This Is My Favorite Food in Missouri – You Must Try It Here

Pasta comes in all shapes and sizes, doesn’t it? Spaghetti, penne, rigatoni, ravioli... you name it. Some of Missouri’s best spots serve up fresh pasta, like Gilardi’s, where they know their way around a noodle. But let me tell you about something that’s unique to St. Louis: toasted ravioli. It’s crunchy, cheesy, and golden-brown goodness you didn’t know your life was missing. If you’ve never had it, you’re doing something wrong.

Toasted ravioli was born in St. Louis in the 1940s. Legend has it that a chef accidentally dropped ravioli in hot oil and bam! A St. Louis staple was born. While plenty of places serve it, there's one spot that’s the place to get it: Rigazzi’s.

Full disclosure: I don't currently live in St. Louis, but I spent my early childhood in the area. And I’ve been craving toasted ravioli from Rigazzi’s ever since I left. This spot has been serving up hearty, satisfying Italian-American dishes since 1957. It’s housed in a charming, historic building from 1901 at the corner of Daggett and Boardman. You can feel the history just walking in. It’s the kind of place where you get a hearty hug from the food and a warm welcome from the staff, and I'm not exaggerating.

Let’s talk about the star of the show: Rigazzi’s toasted ravioli. They’re perfectly crispy on the outside and stuffed with a savory filling that’ll make you close your eyes and smile. Dip them into the marinara sauce, and you'll understand the phrase "a match made in heaven." Honestly, at this point, I'm convinced Rigazzi’s has perfected them.

But here’s the thing... Rigazzi’s isn’t just about ravioli. The menu is full of incredible choices that’ll make you feel like a kid in a candy store. First up, the Arancini. These hand-rolled balls of Arborio rice are stuffed with mozzarella and come with housemade marinara sauce. It’s like a crunchy, cheesy hug before the main course.

And if you’re feeling adventurous, try the Bruschetta ala Campenada, which combines three kinds of olives, fresh tomatoes, roasted garlic, shallots, and a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar on toasted garlic crostini. You’ll be thinking about it long after the plate is empty. Seriously, I might just order all three appetizers next time; don’t judge me.

For those of you who aren’t into filling up on carbs, there are lighter options like their Zuppa or Insalata. But for me? I’m diving straight into the pasta. The linguine and clams is a personal favorite. Fresh littleneck clams, garlic, shallots, Chardonnay, and herbs, all mixed together with linguine: heaven in a bowl.

I’m also eyeballing the Lasagna Pavarotti. Six layers of pasta, beef, pork, three cheeses, marinara, and roasted garlic Alfredo? Yes, please. If I’m lucky, I’ll convince my dining companion to order it so we can share.

If you’re craving something more substantial, they’ve got heartier entrees like Beef Modiga. It’s thinly pounded, lightly breaded local tenderloin smothered in a creamy white wine mushroom sauce and served with garlic French green beans. And if you’re feeling like a classic Italian-American dish, you can’t go wrong with the Chicken Parmesan: crispy chicken breast, marinara sauce, and melted cheese over capellini. These meals are the kind of comfort food I dream about on a cold night.

And yes, of course, Rigazzi’s has pizza. The Carbonara pizza, in particular, is a standout. It’s got roasted garlic Alfredo, thick-cut bacon, heirloom tomatoes, and a mix of cheeses. I’d probably get one and hope my dining companion agrees to take it home for a midnight snack. (If not, I’ll just eat it all myself - no shame.)

Now, I’m not the kind of person who skips dessert, especially when Rigazzi’s has options like Housemade Cannoli, Tiramisu, and Caramel Cheesecake. But if I’m being honest, I’ll be all over the New York Cheesecake. There's nothing else like it.

The toasted ravioli at Rigazzi’s is reason enough to visit St. Louis, but the city has so much more to offer. You can’t leave without checking out the Gateway Arch - it’s a must-see. And if you need a reason to hop on a plane to St. Louis for some toasted ravioli, check out Dollar Flight Club for some fantastic deals. It might just make your decision a little easier.