Texas Roadhouse – O’Fallon, IL
I visited the Texas Roadhouse in O’Fallon, IL, and even though the place was packed, the wait moved quickly and the atmosphere stayed upbeat. The restaurant was clean, the staff was friendly, and the overall environment felt welcoming from the moment we stepped inside.
Our waitress was excellent — friendly, knowledgeable, and consistently attentive. She checked in often without being intrusive, kept our drinks filled, and made sure everyone in my party had what they needed. The service was one of the strongest parts of the visit.
The food came out hot and in generous portions. The warm rolls kept coming, and they were just as good as expected. The corn and baked potato were served piping hot, complete with butter and sour cream. Prices were very reasonable considering the portion sizes, and everyone at the table was satisfied with their meal. Most of us even had enough left over to take home for another serving.
The only disappointment was the ribs. They were dry, and the seasoning and BBQ sauce didn’t come together well. Everything else, however, was enjoyable and prepared well.
Overall, the visit was wonderful. Friendly staff, fast service, abundant portions, and a comfortable environment made for a great dining experience. My entire party left happy and well taken care of.
S.P.
The Shack (Ladue, MO)
I recently visited The Shack at Lindbergh and Ladue, and the experience began with friendly greetings and genuine smiles. The service was warm and welcoming, and the overall setting had a comfortable, inviting feel. The food presentation looked excellent, and the portion sizes were above expectations.
I ordered the Reuben sandwich, and this is where the visit missed the mark. The bread wasn’t grilled and was very soft, which took away from the texture and overall enjoyment of the sandwich. While everything else looked great, the Reuben itself didn’t deliver.
Overall, the visit was pleasant thanks to the friendly service and warm setting. If I were to go back again, I would definitely try something different next time.
Shirley P.
Cheddar’s (Branson, MO)
I recently visited Cheddar’s in Branson, MO, and the BBQ was very impressive. The meat was tender, well‑seasoned, and full of flavor, and the BBQ sauce was delicious. Once seated, we were given sweet bread, which were croissant‑style rolls topped with a delicious icing, and they were a great start to the meal.
The restaurant was very clean, and the waitress was friendly with a lovely smile. Her warm attitude made the visit feel welcoming and enjoyable.
Overall, the combination of excellent BBQ, friendly service, and a clean dining environment made the visit a strong experience. I would recommend Cheddar’s and would definitely consider going back.
The Truthful Taster
Applebee’s – Arnold, MO. Brownie Bite
I tried the Brownie Bite at the Applebee’s in Arnold, and it was a nice little dessert for the price. The brownie came out warm and soft, with chocolate and nuts baked inside that gave it a good texture. The hot fudge on top melted into the brownie and added a rich, gooey layer that made each bite better.
The vanilla ice cream on the side was cold and creamy, and once it started melting against the warm brownie, the whole thing came together. That mix of warm brownie, hot fudge, and melting ice cream really did melt in your mouth.
Simple, warm, and satisfying.
— H. M.
Chick‑fil‑A
I recently visited Chick‑fil‑A and had a very positive experience. The service was excellent from the moment I walked in. I was greeted right away, and every staff member I interacted with was friendly, kind, and accommodating. The owner was also present and welcoming, and of course, every interaction came with a sincere “my pleasure.”
I ordered the chicken sandwich deluxe. It tasted good, smelled fresh, and was a nice size. Everything was prepared well and served promptly. The restaurant was very clean, and the décor was pleasant and well maintained.
Staff regularly checked on us, made sure our drinks were full, and even cleaned our table as we were finishing our meals. They genuinely seemed to care about making sure we were happy, which stood out.
Overall, this visit was well worth it, and I would definitely go again.
— The Truthful Taster
Café Kudu — Saint Louis Zoo
I ate at Café Kudu inside the Saint Louis Zoo and had a very good experience. I ordered the Reuben, and it was the best Reuben I’ve ever had. It was served nice and hot, the portion size was good, and the price was reasonable, especially for a zoo location.
The server was friendly and professional, which added to the overall positive experience. One improvement that could be made would be offering drink refills, as that would make the visit even better for guests spending the day at the zoo.
Overall, the food quality stood out and made this a place I would recommend to others visiting the zoo.
Shirley P.
5 Star Burger — Clayton, Missouri (Maryland Ave)
I visited 5 Star Burger in Clayton and found the experience to be mixed. The service was wonderful—friendly, accommodating, and genuinely attentive, which made the visit pleasant from the start. The restaurant itself was clean, but the restrooms need attention and updates, which stood out as a negative.
For the food, the onion rings had good flavor but were very greasy. The fried chicken slider was good overall, though the lettuce on the sandwich was wilted. The dressing on the sandwich was flavorful and helped pull the item together. Prices were reasonable for the area and what was offered.
While there were positive elements—especially the service and value—the food inconsistencies and restroom condition keep this from being a place I’d return to.
Worth trying once, but not worth going a second time.
— The Truthful Taster
Uncle Bill’s Pancake House
I recently visited Uncle Bill’s for breakfast. Unfortunately, the pancakes were gummy and not good, which was disappointing. The syrup was nice and warm, but it couldn’t make up for the texture of the pancakes. The eggs were okay, and the bacon tasted good and was cooked well.
The service, however, was excellent and friendly. Our server regularly visited the table, made sure our drinks stayed full, and checked to be sure we were happy. The coffee was good and always topped off, which made the meal more enjoyable. Prices were fair and reasonable for the portion sizes.
One area that needs improvement is the restrooms, which could use more attention and cleaning.
Despite the issues with the pancakes and restrooms, the strong service and decent value made the visit worth going. I would consider going back, though I would likely try something other than the pancakes next time.
Shirley P.
Worth the Stops 