The Great NoCo Pizza Challenge: Cannoli’s vs Omar’s
Shannon Howard | Jan 19, 2011 | Comments 7
They say a journalist should always reveal his or her bias, so I guess I’ll just come right out and say it, NOCO fans. I’m not looking forward to Round Four of the Great NoCo Pizza Challenge.
By coincidence, this week features two restaurants where I’ve had unfavorable dining experiences. In fact, one place was so bad, in so many ways, I vowed never to return again. But alas, here I am, and now I’m vowing to be as open-minded as I possibly can…
Up first is Cannoli’s of Florissant, a casual, family-owned Italian restaurant open since 1994. Seemingly a bland, strip mall storefront from the outside, it opens up to a delightful street scene inside, featuring fake buildings with little awnings and balconies that are absolutely adorable. It’s like Main Street at Disneyland. So cute!
Food-wise, Cannoli’s offers a nice range of classic Italian dishes and upscale entrees like steak and fish. The restaurant also bottles its own dressing – a sweet vinegar and oil recipe. If you’re having pizza here, and we are, you’ll find St. Louis-style in five different toppings: Italian Sausage, Pepperoni, Alfredo Chicken, Coral Sauce Chicken, and Combination. A large single-topping starts at $11.50, with additional toppings available. Cannoli’s also serves Pizza Soup!
Cannoli’s – 462 N. Lindbergh, 63031, (314) 839-5988. Hours: Monday-Thursday 11-10, Friday 11-11, Saturday 4-11, Sunday 4-9. Cannoli’s Menu (in PDF)
Over in St. Ann, Omar’s is also a “casual Italian restaurant,” but with one very big difference: Its food reflects the entire Mediterranean region. At this wee cafe, in a recycled Taco Bell building on St. Charles Rock Road, you can try slow-roasted Turkish shawerma, freshly made Lebanese hummus, even Greek gyros and baklava. The menu is quite expansive.
In addition to classic pasta dishes, Omar’s also serves up a tasty range of brick-oven pizzas, with your choice of St. Louis-style (provel and mozzarella), New York-style (mozzarella) and Chicago Deep Dish (also mozzarella). Even without pork products, the topping selection is the best I’ve seen, including spinach, eggplant, artichoke hearts, shrimp and baby clams. And get this….there are NINE specialty pizzas available, including Greek Lamb, Chicken Alfredo, BBQ Chicken, and Beef or Chicken Shawarma. A large, single-topping pizza starts at $10.99 for St. Louis-style and $11.49 for New York.
Omar’s – 10111 St. Charles Rock Road, 63074, (314) 429-6881. Hours: Weekdays 11-9, Weekends 11-10
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Cast your vote! Round Four voting ends Wednesday, January 26, at 11am…
Who has the better pizza?
- Omar's (63%, 236 Votes)
- Cannoli's (37%, 136 Votes)
Total Voters: 372
Loading ...If you’re looking for the contest bracket, you’ll find it right here.
Filed Under: Food & Drink
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pirrones.
I love Cannol’s and go there often. We had our 50th class reunion there 5 years ago and it was wonderful. Everyone commented on how great it was and how good the food and service was.
Carlene
I was sitting on twitter trying to find something to cure my boredom – and KABOOM – someone I follow tweeted this post. Now, I am not quite as bored. Thanks for posting great material. – Frisbee
OMARS any time !
Real italian espresso , GREAT dip pan Chicago style pizza and so many others …Love their felafels, chawarmas , humus
Very welcoming and friendly place!
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