The foods of St. Louis

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Like any metropolis, St. Louis has locally revered eateries and foodstuffs, as I was reminded during my recent visit. (My parents live near there, so I know the city reasonably well.)

Toasted ravioli, frozen custard and St. Louis-style pizza were among the items we had this time, and we ate at the popular Midwestern chains Steak ‘n Shake and White Castle.

But I did insist that we eat at one place that’s common in the Inland Valley: Panera. Did you know it’s based in St. Louis? There, most locations are called Saint Louis Bread Co. They must have decided the name wouldn’t work elsewhere. (“Is there something special about bread from St. Louis? I’ve got bread right here.”)

Anyway, the menu was the same, as far as I could tell, but I enjoyed handing over my Panera rewards card for the employee to swipe.

Somewhere in the organization, a computer is puzzling over my card’s sole points of use: Rancho Cucamonga, La Verne…and St. Louis.

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