I grew up in St. Louis and moved to Chicago in February of 2012. It was a chance for me to be independent and start to figure out who I am. It took a few years of settling into Chicago before I realized that St. Louis was a huge part of who I am. Here are some of my fondest food memories of St. Louis:

The St. Louis Gateway Arch. Photo by Katie Allen | 2013.

St. Louis Style Toasted Ravioli - This combination of meat, bread and dipping sauce is what we all dream about when we're hungry, a food good enough to earn its own nickname.
Pappy's BBQ ribs - If you are ever in downtown STL it would be a crime not to stop here. This is the best BBQ in the world as far as I am concerned. They slow smoke their meats up to 14 long hours over sweet apple or cherry wood. This is fall off the bone goodness.
I love ice cream but frozen custard is in a league of its own. Ted Drewes takes the cake (or in this case the custard) as the best place to get your fill of cold sweet goodness. My personal favorite is the Christy, an iced brownie topped with custard, caramel and hot fudge.
Imo's Pizza - Don't get me wrong Chicago Deep Dish is okay but St. Louis know my taste buds. The mozzarella cheese that you find here is replaced with Provel (amazing cheese), the crust is ultra-thin and crispy on the edges and the bottom , and then it's cut into squares instead of slices.
Potatoes pretty much in every form mashed potatoes, smashed potatoes, french fries, potato chips... but tater tots are the key to my heart. Blueberry Hill has the best tater tots and onion rings... and toasted ravs, and well they have good appetizers all around.
My Aunt Catherine's Pineapple Upside Down Cake - Something about the way Aunt Catherine made this amazing cake was out of this world. She passed away earlier this year but my memories of her cooking will live on.
My Just Desserts technically is on the other side of the river but it has the BEST pies I have ever tasted. My parents moved to Alton Illinois after I graduated from High School so I considered it a second home. My Just Desserts has some of the best desserts but also has amazing lunch specials and casseroles. Most people come to Alton for Fast Eddies but My Just Desserts is right down the street and will not disappoint.
Speaking of Fast Eddies. There is a little known spot in Alton that is Fast Eddies Fried Chicken. If you love fried chicken as much as I do this is the place for hot, fresh fried goodness.
Old Town Donuts - If it is not obvious by now I have a pretty serious sweet tooth. Old town donuts was the place for donuts in my hometown of Florissant. Open 24/7 they were always open for those late night or early morning cravings. Vanilla long johns or an apple fritter... yum!
The last spot is the Crown Candy Kitchen - not in the best part of town but this place has some great history and some great food. Crown Candy Kitchen has candy of course but also has the greatest BLT on the planet (at least in my opinion). They call it the Heart Stopping BLT, thick-sliced bacon, lettuce and tomato with Miracle Whip served on white toast. It may actually make your heart skip a beat.