Interview Weekend - must see? must avoid? (St. Louis, Jennings: pine, suburbs)

[DinsdalePirahna]

That entire stretch of i-70 between Wentzviile and into the City is pretty bad and doesn't leave a good first impression. You see every style of architecture from Hillbilly Baroque to Ghetto Modern.

I prefer to use the 64/40. it will be nice when it is finished.

[DinsdalePirahna]

Originally Posted by rgb123

it's not as 'in your face'.... I don't see Missouri flags literally EVERYWHERE, and Missouri edition GIANT trucks, or other propaganda about Missouri being better than whatever state your from on every billboard, or "missourinative" on any license plates or bumper stickers...no, Missourian by the Grace of God t-shirts....what not.

Its much more subtle here. Its almost a NY kind of home state pride but without the self criticism and we can do better spirit.

[stlcitygirl]

Unfortunately that stretch of 70 is very run down and can give a bad impression. Highway 40, 44 and 55 all run into the city and the scenery is much nicer. Don't forget to check out The Loop, Tower Grove Park, Botanical Gardens, South Grand (any kind of ethic food you can find), Soulard, Lafayette Square and Downtown.

[rgb123]

Thanks Stl girl. I want to do it all, but am still a bit unsure of my ability to find all these places while navigating traffic at the same time! I am happy with what I have seen so far though. I'm sitting in a St. Louis Bread company right now! (which makes me oh so happy)

Panera's were my favorite thing to go to in Illinois, I always knew they were from out of St. Louis but wasn't sure how prolific they were in the area. They are few and far between in Texas and I have driven 30 miles to get to one before....lol.

[OA 5599]

Originally Posted by rgb123

Texas "culture" -- is at first charming, and goes to annoying to repulsive pretty quick -- for me. I am referring to things such as pride and all it entails. There is a lot there that, if maybe they were not so 'proud' they might admit to some cracks and try to improve upon a few things that really aren't working so great. But try to tell that to them...

I think that, the culture in St. Louis, is different than Chicago, the problems here are not as foriegn to me as the ones in Texas. I think it is something I can deal with because I understand it better, can relate to it and it's not as 'in your face'.... I don't see Missouri flags literally EVERYWHERE, and Missouri edition GIANT trucks, or other propaganda about Missouri being better than whatever state your from on every billboard, or "missourinative" on any license plates or bumper stickers...no, Missourian by the Grace of God t-shirts....what not.

So far so good. It is nice to see a fair number of CARS on the road. By that, I mean, regular sized vehicles and normal sized SUV's and pick-ups "real men" wouldn't be caught dead in, in Texas.

ugh. I have to go back to that place still.

And it's nice to see Italian food...

The Texas pride definitely got on my nerves as well. Although I did laugh at those Lone Star billboards...especially because Lone Star is owned by Pabst, a Yankee company. Nonetheless, Lone Star did became my favorite cheap beer (though not because of the advertising)

St. Louis also has MUCH better pizza and Italian food than Texas, as many Italians settled here. The Chinese food here is also worlds better than in Texas. You can find good Mexican up here, and OK BBQ...although I do miss all of the Austin taco shacks and BBQ joints, along with seemingly hundreds of different styles of readily available salsas and fresh tortillas. I think some of the food and some friends are the only thing I miss about Texas now that I'm living here...I'm definitely not longing to go back.

[Marksman84]

Originally Posted by OA 5599

T

St. Louis also has MUCH better pizza and Italian food than Texas, as many Italians settled here. The Chinese food here is also worlds better than in Texas. You can find good Mexican up here, and OK BBQ...although I do miss all of the Austin taco shacks and BBQ joints, along with seemingly hundreds of different styles of readily available salsas and fresh tortillas. I think some of the food and some friends are the only thing I miss about Texas now that I'm living here...I'm definitely not longing to go back.

Where?

[rgb123]

Originally Posted by OA 5599

The Texas pride definitely got on my nerves as well. Although I did laugh at those Lone Star billboards...especially because Lone Star is owned by Pabst, a Yankee company. Nonetheless, Lone Star did became my favorite cheap beer (though not because of the advertising)

St. Louis also has MUCH better pizza and Italian food than Texas, as many Italians settled here. The Chinese food here is also worlds better than in Texas. You can find good Mexican up here, and OK BBQ...although I do miss all of the Austin taco shacks and BBQ joints, along with seemingly hundreds of different styles of readily available salsas and fresh tortillas. I think some of the food and some friends are the only thing I miss about Texas now that I'm living here...I'm definitely not longing to go back.

BBQ and Mexican food (among other fried wonders) are one of Texas' few redeeming qualities....but, it also contributed to 10 pounds on my frame, so, it's probably best to live 1000 miles away from that place....

[OA 5599]

Originally Posted by Marksman84

Where?

I had some pretty good Mexican food at a place called Chimichanga(s?) on South Grand a few weeks ago. Granted, the salsa wasn't great but the food was. I hear Cherokee St. has a lot of good Mexican but haven't tried anything there yet.

[northbayeric]

I'd also check out Ruiz Mexican Restaurant on Lindbergh Blvd. in Florissant. I'm assuming they're still around. As of April 2003, their food was outstanding IMO!

[DeBaliviere]

Originally Posted by rgb123

I have to say, St. Charles really impressed me too. What a nice little town, right on the river.

The historic part of St. Charles is really nice. That's a pretty small sliver of St. Charles though - it quickly devolves into your typical suburban strip mall/big box/mcmansion-type area.