I went here for lunch the other day. It's like a time warp into old St. Louis. I'm a fan of some tasty "exotic" options like Everest Cafe, Havali, South Grand, and other options on Olive, but this is just as good, in a much more "standard American" way. The price is so cheap and the fish sandwich slapped with tatar sauce was the best. TRY THIS PLACE! I never thought I would, but loved it.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/garavellis-saint-louis

I feel like Chris Farley when he reads the Zagat restaurant guide.. Ravioli: holy canoli!

I'm glad Garavelli's is there as a St. Louis institution. And I love the time-warp feeling, too - I went there with my family a couple of times when I was a kid and thought it was the height of South Side sophistication.

Gotta say, though, on my one adult visit there about 7 or 8 years ago, the food was borderline inedible. I'm no snob foodie - I love Imo's, Courtesy Diner, cheap American-Chinese, Burrito Loco, Southwest Market deli, hell, I even get cravings for QT taquitos. But Garavelli's rubbery/mushy vegetables, tasteless mashed potatoes, and tough cafeteria pasta did nothing for me. I'm really not trying to be a hater but that meal was one of the worst I've ever paid money for, and I have pretty low standards.

If they've improved since then, that's great. But if you're thinking about going, do it in the spirit of having a fun nostalgic experience, not because the food is going to be fantastic. If the food turns out to be better than it was for me, hey, bonus.

It is a top destination for the over 70 crowd. I think the food is good, however, it is very hard to get around in that place. So many over 90 customers in wheelchairs,walkers
and slow moving seniors.

Hey, they need a place and this is it. I agree, it is a Southside institution.

Funny, I live close by, but have never eaten there. Is it a real cafeteria, or do they bring the food out to your tables? Do they serve beer?

^It is a true cafeteria style establishment. You walk through the line and pick out whatever you want, from the items they are serving on a particular day. Then you pay when you get to the end. I am not aware of them serving beer,nor have I ever seen it. Not much demand within the 90-something crowd. They'd be in the restroom the entire meal...

Don't know if this was posted already, but looks like Garavelli's on Chippewa is going to close at the end of June.

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/384442 ... ia-closing
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/gutche ... 8_2013.php

I just learned that Garavelli's landmark building will be torn down and replaced with a bank.

Is it my imagination? Or does every new building in town say ____Bank, Mercy, CVS, or Walgreens on it?

Technically not a bank; American Eagle Credit Union is building its new branch there. Which makes me think that they'll be closing their location at 4650 Hampton (between the Carrollton Bank and the Pizza Hut). Another vacant retail/office on south Hampton is not good (considering the two story affair demo'd by the dry cleaners across the street).

gary kreie wrote:Is it my imagination? Or does every new building in town say ____Bank, Mercy, CVS, or Walgreens on it?

Yeah. At least outside of the Central Corridor, sometimes it seems like we're turning into Springfield, only with a lot more brick and Democrats in the city proper.