currently studying, and it’s hard being apart from my family pet. I can FaceTime my family, but my cat just doesn’t get it; my family is coming to visit, but my cat would rather die than get on a plane. (I’m pretty sure. She hasn’t told me directly.) In my absence, make sure to visit Mauhaus and the Cheshire Grin!
Mia Burkholder, junior
I miss WashU’s campus! My university campus here in Madrid is pretty dull and is located far from the city center. There’s something special about WashU’s architecture, plus I love the green space on and around campus (while it still exists). I miss throwing a frisbee around, playing spike ball on Mudd Field, and being able to run right off-campus into Forest Park.
Riley Herron, junior
I can’t believe I’m saying this about St. Louis, but I miss driving around. Walking around in Amsterdam is great, but it can get pretty cold, busy, and repetitive. A drive through St. Louis on the other hand can be comfortable, spacious, and different every time (there are infinite combinations of time, place, and aux). Nothing quite scratches the same itch as a night drive through Forest Park or blasting music on Skinker driving to school.
Will Rosenblum, junior
ANAELDA RAMOS | ILLUSTRATION EDITOR
In defense of University City Public Library
Katie Hanson Staff Writer
When I’m in a new place, I have one rule: Never turn around. To my family, this rule makes me stubborn and a bother to walk around New York City with (we often loop around the whole block). But to me, it helps me learn the city. Not turning around forces a scenic route, lined with new understandings of small businesses, a pragmatic sense of which streets intersect, and just get a general feel for the area. So, when I moved to St. Louis, I kept the turn-around ban in place.
One of my first weekends here, I went for a walk. Equipped with a pop culture podcast in my earbuds and no sense of urgency, I zigzagged from my apartment to the Delmar Loop. Soon enough, I was at the front doors of the University City Public Library. Being there felt like a mental duplicate. My mental fridge was well-stocked with a library. I already had Olin in storage and I reached for it often, so I didn’t need to double-up with another library just a few blocks away.
But I had time on my side, so I meandered. Immediately, it felt like a release. While WashU was defined by speed-walking to class (littered with quick hi’s and bye’s), then cramming in
study sessions and multitasking around the clock, the UCity Library was just one thing: quiet.
At first glance, this seems obvious. Mention a library, and an image of a bespectacled woman stage-whispering “shh!” comes to mind. And to a degree, the UCity Library was not so far away from this picture. No one was outwardly hushing newcomers, but it wouldn’t be shocking if that were to happen. For once, I didn’t mind that. Amidst the chaos of school (even in my first month), I hadn’t realized how eager I was for a guaranteed quiet space. Sure, WashU has a few of these always-silent spaces. If you
need to “lock-in” on campus, a mysterious man will appear asking you if you want the blue pill (3rd floor Olin) or the red pill (Law Library). While these spaces are perfectly quiet, they aren’t calm. To me, the silence is stiff with a palpable feeling of stress. Upon walking into either location, you can feel the impending doom of deadlines and looming exams. The UCity Library’s calm is the exact opposite. Instead of stressful, it’s rejuvenating. Instead of tense, it’s laid-back. In that newfound quiet, I found a few things that kept me coming back.
I started my first trip there by browsing the shelves. “Hot Reads” mixed with new fiction and timeless poetry made me
feel like someone’s grandpa running their fingers along a bookshelf and reminding the younger generation that a million stories exist in this one sacred room. It felt magical, OK?! I was moving from one genre bookcase to another, my landlocked version of island-hopping. Their clear organization made it pretty easy to live out this fairytale.
It was also clear that even if the library was quiet, there was still a strong sense of community. In my first month at WashU, I often felt like I was living in a mildly eerie town of people who were essentially all the same age as me. I loved the accessibility of friendship and the inherent community that it brings, but I was ready to see anyone in the age range outside of 18-22. The library certainly draws this crowd! Young and older people alike are tutoring, watching movies, and browsing archaic DVDs. Having something for everyone means everyone actually shows up.
The U. City Public Library is able to support this community through their handful of offerings. Their mission of providing a space for everyone doesn’t feel like lip service when they offer free books, dance and play storytime, yoga classes, and computer lessons all in the span of one week. They’re legit.
Now, my monthly trips to the library are a ritual. I go to temporarily pause the noise of the week, and later extend that pause to whenever I crack open the books I check out. To me, the whole process is still an outlet. Walking to the library clears my head, being in the actual building helps me zoom out of the WashU mentality, and I like to think that later, sitting with a book gives me yet another moment of calm.
So, when the UCity Library says they’re the “home for the best readers in the world,” they could be referring to you.
Katie’s top 5 library activities!
1. Take pictures of the Dewey Decimal System call numbers of the books I want and hunt them down in the back.
2. Peruse the new fiction at the very front.
3. Cross-reference my Goodreads “want to read” list with their database to see what they have in stock.
4. Load up my books in a neat stack at self-checkout and stare in awe/ panic as the machine checks them out all at once.
5. Breathe in the book smell (this is normal).
Zoomies, best cafe for dog lovers
Jordan Spector Managing Forum Editor
After four years in St. Louis, I have maintained my coffee addiction by exploring a variety of cafes. There are the classics: all of the Kaldi’s Coffee locations, Meshuggah Cafe on the Delmar Loop, and even our very own campus spots like Cafe Bergson and Whispers Cafe and Collins Farms at Law Cafe. There are the ones lesser known among WashU students, though equally as wonderful, like Lydia’s in St. Charles and Fiddlehead Fern Cafe in Tower Grove. However, one cafe has outshined the others: Zoomies Pet Cafe in Princeton Heights, 20 minutes from campus by car. Sometimes, more than the drinks, food, or decor, it is the visitors that bring a space to life, and at Zoomies, the nonhuman visitors often outnumber the human ones.
Zoomies is a pet cafe and boutique. There is a storefront with a large supply of pet food and toys, a backyard for play, and a cozy dining area, with natural light flowing in through the main window. The whole store is animal-friendly and so are the many events hosted at Zoomies. Customers, with or without pets, are welcome. Often dogs will run around, play with each other, and greet patrons, breathing joy into the atmosphere.
During a recent visit to Zoomies, I ordered, along
with an oat milk latte, the Murdoch BLT. This is essentially a BLT but with peanut butter. (As a brief aside: I understand, to many, this likely sounds disgusting, but as an avid peanut butter fan, I was more than happy to try it out.) It was delicious. More than that, it made me a local celebrity among some new dog friends. With bacon, peanut butter, and bread on my plate, all the dogs wanted to hang out with me. I was all for it. A classic trade of
human food for dog love. One dog, Bella, became a loyal business partner.
Fortunately, my girlfriend Alexis, who I went to Zoomies with, was understanding of Bella becoming my new date. Bella’s family was slightly less understanding. They came around to it, though, as she continued to sit by my side and offer lots of love, while I was granted permission from the owners to offer her lots of peanut
butter. Needless to say, we were both very happy customers.
Nestled in a cute neighborhood, surrounded by pretty houses and small shops, Zoomies is a great location for all coffee and dog lovers alike. The food is great, the coffee is lovely, and the visitors — human and nonhuman — are overwhelmingly friendly. You’re destined to leave with a smile on your face.
Bella (left) enjoying quality time at Zoomies with Jordan (right).
JORDAN SPECTOR | MANAGING FORUM EDITOR
Best restaurant in St. Louis?
Katie’s! It is female owned and just went national with their frozen foods. Everything is amazing but I highly recommend the fiori (spicy red sauce pasta).
Julia Borchers, senior Telva at the Ridge in Webster Groves has delicious Greek brunch food. It’s also cute and has quick service, and the best part is it’s right next to a plant nursery so you can pick up a little souvenir plant child on your way out.
Bea Augustine, first-year Olio, it is fire.
Marli Zail, senior
Corner 17 on the Loop; their walnut shrimp is delicious, and a bowl of beef hand-pulled soup noodles on a chilly day is the perfect comfort food! They even do free fluffy ice on your bday. :) Jasmine Li, sophomore
Gramophone. Best sandwich I’ve ever had and I hate sandwiches. This was the place that made me like sandwiches. Also, best mac and cheese I’ve ever had. Great ambiance with live music and good prices and local business and very queer friendly.
Elena Wierich, junior
I did this survey just so I could say Balkan Treat Box is the best restaurant in STL. Absolutely fantastic food and it’s so random (Bosnian food? In Missouri?) that it’s basically a St. Louis cultural icon at this point.
Audrey Tebow, first-year
Brasserie by Niche. It’s definitely a splurge, but it’s worth it. Every dish is expertly crafted, it’s an upscaled version of classic French bistro-style food. The ambiance of the restaurant is cozy yet refined, and the
Any St.
Suburban zoning should be illegal.
William VanDyke, senior
It’s Panera not Bread Co.
Bea Augustine, first-year
Take the Metro. It’s fine during the middle of the day and people who are deeply afraid of taking the Metro, especially to the med campus and back, are spoiled.
Elena Wierich, junior
Winslow’s Table is so overrated for brunch but has some of the best pastries I’ve ever had. I dream about the chocolate chip cookie.
