Steve’s Hot Dogs Founder Steve Ewing’s 10 Favorite St. Louis Restaurants

By Alexa Beattie on Wed, Apr 24, 2024 at 6:00 am

Steve Ewing, founder and co-owner of Steve’s Hot Dogs and Steve’s Meltdown in St. Louis

Photo by Zachary Linhares

When Steve Ewing, the founder and co-owner of Steve’s Hot Dogs and Steve’s Meltdown, talks about cake, he sounds like he’s talking about a matter of the utmost importance. He gets serious, places his palms on the table, and declares, “Listen. I love cake.”

But that isn’t all he loves.

Ewing’s eclectic palate includes a passion for dishes as wide ranging as sushi, Cantonese baked barbecue buns, burnt ends, cheeseburgers and much more. He told Sauce Magazine about the 10 restaurants and bars you'll most likely find him most frequently.

Read the RFT's cover story about Ewing, and then scroll down to learn more about what this bodybuilder and rock star told Sauce about where he eats when he's not at work.

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The massive four-patty The Captain burger at Mac's Local Eats in St. Louis

Photo by Michelle Volansky

Mac’s Local Eats
“I get a double, maybe triple cheeseburger. Three patties, I mean …”
5656 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, 314.393.7713, macslocaleats.com

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Vegetable pide from Balkan Treat Box in Webster Groves

Photo by Meera Nagarajan

Balkan Treat Box
“Balkan and I are direct neighbors at Citypark. I tell Loryn [Nalic] to make whatever she feels like making. ‘Make me something,’ I say. And it’s a privilege. The last thing she cooked up didn’t even make it to the car.”
8103 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314.733.5700, balkantreatbox.com

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Whiskey punch from Planter's House in Lafayette Square

Photo by Michelle Volansky

Planter’s House
“The martini. I have mine with gin, pretty smooth and simple. I can drink them all night. Sometimes, that means five!”
1000 Mississippi Ave., St. Louis, 314.696.2603, plantershousestl.com

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The Royale Food & Spirits in Tower Grove South in St. Louis

Photo by Jaime Lees

The Royale Food & Spirits
“I’m a pretty simple guy and the burgers don’t get much better than the ones at The Royale – chargrilled, raw onions, American cheese and ketchup. See what I mean? Simple.”
3132 S. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, 314.772.3600, theroyale.com

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The Mississippi Nights Club from The Gramophone in The Grove in St. Louis

Photo courtesy of The Gramophone

The Gramophone
“I’m a big sandwich guy, and these are the best sandwiches in St. Louis. The Mississippi Nights Club has everything but the kitchen sink: turkey, roast beef, bacon, pepper jack.”
4243 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.531.5700, gramophonestl.com

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Grand Spirits Bottle Company on South Grand in St. Louis

Photo by Michelle Volansky

Grand Spirits Bottle Co.
“They have small plates, but I’m talking about the huge assortment of tequilas. Straight and chilled; doubled or tripled.”
3194 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, grandspiritsco.com

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Burnt ends at The Shaved Duck in St. Louis

Photo courtesy of The Shaved Duck

The Shaved Duck Smokehouse
“I get the burnt ends, but you’ve gotta get there; they sell out.”
2900 Virginia Ave., St. Louis, 314.776.1407, theshavedduck.com

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Chori Pollo at Chimichanga’s Mexican Restaurant in St. Louis

Photo courtesy of Chimichanga’s Mexican Restaurant

Chimichanga’s Mexican Restaurant
“This is family style, a great place to take my daughter. There’s nothing that special about it, but the food’s fast and hot, and I have great memories there.”
5425 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.352.0202, chimichangasstl.com

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Wei Hong Bakery on South Grand in St. Louis

Photo courtesy of Wei Hong Bakery

Wei Hong Bakery
“I go about once a month for their barbecue buns. I love ribs inside buns. They’re like kolaches, only bigger, and glossy on top. They sell out every day. I usually take them to parties.” 3175 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.773.8318, prod.getmymeal.com/en/weihongbakery

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Kampai Sushi in the Central West End in St. Louis

Photo courtesy of Kampai Sushi

Kampai Sushi Bar
“I go in a group. Nigiri, straight up. Salmon, tuna, smoked eel. Hot sake.”
4949 W. Pine Blvd., St. Louis, 314.367.2020, kampaisushibarstl.com

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