It’s July.  There’s NOTHING better than an ice cold beer and a smokey rib on a sultry summer weekend.  Today, a few Delux staffers compiled a list of our favorite places to enjoy delicious carnivorous delights AND cool libations.  The list is short, sweet, and to the point.  The way ALL things should be in July.

1.  THE RIB SHACK  rib shack

DeWarren Smith, our awesome staff writer and MUSIC aficionado, says the Rib Shack is his favorite!  The Rib Shack has been a Saint Louis favorite for wholesome, grilled food and a great atmosphere for years. It’s easily accessible location makes the Rib Shack your one stop shop for affordable homemade soul food, pulled pork, chicken, hot dogs, and more! If you’re in a rush, you can call in your order and head toward the drive through to pick it up!  Incidentally, I think it’s Keith Griffin’s favorite as well!  I think they’re ganging up on me!  Head on over to one of two great locations and grab some goodness!

THE RIB SHACK II
1300 Cass Ave • St. Louis, MO • 314-241-2223
www.ribshackstl.com
 
THE RIB SHACK
8642 NATURAL BRIDGE RD • St. Louis, MO • 314-427-1777
www.ribshackstl.com
2. GRIESEDIECK GOLDEN PILSNER BEER GriesedieckBeer
Our resident tech writer / media guru Omar says his favorite St. Louis summertime beer is Griesedieck.  If you’ve never tried it, we suggest you add it to your list of things to try NOW!  The German pilsner has a medium-bodied, bready hop beginning, and finishes clean.  We love it!  You can find it at most local retail outlets.  We found it at Schnuck’s.  Keep your eyes open for their Mild Pale Ale!
Check out their website at:  www.gb-beer.com  
 
3.  SUGARFIRE SMOKEHOUSE pork-on-a-scale-570x455
I will try my best to avoid gushing.  It is literally impossible to do, so heavy edits will be necessary.  I have TWO favorites: Sugarfire and Bogart’s.  Today, I’ll go into my reasons to love Sugarfire.  *Take that, Keith and DeWarren!*  I do love me some Rib Shack, but when I’m ready to get filthy-dirty-don’t-look-at-me-while-I-chew-the-bones and I’m ashamed of myself… It’s definitely Sugarfire.  And for good reason.  Some of my gluttony can be applauded as “doing something good for the hood.”  Sugarfire uses so many great local STL purveyors that I feel it’s doing a service to my community.  Good business!  AND they have no artificial ingredients in house.  Even their soda fountain is loaded with real soda.  I didn’t see a lick of high fructose corn syrup.  
 
And guess what else?  They MAKE their condiments in house, for heaven’s sake.  THEY MAKE THEM!  And they are ALL GOOD.  sugarfire-housemade-condiments Every finger-licking drop of sauce … oh my goodness.  
The menu offers pimento cheese, as well as a yummy chicken biscuit, which is a sweet nod to the southern influence that’s drizzled inbetwixt the darling decor and don’t-you-dare-miss sides.  This food is made with love, people.  L.O.V.E.  And don’t let me start on the Desserts.  Yes, Desserts.  Capitalized for a reason.  Because Smokey Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Oh yes.  And BOOZY milkshakes.  Man.  Get in there.  Just go.  Thank me later.  
 
Sugarfire Smokehouse
9200 Olive Blvd • Olivette • (314) 997-2301
www.sugarfiresmokehouse.com
*They also have locations in O’Fallon and St. Chuck!  
Images by:  Katherine Bish from the Sugarfire Website  
 
4.  URBAN CHESTNUT BREWING COMPANY’swingedNut
WINGED NUT CHESTNUT ALE 
I remember the first time I tasted this deliciousness.  It was actually at a beer tasting table inside a Schnuck’s.  There was a kind young lad innocently offering a little taste.  And I was all over it.  I bought it, and actually went BACK to buy more because everyone drank it all!  I’ve since been able to enjoy at a few of my favorite restaurants.  Recently, at SubZero!  This brew is balanced, boasts a hearty mouth-feel, and finishes with a tiny hint of sweetness that makes it go down oh so easy with your barbecue.  Their beautiful website says:  we brew it with finely milled chestnuts (genus castanea …for you nut freaks), Willamette hops, and we ferment it with a Bavarian Weissbier yeast strain. All of these nuances contribute to its ‘nutty’ personality”  
Check it out at: http://urbanchestnut.com
 
 
 

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