Grace Henderson, senior
menu is complemented by a wide variety of cocktails. Elizabeth Grieve, junior
Ted Drewes. Yes, I know it is not a restaurant but I would argue this is the best place to get food in the entire city. I love ice cream sososososo much and I love the vibe at Ted Drewes. I love how they have no bathrooms and the people working there just want to get back to their gossip. Separately, they are all mid, but together — much like the ingredients — it is perfection. It is fantastic and delicious.
Avi Holzman, senior Monte Bello’s. It’s a St Louis-style pizza parlor in the basement of a house in a regular neighborhood. St Louis-style pizza is delicious there. You get gooey provel on top of cracker crisp thin crust with toppings for days. The Johnny B Goode pizza is my favorite. You have to call
and order ahead before you go to eat or else you’ll have a 2-3 hour wait, but the wait is still worth it!
Rachel Johns, senior
Pho Long on South Grand!! Incredible food, great service, great people. They gave my family an oxtail once because we went there so often.
Theodor Martin, firstyear
STL Soup Dumplings. It’s hard to get authentic soup dumplings anywhere and these are not only authentic but delicious. I personally recommend the shrimp and cheese, which I know is a strange flavor combination, but will likely be the most delicious thing you’ve ever had. I’ve never brought someone here and not have them like it!
Zach Trabitz, junior
Louis hot takes?
It does not suck, if you live here for a short amount of time. So many students hate being in St. Louis because there’s nothing here, but you just need to find the right people and it is not bad.
Kira Jones, senior
St. Louis deserves an NFL team again. It’s got a great sports culture, the fans are super passionate, and they deserve a football team to root for that’s not the Chiefs.
Riley Herron, junior
I love STL. It gets way too much hate. Grown to love this city. Kind people, good vibes.
Danya Goldstien, senior
A few inches of snow and single-digit weather is not a justifiable reason to cancel class.
Aleeya Seeley, first-year
St. Louis isn’t boring! Stop saying St. Louis is boring! St. Louis isn’t New York City and that’s okay!
Audrey Tebow, first-year
The winters are pretty mild, comparatively.
Elizabeth Grieve, junior
It’s slept on nationally. Top 20 city in America.
JP Torack, junior
Anyone who says that STL is too small or there is nothing to do here is wrong and doesn’t know how to look.
Hannah Silverman, senior
It’s the best sports city in the country.
Shelby Edison, senior
I don’t like the Delmar Loop. The stores aren’t great, there’s not much to do, and I always run into a million WashU people I don’t want to see.
Sofia Huitron, sophomore
Provel cheese clears any other kind of cheese.
Sean Henry, first-year
On having a fulfilling STL summer
Trabitz
Lily Taylor Investigative News Editor
After being at WashU for more than a minute, you will definitely hear someone talking about the ever-present St. Louis summer. This summer, aptly named the STL summer, is divisive amongst WashU students. People love it, people hate it, but, as people who spent a summer in St. Louis (Editor’s Note: Zach is also spending his next summer here), we will die on the hill that the St. Louis summer is not as bad as some make it out to be. You just have to be proactive in your planning.
If you have committed to a STL summer or are thinking about it, here are some tips on how to best enjoy your time.
Enjoy and engage with your job (or classes, LSAT/MCAT prep, etc.)
Zach: During my past summer in St. Louis, I was working at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM) through WashU’s Gephardt St. Louis Fellows program. That is a mouthful, but basically I had a ton going on — my actual job, weekend Gephardt outings, and social obligations. The structured nature of both my fellowship and job are, in part, why I had such a great summer.
As you will find though, the
tiredness you feel after a 9-5 is unlike any kind of college tired. Most days after work, I would conk out immediately after getting home. But, I felt intellectually stimulated and rewarded by the work I was doing. It was fun to talk to my friends and family about what I was doing at the museum that week, and I felt like I was genuinely learning something.
Now, I completely understand that some jobs are just not that engaging, or a lot of people over the summer may just be taking classes or studying for something like the MCAT or LSAT. Even then, though, I would recommend making some kind of ritual or habit out of your day. For me, I woke up every morning to an espresso shot and soyrizo bowl that I would munch on before heading off to work. After work I would usually make or get dinner with a friend. While this
routine wasn’t stringent, it made me feel nice and consistent with my time. I worked remotely for two days during the week, and having a routine on those days from home both improved my work and also made me feel refreshed and on top of things.
Lily: For me, I worked a more flexible, somewhat less time-consuming job as an intern in WashU’s Marketing and Communications Office. I loved the flexibility, but I’m not cut out for sitting in my house by myself all day. So on days that I didn’t go into the office, I tried to explore St. Louis by working in local coffee shops. A few of my favorites that I found were Black Lab Coffee, which is within walking distance of WashU, and the Protagonist if you’re able to go a little farther. That’s all to say that if your job or studying has you cooped up a bit, just turn it into a summer tour of the St.
Louis coffee shop world.
Seek out fun things! Be proactive! Say yes!
Zach: One of my favorite memories of my past St. Louis summer was going to an art fair in Webster Groves with a friend. Even though it was a last minute affair, it was such an awesome time and I got to buy some art that I really liked.
This last-minute mentality popped up a lot throughout my St. Louis summer. Buying last-minute tickets to the MUNY, going out to a party at a place I’ve never heard of, and taking late-night car rides with friends who were also in St. Louis composed much of my summer. Ultimately, these random chance events are what make it so special. You’re living in such proximity to friends (hopefully) and full-time school isn’t an issue, so have fun!
Lily: Saying yes to things doesn’t have to mean spending lots of money! St. Louis is known for having fun free activities, and that’s even more true during the summer. You can go to the MUNY for amazing shows and sit in the back rows for free. Each show, a lucky group gets upgraded to the front section — my friends and I were that group once, and it was a highlight of the summer. You can also check out weekly concerts at the Botanical Gardens, go to the Zoo, or have a picnic at the Laumeier Sculpture Park. There are a ton of ways to have a fun summer without spending a ridiculous amount of money.
Zach
Zach (in blue), Lily (in orange), and some wonderful Student Life friends after getting sushi burritos from BLK
COURTESY OF ZACH TRABITZ
Cook!
Zach: Getting to cook for yourself is one of the greatest joys of living on your own. I spent the summer after my first year at home in Ohio, where I cooked here and there. Despite this, nothing matches up to living in St. Louis and getting to craft a perfectly curated grocery list every week — it is a whole other level of independence. The first time I went grocery shopping solo, I was like a deer in headlights, frozen in place as I tried to figure out what to get and where it was in the sprawling Trader Joe’s. Now I’m a pro, and could figure out any grocery store I am placed in.
Being able to make chicken, vodka pasta, and salmon are some of the top things I’ve taken away from my St. Louis summer. Living off campus means you basically have to learn how to cook, and spending the summer in St. Louis
forces you to learn. Without parents to feed you or a campus dining hall to rely on, you’re on your own for food.
Lily: Cooking with other friends who are in town is also an economical way to have fun and try new foods, all while making your apartment, dorm, or house feel more like a real home! My friends and I started doing mini-potluck style dinners where we each brought ingredients to cook a few dishes together every week. Even when the food turned out horribly wrong, it was so memorable to learn your friends’ favorite recipes and make our homes feel more home-y together.
Explore the St. Louis neighborhoods!
Zach: Another common statement you likely have heard is, “St. Louis is a city of neighborhoods,” which is largely true.
Zach and Lily at a Lake Street Dive concert with their friend Sham.
COURTESY OF ZACH TRABITZ
For my Gephardt fellowship, one of the requirements was to go to a different neighborhood or area in St. Louis on most Saturdays. While these excursions were tiring and early in the day, looking back, I’m happy I was forced to do them.
Lily: The Tower Grove Farmers Market is another highlight. Every Saturday morning, masses of millennials and their adorably small-dog, large-dog duos descend upon Tower Grove Park to buy fresh produce and homemade crafts. Walking around with a coffee, petting dogs, and trying local food — like the tamales and mango sticky rice — became my favorite part of the week.
Zach: Cherokee Street, South Grand, Webster Groves, and the Grand Center Arts District are just a few examples of the many other cool neighborhoods in St. Louis. They all have different vibes and activities to do, but the important thing is that you go to a ton of them when you have the free time to do so over the summer.
Lily: Also, just a little further outside of St. Louis, there are beautiful shut-ins (Johnson’s Shut Ins or Castor River). People don’t tend to appreciate the natural beauty of the St. Louis area, or the Midwest at large, but either of the shut-ins will change your mind. One of my favorite memories of the summer is swimming in the creek and climbing around the rock formations with friends. They’re sometimes busy, but it’s absolutely worth a trip to cool off and get in touch with nature.
Engage With St. Louis locals!
Lily: Summer is the perfect time to break out of the infamous WashU bubble and meet other STL locals! I did this by joining the St. Louis Summer Ultimate Frisbee League, playing games every week in Forest Park. I played with a couple
Zach and Lily after a run together.
WashU friends along with lots of 30-something year-old women and father-son duos. I learned so much about new restaurants and activities from them and felt so much more connected with the community. If you don’t want to play frisbee — which is ridiculous but fair — I highly recommend joining another sports league, volunteering, canvassing, or taking some kind of community class to engage with St. Louisans!
Go to nearby cities!
