One of my favorite things about traveling to music festivals is sampling the local favorites!  I talked with a local the other day to get the scoop on these restaurants, and here’s what she had to say:

• Strange Donuts:  Definitely head here if you have a sweet tooth or are looking for the perfect dessert before you head to your last stage!  Classic donuts are usually just $1.00, their “Creations” are usually $2.00 and are always changing.  Some they have had in the past are Gooey Butter, Campfire, Red Velvet, and Blueberry Cheesecake!  Lastly, but certainly not the least, are the $5.00 “Strangers” which are only sold Thursday-Saturday most weeks and tend to sell out quickly.  We aren’t sure if they’ll have any of these unique originals with them, but it’s worth checking out!
• Dewey Pizza:  Apparently one of the best pizza places in STL, it has hand-tossed artisan pizzas and gourmet salads.  They usually host a wealth of local craft beers, but those might not be on the menu at the fest.
• Salt + Smoke BBQ:  “Salt + Smoke LEGIT has the best BBQ!”  I’ve had BBQ before in STL which I thought was pretty delicious.  To think that Salt + Smoke could be better than the others I’ve tried is almost insane.  And my mouth is already watering.
• Fitz’s Bottling Company:  A local soda microbrewery famous for their root beer and other unique sodas.  Their floats and burgers are some of the best in the city!
• Crushed Red: Looking for a healthier option?  Head over to Crushed Red, an environmentally conscientious restaurant.  We aren’t sure what they’ll have with them, but you can usually make your own salads there or get a hand tossed pizza.
• Cleveland-Heath:  “YUM!” was all I could get out of her, so I’m assuming everything is good from their “gourmet comfort food” inspired menu is exquisite.
• Mission Taco Joint: Considered one of the most popular taco joints in the city, it’s bound to be hopping, so prepare yourself for what could be a long line!

For the full list of vendors, look below.  When it comes to the local cuisine selected for festivals, you usually can’t go wrong.  Cheers!