There are a few dishes in St. Louis that are legendary in their greatness. One of them is the onion rings at Al’s downtown. The o-rings there have, in my history, always been at one of the first levels of divinity, and they continue to excel.
The batter is tempura-ish, light and flaky, the width of the rings neither too wide nor too narrow. (The so-called tobacco onions, narrowly sliced, are a fine thing, but certainly a different, more modern sort of creation that’s not what I’m speaking of.) The rings arrive hot and alluring, the aroma distinctively onion-y. They’re sublime.
I can’t think of a better way to spend happy hour than sitting in the dark, old-fashioned bar at Al’s, the long mural of the 1890’s waterfront on one wall, sipping a glass of sparkling wine and eating these babies.
And a word of caution – the parking lot across the street is no longer available. There’s a lot just to the east of the building.
Al’s
1200 N. 1st at Biddle St.
314-421-6399
Dinner Tues-Sat.
Credit cards: Yes
Wheelchair access: Fair
Smoking: No