Zach: Over the summer, a group of friends and I went to Kansas City for a three day weekend. While we hadn’t heard much about Kansas City before, we now joke that it was one of the best trips we have taken. We got delicious Kansas City BBQ, walked around a gigantic farmers market, and had the best brussel sprouts of our lives.
I also went to Indianapolis for almost a full week with another group of friends for the Fourth of July and had an amazing
COURTESY OF ZACH TRABITZ
Zach, Lily, and their friend Julia watching Fourth of July fireworks in Indianapolis.
time. We saw fireworks, threw a frisbee around, ate great food, and just spent so much quality time together. I’ll never forget the trip. I went to two often overlooked Midwestern cities, and both trips were exciting and new.
Try doing things alone!
Lily: During the school year, it feels like people are always
around. Social plans are much easier to come by when everyone is here, so it’s normal to feel like you have less going on ~socially~ during the summer. Instead of wallowing in despair, I recommend trying doing things alone.
Among other fun activities, I went to the Creve Coeur Lake about once a week by myself to run around the paths. There
COURTESY OF ZACH TRABITZ
Our general list of things to do for a fulfilling STL summer!
• Go to the art fair at Webster Groves
• Visit different neighborhoods!
• Go to Millbrook pool at WashU!
• Go to the MUNY!
• Check out Hi-Pointe theater (and burgers!)
are some shaded, forested areas, and it’s typically fairly busy, so I didn’t feel unsafe running by myself. I got a lot more comfortable trying new things by myself this way and am so happy to be entering my adult life knowing how to enjoy spending time by myself.
Have a car (or know someone who does)
Zach: This is a half-joke, half-serious statement. I have a car and my roommate over the summer did not. I ended up driving her to her work a ton, and just judging by her comments about St. Louis summer, I would not recommend staying for the summer unless you, a roommate, or a close friend owns one. The metro is not amazing for getting around the whole city.
Lily: If having a car is out of the question, the next best option — or better in terms of
sustainability — is a bike. St. Louis isn’t the most bikeable city, but you can get to most of the essential places on a bike. And, the wind blowing in your face while you’re biking is one of the rare reprieves you’ll get from the heat.
The theme you may be picking up is that these seemingly random things that are often done out of convenience, like visiting Kansas City (a neighboring city) or going to a Webster Groves art market (a neighboring… neighborhood), are also likely to be the most fun. While the heat is truly horrible, and the public transit is lacking in some regards, there are many rewarding and wonderful aspects of a St. Louis summer. It gives you a time to truly appreciate St. Louis and all the wonderful things about it, all while hopefully having some kind of fulfilling summer experience and spending time with friends.
• Eat at places with good outdoor seating (Taco Buddha or Lona’s)
• Shop in places you haven’t been before!
• Go to Papillon Press
• Don’t forget to wear linen clothing!
Coffee shops to actually get work done in
Aliana Mediratta Managing News Editor
It’s a tale as old as time: You pack your bag with all your required readings and head to a nearby coffee shop with good reviews online, only to find that the layout of the cafe makes it absolutely impossible to get any work done. You order an expensive latte anyway — you’re already here, might as well — but you end up chatting with a friend or getting distracted by your phone instead of having the productive day you had planned.
In an effort to combat this
tragic phenomenon, my friend Grace and I have been going to a new coffee shop every Friday this semester to try some seasonal lattes and take some Canvas quizzes. Here’s my guide to local coffee shops, ranked on the quality of their coffee, work environment and, often, their breakfast sandwiches.
Maplewood Deli and Coffeehouse
Don’t let the name fool you — this is not a typical deli, and contrary to Grace’s concern when I told her where we were going, it does not smell like bologna. Unlike many other cafes in the area, this one has a long menu with plenty of
a
directory, visit www.cwescene.com
breakfast, lunch, and snack options. On weekdays, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. (well before I am out of bed), they offer special discounts depending on the day, such as buy one get one free deals on drinks or free donut holes with your order.
Mostly, I liked this place because it felt like the type of homey, casual vibe that I look for in a coffee shop — somewhere I can sprawl out and really focus without worrying about taking up too much space.
Coma Coffee
Coma Coffee is located in the lobby of an office building and across from a strip mall — but as soon as you walk in, you forget about the outside a little. It’s a warm, bright cafe with plenty of fun drink options. (Last week, I got a strawberry milk cappuccino with rose petals, and it had a little swan in the foam.)
Coma can be a challenging place to find seating, even though it has two floors, so you have to keep your fingers crossed. But if you do snag a spot, it’s a great place to lock-in for a few hours with a friend.
Fiddlehead Fern
Stepping into Fiddlehead Fern is like being transported back to my home of San Francisco — the menu has avocado toast topped with microgreens, and CBD seltzers, the interior is sleek and minimalist, and you can’t walk in without spending $20. Plus, there are futuristic-looking water dispensers that took my friend probably five minutes to figure out how to use. (Probably a skill issue.)
In my opinion, Fiddlehead serves as a much better brunch-and-talk spot than a place to do work. It has one of the cardinal sins of cof-
feeshops: tables and chairs that feel a little bit unsturdy. The minimalist decor made it hard for me to feel like I could really settle in and get cozy, and the limited seating made me feel bad about taking up a table for too long. Overall, this is not a place I will find myself working in again.
Crema Coffee
Not to be confused with Coma Coffee, Crema Coffee is located in the Central West End, just a block from the north edge of Forest Park. This coffee shop is attached to the lobby of an apartment building, which made me feel a little like I was intruding as I watched people bring in their groceries to catch the elevator. But it also meant the shop was mostly empty, which was lovely on a Friday afternoon. I liked their coffee and breakfast sandwich, and the decor was cute, but overall pretty average.
Northwest Coffee Roasters
I stumbled upon Northwest Coffee Roasters by doing exactly what you’re doing right now — reading a Student Life Best Of issue — and I’m happy to be passing it forward to the next generation of readers.
If I were the type of person to say, “I know a spot,” and take you somewhere cool in an attempt to seem mysterious and alternative, this would be the place. Fun fact: This cafe is actually owned by the husband of a WashU professor I took a class with last semester! Talk about buying local.
Northwest has a moderately sized indoor space, but it expands down a long, covered outdoor patio area with big picnic tables to plop down at and get some work done. They take their coffee seriously
over here. If you’re the type to order a drink with eight different flavorings (no hate, I am writing this while drinking something called a cookie butter caramel latte, whatever that means), this might not have everything you need. But if you’re even a little bit of a coffee snob, you should check this place out.
There are plenty of great seating options, and I really enjoy the general ambiance because it feels more unique than a lot of the generic coffee shops I go to regularly.
The Living Room
Honestly, half the reason I love this place is because of how perfect the name is. Shouldn’t the ideal coffee shop just feel like someone’s living room?
This family-owned cafe has food that is a bit pricier than the other Maplewood cafe I mentioned, but they do a lot of fun seasonal recipes, like a butternut squash miso flatbread or a salted chestnut latte.
Two funky things about this cafe: They will make you pick a table to sit at when you order, and their public Wi-Fi is off on the weekends. So, either go on a Friday, be prepared to use your phone’s hotspot, or just bring a book.
In terms of the living room vibe of it all, I think they mostly hit the mark. There’s a variety of seating, plenty of natural light, and books available to borrow on the back bookshelf.
Kaldi’s Coffee (Skinker and DeMun locations)
Kaldi’s is such a WashU classic, whether you’re an underclassman without a car just venturing beyond the bound-
aries of campus for the first time, or a senior making it your neighborhood hangout spot. I can’t count the hours I’ve spent here studying, taking shelter from the cold on a snowy day, or eavesdropping on the conversations of people I vaguely know.
If you don’t already know, Kaldi’s actually has two locations nearby — one on Skinker, right outside the East End, and another in DeMun, near Clementine’s and within walking distance from the South 40.
While the coffee at both locations is the same, the cafes do have a few differences. The DeMun Kaldi’s has an entirely vegetarian menu and is definitely smaller. Sometimes it’s harder to find a place to sit, but the more intimate space can give it a cozier feel. The Skinker location is larger, so you’ll almost always be able to snag a table. Since it’s closer to campus, you’ll usually run into someone you know.
I typically opt for the location on Skinker because, living so close, I could wake up at 9:55 a.m. and still make it to 10 a.m. coffee plans. But if you’re tired of seeing that guy from your subsection who keeps trying to ask you out and want to feel more incognito for a few hours … I’d head to DeMun.
Concluding thoughts
My No. 1 piece of advice for you is to not place too much weight on my suggestions — what works for me might not work for you, and the best part of this whole project was not finding the perfect place to do homework, — it was exploring St. Louis in a new way.
So, grab a friend, pick a day, and find your perfect coffee spot.
10 meals for $15 or less: Best cheap (ish) eats in the Lou
Reagan Remmers Contributing Writer
Let’s face it, eating on campus can suck sometimes. A lot of on-campus places close early, and there just aren’t that many options in BD. Because campus food can feel lackluster after a while, getting dinner can start to feel like a chore. Eating off campus is always an option, but it can be expensive and time consuming. Never fear! Here are ten great options within 15 minutes of campus (via walking or public transport) where you can get a meal for $15 or less.
