It’s summer in St. Louis, which means one of the region’s most beloved traditions is underway: Muny season. The Tony Award-winning outdoor theater is an essential part of St. Louis culture and one of our city’s crown jewels. It’s also the perfect jumping off point for enjoying some delicious food. That’s how local food writer Madi Lee sees it. The SLM contributor recently put together a fun guide to help you enhance your Muny experience by pairing each show with some of the city’s most popular restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a dine-in affair or some casual takeout to enjoy under the stars, Madi creatively pairs each of this season’s productions with local eateries that match the show’s theme. From turkey legs for Shrek to Middle Eastern delicacies for Ain’t Too Proud, Madi has you covered to make this your most delicious Muny season yet. Watch Arch Eats on YouTube and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are available.

See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/episode-70

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGkvOXGJHENgtHtcRMnGPVFW

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BfUm30GQXcfuYAWqwrsYs?si=432aaa0abc5646a4&nd=1&dlsi=c46d922dd1824b7b

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/arch-eats/id1714524378

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/

Have an idea for a future episode? Email [email protected]

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cooking a steak is simple. Cooking a great steak is an art. In this episode, George and Cheryl break down everything you need to know in order to prepare a truly great piece of meat. From sourcing, grades, and aging to cooking methods, temperatures, and resting, they get into every aspect of the process, beginning at the butcher counter and ending with you tucking into a positively delicious meal. Watch Arch Eats on YouTube and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are available.

See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/episode-69

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGkvOXGJHENgtHtcRMnGPVFW

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BfUm30GQXcfuYAWqwrsYs?si=432aaa0abc5646a4&nd=1&dlsi=c46d922dd1824b7b

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/arch-eats/id1714524378

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/

Have an idea for a future episode? Email [email protected]

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Who makes the best chicken salad in St. Louis? For decades, there was only one answer, but in this episode, hosts George Mahe and Cheryl Baehr dare to ask the question—and find some excellent options along the way. They’ll taste through 15 different locally-made versions of the dish, revealing tasting notes, stylistic differences and their personal preferences to help you navigate this picnic basket staple, just in time for summer. Watch Arch Eats on YouTube and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are available.

See related stories and resources from this episode: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/episode-68

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGkvOXGJHENgtHtcRMnGPVFW

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BfUm30GQXcfuYAWqwrsYs?si=432aaa0abc5646a4&nd=1&dlsi=c46d922dd1824b7b

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/arch-eats/id1714524378

This episode is sponsored by St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station. Dive into a splash of magic at the St. Louis Aquarium every Thursday through Sunday until June 14 with Mermaids on the Mississippi, bringing you face-to-fin with real-life mermaids. Don’t miss your chance to experience the spectacle, the wonder, and the fun. Grab your tickets.

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/

Have an idea for a future episode? Email [email protected]

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Memorial Day is upon us, and we’re celebrating the unofficial start to grilling season in the most St. Louis way possible: An entire episode dedicated to pork steaks. George and Cheryl get into everything you ever wanted to know about this definitively St. Louis barbecue dish—and then some—with the metro area’s undisputed king of the cut, BEAST Craft BBQ’s David Sandusky. From sauces to rubs, thickness to cooking fuel, the three will touch on every aspect of this venerated barbecue item so that you have all the information you need to make your backyard cookouts more delicious. Bust out the jorts, crack open a Busch and settle in to learn how you can make this your most St. Louis summer ever. Watch Arch Eats on YouTube and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are available.

See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/episode-67

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGkvOXGJHENgtHtcRMnGPVFW

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BfUm30GQXcfuYAWqwrsYs?si=432aaa0abc5646a4&nd=1&dlsi=c46d922dd1824b7b

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/arch-eats/id1714524378

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/

Have an idea for a future episode? Email [email protected]

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a Cinco de Mayo-inspired fiesta at Arch Eats, and George and Cheryl are celebrating in the best way possible: With tacos and margaritas. In this episode, the co-hosts explore the city’s vibrant taco scene with must-visit destinations that range from the gold standards of Cherokee Street and the ultra-traditional, off-the-beaten path taquerias of North County, to parking lot birria stands in St. Charles and East St. Louis, and fun fusion spots that push the envelope of what one might even consider a taco. If you’re someone who treats Taco Tuesday like a weekly holiday, you’ll want to check this one out. Watch Arch Eats on YouTube and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are available.

