urbanSTL

quincunx wrote: ↑

Sep 01, 2025

They should promote it as the premiere Asian food destination.

It has some serious competition in a couple of different stretches of Olive and even (maybe) a little bit of South and "Southerer" Grand. But I'm certainly down with more competition on this point.

The Asian food unique to St. Louis is really found up around Fairground Park. The St. Paul sandwich for some reason has been lost a little bit in St. Louis good discourse as well, compared to T-ravs, provel, custard and ribs (pork steak also gets forgotten). and St. Paul sandwiches are good. Wish these were promoted more

I was just up in Michigan last week, and noticed St. Paul sandwiches at one of the restaurants I ate at. Alas, it was simply called an "egg foo young sandwich", and no reference to STL.  

delmar2debaliviere2downtown wrote: ↑

Sep 02, 2025

The Asian food unique to St. Louis is really found up around Fairground Park. The St. Paul sandwich for some reason has been lost a little bit in St. Louis good discourse as well, compared to T-ravs, provel, custard and ribs (pork steak also gets forgotten). and St. Paul sandwiches are good. Wish these were promoted more

The internet has taken notice. And agreed that the St. Paul is delicious.

I know it’s traditionally served on regular white bread but it would be cool to see a food truck or other restauranteur take a run at a glammed up versions of the sandwich. Some heartier bread that can handle the grease without falling apart, fresh veg, -and maybe a good sauce.

symphonicpoet wrote: ↑

Sep 02, 2025

quincunx wrote: ↑

Sep 01, 2025

They should promote it as the premiere Asian food destination.

It has some serious competition in a couple of different stretches of Olive and even (maybe) a little bit of South and "Southerer" Grand. But I'm certainly down with more competition on this point.

Has Olive not been devastated by the big boxes and drive thrus?

I count 17 Asian food places. Is that tops in quantity at least?
Anyways the truth doesn't matter in marketing, lol

quincunx wrote: ↑

Sep 02, 2025

symphonicpoet wrote: ↑

Sep 02, 2025

quincunx wrote: ↑

Sep 01, 2025

They should promote it as the premiere Asian food destination.

It has some serious competition in a couple of different stretches of Olive and even (maybe) a little bit of South and "Southerer" Grand. But I'm certainly down with more competition on this point.

Has Olive not been devastated by the big boxes and drive thrus?

I count 17 Asian food places. Is that tops in quantity at least?
Anyways the truth doesn't matter in marketing, lol

For sure, and no doubt, the general StL community and new residents/visitors are starting to see the loop as the de facto “Chinatown”/asian american hub.

I think it’s been said many times before that there needs to be better branding/marketing for our various Asian cultural scenes, Bosnian scene and Black culture scenes. We have pretty good marketing for the Hill, Dogtown, and even the latino culture of Cherokee St. There’s a lot to be desired for Olive/the Loop, Bevo, and the east loop.

Even if it meant adding a Chinese New Year event in the loop or overhead signs during that time of year like they do for Christmas, it could make a big difference for drawing more visitors to the loop. I wouldn’t box the loop in as such a destination as it continues to be very diverse in its patrons and retail offerings, but no reason that it can’t be the Asian food, alternative music, Black business, and eclectic business hub that it is now. Promote each of them more and more

You are seeing a lot more Asian restaurants open up in the loop strictly because of the beginning of fall classes at Wash U.  The Chinese students are
back in town.

quincunx wrote: ↑

Sep 02, 2025

symphonicpoet wrote: ↑

Sep 02, 2025

quincunx wrote: ↑

Sep 01, 2025

They should promote it as the premiere Asian food destination.

It has some serious competition in a couple of different stretches of Olive and even (maybe) a little bit of South and "Southerer" Grand. But I'm certainly down with more competition on this point.

Has Olive not been devastated by the big boxes and drive thrus?

I count 17 Asian food places. Is that tops in quantity at least?
Anyways the truth doesn't matter in marketing, lol

I suppose it depends a little on what you mean by "premiere." You're surely correct that there are more on Delmar now, at least one of which moved down from Olive. I'm only counting 13 on the classic "Chinatown" Olive strip from 170 on the west to Wei Hong on the east, which is down a bit, but it's home to two of my favorite Chinese restaurants. (Cate Zone and Chili Spot.) And the strip of Korean joints further out on Olive is nothing to be sneezed at, even if the number is smaller. Both spots are pretty pedestrian unfriendly though, which gives the Loop something of an advantage, but when going out to eat with my Asian friends and relatives somehow we still always end up on Olive or Grand. (Or Manchester when chasing S Asian food.) That said, I'm altogether in favor of Delmar giving Olive a run for the money. The more the merrier. The selection of instant noodles at the little grocery there is pretty impressive, even next to much larger Asian groceries elsewhere.

Stl Mag - Blue Ocean to close in the Loop after eviction


https://www.stlmag.com/dining/blue-ocea ... -to-close/

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXj2AvtA ... BibGI4djZv

That makes 11 new asian cuisine restaurants opening in a small time frame in the Delmar Loop. I think it definitely qualifies as a “Chinatown” at this point. But what makes it better is that it still has many of the loop staples and music scene, making it a more eclectic street

If WashU gets more housing around the Delmar Loop stop and the Delmar Maker District/Ben Poremba’s restaurants can come back from the tornado, we might be looking at a bright future for Delmar from U City to the CWE and I think this is maybe the most important thing for building the infrastructure and population back up in the near northside of Delmar

There’s some wonderful rehab opportunities and infrastructure improvement opportunities that I hope to see move forward so that we can take advantage of this new era of the Loop


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There were long lines out side the Sonic pop-up at 9:30 this morning. That restaurant will be crazy busy. 

I was just at the loop last night for the Model/Actriz show at Blueberry Hill. I was pleasantly surprised at how packed it still was after the show, both in the restaurant and out on the street. I personally don’t understand how nothing has taken over the old Cicero’s space with how vibrant it seems these days.

When WashU is in session, Delmar Loop is probably the most vibrant street we have, which is ironic as it straddles the city county divide

I would love to see Cicero’s or a similar concept come to Delmar Loop. Would love to see more small eateries/bars with music like the old loop


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Spending in the Loop was $102m in 2025 ($89m in 2024)

Boundaries? City and County?

That the Loop Trolley TDD