Hi-Pointe Drive-In
This classic St. Louis burger joint has a lively atmosphere and a great selection of signature burgers and shakes. The burgers are flavorful, filling, and easily modifiable. If you’re on a tight budget, a burger and fries will keep you under $15. Adding a shake will put you over budget though, so choose wisely. Regardless, Hi-Pointe’s vintage aesthetic and quirky decor will ensure a fun experience. Its location near the Hi-Pointe Theater adds to its appeal, too. You might as well see a movie while you’re out!
Seoul Taco
A Korean-Mexican fusion restaurant is definitely not something you’ll find on campus. Located on the Delmar Loop, its fast-casual environment makes it an ideal spot for college students to grab a quick bite for a reasonable
price, with most menu items being around $10 to $12. While the ambience of the restaurant itself is nothing to write home about, the food speaks for itself. The menu consists of a variety of unique dishes, including kimchi fried rice burritos and Gogi bowls — the restaurant’s spin on the classic Korean rice bowl, bibimbap. With four different protein options, including tofu, there’s something delicious on the menu for everyone. The bulgogi steak is a personal favorite, but if that’s not up your alley, there are plenty of other combinations to try. Whether you trek to the Loop or stumble upon a Seoul Taco truck on the South 40’s food truck Thursdays, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Fitz’s
Fitz’s is another classic, must-visit location on the Loop. While the restaurant is famous for its sodas, floats, and malts, it has a huge food menu with plenty of options for everyone. The restaurant is lively, colorful, and a little bit loud, making it a great place to hang out (but not-sogreat for doing work). Fitz’s uses a 1940s bottling line to bottle their sodas, which you can see from anywhere on the main floor, adding character to the space. The food is good, but if you go, make sure to get a float. At around $10, they’re a little bit pricey, but are just simply delightful (and also almost as massive as the menu).
Blueberry Hill
Blueberry Hill opened on the
Loop in the 1970s as a place for people to share a beer and bond over music and pop culture. It began hosting live music events in 1985, and has remained a prominent part of the St. Louis music scene ever since. It has an eclectic and vibrant atmosphere, decorated with hundreds of vintage pop culture and music artifacts. While the experience itself is reason enough to go, Blueberry Hill also serves a surprisingly good burger. If that’s not your thing, they have a ton of affordable soup, sandwich, and salad options as well. They also serve toasted ravioli — a St. Louis staple. The pricing can vary, but most things on the menu are generally $10 to $15. Whether you try out the menu, catch a live show, or just play darts with your friends, a trip to Blueberry Hill is an absolute must.
Nudo House
Located on the east end of the Loop, Nudo is a great fast-casual option for fans of Asian cuisine. It offers a variety of dishes with Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Filipino influences, including ramen, pho, banh mi, and more. The ramen and pho are on the spendier side, ranging from $15 to $19, but you definitely get what you pay for in terms of both quality and quantity. There are plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options, and menu items can be modified to be vegetarian if they aren’t already. The warm soups Nudo offers are a great escape from the frigid winds of February.
Taco Buddha
Not far from campus, this fast-casual taco restaurant has a laid-back atmosphere and a menu that’s friendly to dietary restrictions. Everything is gluten free except for the flour tortillas (which can be swapped for corn tortillas). There are vegetarian options, and many of the tacos can be made vegan. Each taco is sold individually, and while the prices are high for a single taco, you can get two and a side for $15 or less. I found this to be a sufficient amount of food, but adding a third taco won’t break the bank. The individual tacos allow you to mix and match, so you can get a taste of everything. The restaurant is only a 5-minute walk from the West Campus shuttle’s Forsyth and Jackson stop.
K-Bop
K-Bop specializes in Korean rice bowls and noodle dishes with a variety of different protein options. The majority of these dishes fall within the $12 to $14 range. The food is both delicious and served quickly, but a huge plus for this restaurant is its location. On the east end of the Loop, it is right next to The Pageant — one of St. Louis’ premier concert venues. It’s definitely worth a stop before your next concert.
Meshuggah Bagel Cafe
This cozy cafe on the Loop is a great spot for breakfast, lunch, or a weekend study session. If you get tired of studying, they have a pleth-
ora of board games available to their patrons. As expected, the menu is very bagel-heavy, but if you don’t like bagels, fear not! Meshuggah also features a variety of toasts, pastries, non-bagel sandwiches, and salads. The comfortable upstairs seating area makes this a lovely spot to dine in, or to just hang out and play a board game.
Motor Town Pizza
Located in Brentwood, Motor Town Pizza is a little bit harder to get to, but is accessible using the Metro. The restaurant itself is only a 5-minute walk from the Brentwood Metro stop. They specialize in Detroit-style pizzas, but they also offer salads, sandwiches, and various appetizers and sides. Some of the pizzas are over $15, but many of them are within range. That being said, most of their menu items are pretty reasonably priced, as you’re paying
for quality as well as quantity. Even with a 10” pizza, there’s a good chance you’ll have leftovers, which makes the couple extra dollars worth it.
Berry Box Superfood Bar
Tired of the endless queues and long waits at Collins Farms? Looking for something with a little bit more variety? Take the West Campus shuttle to Berry Box Superfood Bar! Located right in between the West Campus parking lot and Forsyth and Jackson shuttle stop, this is a quick and easy option that requires minimal walking. Their smoothies, açai bowls, toast, and various beverages make Berry Box a good spot for breakfast or lunch. While the prices are a bit high for the portion sizes, you’ll still get something delicious and healthy-ish for under $15, so I’d consider that a win.
Best St. Louis sandwich?
Snarf’s on Skinker. The goat Contraband team lunch space. Great cheap subs and chocolate malts.
Ben Hoette, first-year Gramophone. They put chips in there and they make their own mayonnaise and the textures are insane!
Elena Wierich, junior
Paris Banh Mi probably bc that other banh mi shop closed. Tbh tho the best sandwiches I’ve had in this city are the ones I make on my panini press.
Sam Powers, junior
The grilled cheese you make by yourself in your apartment at 2 a.m. because you realize you forgot to eat all day.
Matthew Gimbel, junior
ELMA ADEMOVIC | STAFF ILLUSTRATOR
Pastaria deli. Kathryn Gregory, senior
The Songbird breakfast sandwich (the “Combo”) is probably one of the top 5 things I’ve ever eaten. They have perfected it. It is a classic sandwich with fried egg, thick cut bacon and melty white cheddar cheese, but their special touch is adding honey and flaky sea salt. It’s unreal. Go, order it, transcend. Alice Gottesman, senior
Star students: the best of the St. Louis Walk of Fame
Alice Gottesman Managing Scene Editor Avi Holzman Editor-in-Chief
St. Louis is famous for many things — the Gateway Arch, the Cardinals, the terrible pizza, just to name a few. But since its early days, the city has been home to great change-makers, culture-shakers, and giants of pop culture. The St. Louis Walk of Fame located on the Delmar Loop, similar to the much less famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, seeks to celebrate a few of the greats that made an impact on St. Louis and beyond. From over 170 St. Louisans, we’ve selected our personal top 10 (in no particular order).
Maya Angelou:
Maya Angelou, renowned poet, activist, and performer, was born in St. Louis in 1928. She has published more than 10 books and written a variety of plays, movies, and television shows. Her debut memoir “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” tells the story of her childhood and struggles with both abuse and prejudice she experienced. She was a major activist during the Civil Rights Movement and is known as one of the largest literary figures in the 20th century. She served as a consultant for building the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and received the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama.
Bob Costas:
Born in 1952 in New York, Bob Costas found his way to the Lou in his early 20’s when he started his broadcasting career at KMOX radio. It was his job to announce St. Louis Spirits basketball games, and he did so for seven years. There, Costas learned skills that he would use in his long career as a sports broadcaster, becoming one of the famous faces of NBC Sports. In his career he has won 29 Emmys (the most of any sportscaster) and was the prime-time host of 12 different Olympic
Games. Though he no longer resides in Missouri, he still refers to St. Louis as his home.
Miles Davis:
One of the most important jazz musicians ever, Davis expanded and redefined the entire genre writing hit albums like “Kind of Blue” and classic songs like “Bitches Brew.” He was known as an innovator and pioneered techniques, such as modal improvisation, that many musicians still use to this day. Davis played in the jazz band at East St. Louis Lincoln High School, but by
1948 his reputation had outgrown the city, and he moved to New York to continue performing.
Chuck Berry:
He basically invented rock and roll. Need we say more? He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of its first class in 1986. Berry wrote hit songs like “Johnny B. Goode,” which was famously played by Marty McFly in “Back to the Future.” Over the course of his 62-year career, he performed 200 times at Blueberry Hill on the Delmar Loop. His music
MANUEL LOPEZ | STAFF ILLUSTRATOR
might seem out of style now, but it served as the musical foundation for an entire genre and new sound.
William Danforth:
Chancellor Danforth led WashU for 24 years from 1971 to 1995. He was an embodiment of the University and earned the nickname “Chan Dan” from the students. By the time he retired, he had established around 70 professorships, helped build dozens of buildings on campus, and tripled the number of student scholarships. Not so long ago, the place where undergrads go to class was named the “Hilltop Campus.” In 2006 it was renamed Danforth Campus after this WashU legend. It is hard to think of any one person who has done more in recent history for WashU, and the greater St. Louis community, than Chancellor Danforth.