See related stories and resources from this episode: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/episode-66

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGkvOXGJHENgtHtcRMnGPVFW

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BfUm30GQXcfuYAWqwrsYs?si=432aaa0abc5646a4&nd=1&dlsi=c46d922dd1824b7b

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/arch-eats/id1714524378

This episode is sponsored by Saint Louis Science Center. There’s a lot of wonder in the little word: why. It’s how we uncover how things work and what things are. At the Saint Louis Science Center, the wonder of why is the reason they exist. They bring it to life inside their building and throughout their community. Because why is where wonder begins and the Saint Louis Science Center brings it to life. Plan your visit at https://www.slsc.org/

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/

Have an idea for a future episode? Email [email protected]

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before they were SLM dining writers and co-hosts of Arch Eats, George and Cheryl spent years in the restaurant industry where they learned the ins and outs of the business and saw just about every kind of customer you could imagine. In this episode, they draw on their combined decades of experience to share their essential dining “Do’s and Don’ts,” a restaurant etiquette 101 crash course that will help you have the best dining experience possible. Watch Arch Eats on YouTube and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are available.

See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/episode-65

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGkvOXGJHENgtHtcRMnGPVFW

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BfUm30GQXcfuYAWqwrsYs?si=432aaa0abc5646a4&nd=1&dlsi=c46d922dd1824b7b

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/arch-eats/id1714524378

This episode is sponsored by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, bringing world-class cultural experiences to your backyard with their 2026 Festival Season, May 23 through June 28. Don’t miss the classic comedy The Pirates of Penzance, the Tony Award-winning musical The Light in the Piazza, the American opera A Streetcar Named Desire, and the legendary Romeo and Juliet. Tickets start at just $25. Purchase your tickets today at https://opera-stl.org/

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/

Have an idea for a future episode? Email [email protected]

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mexican cuisine is having a moment in St. Louis right now, and chef Alex Henry is a major part of that movement. Since opening his City Foundry food stall, Sureste, in 2021 and following up with his outstanding sit-down restaurant, El Molino del Sureste, two years later, Henry has been setting the bar for regional Mexican cuisine. A native of the Yucatán city Mérida, Henry celebrates the region’s cuisine at El Molino del Sureste with thrilling results—and earned himself a James Beard Awards semifinalist nomination for Best Chef: Midwest in the process. He shares his passion for Yucatecan cuisine with George and Cheryl, as well as his take on why St. Louis diners are so eager to experience traditional Mexican dishes. Watch Arch Eats on YouTube and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are available. 

See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/episode-64

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGkvOXGJHENgtHtcRMnGPVFW

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BfUm30GQXcfuYAWqwrsYs?si=432aaa0abc5646a4&nd=1&dlsi=c46d922dd1824b7b

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/arch-eats/id1714524378

This episode is sponsored by 4 Hands Brewing Co. (https://www.4handsbrewery.com/) and supported by Cardinals Nation (https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/cardinals-nation). 4 Hands is celebrating the 10th anniversary of City Wide APA with collabs with ten local businesses. 

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/

Have an idea for a future episode? Email [email protected]. 

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fritters and crullers and long johns, oh my! On this super-sweet episode of Arch Eats, George and Cheryl taste their way through St. Louis’ legendary doughnut scene, celebrating the independent shops that make our city so delicious, one delightful bite at a time. The co-hosts will share some insights on their favorite doughnut haunts, blind taste to determine their top picks, and give listeners a general idea of the depth and breadth of St. Louis doughnut culture. Brew some coffee, settle in, and check out how your favorite shop fares. 

See related stories and resources from this episode at https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/arch-eats/episode-63.

Watch on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

This episode is sponsored by Three Sixty Westport. Looking for the perfect way to unwind after work? Head up, way up, to Three Sixty in Westport Plaza. Perched on the 12th floor of the Gold Building, this rooftop lounge is now serving a brand new happy hour every Monday through Friday from 4–6 p.m. Enjoy food and drink specials, skyline views, and one of the best patios in the area. Learn more.

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing!

Want more? Check out all of St. Louis Magazine’s podcasts.

Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing [email protected].

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soup’s on at Arch Eats central, and George and Cheryl have a crock full of recommendations for where to get a delicious bowl. From the quintessential French onion to their favorite chili, the co-hosts dish on the best soups St. Louis has to offer, as well as which establishments are guaranteed to always have something delicious simmering in a stockpot. Whether the volatile weather has you craving something warm and soothing, a lighter lunch, or a cure for whatever ails you this time of year, their picks are sure to make your mealtime more delicious. Watch Arch Eats on YouTube and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are available.

This episode is sponsored by STAGES St. Louis. STAGES is celebrating 40 years of Broadway-quality musical theatre right here in St. Louis. Join STAGES for a milestone season featuring the hilarious 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the return of the high-rolling charm, Guys and Dolls, and the powerful, heartwarming hit Come From Away. Get tickets.

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing!

Want more? Check out all of St. Louis Magazine’s podcasts.

Have an idea for a future Arch Eats episode? Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing [email protected].

Hungry for more? Subscribe to our Dining newsletters for the freshest coverage on the local restaurant and culinary scene. And follow George (@georgemahe) and SLM on Instagram (@stlouismag).

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].

