All Entries in the "Food & Drink" Category
Cheers to Ferguson Brewing on 2 great years!
Six or seven years ago, when Joe Lonero and I would sit in a parking lot somewhere and kick around ideas for downtown Ferguson, I don’t think either of us ever envisioned the day when he would be running a wildly successful microbrewery. But things have a way of falling into place when Joe gets involved, so it’s not exactly a surprise either.
It was his hard work and creative vision that gave birth to Ferguson Brewing Company, and Joe was right there, getting his hands dirty, every single step of the way. Of course, as many readers know, he ran into some health problems last year and is still fighting for a full recovery. But I think it’s a great testament to his leadership and business acumen (and that of his son Mike) that the microbrewery has continued to grow and thrive even without him directly at the helm.
April marks the two-year anniversary of Joe’s brilliant labor of love, and I know I’m not the only who plans to raise a glass and join him in celebrating! This Saturday, April 14, the Brewhouse is hosting a big birthday party from 1-5pm, and I will definitely be there.
Tickets are $25 and include beer samples from 15 different local breweries - Augusta Brewing Company, Crown Valley Brewing, Buffalo Brewing, Morgan Street Brewery, William K Busch Brewing, Square One Brewery, Perinial Artisan Ales, Griesedieck Brothers, Charleville Brewing, 4 Hands Brewing, Urban Chestnut, Kirkwood Station, Trailhead Brewing, Cathedral Square, Six Row Brewing, and Ferguson Brewing. You can also enjoy light snacks, live music and a souvenir glass.
So what do you say? Wanna join me in a toast of North County’s first and only microbrewery? You can grab your tickets right here.
International Food Market opens in Hazelwood
With the opening of Worldwide International Food Market in Hazelwood, North County's dining choices just went global.
For quite some time, the 1970s strip mall at Dunn & Lindbergh sat mostly empty, a shadow of its former self. I remember when the old-timey K-Mart was there, the kind with a cafeteria in the back. I also remember the Walgreen’s, in the days when Walgreen’s had a Wag’s restaurant inside.
It’s not like this was some awesome mall where I couldn’t wait to go. Hardly. But still, I hated seeing it vacant all those years, nearly forgotten when Lindbergh was revamped. That’s why I was excited recently when several NOCO fans told me that a new international grocery store had moved in!
Housed in the former Walgreen’s location, Worldwide International Food Market is a full-service grocer with products from all around the globe. And WOW, is it a fun place to shop!
I went there today and was delighted to find neat little rows organized by country. There were sauces from Japan, cookies from Sweden, lavash bread from the Middle East, even whole frozen goats, ready for a Bosnian-style barbeque. There’s also produce, frozen food, a full line of bakery & dairy, and freshly made deli items, like hummus and falafel.
It’s kind of like our very own Trader Joe’s. Except that soon, this gourmet grocery store will also have an international restaurant inside!
Worldwide is open for business now and will host an official grand opening on April 2, but the manager told me that the restaurant is still a couple months down the road. He also said that if you can’t find a specific product in the store, let him know and he’ll special order it.
It’s a friendly family business here, and they truly aim to please. So when you get a chance, be sure to stop by and welcome them to NoCo….
Worldwide International Food Market, located at 7238 N. Lindbergh, 63042, is open Monday through Saturday, 8am to 10pm, and Sunday, 9am to 7pm. For more info, call (314) 731-3500.
Mobile farmers market rolling into NoCo soon
Aiming to bring fresh produce to local "food deserts," the Sappington Farmers Market runs a mobile farmers market at various locations throughout St. Louis.
According to the USDA, my house in Ferguson is nearly surrounded by food deserts. That’s what you call the census tracts with low access to a large grocery store, and thereby low access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
A good chunk of North County, particularly near the airport and the St. Louis city border, is classified this way, meaning residents have fewer healthy eating choices. So that’s why it’s pretty awesome that the Sappington Farmers Market has decided to do something about it.
Teaming with Metro Transit and a network of small-scale farmers from Missouri and Illinois, Sappington’s Farm to Family Naturally Mobile Market will soon make regular stops at four Metrolink stations, including the North Hanley station right here in NoCo.