Joseph Pulitzer:
Born in 1847, this Hungarian-American politician and former newspaper publisher of the St. Louis Post Dispatch is best remembered for the awards named after him. While the Pulitzer Prizes were first handed out in 1917 to reward excellence in journalism, they now include categories for achievements in music, drama, poetry, literature, and history. The Pulitzer family also built the Pulitzer Art Foundation, a museum for modern and contemporary art that remains free to the public.
Katherine Dunham:
Katherine Dunham was an incredible dancer, choreographer, and activist. Born in Chicago and raised in Joliet, Illinois, Dunham always gravitated toward dance. At
The University of Chicago, she studied anthropology — more specifically, different cultures of dance from across the African diaspora and the Caribbean. During that, she was also spending time onstage and formed her own dance company. She pursued the arts after graduating and went on to be a renowned performer, even creating a specific dance foundation called the “Dunham Technique.” She later opened the Dunham School of Dance in New York City where she taught dance, performance arts, and cultural studies. Dunham moved to East St. Louis in 1964 where she continued her arts and cultural education initiatives as an artist-in-residence at Southern Illinois University. The Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities in East St. Louis is home to her massive collection of African and Caribbean art and displays that her impact on the arts continues to live on today.
Tennesse Williams:
This 20th century playwright is considered to be one of the greats in modern literary history. Williams went to the University of Missouri in Columbia where he began writing plays for the first time. He came to fame at 33 years old after writing “The Glass Menagerie” in 1944. In addition, his 1947 play, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” is frequently referenced as one of the greatest American plays of the 20th century. Williams is remembered as a legendary playwright and champion of the arts.
Tina Turner:
Rock and roll legend and 12-time Grammy winner Tina Turner got her start in St. Louis. Early in her career, she and her sister would perform in St. Louis nightclubs.
It was at one such club, in East St. Louis, that she first saw Ike Turner’s band play. She and Ike would get married and release several records together before they split, and Turner began her successful solo career as an R&B artist. She has since released 9 studio albums, has numerous Billboard chart toppers, and her autobiography “I, Tina” is a bestseller. Turner has been inducted into various halls of fame, has numerous books, and even a musical based on her life.
Ntozake Shange:
Shange is a renowned American playwright and poet best known for her award-winning play “for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf.” As a result of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, she
was bussed to White schools where she was a target of racist attacks. Some of her artistic inspirations include, W.E.B. DuBois, John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie, and St. Louis legend Miles Davis. She created a number of works that include poetry, dance, and music known as choreopoems.
Our nomination for next star:
SZA:
One of the biggest R & B stars today, she hails from St. Louis, Missouri. Some of her biggest songs are “Good Days,” “Kill Bill,” “Luther,” and “All the Stars.” She has won five Grammy Awards and recently performed at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show alongside Kendrick Lamar. We hope she gets a star as soon as possible.
The Foundry in photos
Photos
& Captions
by Ella Giere
STL Toasted:
A St. Louis classic, toasted ravioli has been the go-to appetizer for St. Louisans since the 1940s. The common legend is that this dish originated when a chef accidentally dropped ravioli into hot oil instead of water.
Mozzarella Sticks:
Besides grabbing a sandwich at Subdivision Sandwich Co., a variety of sides can be added to your meal. I will never turn down mozzarella sticks, especially with a marinara dipping sauce.
Fordo’s Killer Pizza:
James Beard Award winner, Gerald Craft, founded the popular pizza place, Fordos Killer Pizza, at the Foundry. Their secret to making scrumptious pizza: using flour from Northern Italy and a wood fired pizza oven.
Subdivision
Sandwich Co.:
Subdivision Sandwich Co. is known for naming their sandwiches after popular movies. Pictured is the “What’s the Matter Colonel Sandurz” spicy chicken sandwich. My personal favorite is “I’ll Have What She’s Having,” which also happens to reference my favorite rom-com “When Harry Met Sally.”
Kalbi Taco Shack, Asian Mexican Fusion:
Chef Sue Wong-Shackelford started Kalbi Taco Shack to merge her love for Asian and Mexican cuisines. Her claim to fame are her secret housemade Asian marinades and sauces. You could try kalbi, teriyaki chicken, or jackfruit served as a taco, burrito, or quesadilla.
Puttshack:
Puttshack hosts an indoor mini golf course and restaurant. It is a go-to spot for students and St. Louisans on a Friday night.
Sweetart Too Bakeshop and Cafe:
Sweetart Too is a brand-new addition to the Foundry, opening its window in February of 2025. Chef Reine Keis opened its original storefront in 2008 in the Shaw Neighborhood. All the food and desserts are 100% vegan. Fun fact: their famous fried “chicken” sandwich was featured on the Netflix show “Fresh, Fried, and Crispy.”
Press Waffle Co. :
At Press Waffle Co., you can have waffles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A favorite among my friends are the nutella strawberry waffles. Who doesn’t love chocolate and strawberries?
Best thing to do for free in St. Louis?
Sled on Art Hill because the danger of falling into the lake, combined with the excitement of sledding, makes it all worthwhile.
Lee Attar, senior
Cementland.
Aliza Lubitz, junior
ZOO! I like to look at the creatures. And it’s AZA accredited!
Theodor Martin, firstyear
The art museum. The collection is amazing and there is so much to see! Also within walking distance of campus.
William VanDyke, senior
Go to the St. Louis Basilica! I will never shut up about it, it’s such a great hidden secret. It’s absolutely stunning inside I’m currently abroad in Europe and have seen all the most gorgeous old churches and cathedrals the world has to offer and not one comes close to the splendor of the St. Louis Basilica (I am being dead serious). It is the largest collection of mosaic tiles in North America and all
walk into the zoo for five minutes, look at a polar bear, and then leave if you want. Forest Park is where you discover you have free will.
Audrey Tebow, firstyear
SLAM and/or just wander around Forest Park endlessly.
Sophia Palitti, senior
Shakespeare in the Park. Come with a blanket and snacks and watch a free Shakespeare performance by actors who are just there to have a good time. Perfect summer evening activity.
Grace Henderson, senior
The science center because it brings out your inner child!
Madi Hermeyer, junior
ZACH RUWITCH | CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR
the ceiling designs are all mosaic which make them sparkle way more than a painting.
Elena Wierich, junior
Best St. Louis BBQ?
Forest Park, hands down. You can go to a huge art museum for free. You can find at least five people who will let you pet their dogs. You can
Pappy’s Smokehouse. It is some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had.
Alex Nickel, senior
As a former waitress at Salt + Smoke I gotta stay loyal — plus once you discover all the weird food pairings it’s extra good. And the cheddar jalapeño fried baloney is gas and so slept on.
Sophia Palitti, senior
The St. Louis Art Museum is free and they have a great selection of artwork. I would recommend going there if you’re looking for a more calm activity for the day.
Diana Hoffman, senior
Pappy’s, ethereal brisket the first time you have it.
Christian Kim, first-year
Smoking Barrels off Kingshighway — everything is just so good!
Natalie Heath, graduate student
Red’s The One And Only BBQ in Ferguson, MO. This is an institution. It’s not frilly or Instagram-worthy, but it’s great barbecue.
Grace Henderson, senior
ANAELDA RAMOS | ILLUSTRATION EDITOR
Best bar/club in St. Louis and why?
I’m going to be bold here and say Tschüss even though I have only been once. A new bar that opened on Cherokee Street, I was thoroughly impressed with the atmosphere they have created here. I genuinely mean it when I say it felt like I was stepping into a bar in New York or somewhere vaguely European (I’m from New York so I’m allowed to say that). Upstairs is charmingly decorated and they also sell hot dogs?? Ummm, hello, that’s amazing. Last time I was there the bartender offered to make me a pickle martini since she was out of the normal dirty martini ingredients and it was fabulous. The downstairs house/ dance/rave vibe is so fun. Genuinely one of my favorite nights out in STL & will definitely be back!!
Sophia Palitti, senior
PBR, most hype.
Izzy Gorton, senior
Narwhal’s Crafted Ice!! I love this spot. Unique + tasty drinks. Great vibes.
Alex Nickel, senior
Vino! Wine bar, board games, good bites, feels like a living room.
Alice Gottesman, senior
Rehab for sure. Always good vibes, young crowd, lots of dancing, great music, and cheap and strong drinks.
Danya Goldstein, senior
Pieces because their drinks are great, it’s very chill, and there are board games.
Parker Maier, senior
Blueberry Hill. Where else are you going to get way too drunk off of only a couple drinks and run into literally everyone you’ve ever known in one place?
Robert Burch, senior
Brennan’s. Drinks are so fire; I really like the New York Sour.
Grace Henderson, senior
Handlebar. Best patio and super queer friendly w/ good DJs too. Hidden gems: Golden Hoosier and Saturn Lounge.
Bonnie Armbuster, staff
Molly’s. It has something for everyone: dance floor, bar vibes, outdoor vibes, decent bathrooms (when you go on non-WashU nights), good music.
Siobhan Davenport, senior
Venice Cafe is my favorite bar in town. It has live music, a super fun ambiance, and the decorations are super unique. The whole place pops with colorful mosaics and whimsical sculptures. As for my favorite club to go out dancing, I would recommend Viva. They play bachata, salsa, merengue, and cumbia — it is a blast and a half to go there and quite a workout at that.