Mentioned in this episode:

• Lazy River Grill, 631 Big Bend, Manchester, 636-207-1689
• 3Gerards Pizza
• South Grand Soup Crawl (February)
• Civil Life Brewing Co. (Soup Sundays), 3714 Holt, Tower Grove South, no listed phone
• Stellar Hog (brisket chili), 5623 Leona, Holly Hills, 314-481-8448
• Colleen’s Cafe (Denver green chili), 7337 Forsyth, University City, 314-727-8427
• DouDou Cafe (pho), 6318 Clayton, Richmond Heights, 314-952-2255
• Fork & Stix (khao soi), 549 Rosedale, Skinker-DeBaliviere, 314-863-5572
• Stew’s Food & Liquor (khao soi), 1862 S. 10th, Soulard, no listed phone
• Chiang Mai (khao soi), 8158 Big Bend, Webster Groves, 314-961-8889
• Nudo House (Hebrew Hammer), Creve Coeur and Delmar Loop
• Union Loafers (chicken & rice), 1629 Tower Grove, Botanical Heights, 314-833-6111
• Blueberry Hill (chicken noodle), 6504 Delmar, The Delmar Loop, 314-727-4444
• Russell’s on Macklind (chicken noodle), 5400 Murdoch, Southampton, 314-553-9994
• Brasserie by Niche (French onion), 4580 Laclede, Central West End, 314-454-0600
• Truffles (French onion), 9202 Clayton, Ladue, 314-567-9100
• Shay’s Creole Smokehouse (gumbo), 912 S. Main, St. Charles, 314-852-2803
• Sister Cities Cajun (seafood gumbo), 3550 S. Broadway, Marine Villa, 314-405-0447
• The Gin Room (osh), 3200 S. Grand, Tower Grove East, 314-771-3411
• Lona’s Lil Eats (Hill Tribe Soup), 2199 California, Fox Park, 314-925-8938
• Robin Restaurant (whitefish chowder), 7268 Manchester, Maplewood, no listed phone
• Levels Nigerian Cuisine (pepper & goat, egusi), 1405 Washington, Downtown West, 314-571-9990
• Peel Wood Fired Pizza (smoked tomato bisque, wild mushroom), Multiple locations
• Straub’s (selection), Multiple locations
• Companion Cafe (selection), 9781 Clayton, Ladue, 314-218-2280
• Bike Stop Cafe (soup flight), 701 S. Riverside, St. Charles, 636-724-9900

You may also enjoy:

• The best soups in St. Louis
• Must-try parish fish fries in St. Louis
• Restaurants where you can get your fish fry fix in St. Louis
• More episodes of Arch Eats
• Shop Arch Eats merch

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If your idea of sake has anything to do with shots of warm, rocket-fuel tasting beverage at a hibachi restaurant or sake bombs at the frat house, Darryl Vennard has news for you. For 25 years, the longtime wine and spirits professional has been setting the scene for a sake boom in St. Louis that has really taken off since 2020. In this episode of Arch Eats, George and Cheryl get the inside scoop on this surprisingly healthy beverage that is showing up on drink menus beyond the area’s Japanese restaurants thanks to its food-friendly characteristics. They also dispel several myths, including the notion that sake must be served warm. Whether you’re a sake aficionado or a curious newcomer, you’ll walk away with a newfound appreciation for this multifaceted beverage. Listen and follow Arch Eats on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are available.

This episode is sponsored by St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Don’t miss Playlist: Symphony Happy Hour, featuring a special spotlight on John Williams. Enjoy signature cocktails, conductor insights from Music Director Stéphane Denève and iconic music from Star Wars, E.T., and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Happening on March 19 at Powell Hall, inside the Jack C. Taylor Music Center. Get tickets.

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing!

Want more? Check out all of St. Louis Magazine’s podcasts.

Have an idea for a future Arch Eats episode? Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing [email protected].

Hungry for more? Subscribe to our Dining newsletters for the freshest coverage on the local restaurant and culinary scene. And follow George (@georgemahe) and SLM on Instagram (@stlouismag).

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Country Club Bar & Grill: 288 Lamp & Lantern, Town & Country, 636-256-7201
• Sweets by Sweet Waters: 10015 St. Charles Rock, St. Ann, 314-374-3307
• Fukucho Moon on the Water (bottled sake)
• Vine Connections
• Sado: 5210 Shaw, The Hill, 314-390-2883
• Kawatsuru Olive Junmai Ginjo (bottled sake)
• Bushido (canned sake)
• The Wine & Cheese Place: 195 Lamp & Lantern, Town & Country, 314-447-9463
• Taberu STL (Heidi Hamamura)
• The Fountain on Locust: 3037 Locust, Midtown, 314-535-7800
• Sasha’s Wine Bar: 706 DeMun, Clayton, 314-863-7274
• Sake Events:
  • Sake and Sakura, March 27
  • Japanese Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden, September 5-6
  • The Ritz Carlton-St. Louis, October 9
  • Goddesses of the Glass, March 9 and ongoing

You may also enjoy:

• More episodes of Arch Eats
• Shop Arch Eats merch

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.