Top 5 Slingers in St. Louis, Chosen by Our Critic

By Cheryl Baehr on Thu, Dec 21, 2023 at 6:09 am

Beloved by some, reviled by others — likely based on the amount of alcohol you have coursing through your bloodstream — there's no question that the slinger is essential St. Louis culinary lore. While the diner staple may look like little more than a mess of ingredients on a plate, there is actually a significant degree of nuance that separates the merely passable versions from those that exemplify all that can be achieved. These are our five favorites.

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Braden McMakin

GOTham and Eggs

For slinger purists, GOTham and Egg's (3139 South Grand Boulevard, 314-833-8355,gothamandeggs.com) version is shocking in that it balances being deeply satisfying without making you feel disgusting. Credit goes to the vegan chili, a rich concoction of various beans and vegetables that has all the flavor without the grease. You can keep the dish completely vegetarian, pairing the chili with cubed potatoes, bell peppers, onions and an egg, or you can add beef. Either way, it's mind-blowingly delicious and does not immediately require a nap.

Gotham and Eggs

The slinger is made with a quarter-pound prime patty, hash, chili, American cheese and onion hay.

Mabel Suen

Fleur STL

Though Fleur STL (622 Chouteau Avenue, fleurstlfoodgroup.com) occupies the same building as the former Eat Rite diner, its slinger could not be any more different from the greasy spoon fare served by its predecessor. Credit goes to chef and owner Tim Eagan, who assembles the dish more like he's at a fine-dining establishment than a humble diner. The result is a gourmet slinger made with a mouthwatering quarter-pound prime beef patty, silken eggs, potato hay and outstanding chili.

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JAIME LEES

Courtesy Diner

The quintessential version of both the dish itself and the atmosphere in which it's served, the slinger at Courtesy Diner (multiple locations including 1121 Hampton Avenue, 314-644-2600) embodies what you want: hamburger patty, greasy diner chili, shredded cheese, buttery hash browns, fried eggs, diced onions and a judgment-free zone for noshing on this belly-bomber when you are three sheets to the wind.

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JENNIFER SILVERBERG

Southwest Diner

The slinger at Southwest Diner (6803 Southwest Avenue, 314-260-7244, southwestdinerstl.com) starts out classic with two hamburger patties, peppery home fries and a generous smattering of cheese. What distinguishes it from the pack is the incredible chili. True to its name, the restaurant offers a choice of either red or green spicy New Mexican style chili — though why choose when you can get both?

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Mabel Suen

Rooster

Rooster (multiple locations including 1025 Washington Avenue, 314-241-8118, roosterstl.com) offers several slingers, including a classic with brisket chili, a namesake one with local andouille and even a vegan version. However, Rooster's pork slinger is its masterpiece, complete with both bacon and sausage, flawlessly seasoned potatoes that soak up the pork grease, gooey over-easy eggs and a velvety, peppered sausage gravy so good you'll be tempted to ask for an extra bowl on the side.

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