The Five Best Neighborhood Restaurants in St. Louis

Ian Froeb

The veal Parmesan sandwich at Biggie's

​3. Biggie's (3332 Watson Road; 314-781-0060)

If you wanted to find the quintessential St. Louis neighborhood restaurant, look no further than Biggie's: dimly lighted, walls covered in sports memorabilia, maybe still a hint in the air of its many years without a smoking ban. The food is straightforward American and Italian-American fare, including a monster pork chop and a stellar veal-parm sandwich.

Ian Froeb

Albóndigas caseras with patatas bravas at Guido's Pizzeria & Tapas

​2. Guido's Pizzeria & Tapas (5046 Shaw Avenue; 314-771-4900)

You don't go to Guido's because you want to go to the Hill. You go to Guido's because you want to go to Guido's -- to be reminded again that the Carretero family serves up some of the most satisfying food in town, from pizza and pasta to albóndigas and grilled calamari. A late supper of crusty bread, Serrano ham and manchego, with a cold Peroni, is an unmatched St. Louis pleasure.

Jennifer Silverberg

Quincy Street Bistro owners Mike Enright (left) and Kevin Winkler.

​1. Quincy Street Bistro (6931 Gravois Avenue; 314-353-1588)

Many great neighborhood restaurants develop over time. Others arrive more or less fully formed, a happy coincidence of skill, timing and not a little luck. Such is the case with Quincy Street Bistro, which debuted in Princeton Heights this year but feels like it has been there, serving tasty burgers (try the "One-Eyed Jack" Burger, with barbecue sauce and onion rings), a deep-fried hot dog and St. Louis-style pizza that even the Provel-phobic might (might) enjoy, all along. Which is why Quincy Street Bistro is our "Best Neighborhood Restaurant" for 2011.