St. Louis’ St. Paul Sandwich: The Best Sandwich You Don’t Know

Growing up in the St. Louis metro area you get to experience things that other parts of the country don’t have.

St. Louis is known for toasted ravioli (love them), pork steaks, St. Louis style pizza and gooey butter cake. St. Louis Bar-B-Que ribs are also special. But low key? The St. Paul sandwich always seems to get left of the “Lou” list of delectables.

I had no idea that the world didn’t enjoy St. Paul sandwiches the way we did. Most have zero concept of this flavor packed, messy sandwich.

My friends and I would go to a little chopsuey place in Edwardsville, Illinois called “Ahn’s”. Sadly, Ahn’s ChopSuey isn’t there anymore as restaurants come and go. Ahn’s had that legit old school Bar-B-Que vibe to it. Tiny dining room, three or four tables with the metal molded edges. 2 chairs to a table. The chairs matched each other at their assigned table, but each table had different styles of chairs. The menu hung above a small sliding window in a wall of wood paneling. Bulletin board with flyers for various events that would be taking place soon. Understated, unassuming and ready to deliver serious flavor to you.

The St. Paul wasn’t something they pushed, but if you knew--you knew.

The sandwich is simple in its’ architecture. Two pieces of white bread, slathered with mayo. Lettuce, tomato and pickles (you could opt for onions too) surrounded the fried egg foo young. Some got chicken mixed in with the egg foo young. My friends and I would get the shrimp. Ahn’s didn’t skimp on the egg foo young or the shrimp. Their St. Paul’s were huge! The paper they were wrapped in was the only thing you could use to try and catch what was going to fall out. The messiness was part of the fun. You had to eat fast. When you eat something messy fast, you get it on you. Trust me, it was charming.

I can’t bring Ahn’s back and take you there. But, per Yelp there are places to venture to in St. Louis and get in on the St. Paul of the “Lou”.