Drop by once a week and you can choose from a whole range of local and sustainable products, including eggs, produce, herbs, beans, jams, cheeses, baked goods and more. You can also sign up for the market’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, actually purchasing a share of the coming season’s crops.
Of course, I’m lucky to have the Ferguson Farmers Market and the indoor Vine Market within walking distance of my front door, so I’m not exactly in the Sahara. But I think it’s great that this new market is opening, and I can’t wait to try it out! I especially love the payment options: cash, credit/debit & EBT. Something for everyone.
By the way, if you want to know if YOU live in a food desert, you can use this handy tool from the USDA. From what I can tell looking at the map, at least the folks in Florissant are eating well…
The Farm to Family Naturally Mobile Market arrives at the North Hanley Metrolink station Wednesdays, 3-5:30pm, starting March 21. All are welcome! For more info, check out the mobile market website.
YUM! Fish Fry season opens in North County
Lent is here once again, NOCO fans, and you know what that means….fish fry time! Most of North County’s Catholic parishes are running fish fries again this year, along with several other churches and organizations. This is not a comprehensive list but it definitely includes the area’s best. If you know a fish fry that I left out, please add it to the comments.
Adult meal prices vary from $6.50 to $9, and may or may not include drink & dessert…
St. Ferdinand: 1735 Charbonier, 63031, 3-7:30pm
This granddaddy of NoCo fish fries, which the parish has been running for 40 years, is open year-round and always draws a huge crowd. The fish is excellent; the seamless assembly line is even more impressive! Open today for Ash Wednesday. Fried and Cajun catfish, fried and baked cod, shrimp, chicken, pie and more
Our Lady of Guadalupe: 1115 S. Florissant Rd, 63135, 4-8pm
If you like your fish with a Mexican twist, try this fish fry, which draws on the parish’s large Hispanic congregation. Fried cod, baked tilapia, fish tacos, shrimp, guacamole, clam chowder, baked apples, mac & cheese and quesadillas
Sacred Heart: 751 N. Jefferson, 63031, 4-7pm
Now in its second year, Sacred Heart’s fish fry is gaining quite a following. Open today for Ash Wednesday. Baked fish, fried fish, fried shrimp, mac and cheese, coleslaw, applesauce, french fries, green beans, salad and more
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne: 3500 St. Catherine, 63033, 4-7pm
I’ve gotten LOTS of emails touting the tastiness of this fish fry. Fried Alaskan cod, poppy seed coleslaw, clam chowder, French fries, green beans & hush puppies
American Legion #444: 17090 Old Jamestown, 63034, 4-7pm
Open since January, this fish fry offers a serene setting in the woods! Fish by the pound, plate or sandwich, plus spaghetti, baked beans, coleslaw and hush puppies
Holy Trinity: 3500 St. Luke, 63074, 4-7pm
Another parish with a growing Hispanic congregation, this fish fry used to feature handmade chile rellenos! I’m not sure they’ll be back this year but the menu is pretty extensive nonetheless. Grilled salmon, fried and baked cod, grilled cheese, fried catfish, grilled and fried shrimp, spaghetti, mac & cheese and applesauce
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta: 1050 Smith Ave, 63135, 4-7pm
Drive-thru service is the big draw here, but you can also eat in. I’ve enjoyed this fish fry many times. Open today for Ash Wednesday. Cod, shrimp, catch of the day, two soups, pizza and more
Holy Name of Jesus: 10235 Ashbrook Dr, 63137, 3:30-6:30pm
The former St. Jerome parish supposedly serves up very good fish. Open today for Ash Wednesday. Baked or fried cod, spaghetti, green beans, coleslaw and French fries
Knights of Columbus #2951: 50 St. Francois, 63031, 3:30-7pm
The menu is simple but these guys are old pros, running their fish fry year round. Battered cod, jumbo shrimp, spaghetti, mac & cheese, green beans
Florissant General Baptist Church: 424 Graham Road, 63031, 4-7pm
Generosity is a core value at this church, where you’ll also find the Gospel Garage. That’s probably why $9 gets you all you can eat at their fish fry. Catfish, cod, chicken, hush puppies, fries, green beans, coleslaw & dessert
Are you getting ready for the big day? NOCO is a proud sponsor of the 3rd annual Live Well Ferguson 5K