Oh, the hot dog. An American staple that conjures up images of backyard barbecues on the Fourth of July, watching your favorite baseball team from the stands, and maybe even a trip to Coney Island. But let’s be honest — while cities like New York and Chicago may be known for their hot dogs, it’s not exactly the cuisine that St. Louis takes the most pride in. But, in the spirit of trying new things for Student Life’s Best Of, Aliana Mediratta and Nina Giraldo set out on a hot dog crawl to find the best dog in the city. Sacrificing their Sunday, their stomachs, and even a bit of their dignity, they hope you feel energized to get out there and have a hot dog.
Our dream hot dogs
Taste is subjective — some people love to try new, exciting foods, while other, less-cool people, stick with time-honored classics like chicken tenders. So, to calibrate our reviews, we have provided you with our idea of the perfect hot dog before we set off on our journey.
Nina: My earliest memories of hot dogs are from elementary school, when my fourth grade teacher showed us a video of how hot dogs were made. It’s likely she hoped that this video, which featured pink chemicals and the blending together of things that should never be blended together, would sway us from ever going near a hot dog again. If anything, it reinforced my likeness for hot dogs, because it made me realize how committed I was to them
— that I could watch this disgusting video and still eat them when given the chance.
My dream hot dog is wrapped in a soft bun and gives the impression of being au naturel. Mustard is necessary. The best hot dog I’ve ever had was a Venezuelan hot dog that my mom’s friend made for me. It had these crispy fried bits on top that really sealed the deal.
Ally: My dream hot dog is salty and savory, doesn’t taste overly processed, and is large enough to hold a number of different toppings. Ideally, a hot dog bun should be light and not overly bready, maybe with some poppy seeds on it. In terms of toppings, I typically get mustard, relish, and onions — I’m a D1 ketchup hater.
Steve’s Hot Dogs
Where: 5248 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108
What we ordered:
Ally: Walking into this hot dog crawl, Nina and I were seconds away from a physical altercation because of how hungry we both were, after forgoing breakfast to save room for dogs. As such, I was excited for the first dog of the day. I had the Chicago dog, which has raw onions, tomatoes, sport peppers (whatever that means), pickles, relish, and mustard. Overall, I did really like this hot dog — it was filling (which did not bode well for me and Nina since this was our first of many stops), it had a lot of different flavors, and I think the hot dog itself tasted great. My two qualms are with the tomatoes and the bun; I’m not the biggest fan of tomatoes on sandwiches and these were a bit pale in color. In terms of the bun, I wish it had been a little less bready and a bit smaller because it overpowered the dog a bit.
Chicago Dog ($9.50) and St. Louis Style Dog ($9.50)
We were able to catch Steve’s General Manager, Dustin Krueger, to chat about what makes an ideal hot dog. Krueger thinks it comes down to the basics: quality ingredients. His favorite hot dog on the menu is the Backyard BBQ Dog, which comes with baked beans, bacon, potato salad, and BBQ sauce all loaded on top. Krueger told us about the namesake of the store, Steve Ewing, who is the frontman for the band The Urge. Ewing’s interest in music inspired the general decor inside the restaurant, which includes a wall of band posters that actually feature many of The Urge’s shows.
“I’ve never worked for an owner that is truly proud of what he’s created and involved and engaged in everything,” Krueger said.
Nina: I had not eaten all day in preparation for this (it was 1:00 p.m. at this point). That meant that I was really starting to lean into the angry part of the hangry. I think I would’ve called grass delicious at this point, so my condition may have given Steve’s a leg up in my ranking. I got the St. Louis Style Dog, which laid under a pile of bacon. The hot dog was juicy and delicious. By the end, the basket it came in was merely an accessory, and the table and booth were a graveyard of severed hot dog toppings. I even found remnants in my hair. I devoured it so quickly that I hardly remembered what it tasted like. When I had finished, I wondered whether I even liked hot dogs to begin with (Ally editor’s note: when Nina said this to me, I almost punched her in the face). Ultimately, I decided that I did — whether from an epiphany or because I
ALIANA MEDIRATTA | MANAGING NEWS EDITOR
Steve’s Chicago Dog (bottom) and St. Louis Style Dog (top) were Nina and Ally’s first hot dogs of the day.
had no other choice is unclear. As far as the hot dog goes, I personally was not a fan of the smoky flavor, which was ever-so slightly present and brought this dog down a point for me. Call me cheap, but I’m also a fan of the traditional hot dog bun, and this one was more bready. Regardless, I still appreciated the hot dog itself, and this was also a very filling meal.
Overall, we think Steve’s is worth checking out. With six different locations in St. Louis, it’s certainly one of the most popular places to grab a hot dog for lunch.
Ratings:
Nina: 8.5 | Ally: 8
Fitz’s Delmar
Where: 6605 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63130
What we ordered: Grand Coney Dog + onion rings ($13.99)
Nina: Driving to Fitz’s, my stomach was already in a fuss. I was also starting to get hit with a wave of post-lunch sleepiness. When we got there, though, we perked up and ordered root beer floats, onion rings, and chili cheese hot dogs. Was this a smart move for the crawl? Only time could tell. To be honest, I was pretty skeptical of a chili dog —I’ve never had one and personally am of the belief that beans should stay in their lane. Nevertheless, this hot dog surprised — no, floored — me. The bun was soft, the chili salty, and the dog was perfectly cooked. It was at this moment that I realized that to me, hot dogs are kind of like mac and cheese — the shittier the better.
Ally: Fitz’s has one hot dog on the menu: the Grand Coney dog. Topped with chili, beans, onions, and cheese, this was actually the first chili dog I’ve ever had in my life. I’ve spent
21 years thinking that chili dogs are the most abhorrent American creation out there and I’m shocked to say that I actually really enjoyed this. The dog itself was light and was balanced out well by the flavors of the chili and the onion. We did make the fatal error of ordering root beer floats — as two Fitz’s novices, we didn’t know just how large they would be, and found ourselves faced with three huge scoops of ice cream while also staring down the barrel of eating three more hot dogs.
Ratings:
Nina: 8 | Ally: 6.5
Costco
Where: 8685 Olive Blvd, Olivette, MO 63132
What we ordered:
Two plain hot dogs ($1.50 each)
Ally: As I looked at the graphics advertising a hot dog (and soda!) for $1.50 at Costco, my stomach started to turn over. Nina and I picked up our friend and fellow senior Saish Satyalfor moral support — and his Costco card — so our ranks were growing in size. Taking that first bite of the Costco hot dog triggered a gag reflex I didn’t even know I had. I actually thought, for a split second, that I was going to throw up on the linoleum floors. Going into this crawl, I thought I would be fine, because I’ve eaten three or four hot dogs in one sitting before, like any self-respecting American has. However, I hadn’t accounted for the impact of toppings. Another variable I failed to consider before sitting down was just how rubbery a hot dog could be. If the stereotypical hot dog makes you think of a blended amalgamation of various nearly-discarded meat parts, this is the hot dog you’re visualizing. P.S. I want to go back in time to when younger Ally and Nina decided to order root
beer floats and smack them in the face.
Nina: At Fitz’s, our friend Saish asked if we could bring him a hot dog, and we said no. We then found out that he had a Costco membership, and that changed some things. Saish got in the car, and that’s when everything started to go downhill (sorry Saish). The contrast between his jovial demeanor — innocent to the toll that two topping-filled hot dogs does to the body — and Ally and I’s hurting stomachs and tired eyes, made Saish feel awkward and the two of us feel annoyed. By the time Ally mentioned she was going to go on a run later that day and Saish told me to “chill out,” I was on the verge of tears.
I knew immediately after receiving my hot dog, pale under the fluorescent light-
ing, that this had been a mistake. I had always dreamed of Costco’s $1.50 hot dogs and the glory in the American dream they could bring, but I couldn’t bear to look this dawg in the eyes. I took one bite and my throat immediately clenched up. It was disturbing — it’s body appeared swollen and far too big for the bun that encased it. All of a sudden, I feel as though hot dogs are all I’ve ever known. Ally and I could have done any type of crawl around St. Louis — we could have explored the city’s pastry scene, or done a tour of its prettiest parks. Yet here I am, sitting in a gray box of a building packed with carpentry materials and hot dogs. I fear that I will soon turn into one.
Ratings: Nina: 2 | Ally: 2
ALIANA MEDIRATTA | MANAGING NEWS EDITOR
What’s left of a Grand Coney Dog makes its debut next to onion rings and the infamous root beer floats.
WashU Fieldhouse
Where: 3639 Laclede Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
What we ordered:
Two plain hot dogs ($4.50 each)
Nina: My body is too tired to fight back anymore. I accept my fate at the basketball game that is currently taking place, and I accept that this fate will include another hot dog. Ally and I stand in line for a few minutes as we melt into the chaos of the court. This hot dog is much smaller than any we have eaten before, and I thank the skies for that. Topped with a single stripe of ketchup and mustard, the hot dog is … fine. It is just fine — and fine is good enough for me.
