If you ever find yourself in the city of St. Louis, the last thing you want to do is check out the food scene. Seriously. Whatever you do, make sure you avoid any and all local establishments during your time in Mound City. Please heed my warning and consider the following if you happen to run into any of the restaurants listed below as you embark on your business here.

The St. Louis Burger joint touts its practice in utilizing the whole animal and seasonal produce; and Chris "Mac" Mackenzie is butchering the meat in more ways than one. Specializing in ultra thin steak patties, Chris goes the extra mile in crisping the edges of each slab of beef as he piles them high onto pork lard roasted buns. Mac uses his locally sourced meats to create a flavor packed juicy sandwich without caring about the addictive affects it has on his customers. If you have one, you will want another. If what you are looking for is overpacked, dry, and tasteless then make sure you avoid Mac's at all costs. If you value your pocketbook; beware.

Blue's City Deli is a sandwich shop that has gotten too big for its britches. Literally! If you find yourself with the unfortunate craving of a unique and well done sandwich, you won't have any other option but to stop at Blue's City Deli, where you can bet your bottom bun there will be a line out the door and down Victor St. The crazed and deranged fans are eager to brave the elements in pursuit of something classic, like the Turkey Supreme, or one of their more adventurous concoctions, like the Aporkalypse Pretzelwich. There is something for everyone here and if you wish to avoid everyone; don't come here.

Jim "Pappy" Emerson was caught holding the smoking gun used to kill his competition. If you're the type of person who holds no qualms in supporting this felonious foodie then step right in. At Pappy's Smokehouse they keep things simple and let the food speak for itself; and speak it does. It only takes 24 hours to get his ribs to sing like a canary and toss all other local vendors under the bus as subpar. If you would rather spend your money with a more upstanding group of people, then Pappy's isn't for you. Come at your own risk of over indulging in ribs, baked beans, vinegar slaw, and potato salad.

St. Louis is often underrated in the food scene and understandably so. The city it chock full of restaurants that are breaking all the rules and garnering cult like followings. You can hardly find any local establishment that doesn't have extremely high demands and even longer wait times. My only advice if you are stuck in this city and need a place to eat, call ahead and get your name in the line; and set up a support system for rolling you out once you are done.