I haven’t had a hankering for Chicken Divan in decades, and I’ve never made it at home. But in the past few days some unexplained force (perhaps the bone-chilling, single-digit temps) possessed me to do so. It sent me spiraling into a full-on comfort food nostalgia trip, craving meatloaf, pot roast, potpies, and all of the cozy classics of my youth. I had a few go-to spots in mind but not enough to satisfy the cravings. So it became the subject of today’s “Ask George” column. (I admit that I was secretly hoping that someone would point me to a place serving Chicken Divan.) On a related front, chicken wings are a comfort food to many, and a food group to some, including Cheryl Baehr, my co-host on the Arch Eats dining podcast. This week, we discussed our favorite wings in town across several categories. We also named each of our No. 1 favorite local spots for wings, both of which will surprise you. For all of the saucy details, check out Arch Eats on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available, and subscribe to the podcast here.
Know someone who'd enjoy this email? Direct them here to sign up.
Tune in as hosts George Mahe and Cheryl Baehr rank the best chicken wings in town. Get ready to find your new favorite! Add to your queue on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 🎧 »
Bite-Sized Bits
Hot Spot 🍽️
Taste of Soulard: Temperatures are expected to warm up this weekend, with Sunday potentially hitting 50 degrees—perfect for enjoying the annual Taste of Soulard. This self-guided food and pub crawl lets you explore more than 36 participating establishments at your own pace. Each $35 Taste Booklet includes one drink voucher and six food vouchers, which can be redeemed for signature dishes at any participating location. The event takes place Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.–4 p.m., with trolley service available on Saturday. Purchase your Taste Booklet online here.
Insider Tip 🍕
Speck Pizza Pop-Up: According to chef-restaurateur Ben Poremba, one of the best pizzas in America is made and served in Cape Girardeau at a place called Speck. (His exact words were “the best pizza anywhere.”) On Sunday, March 2, owner Gabriele Ruggieri will be in town serving a simple menu of Italian street food and his signature pizza at Florentin (5090 Delmar), one of Poremba’s three restaurants (and counting) in the Delmar Maker District. The $42 tickets for the three-course meal sold out in 15 minutes, but another event is being scheduled for April, which is likely to sell out quickly as well. Keep an eye on Florentin’s Instagram for updates.
Microrant 🍲
Lukewarm Food: We often venture out in weather like this just to get a comforting bowl of something hot—and the hotter, the better. Which is why, when the temps drift toward the single digits, it’s imperative that restaurant kitchens are serving their food hot. There’s nothing better than piping hot soup that arrives in a pre-heated cup or bowl. It’s the culinary equivalent of a heated steering wheel: Grab onto it, and enjoy the ride.
1798 BBQ (5210 Highway N): Cottleville’s five-year old, small-batch barbecue joint will smoke its last rack of St. Louis-style spare ribs on February 23. Its sister restaurant, Plank Road Pizza, also in Cottleville, remains open.
Salt + Smoke (110 S. Kirkwood): On Wednesday, it was announced that the seventh location of Tom Schmidt’s “BBQ, bourbon, and beer” baby will open later this summer in the former Bar Louie space in Kirkwood. A South County sibling is slated to open late next month at 4130 Rusty Road, in a former O’Charley’s location.
Bartolino’s Osteria (2103 Sulphur): The Osteria location (at Hampton and Highway 44) is closing temporarily after service this Sunday, February 23, for what’s being called a “fairly extensive remodel.” The renovation is expected to take several months, so expect an early May reopening. Use the hiatus to check out the spectacular new location out west, Bartolino's–Twin Oaks.
Experience life for children in Argentina with an exhibit at The Magic House
Argentina’s Niños inspires visitors to compare the similarities and differences between their lives and those of children in Argentina. Families will explore an Argentine school, home, market, and more!
Arch Eats podcast: Which St. Louis restaurants have the best wings?
Hosts George Mahe and Cheryl Baehr dive into the best chicken wings in town, ranking their favorites and debating the ever-controversial boneless wing.
Nothing brings people together better than hot, fresh-out-the-oven pizza. Dewey’s Pizza has seven locations in the St. Louis area where you can watch your pizza be hand-tossed to perfection. Visit your local Dewey's Pizza.
Make your next gathering stress free! Enter to win Butler's Pantry's Hors d'oeuvres Collection ($450 value), featuring delicious small bites for up to 12 guests.
đź’¬ Write to George or simply reply to this email to let us know your favorites. And check your inbox every other Tuesday for the Dining In newsletter.
.jpg?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=DiningIn-SponCon_ArgentinasNinos%20(1).jpg)
.png?upscale=true&width=460&upscale=true&name=stmagfeb%20(1).png)