Ally: The three hot dogs I have eaten thus far were all unique — the toppings loaded onto the Chicago Dog at Steve’s, the chili on the Coney Dog at Fitz’s, and the intense rubbery quality of the Costco dog. All of this to say, though I was not excited to eat a hot dog when we arrived at the fieldhouse, I was glad that it was going to be a plain, simple dog. I’ve eaten a number of fieldhouse hot dogs at football and basketball games, so I knew what to expect going in. This is a solid hot dog, with a pretty good bun, so I honestly have no complaints. I’d recommend grabbing one the next time you’re cheering on the Bears.
Ratings:
Nina: 4 | Ally: 5
Woofie’s
Where: 1919 Woodson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63114
What we ordered:
New York Style Hot Dog ($5.39), Woofie Dog ($5.49), Kathy Dog ($6.49)
Ian O’Leary has been running Woofie’s for the past
three years, after his parents bought the place ten years ago. He says that the Vienna beef that Woofie’s uses, shipped down from Chicago, is what makes their hot dogs stand apart.
Woofie’s has many regulars, some of which visit the shop on the daily. According to O’Leary, it doesn’t take much to make someone into a regular — just a quality
book that mentions having lunch at Woofie’s.
Ally: After eating four hot dogs on Sunday, there was no task that felt more daunting to me than eating another hot dog on Monday. But, alas, multiple people told me that Nina and I had to go to Woofie’s, so after I finished class, we set off for the second day of our crawl. Pulling up to the small restaurant, I
By the time Nina and Ally got to Costco, they were feeling tired and defeated.
hot dog and some kindness at the register. O’Leary says that Woofie’s provides a good alternative to other fast food, as it is cheap but also made from high-quality ingredients.
Woofie’s has been around for almost 50 years — and you can tell when you walk in. Painted in mustard yellow and ketchup red stripes, the walls are adorned with signed headshots from St. Louis journalists from decades past, news clippings about the craft of the hot dog, and even a
than it was, as I’ve downed several hot dogs in one sitting before. What I neglected to take into consideration, however, are the toppings. It’s been one day since our hot dog eating spree, and my stomach still feels like a block of cinder. Heading to Woofie’s, I am dreading eating yet another sausage. As we pull in, however, I am struck by the nostalgia and old-timey feel that this place inspires — from the gumball machines, brightly colored walls, and red booths that sit facing the road outside. I ordered the Chicago-style hot dog, which featured a pickle spear, green relish, sport peppers, and chopped onions. The bun was perfectly soft, and the hot dog itself was delicious. I realized then how beautiful Woofie’s hot dogs are in their simplicity — the ingredients are more simple and sparse than Steve’s, which towered with toppings, and that’s what makes Woofie’s hot dogs so charming. After five hot dogs in the span of two days, Ally and I found ourselves ordering another hot dog from Woofie’s to split. I would wholeheartedly come back to this place. Everything — its cozy setting, reasonable prices, high quality food — was exactly what I envisioned out of the perfect hot dog when I came on this crawl to begin with.
found myself deeply dreading the idea of putting another hot dog in my mouth. But little did I know, this would end up being my favorite stop of the whole crawl. I ordered the New York Style Dog, which is a split and grilled dog with brown mustard, relish, and sauerkraut, and I absolutely loved it. In comparison to the Costco hot dog, I could tell that this was much higher quality.
Nina: I thought this hot dog crawl would be much easier
Ratings: Nina: 9 | Ally: 9.5
COURTESY OF SAISH SAYTAL
Syd’s guide to Cherokee Street
Sydney Tran Head of Design
Despite reservations, I have decided to reveal my best kept secret in St. Louis: Cherokee Street. A one-mile strip filled with small businesses featuring vintage shopping, art and music, and the best bites around, Cherokee street has it all (including a Swade for the 21+ crowd). Most businesses are only open Friday through Sunday, making it the perfect location for weekend wandering. Cherokee Street is just a 15-minute drive away from the Danforth campus, depending on traffic. Hopefully after reading this you will feel inspired to visit this hidden gem of St. Louis or bribe a friend with a coffee to drive you (or text me).
Vintage shop ‘til you drop
Mesa Home
2619 Cherokee St.
Whenever I am looking to
spruce up my wardrobe, my first stop is Mesa Home. This is my favorite curated and affordable vintage store for ‘70s-’90s vintage clothes, as well as upcycled pieces. I can always trust that Anni, the owner and curator, will have amazing pieces on her $5 and $10 rack.
City Mouse Vintage
2618 Cherokee St.
Right across the street from Mesa Home lies one of the silliest vintage stores I’ve ever been in. If you are looking for something eclectic, City Mouse has it. From funky brooches to denim jackets that make you feel like you were on the cast of “The Outsiders,” it is difficult not to walk out with something quirky to add to your closet.
Side note: Their dressing room is so roomy and has a vintage tv inside with a leather armchair to leave your finds on.
Elder’s Antiques
2124 Cherokee St.
Elder’s is best described as a two-story rabbit hole. I have spent hours in this store holding photograph plates to the
light, reading postcards a niece sent to her aunt, and trying not to get tetanus rummaging through vintage campaign buttons. There is no shortage of items to admire here.
Places for the eyes and ears
STL Virtuoso
2616 Cherokee St.
From prints, jewelry, wearables, to a fish terrarium, STL Virtuoso has it all. An
artist gallery and shop filled to the brim with artworks by local STL artists, there is no doubt you could find affordable unique wall decor for your bare walls. Owned by artists Jessie D. Mees and Julianne Wise, the store is volunteer-run by the artists displayed in the gallery.
Sheppard Studios
2306 Cherokee St.
Outside this fine art gallery, a sign featuring an opossum
Inside the time machine that is City Mouse Vintage’s fitting room.
SAM POWERS | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR
STL Virtuoso showcases and sells artwork from various local artists.
SAM POWERS | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR
calls out to window shoppers: “Obey your spirit animal.” But don’t let the connotation of fine art galleries being pricey steer you away from this studio. Mark Sheppard showcases his quirky carnival collection of hand-painted works — that also come in prints — along with linocut prints and stickers, offering unique pieces at price points that are affordable for college students!
Infinite Spin Records
2308.5 Cherokee St.*
Two doors down from Sheppard Studios lies a time capsule of a record store specializing in underground rock, jazz, new releases, and more. Along with selling records, Infinite Spin also sells vintage clothing and mini-poster stickers. If I could Shazam the music this store plays all day I would.
*The reason why there is a .5 in the address is because it is a building split into two! Cherokee Street has been expanding the past few years and this is one of their unique methods of repurposing unused land to create space for new business owners.
The pièce de résistance of Cherokee Street
Don Carlos 2800 Cherokee St.
Naturally, after a long day of walking and shopping, your stomach will be screaming for food.
Don Carlos answers these calls by offering a lively eating experience in an outdoor patio attached to a grocery store. Cherokee Street is filled with authen -
tic Mexican cuisine, but for me, Don Carlos stands out for its affordable price point and unbeatable quality, as well as its unorthodox metal exterior.
This list by no means is an exhaustive list of what Cherokee Street has to offer and I highly encourage those who decide to visit to wander where their heart takes them.
One of the biggest draws of Mesa Home is their window display that helps customers envision the clothes in their own wardrobe.
SAM POWERS | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR
Infinite Spin Records carries vintage records ranging from alternative rock to new releases.
SAM POWERS | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR
The best sports to play on Mudd Field (before it closes)
Hailey Berger Contributing Writer
Mudd Field will close on May 13 and will not open until Fall 2028. While the first-years will have their senior year to utilize the space, this semester is every other grade’s last opportunity to play on Mudd Field as WashU undergraduates. That being said, we must use the large green space to our advantage before the clock runs out. Below are some unique sports that people can play on the field to add an extra memory to their WashU memory bank.
Spikeball
This beach volleyball spinoff is the perfect game to play on Mudd Field. It only requires a three-inch ball and a trampoline-like net. Spikeball requires two teams of two, with the goal of the ball never hitting the ground and only the net. While the game may seem like a walk in the park, there are critical moves players can make, which cause their opponents to run great distances to keep the ball in play. With only three touches allowed, get used to diving and quick movements if you plan to win this vigorous game.
Kickball
It’s a classic in itself. This leg-dominated game is excellent if you want to play with friends or meet new people who pass by. With the same setup as baseball and softball, kickball involves two
teams, each consisting of a kicker, pitcher, baseman, infielders, and outfielders. The teams switch between being behind the base kicking and in the outfield trying to get the opponent out with a ball catch. With three strikes, the teams switch positions by catching the ball or tagging the player before reaching the base. Whoever has the most runs after seven innings is the winner.
Cornhole
If you consider cornhole a sport, then listen up. This game requires two elevated boards placed 27 feet apart with holes and eight bags each for the participating players. The objective is tossing your bag underhand into your opponent’s hole while remaining beside your board. You alternate back and forth until all the bags are gone. Remember, you can use the bag you throw to move one of your bags on the board near the hole. The player gains three points for getting the bag in the hole and one point if it lands on the board. The goal is to be the first to reach 21 points.
