Posted in Missouri History, State Pride February 24, 2023 by

Toasted Ravioli Was Invented At This Restaurant In Missouri In The 1900s

Missouri’s well-known for its good eats, many of which were invented right here. From St. Louis-style pizza to gooey butter cake, Missouri has been churning out delightfully delicious creations for decades. One favorite, which appears on menus across the country, is toasted ravioli. While you probably already know that toasted ravioli was invented in Missouri, do you know the story behind its creation?

Chances are if you’ve lived in Missouri for any amount of time, you’ve had toasted ravioli – commonly known as T-ravs. After all, they’re a popular appetizer paired with marinara sauce.
Flickr/Eugene Kim
If you’re a fan of this delicious and filling dish, you probably also know that there’s a bit of a debate as to just who invented this Missouri favorite.
Flickr/anokarina
Some believe that toasted ravioli was invented at Angelo’s, now Charlie Gitto’s On The Hill, completely by accident. The story goes that a chef, on an incredibly busy night in 1947, meant to drop a bunch of ravioli into a pot of boiling water.
Facebook/Charlie Gitto’s On The Hill
Instead, that pot was filled with oil. He left the ravioli in to cook and – chef’s kiss – a new favorite Missouri dish was born.
Flickr/Don Harder
Another legend for how this beloved Missouri appetizer was born is similar – only a drunk chef accidentally dropped the ravioli into oil at Oldani’s, also in St. Louis and also on the Hill.
Google Maps
Oldani’s is now known as Mama’s On The Hill.
Mickey Garagiola, baseball player Joe’s older brother, claims to have been at Oldani’s on the very evening in 1940 that the drunk chef inadvertently created a Missouri classic.
Facebook/Mama’s On The Hill
Several others also lay claim to this popular Missouri food, but who you believe really comes down to personal preference. One thing is certain, however, and that is you can find toasted ravioli in countless Missouri restaurants.
Facebook/Charlie Gitto’s On The Hill
Dig into a helping of toasted ravioli at Charlie Gitto’s On The Hill or Mama’s On The Hill.
Facebook/Charlie Gitto’s On The Hill

Did you know that toasted ravioli was invented in Missouri? Where is your favorite place to get toasted ravioli in Missouri? Let us know in the comments! Then take a peek at 10 changes and inventions in Missouri that changed the world.

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