West County's great, as long as you don't like food (movie theater, live)

[la_missourienne]

I find this article to be a tad exaggerated--there are quite a few non-chain or even local chain (which is still better than national chain) restos on the Manchester strip he speaks of and the surrounding Ballwin/Manchester area. Perhaps I don't know enough chain names (I have traveled a lot, so I'd like to think I know of most of them), but if you go to the Sauce magazine website and just search for restaurants OF ALL CUISINES in that area, the list is rather lengthy, and I'd say about half of them are NOT chains as a guess (don't have time enough on my hands to count and verify, but if you do, by all means go for it lol). Perhaps he doesn't like most or ALL cuisines--maybe that is one of the real problems he has.
And I also find it strange that someone who can afford housing in that area would complain about gas prices AT ALL...I think it is mostly that he is doesn't want to have to spend the time to drive anywhere (which he does mention) and may be one of those parents that lets the kids rule where they go to eat (among other things) instead of being adults and just making the decision, end of story. Does not a great meal make it worth a little extra drive?
All that said, I wish more people would support local restaurants and local chains. Going to a chain is ok once in a while (and I do NOT mean Olive Garden for special occasions--dreadful, completely, that is), but I cringe when I hear people go out of town and eat at chains--what the heck is the point of that?!? No, not all local fare is great, but if you ask around, you'll surely get recommendations of something halfway decent! Get out of the rut, people!

[ShadowCaver]

la_missourienne, the writer does exaggerate; that is style to drive a point, 'tis his wit and style. Not trying to be defensive, but he's one of my favourite at the Post... Not all like it or see such, yet that is quite to me. Kinda like that web site Stuff White People Like

Anyhow, even with a terrible fever of hunger, I will drive many many miles out of my way to explore and taste local fair, even if it means going by multiple other chains. So, I relate to his basic tale here.

[RhondaHMo]

I agree Shadow, he's great! He wrote a piece about Six Flags and the service, or lack of there last year the very days after we went thru the hellish 'getting our season passes' day, and he hit the nail on the head exactly! I make sure to read his column every time a new one comes out.

And regarding the one about the food, he mentioned OUR favorite haunt here in Olivette....El Paisano's! I know there are a few others in town, but we like ours.

-Rhonda

[kshe95girl]

LMAO, boy, can I relate! There are almost no non-chain restaurants down here. I always look forward to coming home to STL, and pigging out. I am a foodie, I will admit. I love that columnist, too, always enjoy his articles!

[northbayeric]

I ate at a Sonny's Open Pit Bar-B-Q down in Vero Beach a week ago Friday with my high school friend, my brother and one of his friends after the Cardinal baseball exhibition game. You gotta love a restaurant called "Sonny's"; we saw about three or four of them there in central Florida! A chain restaurant, but a short little chain!

[Kanick]

I feel the writer's pain. There really aren't a lot of options out here and you have to look for them. A couple of good ones are:

Manee Thai
Hunan Star
Monsoon Vietnamese
Faraci's Pizza

There is also a new Lebanese place that just opened up in Winchester Plaza and a couple of decent suchi joints. I'm not a huge fan of any of the Mexican places on Manchester Road (Mi Lupita, Senor Pique or El Maguey) which is a shame because I love Mexican food. It's slim pickins for the lovers of non-chain places.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by northbayeric

I ate at a Sonny's Open Pit Bar-B-Q down in Vero Beach a week ago Friday with my high school friend, my brother and one of his friends after the Cardinal baseball exhibition game. You gotta love a restaurant called "Sonny's"; we saw about three or four of them there in central Florida! A chain restaurant, but a short little chain!

Sonnys are EVERYWHERE down here! There are 2 just in Ocala.....

[breer23]

Originally Posted by Kanick

I'm not a huge fan of any of the Mexican places on Manchester Road (Mi Lupita, Senor Pique or El Maguey) which is a shame because I love Mexican food. It's slim pickins for the lovers of non-chain places.

My wife & I really enjoy Mexican food as well; we met in Arizona, to give some insight.

If you haven't yet, try out Chimichanga's on S. Grand (St. Louis - Chimichanga's Mexican Restaurant - Restaurant Guide) - some of the best Mexican food we've had anywhere.

[Kanick]

Originally Posted by breer23

My wife & I really enjoy Mexican food as well; we met in Arizona, to give some insight.

If you haven't yet, try out Chimichanga's on S. Grand (St. Louis - Chimichanga's Mexican Restaurant - Restaurant Guide) - some of the best Mexican food we've had anywhere.

Once upon a time, I waitressed at a great little Mexican joint up in Flagstaff. It seems like a million years ago though.

[breer23]

Originally Posted by Kanick

Once upon a time, I waitressed at a great little Mexican joint up in Flagstaff. It seems like a million years ago though.

What was the name of it? Salsa Brava, Kachina, Los Mananitos?