Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.
Beast Craft BBQ Co.
Beast Craft BBQ Co. keeps rising in my estimation — any higher and it might push its way into the STL 100’s Top 25. “All killer, no filler” is owner and pitmaster David Sandusky’s slogan, a phrase as serious as it is catchy. Nothing is overlooked here. Not the barbecue, certainly, which includes best-in-class pork steaks and fresh kielbasas as well as excellent pork ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket and turkey. (If burnt ends are available, get ’em.) Sandusky also treats sides as more than ballast, from fries that are freshly cut to Brussels sprouts larded with pork belly. There are only two sauces, the house standard and a cherry-chipotle variation. Those two sauces are all the accent you need.
Hours: Lunch and dinner (or until sold out) daily
Opened: 2014
Must order: Pork steak (with two sides, $15)