Ultimate Frisbee
If you want to play a game similar to football but without the contact part, ultimate frisbee is the game for you. There are two teams of seven players, each trying to catch a disk in the opposing team’s endzone. The thrower cannot move when making a pass, and the defensive team can get possession if the pass is incomplete or if the team scores. With only 40 min -
utes of playing time divided into 20-minute halves, team communication is necessary to reach the 15-goal mark to win the game.
Gaga ball
Last but not least, Gaga ball. This dodgeball-style game involves a pit or octagonal boundary and a moderate-sized ball. A boundary can be made from loose netting, and poles burrowed into the field. The game begins with one player’s hand touching the outer edge of the pit, and a referee will throw in a ball for the battle to begin. It is every person for themselves. You aim to hit a ball with your
hands and try to contact your opponent’s lower body. This includes from the feet to just below the hips. The ball cannot be thrown; it must be whacked. The walls can be used to elevate your legs. The last player standing is the winner.
Hopefully, you will enjoy playing these games with friends and the WashU community before Mudd Field’s construction begins. Before the year comes to a close, appreciate the green grass and the dirt on your sneakers. Have a muddy time!
Running spots in St. Louis
Lewis Rand Managing Sports Editor
WashU’s location — nestled between Forest Park, Clayton, University City, and St. Louis — offers a wide variety of running spots for newcomers and experienced runners. Many WashU students talk about wanting to get out of the “WashU bubble,” and running (or walking) is a great way to do so and explore the world surrounding WashU. Here are some of the best running routes for the WashU community.
Park Loop
Forest Park
~7 miles
Park Loop takes you around the perimeter foot and bike paths of Forest Park. Around seven miles in total with rolling hills, it is a great way to see the park and everything in it, from the Missouri History Museum, to Forest Park’s three golf courses, to the many rivers and streams that meander through the park. It is a great way to start a Saturday morning or spend an afternoon on a nice spring day.
Shaw Park
Clayton, Missouri
~4.5 miles
This 4.5-mile loop takes you from the Athletic Complex (AC) down Forsyth, through downtown Clayton, to and around Shaw Park (one of Clayton’s many hidden gems), and through the neighborhoods until you return back
to Big Bend Boulevard and WashU’s campus. A perfect mix of urban and suburban, the run offers a nice change of scenery and is perfect for an early-morning or lunchtime.
Cannon Forest Park
~4 miles
This might be the easiest route to remember in Forest Park. Leave the AC and run through campus (or down Forsyth) to Forest Park; take the gravel path along the golf course, past the history museum and handball courts until you run into a massive cannon; then turn around and run the route in reverse. It is a perfect run when you are low on time, and is almost entirely on soft surfaces (like grass and gravel) once you enter Forest Park, which can be a nice relief from the pavement at WashU and in the surrounding neighborhoods that you will find on many of other routes.
Tower Grove Park
St. Louis, Missouri
~2 miles
A 10-minute drive from campus, Tower Grove Park is located next to the Missouri Botanical Garden. The park offers many different paths, with the perimeter path being two miles. If you have some time, it is a great place to explore, especially during fall days when the weather is getting colder and the leaves are changing colors.
JAIME HEBEL | HEAD OF ILLUSTRATION
Best places to take your parents when they come to visit?
The Missouri Botanical Gardens and Tower Grove Farmers Market are both great. Also loved going to the jewel box with my mom when the lily pads were in full bloom.
Aliza Lubitz, junior
Bowood by Niche — very cute combination of a brunch restaurant and plant store!
Elizabeth Grieve, junior
My favorite place to go with my parents when they visit is Forest Park. I love walking by the water and around Art Hill.
Diana Hoffman, senior
Downtown St. Charles! It’s in the outer suburbs of the city, technically, and it [is] a cute hometown. There’s lots of stores, there’s a riverfront, walking trail, historical Lewis and Clark statue, lots more since there’s generally events every weekend.
Ben Hoette, first-year
Fitz’s they feel like they are getting an authentic “St. Louis” experience (whatever that is) and root beer is yummy.
Sam Powers, junior
BD, no explanation needed.
Colin Falvey, sophomore
The Foundry! There are so many restaurants to explore inside the same building, which allows a particularly argumentative family to split up, grab their desired meals, and reunite for a splendid,
peaceful dining experience. The people watching is also 10/10 (so many dogs, annoying toddlers, and traveling sports teams).
Lauren Smith, sophomore Cardinals game. My family loves baseball, but in general I feel like it’s an option that most parents will enjoy. Plus you can get Dippin’ Dots on your parents’ dime.
Bea Augustine, first-year
A WashU sports event. They are always a ton of fun and there are not that many people there so you can get great seats. Also sports games are great because you can ignore your parents when the game is fun and then talk to them whenever you want to. Also if your parents are lit you can just scream with them during the game for the entire time.
Avi Holzman, senior St. Louis Art Museum. Very much a classic, but it’s free and so much to do. It can take you only one hour to up to two full days of exploring depending on how in-depth you want to look and how much art you want to see.
Zach Trabitz, junior
Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery:
Unique alcoholic (and nonalcoholic) ice cream that is a favorite of my family. They ask me to bring them back a pint (or multiple) whenever I drive home. Their favorite is the Maple Bourbon and my favorite is the Vegan Lemon Poppyseed.
Matthew Gimbel, junior
MANUEL LOPEZ | STAFF ILLUSTRATOR
Secondhand city: Thrifting in St. Louis
Hannah La Porte Staff Writer
Thrifting and vintage-shopping have taken the world by storm, and St. Louis is no exception — ranking among the top 25 cities for thrifting in the U.S. As an avid secondhand shopper, I’ve spent my weekends searching for new pieces to add to my wardrobe, venturing as far away from campus as East St. Louis and as close as the Delmar Loop. While there are plenty of amazing spots across the city, this list is based only on places I’ve been to so far — either via public transit or by car. Whether you’re hunting for high-end vintage, quirky statement pieces, or a chaotic bin-digging experience, St. Louis has a little bit of something for everyone.
found. vintage
Found was the first vintage clothing shop I explored when I arrived at WashU, so it will forever hold a special place in my heart. Many of their pieces are much more curated than what you would find at your average Goodwill, and Found prides itself on being an “upscale, artfully curated boutique featuring a unique selection of trendy and timeless true vintage [and] modern retro,” so it definitely leans closer to vintage shopping over a traditional thrifting experience.
Don’t let the shop’s potentially high prices deter you! I’ve picked up pieces of gold jewelry, a pair of high-quality jeans, and various tops, all for reasonable prices. (Here’s a tip: The nicer and friendlier you are to the employees, the more likely you can haggle your way into a
steal.) My favorite part of Found is the repurposed station located in-store, where employees take old — often torn or damaged — clothing and repair them with funky patches, different fabrics, or other creative techniques.
Avalon Exchange
Avalon Exchange is similar to Found in that it leans more towards a vintage shopping experience. I would say that Avalon is a bit bigger than Found, providing more variety in the pieces. Avalon prides itself on buying clothing directly from the St. Louis community so that their pieces are often a “reflection of our local community.”
I’ve gotten a range of pieces from here, but I’ve purchased mostly t-shirts and graphic tees. They have a solid range of jewelry, spanning from average gold and silver pieces, to more aggressively eccentric costume jewelry, which can be fun to peruse. A highlight of Avalon Exchange is their Dollar Sale: Twice a year, hundreds of their clothing items retail for a buck a piece. Talk about a steal!
Drop Soda Vintage Market
Since coming to St. Louis, my favorite thrifting and vintage-shopping experience has been at the Drop Soda Vintage Market. Drop Soda is a monthly pop-up market that happens at The Garage STL during the first weekend of each month. Hosting between 36 and 50 unique vendors every weekend, the market has clothes, shoes, and jewelry for all occasions — ranging from $2 t-shirts to over-the-top ballgowns. The Market is truly an experience, with food trucks and a full bar, music, and even an
ANNA DORSEY | STAFF ILLUSTRATOR
on-site seamstress to repair clothing.
Goodwill
Tried and true, a local Goodwill will always find its way onto a thrifting list. Although there are five Goodwill locations throughout the greater St. Louis area, I have only ventured into the one off Olive, since it is the one most easily accessible by public transit. As anyone who has gone into a Goodwill will tell you, you won’t get anything out of it unless you put in a little bit of work. Sure, maybe you’ll find three different “bride-to-be” shirts, or 20 different youth soccer jerseys, but when you find that one pair of perfectly fitted vintage Levi’s, you’ll know that it was all worth it.
The Goodwill Outlets (the infamous Bins)
I know, I know. Technically, the Bins are one of five aforementioned Goodwill locations. But in my opinion, the Goodwill Bins deserve
their own category in the world of thrifting. According to my good friend and fellow first-year Marshall Fisher, “The Bins are equal parts thrifting and people-watching. I’ve struck up conversations from drag queens to St. Louis locals complaining about how the price has gone from $1.80 to $2.20 per pound.” According to Fisher, the appeal of the Bins lies in both the price and the experience.
Speaking as someone who has spent the better part of an entire day arms-deep in every kind of clothing imaginable, the Bins truly are for those who are willing to put a bit of work into their thrifting experience — it takes a lot of effort to find high-quality pieces at the Bins, as nothing is sorted, and it’s mostly one big freefor-all. However, Marshall says he recently scored in the homeware section, acquiring some unique glassware and fine china pieces.
